The CEO She Rejected

e let her

let her run

wn her that she b

ker people to fire, assets to review-b

me felt like I had

ld and there's a need for me to know her name. I believe th

nd not up to

ed better that way, somehow I guess th

ween crowds like someone used to disappearing

oulders tense, and her pace s

warrior

's car. I'd told him to leave. That he has been dismissed

l like some obs

rdless of whatever the

itz and glass of my world. The buildings here were cracked, tired, leaning in

ust covered the gate dark in color. The walls were stained with rain and

on. No seco

imbed the narrow staircase and disappeared into a small room

d. And

ome s

ow, sense me, something. But she didn't. She was gone fr

r room, I will not allow her t

letting that h

alked straight to the bui

aus

e so I kno

of slow, caut

reaked ope

ere sh

oot, wrapped in an oversized hoodie with a pen

e entere

here I live?" she asked

said without blinkin

ight now?" Her voice rose, lace

as over. It wasn't." And you left me wit

nd tried to s

y palm and a little

ass you," I said. "I

ey at me again?" she snapped. "

eyes were tired. Not just from a long day, but from

e," I said quietly. "I'm

need your o

ve more than what this

. Just for a second

pened a li

" she said. "T

pped

of notebooks, and a tiny desk with a chipp

and something warm-maybe coffee or

of the mattress, a

nding. "What

me all the way here

n't r

hed. "I

bel

and elegant, bu

e restaurant scene

two jobs, and none of them pay on time. That p

ake the offer?

men like you do. You walk in, throw your weight around,

mil

you think

Now we were

she said. "But I

pecte

. Especially not from women

wasn'

omething

t, pulled out a card,

you ever chan

dn't t

she said, s

ard that

he desk beside

turned

r when a soft cough ech

lla f

did

t was her w

. This one ra

n me and the room like a wall wher

here?" I asked,

he said too fast.

re differen

fear when

abe

" I noticed the sudden gathering of tears in h

was when

rong girl with a sharp

hiding s

s protecti