Page 13 of Fever

Chapter Four

Samantha Lean

Chicago Downtown Offices of Gemz Industries

“Where’s that disinfected spray?” I moaned, searching the cabinets where I always kept it. I leaned up on the tips of my toes and padded around the top shelf.

“A-ha!” I said, pulling the can down with a swipe of my hand. I carried it back to the mahogany boardroom table and sat it next to the box of Kleenex that was sitting out just for Josiah. I reclaimed my chair to look over notes I’d taken from the meeting with Christopher Lee Rose. The jury was still out on what I thought about his son because let’s face it, Josiah could be responsible one minute and careless the next. He was by far the biggest skirt chaser I’d ever known. At least Jonas and Jaden had slowed down and gotten married. I guess it was somewhat understandable. He was the youngest. Hopefully, the news I was about to deliver would rock his world, in a good way, but once again, you never knew with Josiah.

Working for Mr. Rose was an absolute pleasure. The man couldn’t be more easygoing. For the most part, Mr. Rose left all daily operations to me. I’d been a part of this company since his takeover. I was one of the employees who almost lost their job when the company filed for bankruptcy under its last owner. Demetris Standoff. Ugh. I shuddered thinking about Mr. Standoff. He believed he was the hottest thing smoking and could do no wrong. Reality hit hard when he found out his company was broke. Why? Because the last fool he had in charge was stealing money right from underneath his nose.

Thank God for Mr. Rose. I crossed my legs and bounced it slightly as I adjusted the glasses on my nose. My anticipation was boosted times three because I didn’t know what Josiah’s response to this particular news would be. The doors to the office opened and in he walked. The young man was handsome and always debonair in his approach. I admit sometimes I had to remind myself that this was my boss’s son, and I was old enough to be his grandmother.

Dressed impeccably in Stacy Adams, Josiah’s attractiveness was undeniable. He reached for his sharp blue tie and loosened it with a smile as he approached me, hand held out, with creases in his cuffs. His golden-brown eyes magnified his cocoa chocolate skin, but today they were puffy and pink.

I pushed my chair back and stood, leaning over my briefcase that sat open on the desk. I retrieved a small bottle of anti-bacterial gel and placed the tube in Josiah’s palm. Laughter escaped his smooth brown lips followed by a deep throaty cough. This time when I reached over the table, it was to retrieve the disinfectant spray.

I turned to him with it held high. “I’ll give you a chance to turn your face before I spray this.”

On that note, Josiah turned his back to me. I let out small showers of spray and waved my arms in the air to kill any lingering germs.

“Now that we have that under control, I guess I don’t have to ask how you’re doing today,” I said.

He finished applying the gel and handed it back to me.

“You can keep it,” I said.

“I guess I shouldn’t ask for a hug then,” he remarked.

“Unless you just want to hear me tell you no, I wouldn’t try it. I see you still have time to keep yourself groomed. Maybe you should work harder at keeping yourself well. Especially with greeting people daily.”

“You make it sound like I caught this virus on purpose.”

“No, but if I didn’t know any better, I would think you’re spreading it around on purpose.”

“And why would I do that?”

I smiled. “Because you’re out and about, instead of at home getting yourself well. Have a seat, Mr. Rose, so we can begin.”

“In response to that last comment, if I had someone to help me get well I’d be at home under their orders.”

“I’m sure you’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself.”

“Mmm, don’t be so sure,” he said, taking a seat in front of me.

I picked up a remote and walked to the office blinds, closing them to darken the room. From there I moved to a TV that sat on a cart and pulled it to the middle.

“Oh, a presentation, this should be fun,” Josiah said with a look of amusement on his handsome face.

“Do you have something better to do because if so we could postpone this meeting and reconvene at a time most suitable for you?”

“Please proceed,” he said.

I curved my eyes at him and hit play on the remote. White snow covered the screen, then a blue screen, then the charismatic ambiance that was Christopher Lee Rose. I watched Josiah perk up. Christopher’s voice boomed through the surround sound in the room.

“Hello, son, thanks for taking the time to have a sit down with me. This shouldn’t take up too much of your day, and I hope this video finds you in good health.”

“Funny that he would say that,” Josiah said, pulling a Kleenex from the box on the table.

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