Page 32 of Delayed
“Yes.” John bowed his head.
“How?” Her nostrils flared and she raisedher chin.
“Promotions to officer positions arediscussed with the executive level management.”
“So, Robert selected Jacob as the next AVPon a Sunday?” She bit out. She had every right to be angry. Shebusted her ass the last two years, practically carrying Jacob onher back. And this was her reward.
“I’m not saying that. Look, I know this isdisappointing. To be honest, I’m disappointed. But the decision hasbeen made.” He sat back in his black leather chair defeated.
“So where does that leave me?” She crossedher arms over her chest. Her heart pounded rapidly against herribcage.
John looked down at his desk and then mether gaze. “Well, you will start reporting to Jacob in two weekswhen the position goes into effect. But your job shouldn’tchange.”
Reporting to Jacob! Ugh! She knew that wouldbe the case. Her hope had been that the situation would be in thereverse. Then she could hold him accountable for his work or lackthereof. She didn’t think she could work under him. He’dmicromanage her to death and then only worry about whether or nothe shined before the executive officers.
Her limbs trembled. Mustering all herstrength, she pushed from the chair. “Thanks.”
“Anna.” John also rose to standing. “Don’tbe angry.”
“Don’t be angry?” She shook her head. “Youknow I deserved that promotion over Jacob. You realize this wasn’ta decision based on talent or loyalty or hard work, for thatmatter. If it were, I would have won it hands-down.”
“If it had been up to me, you would have thepromotion.” John combed his fingers through his graying hair.
“Well, I guess that doesn’t matter now.”Anna turned on her heels and marched out of John’s office. Thoughthe tears stung, she refused to let them fall anywhere someonemight see her. She beelined for her office and closed the doorbehind her. Leaning back against the door, her legs gave out andshe sunk to the floor.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Everything she’d worked sohard for gone in the blink of an eye and handed to a person whodidn’t deserve it.
Her mind raced.
She’d let herself be distracted. Damn it.She’d lost focus. Getting into a relationship took her attentionaway from her goals. She knew better. But she’d allowed Rex tocharm his way up her skirt and into her heart. Maybe if she’d beenpaying more attention to work instead of Rex and what their futuremight look like, she’d have noticed the scales tipping in Jacob’sfavor.
Shit, even with her distractions, she’dknown Jacob was meeting with Robert regularly. She knew whichdirection the scales slanted, but she had wanted to believe that inthe end, hard work would pay off. She’d wanted to believe that shecould be an officer and have a relationship. Now, she may not haveeither.
“Anna.” Janice’s soft voice penetratedthrough the door. “Are you okay?”
At first, Anna didn’t want to respond. Shewasn’t sure she could. Her throat thickened and her mouth went dry.“I’m fine,” she croaked out.
“Let me in.”
Anna rose and then moved away from the door.Janice pushed the door open enough to squeeze through the doorwaythen closed it behind her.
“I saw Jacob this morning. I’m so sorry.”Janice wrapped her arms around her and squeezed.
Anna pinched her eyes closed, allowing hertears to fall. She didn’t sob. She didn’t scream or yell. She justlet her tears stream. After several seconds, she pushed back andswiped the wetness from under eyes. She had to pull herselftogether.
“So I presume Jacob is already gloatingdespite no announcement having been made yet.” It wasn’t aquestion.
Janice nodded. “He’s a prick.”
“I know.” Anna moved to the window andlooked out over the parking lot. “But I’m expected to report tohim. I mean, I guess my job won’t be that much different than itcurrently is seeing that I already do all his work now, but I haveto answer to him. Ask him for approval on projects and time off.”She shook her head. “I don’t know if I can do this, Janice.” Sheturned to look at her friend.
“Then don’t do it.” Janice stood with herhands on her hips. “This isn’t the only place where your talentsare useful.”
“You sound like Rex.” Her tone wassharp.
Janice flinched, but recovered her smallsmile. “Sounds like Rex is a smart man.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bite your headoff. I’m just pissed.” What Janice said was true. Her marketingskills could be used with so many other companies or marketingfirms. Rex had even given her the name and number of the brewery’sfirm a couple weekends back, thinking she’d be a good fit. She’dshrugged it off thinking she’d be the Vice President of Marketingfor Sunshine Insurance. Ha!
