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SAM

I make my way to the top-floor office in the building that I own with my two closest friends. It's difficult to imagine that we transformed from slim IT college seniors to one of the most in-demand cybersecurity teams in New York. While riding the elevator, I find my mind wandering to Stella. This morning at breakfast, she appeared a bit different, and I just can't shake this sense that something is not right. Our closeness has been missing recently, a result of her busy modeling schedule and my constant search for upscale clients.

The elevator doors slide open, and I step into the sleek reception area on our floor.

“Good morning, sir,” Anna greets me with a warm smile.

“Hey, Anna. How was your weekend?” I ask, trying to push thoughts of Stella aside.

“It was good, sir. How about yours?”

“Not bad. Are the others here?”

“Not yet, but they’re on their way. The conference room is already set up for the meetings.”

“Great, thanks.”

I head to the conference room, knowing everything needs to be perfect for our huge client meeting. As I enter, I see Henry still setting up the projector.

“Good morning, sir,” he says without looking up.

“Morning, Henry. How’s it going? Have you talked to Aiden or Rafael?”

“Aiden’s on his way up, but Rafael was just waking up from an alcohol-induced sleep. He partied hard last night.”

“Damn! This deal is huge, and he couldn’t even show up early. Make sure you keep pestering him until he gets here.”

“Of course, sir. I’m way ahead of you. I’ve already sent someone to fetch him.”

“Thanks, Henry. I appreciate it.”

Lately, it appears that Rafael is struggling to keep his head upright, which makes me curious about his current situation. While we are making more money than expected, we still have a lot of progress to make.

Our success depends on all three of us being fully committed.

I sit at the head of the large gray conference table, perusing the papers on the desk. The door opens, and Aiden steps in.

“Yo, what’s up, Sam?”

“Hey, man. I guess you and Rafael partied hard this weekend. He’s still hungover.”

“Yeah, we did our usual partying, but something seemed to be bothering him. He hit the alcohol hard.”

“I just hope he’s alright. We need him lucid for the meeting.”

Henry calls the heads of the respective departments to the meeting. Eventually, everyone’s here, just waiting on Rafael and our client.

While everyone makes small talk, I scroll through my phone, thinking of ways to liven up my relationship with Stella. I see a video of a guy giving his girlfriend lots of roses and chocolate, and it gives me an idea. We haven’t been communicating well, but I remember Stella loves anything with chocolate.

A loud bang of the door against the wall makes everyone turns their heads. Rafael stumbles in, looking pale and bloodshot, like he didn’t want to get out of bed this morning.

“I’m glad you could finally join us,” I say, trying to keep my frustration in check.

Rafael’s bloodshot eyes lock on mine, but he remains silent and takes his seat by my left, while Aiden occupies the right.

“Hey man, what’s up with you? You really need to talk to us. Your behavior lately isn’t cool,” Aiden complains.

“Yeah, I know I’ve been acting up, but I’ll tell you all the reasons soon. Just give me time.”

“Okay, bro, but no more screw-ups,” I reply.

“I got you.”

Less than five minutes later, the owner of one of the biggest investment companies in the world enters the room. We stand to shake hands with Mr. Arturo, led by Henry and two others. We settle down, and the meeting begins.

Two hours later, we’ve signed our biggest client. Mr. Arturo is impressed with our achievements and agrees to a million-dollar contract. We shake hands, agreeing to meet again soon.

The guys and I decide to celebrate with an early dinner. We tell the rest of the staff to close early. Rafael recommends the place, claiming they serve the best Bloody Mary he’s ever had.

ROSA

After a hectic morning, I’m relieved to have finished my work just in time for a short break. It’s Monday, which means mimosas with my girls, Marie and Lola. We always meet at our usual table by the window, a little at the back, offering a great view of the restaurant and the privacy to discuss our matters.

I arrive a little later than my girls and see them at our spot, laughing and whispering. I’m so grateful for their friendship; they’ve helped me through my hardest times. When I first started my job dancing on a pole, they were there to support me. It pays well, especially since I work in a high-class private club. I was a dance major in university but didn’t finish, and I still had my mom’s body after giving birth to Cole. Marie and Lola helped shape my body and taught me the moves that got patrons paying big. Since then, it’s been the three of us.

“Mejores amigas,” I call out when I’m a few feet away from them.

They both look up and stand to hug me.

“It took you long enough,” Lola says, teasingly.

“I had to rest before heading out. I had a lot to do today. So, what were you laughing about?”

“Oh, you saw that?” Marie asks, giggling.

“Uh, yeah. Me and everyone in here.”

“Well, if you want to know, just look out the window.”

I follow her gaze and see a middle-aged Asian man having a drink. The weather is a little windy, and just as I’m about to turn away, the wind picks up, blowing at the man. He uses his hand to hold down his hair, but not before I see it lift off almost halfway from his bald head.

“¿Qué rayos?” I say, laughing so hard that it almost brings tears. It happens a couple more times before I turn away.

“Oh my God, you girls are evil for watching him like that.”

“Yeah, we know,” they reply in unison, laughing.

We call over the waiter and order our drinks: a Bellini Mimosa, a Blushing Mimosa, and a Pink Lady Mimosa.

“So, girls, can you guess who I saw today?”

They both look at me with blank stares.

“I saw the hot and sexy Samson Cross at the office today!”

“Ahhh!” they scream, waving their hands in the air.

“Yes, girl! You have to tell us everything.”

The girls know all about my infatuation with Mr. Samson. Although I know nothing can ever happen, they always entertain my ramblings about him and the things I see at the office.

I pop a piece of bread dipped in olive oil into my mouth, chew it quickly, and settle in to tell them everything.