Page 2 of Isolated
I blinked in surprise. That was… that was one step shy of the highest-ranking position I could aspire to reach as Chief Marketing Officer.
“It’s the end of August, Mr. Clark.”
Confusion marred Robert’s features. “I’m aware.”
Nodding, I explained, “This would be a cruel April Fool’s joke.”
He snorted—the only indication I’d get that he was amused. “This is not a joke. I need you to get to a year in this position as marketing director, but the timing will be perfect. Howard’s looking to retire by the end of this year, and you’re the best choice to step into his position at the start of the new year.”
Howard was the current Vice President of Marketing. He’d held the position for years, far longer than I’d even been here.
“That’s… I’m honored, sir.”
A small nod in return. “Howard will be relieved to know he’s leaving his post in good hands.”
“I promise to do my very best to make him proud. To make all the executives proud.”
“I expected nothing less from you, Iris. You’ve always put your best foot forward here, and we see how dedicated you are to the job and your team. Anyway, I wanted you toknow about this before you left for the day. Consider the news your birthday gift from me.”
I beamed at him. “Thank you.”
“You should head out of here,” he urged me. “Everyone else is. And while you know how much I appreciate your dedication to your work, I think it’s reasonable to ask you to give yourself the full weekend off. Leave your laptop here for the next two days, and enjoy your birthday weekend.”
Laughter spilled out of me. “I’ll try.”
With another nod, he moved toward the exit. “Happy birthday, Iris.”
“Thanks.”
Robert walked out, and I stood there for a moment, feeling slightly overwhelmed. It had been my dream to continue climbing the ladder and proving myself at Mono Mark Solutions. Even though I’d received regular promotions, I hadn’t ever anticipated being able to make the jump from marketing director to the vice president of marketing so quickly. I had expected I’d be working in my current position for several years before anything above it even became an option.
I was overwhelmed with joy, glad the hard work I’d put in over the months and years was paying off in such a big way. I couldn’t wait to share the news with my family and friends.
On that thought, I gathered up my things, stuffed them into my bag, and returned to my office. I packed up the rest of my usual belongings, as well as a few extras. It was my birthday tomorrow, so my coworkers had all chipped in to celebrate it. Not only had we had cake, butthey’d gotten me some flowers and entirely too many balloons I now needed to take home with me.
With my hands full, I moved to the door. I glanced back at my desk, my eyes lingering on my laptop. It felt strange to leave it, considering I always took it with me. Of course, I didn’t always work from home on the weekends, but sometimes, an idea would pop into my head, and I’d be unable to stop myself from getting some work done.
But perhaps Robert was right. I deserved to take the weekend off to celebrate my birthday. I had a busy weekend planned anyway. Content that I wouldn’t be needing the laptop, I walked to the break room to grab the remaining cake I was urged to take home with me and left.
And the whole drive home had been a nightmare with the number of balloons I had to contend with. Although I was not a quick ten-minute drive from the office, I was certainly much closer to my job than I had been just over two years ago.
Back then, I’d been living closer to home. Or, well, maybe it was better to say the place I grew up—Grouse, Pennsylvania—considering where I was now felt just like home, too. Grouse is where I’d spent nearly twenty-nine years of my life. It was an hour from where I lived now, and I’d commuted to Mono Mark Solutions every day.
To some degree, I hadn’t really minded the time on the road, if only for the fact it gave me time to brainstorm for work projects. But eventually, I decided my time would be better spent somewhere other than the car, so I now lived in a place my family often referred to as the middle of nowhere. My home was on the very outskirts of Steel Ridge, in a gorgeous old farmhouse on a piece of property with two acres of land.
I loved my new house. I’d been taking my time ever since I moved in to turn it into a place I never wanted to leave.
Twenty-five minutes after I stepped out of the office, my house came into view and put a smile on my face. All my hard work had led to me being able to purchase that beautiful home.
I parked in my driveway and spent the next few minutes wrestling all the balloons into my hands, along with the flowers, leftover cake, and my handbag.
“Are you throwing a party?”
The sound of irritation floated through the air and in my direction. I didn’t have to look to know whose voice it was.
“If I was throwing a party, Walter, you’d be the first to get an invite.” I turned and beamed at him.
My crotchety old neighbor practically snarled at me in return. “I wouldn’t attend. I don’t like parties.”
