Page 64 of Girls Night
Raya teased the waist ties of her jacket. She had chosen a bone-colored, smooth wool wrap coat that had an exaggerated shawl collar that wrapped around her, hiding the fact that she was naked underneath. With long sleeves and a tie-waist belt, it was perfect.
Her only accessories were her diamond collar, a pair of red Jimmy Choo pumps, and her purse, which she'd stuffed with a few select items. She had pulled her hair up into a messy bun, and for fun, had thrown on some light make-up.
She wanted to look her best when visiting her lover at work.
"We are here, Mrs. White," Henry called out, pulling up in front of the building. A gentleman in a dark valet suit appeared at her door, opened it, and held out his hand.
"Mrs. White. Ms. Hamilton informed me you would be arriving." He offered her a wide smile as he assisted her from the vehicle.
"Thank you." She looked up at the skyscraper that held the Hamilton name on it in bold letters. Memories of the last time she'd arrived at the building came forth. Though this time, there was no dread, only excitement.
It was funny how things changed in such a short period of time.
"Would you like me to escort you to Ms. Hamilton's office?" The young man asked, coming to stand beside her.
She smiled. "No, but thank you. I know where I'm going." Hefting her purse over her shoulder, she sauntered into the building. Unlike last time, the place was bustling with people trying to get on with their day. Raya walked over to the elevator bank and pressed the button. Clasping her hands in front of her, she waited patiently for the car to arrive.
A young businessman came to stand beside her. When she glanced over at him, she found him staring at her. She grinned before turning her attention back to the elevators.
One of the cars arrived.
The man entered after her, hitting the twenty-fourth floor while she hit the thirtieth. He turned to her with a wide smile.
"Important business meeting?" he asked.
"You could say that," she replied, eyeing him warily. He looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place him.She stared straight ahead, hoping he recognized the cold shoulder she was giving him.
"If you're going to the thirtieth floor, then it has to be. Hadley Hamilton's office is on that floor. She owns this building." He straightened his tie and adjusted his messenger bag. "I'm hoping to interview for the position that opened up there.”
Hmm… No doubt, he was hoping to interview for her husband's old position.
"Well, good luck." The elevator announced his floor, but she couldn't let the moment pass without teasing him. "My appointment with Ms. Hamilton is not for business, but for pleasure."
He stepped out of the car and spun around. The shocked expression on his face had Raya giggling as the door closed.
She shook her head and stood in the middle of the elevator, waiting for her floor. The doors finally opened and she stepped off, her heels clicking along with the marble floors. Today, making this walk was much different than when she made it with her husband.
Before, it had seemed as if she were arriving for her execution.
Today, she boldly walked with confidence. Her coat flared around her legs while her hips swayed seductively. She made her way to Hadley's office and pushed open the glass door.
The receptionist looked up from her desk and offered Raya a bright smile. Raya's gaze dropped down to read the nameplate.
"Hello, ma'am. How may I help you?" Micah asked. She was a pretty brunette, dressed in a pale pink pant suit and a cream camisole.
"Yes, I have an appointment with Ms. Hamilton. My name is Raya White."
"I'm sorry. Ms. Hamilton's calendar is blocked off this morning for a few hours. She doesn't have any appointments," Micah replied, not bothering to consult her computer.
Raya chuckled and motioned to it.
"I assure you, I have an appointment. Why don't you be a dear and hit a couple buttons on your keyboard and check. Or, you can call Ms. Hamilton yourself to ask her if I'm supposed to be here." Raya folded her hands together in front of her, offering Micah the fakest smile she could muster up.
She wasn’t to be dismissed.
Micah rolled her eyes and picked up the phone. Dialing a number, she put it on speakerphone. "Ms. Hamilton, I'm sorry to bother you, but there's a Raya White here saying she has an appointment with you. I didn't have—"
"She does. Why are you calling me? Escort her in here immediately." Hadley's voice was cold, dripping with power. Raya held back a smirk at the show of Hadley's authority.
