He had the revised numbers and updated presentatio…

He had the revised numbers and updated presentation ready. He emailed the files to Victoria and headed to the conference room to set up. The board members would be arriving soon, and everything needed to be perfect, but Victoria wasn’t in the conference room.Jack checked his watch nervously. It wasn’t like her to be late for anything, especially not a board meeting.

He decided to check her office. Her assistant, Megan, looked up as he approached. She stepped out about 20 minutes ago. Said she needed to freshen up before the meeting. The board will be here any minute, Jack said, anxiety creeping into his voice. Did she get my email with the revised presentation? I’m sure she did.

She probably just went to the executive washroom to touch up her makeup or something. Megan replied with a shrug. Why don’t you go check? It’s down the hall, last door on the right. Women’s room, but the executives have private stalls, so just knock. Jack hesitated, then nodded. The presentation was too important to risk any miscommunication.

He hurried down the hallway, rehearsing what he would say. The door to the executive washroom was slightly a jar. He knocked lightly. “Ms. Reynolds, the board is arriving soon, and I wanted to make sure you received the updated presentation.” “No response.” He knocked again, a little louder this time. “M Reynolds?” Still nothing.

PART 3

Concerned that she might not have heard him, Jack pushed the door open slightly. “M Reynolds, I apologize for the intrusion, but the words died in his throat.” Victoria Reynolds stood by the sink, her back to the door, completely topless. She had apparently been changing her blouse. At the sound of his voice, she whirled around, her eyes wide with shock, one arm flying up to cover her chest, the other reaching for a towel hanging nearby for a split second that felt like an eternity.

They stared at each other, both frozen in horror. Jack caught a glimpse of a large, jagged scar running across her right side before she managed to cover herself with the towel. I I’m so sorry, he stammered, backing out of the doorway. The door was open and I knocked. But get out, she hissed, her face flushed with anger and embarrassment.

Jack fled, his heart pounding in his chest. He returned to the conference room, his mind reeling. What had he done? He just walked in on his boss, his notoriously private, intimidating boss, in a state of undress. He was going to be fired. There was no question about it. The board members began to arrive and Jack greeted them mechanically, his thoughts still in turmoil.

5 minutes before the meeting was scheduled to begin, Victoria walked in impeccably dressed in a crisp white blouse and charcoal suit, her dark hair pulled back in its usual severe bun. If not for the slight flush on her cheeks, no one would have guessed anything was a miss. She didn’t look at Jack as she took her place at the head of the table.

Gentlemen, ladies, thank you for joining us today. Mr. Mitchell will be presenting our strategy for the Henderson account. Jack somehow made it through the presentation, though he had no recollection afterward of what he’d said. The board members seemed impressed, asking thoughtful questions that he answered on autopilot.

Victoria remained silent throughout, her expression unreadable. When the meeting concluded and the board members filed out, Jack braced himself for the inevitable. Victoria would ask him to stay behind and then she would fire him. He would have to tell Lily they couldn’t afford a bigger apartment after all. No puppy.

Maybe they’d have to move in with his parents in Ohio. Mitchell, Victoria said, her voice cool and professional. A word in my office, please. Here it comes, he thought, following her down the hallway. The other employees averted their eyes, sensing the tension. Everyone knew when someone was being marched to the executioner. Inside her office, Victoria closed the door and moved behind her desk, putting the large piece of furniture between them like a shield.

She remained standing, her posture rigid. About what happened earlier, she began, her voice tight. “M Reynolds, I am truly sorry,” Jack interrupted. “It was completely inappropriate. I should have waited for you to respond before opening the door. There’s no excuse for my behavior.” Victoria’s expression flickered with something.