Anguished (Crimson Elite 2)

I groan loudly when my cell starts binging, alerting me to more emails. Even though I say I won’t work when I’m home, I do every time. Get suckered in, and work until I pass out then get up, get dressed and do it all over again.

How interesting am I?

Full on, I know.

Not.

I need a new life. I was hoping by now I would have at least met a few people to socialize with. It’s been three months and not once have I gone out by myself in this city.

It also doesn’t help that I’m one of the youngest in my office and effectively their boss which I know more than a few are not happy about. Many of them tried out for my job, but I worked damn hard to get where I am today and even if I get snotty comments or looks behind my back—because they think my age is a factor in how I do my job—I won’t let it affect me.

I’m damn good at it.

Have been since I was sixteen when I first took on a job at a fashion magazine.

Now, I’m Chief Editor at one of the best and well-known magazines worldwide. My age helps me keep up to date with all the things my generation wants. Plus, my experience helps me know the business. I see it as a win-win. Others think that I shouldn’t be in the position I’m in. My cell starts ringing and I know straight away it’s Melissa, as I have a set ringtone for her.

“I want this conversation to start off with… Mel, you won’t believe the piece of ass I hit last night. Actually, he’s still in bed with me, and I’ll say… give me all the details. So, give me all the details?”

“Harry isn’t a fine piece of ass,” I say laughing at her words.

“Oh my God, every time I call you’re watching that ridiculous movie. Enough already.” I can hear music in the background.

“Where are you?”

“Roger’s Bar,” she answers like I should know. I probably should. Roger’s is the local bar where we used to go until close to every weekend. Oh, how my life has changed. “He’s here, too, with her wrapped around his waist.”

I pull the cell away and take a deep breath. Fuck him, and his wandering dick. “I don’t care.”

This time Mel stays silent. One thing you need to know about Mel is she’s never silent.

“You do! And your life seems to be sucking up there. How about I come up next weekend, and we can paint the town pink?” I smile despite hearing what he’s doing with another woman not even two months after me being gone. Asshole. Being with someone most of your teenage and adult life doesn’t mean shit. I was with Matthew since I was fifteen, little did I know until a few months ago he liked to stick his dick in places that weren’t me.

So this new start came at the perfect time. I wouldn’t have to watch him chasing after other women and kissing up on them. I could start afresh.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! How many more yeses do you need?” I say sitting up pausing my movie.

“No more When Harry Met Sally all week, Storm.”

I poke my tongue out, but I know she can’t see me. “I wasn’t really watching it.”

She scoffs at me. “You’re lying, but that’s okay. Have your When Harry Met Sally shit now, but be prepared to not put it on at all next weekend.”

“I’ve only watched it once this week.”

“Lies, but that’s okay. I can handle that one lie.”

She’s right, I’ve watched it every day this week.

My life really does suck.

“Maybe it wasn’t so smart to start over,” I say putting my fingers to my mouth biting on my fingernail as I lay back on my couch.

“Please, it’s a great thing. You’re starting over. So many people dream about doing that, and here you are actually doing it. Stormi, you got this, babe. I’ll be there next week and we can explore together.” I trust her words and hope to God I can survive because the last thing I want to do is go home.The week went super slow, but also super-fast. It was a nightmare and a blessing all in one to finally see Friday roll around. I needed to leave this office and see my best friend. Desperately.

“Plans for the weekend?” Vicki asks me as my cell starts ringing and Mel’s ringtone blasts through the office. I quickly place it on silent as all eyes fall to me from her booty-shaking song and smile a fake smile. Vicki, in the whole time I’ve been here, not once has she been nice to me. She’s one of the editors and ten years older than me. I’m sure she wanted my job, hell, she possibly even applied for it. Who knows?