Page 4 of CEO February: Brax Danvers
Annie left my office and I settled down to work. We were pitching to a large restaurant chain with a celebrity chef later that month, and I wanted to be sure we had every tool in our arsenal to impress.
It wasn’t until Sally nudged my arm that I realized the time. We had missed our lunchtime walk and she must have been sitting with crossed legs. It was nearing on four and my stomach rumbled.
“Come on, girl, let’s grab a sandwich,” I said. I clipped on her leash and shouted to Annie that I was heading out.
My office, thankfully, was in a small, cobbled courtyard off the main busy streets. Artisan bakeries and delis lined one side and fantastic tapas bars the other. I sat with Sally at one of the outdoor tables and ordered a couple of dishes. It was nice to sit and people watch, although, I realized, if I’d ever wanted peace and quiet, having a dog wasn’t going to help. A few people stopped to pet Sally or use their baby voice to talk to her. I smiled politely and wondered if I could get away with calling her a service dog. She certainly calmed me and was a magnet for people. They all walked away with a smile on their faces. It did mean that my food was cold by the time I ate it, sharing a little with Sally.
I walked around the courtyard garden in case Sally needed to pee and then we headed back to the office. A woman walked from the restroom and nearly tripped over Sally’s leash.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, bending down to pet the dog.
When she looked up at me, I frowned; she looked familiar.
“It was our fault. I’m glad you didn’t fall,” I said, as she straightened up.
She held out her hand. “Darryl Howard. I’m moving my business into the building over the next couple of days, floor three.”
I shook it. “Brax Danvers, I’m the CEO of Penn and Walker. Seventh floor.”
She laughed. “Well, it was a pleasure to meet you and...?”
“Sally,” I answered.
She rubbed Sally’s head one more time then took off. I headed to the elevator; it wasn’t until the doors closed that I remembered. She was the woman in the park! My stomach flipped and I swallowed down the embarrassed laughter.
“Who has moved into floor three?” I asked Annie when I returned.
“Some beauty consultants, I think. Quite handy really,” she answered. “Why?”
“The owner just tripped over Sally in the foyer, that’s all.”
I smiled and continued on to my office. There was a communal website for the building, more for the owners of the building really, but there was a small section for the companies that rented. I searched and found that it had been updated to include her company, although, it wasn’t the beauty parlor that Annie thought. It appeared the company had developed a range of products that were sold to spas around the world. Darryl was pictured. Her auburn hair hung loose and curled around her shoulders. She had startling blue eyes and I wondered if the image was photoshopped; I hadn’t noticed that either the previous evening or that day. The company bio went on to say that Darryl had a degree in chemistry and had worked in the beauty industry for years.
I clicked to Penn and Walker’s page. There was just a small photograph of the office, not one of me, thankfully. I wondered who managed the upkeep of that since the data was outdated by some years. Perhaps I’d send an email to the agents.
For the second time that day, the hours ran away from me. I gathered my things and Sally, then headed home. I dropped my files off and immediately decided to take Sally for her dinnertime walk. I chose another path that day, not because I didn’t want tostumbleacross anyone but more so because I wore a white shirt and suit pants. I’d really look out of place in the woods, so I stuck to one of the dog walking pathways keeping Sally on the leash.
Chapter Three
I tossed and turned in my bed, kicked off the sheet, and angled the fan better.
Damn the Brits and their lack of air-conditioning, I cursed in my head.
I was hot and bothered. I turned over to see my clock illuminated, two in the morning. I swung my legs over the side, needing a drink, and perhaps to open a window or two. I stood naked at a window overlooking my small courtyard. I didn’t care if anyone saw me, it was dark and I hadn’t turned on the lights, so good luck to them, I chuckled. The thought aroused me. Sally was sound asleep on her bed when I walked into the kitchen. When I opened the fridge, it disturbed her.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” I said, gulping down some cold water. It appeared to be way too late, or too early, for her. She rested her head back down and closed her eyes.
“Okay then,” I said, heading back to the bedroom.
I pulled on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, foregoing any underwear, and slipped on running shoes. I was sure there would be night joggers and I wouldn’t look too out of place. If I was spoken to, I was simply restless and thought a jog might settle me. As it was, by the time I got to the park there were no rangers on site. The main gate was locked but a small turnstile remained open. The park was a regular shortcut for people wanting to avoid the roads.
I didn’t take my earbuds, jogging at night, while oblivious to your surroundings wasn’t a great idea, I often wondered why so many people did that. They placed themselves at a disadvantage should someone wish to grab them. Maybe the Brits didn’t take that kind of a threat seriously, but many a woman had been dragged from jogging paths into wooded areas and assaulted.
I took off at a gentle pace, but I just couldn’t help myself. I strayed off the trail and into the woods beside me. I knew the way by heart at that point. I slowed to a walk, straining my ears to hear. I heard nothing and when I came to the clearing, it was empty. I was surprised at the level of disappointment that flooded me.
“You’re too late,” a voice startled me. I spun on the spot as my heart raced and I raised my fists ready to defend. “Whoa, steady up,” he said, laughing. A man stood with a trash bag in one hand and a litter picker in another. He didn’t wear a uniform but clothes similar to mine.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said defensively.
