ustries was at least good at sharing its successes. Each extra-loaded check was immediately justified by my co-workers.
"Well, I did help approve the new logo," I heard one of the other junior executives say.
"So, what are you going to do with your bonus?" his buddy asked.
The junior executive grinned. "New car. First thing. Actually, a few of us are heading to the big dealership on Van Ness in ten minutes. You in?"
"I can't wait to see my wife's face when I pull into the driveway in a new sports car."
Those who weren't talking about cars were talking about vacations, new homes, entertainment systems, and boats. I only counted one interesting conversation that included interior design and art collecting. Not once in the entire length of the hallway did I hear anybody talking about investments or savings.
"Is there a party going on?" Amy asked when I finally reached my office.
"Aren't you going to get that?" I asked.
Amy frowned at the ringing phone. "It hasn't stopped ringing for the past half an hour. I didn't know how to answer anyone's questions, so I'm just letting it go to voicemail."
I gritted my teeth. "At least set it to go directly to voicemail so we don't have to listen to it ringing," I said.
"How do I do that?"
"Amy, please," I said, pressing a hand to my forehead. "Please tell me you read through the binder. I even included the phone instructions."
"Oh, sure, no problem, Ms. Nichols," Amy said.
"Thank you." I stopped in my office door and wondered at her sudden willingness to help. "Amy, what did you hear about the 'party' that's going on?"
Amy heaved the binder into the center of her desk and smiled up at me. "I heard that you made the company billions of dollars. I figured you'd be out celebrating, that's why I was letting the phone ring. Actually, if I were you, I'd head right over to Union Square. All the best stores are there, and now you can totally buy whatever you want."
So everyone knew. I wasn't surprised at how fast word spread, especially on our floor, but it was daunting. There was no telling if my fellow junior executives would like me more because of the success or have further reason to ostracize me. The weight of it was just settling onto my shoulders, and I couldn't listen to Amy's sage shopping advice anymore.
"Hold all my calls. I mean, just let them go to voicemail," I said. I started to shut my office door, but it popped open behind me.
"There's not a single closed door on this entire floor, yours can't be the only one." Rainer propped it back open with his shoulder as he carried two plastic cups of champagne. "I figured if you are feeling anything like I am, you might need one of these by now."
It was hard not to feel relieved at the sight of him. Still, I retreated to my desk in order to stop myself from leaning against him. It was only the camaraderie of our situation that I was feeling, and nothing else.
"Thanks, I guess it wouldn't hurt to have one glass," I said. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I owe you a billion bucks," Rainer said.
I laughed, and the fizzy champagne bubbles tickled my nose. "Thanks, but no thanks. I can't even wrap my head around the money that I've got."
"Exactly," Rainer said, leaning on the corner of my desk. "I keep checking my bank account every few minutes because it doesn't seem real."
"I thought you were all playing a prank on me," I said. I flopped down in my desk chair and took a long sip of the sparkling champagne.
Rainer's smile turned into a crinkled frown. "You really think it's us against you?"
"I know how corporate America works, and I didn't come to Hyperion to make friends," I said.
"Is that why I never see you out at the happy hours or parties?" Rainer asked.
I sat forward and turned on my computer. "No. I've just been busy. The work is more important to me than the socializing."
He nodded but pinned me with a serious look. "I suppose you just proved your own method, but I like to believe there should be a balance between work and building relationships."
"Relationships, whose got time for those?" I snorted and then realized I had spoken out loud.