Dark Alley: Game Read online

  Dark Alley:

  Game

  Dark Alley Episode 5

  D. S. Wrights

  Copyright © 2016 D. S. Wrights

  All rights reserved.

  Dedication

  This is still for Christine.

  Contents

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Acknowledgement

  Thank you to all my Beasties and Betas!

  Especially Janneke and Melysza!

  Nineteen

  Alice was already running late, and that was something she despised, especially on Mondays. She hadn’t slept well for several reasons: the men of the Dark Alley and her job interview, for which she had not yet got a specific date for. All she knew was that the first would be this week and the interview for the management board assistant position next week. And, although she had already decided that the second job interview was the important one, she didn’t want to screw up the first interview either.

  It was ironic how much more complicated her life had become the second she had stepped over the threshold that brought her to the Dark Alley. Alice had expected it to make her life easier and more relaxed. But it was partly her fault for getting involved with three men, to satisfy long neglected needs. It would have been easier if her ex Gary would have been more open-minded and less vanilla in bed and in life. Alice couldn’t help but wonder if things between them would have been different if she simply had said something. But she hadn’t been the person she was now. She didn’t even know what fantasies had been slumbering inside of her.

  And then there was the undeniably fact that she simply couldn’t imagine Gary spanking her, or shackling her to anything without bursting into laughter.

  Trying to picture her ex in the position she last seen King of Diamonds in, was what made her chuckle as she stepped out of the elevator and into the hallway leading to her office.

  Alice knew that she might be lucky because her boss often locked himself away once he entered his office Monday mornings, not checking on her until he had sorted out his dates for the day. The last thing she expected was to find three people in dark overalls standing at her desk. All heat vanished from her body and her mind started to race in panic. Had she forgotten a date? Had she messed up something? Nothing in her memory said so, apart from that her boss had said he would be already working his new job this week. She just hadn’t realized that it might already have been starting today.

  All three men turned towards her when they noticed her arrival, one of them holding an iPad and a pen.

  “We’re here to pick up your stuff, Miss,” the one in charge told her, smiling in a friendly way, but not allowing her to even put down her purse. “I need a signature, so that we can get going.”

  “Uhm,” Alice searched her mind for words, trying to fight off her confusion. “But I’m not moving.” She settled for the obvious.

  “Well, our order says, you are,” the older man turned his iPad towards Alice, showing his order that clearly stated her name and room number.

  “I wasn’t notified about this,” Alice shook her head in disbelieve. “There has to be some confusion. My boss…”

  “I’m sorry, Miss,” the older man cut her off, doing his best not to appear rude. “But your boss gave me the order. Look here.”

  He pointed at the name that changed everything.

  “J.J. Grantham?!” Alice almost lost her voice reading out loud.

  “We’re supposed to move you to the board’s assistant’s office at headquarters,” the man in charge explained. “You weren’t notified?”

  “No…” If there had been any color left in her face now the moment had come for that to vanish into thin air.

  “That explains the attachment,” the man added, tabbed on the screen of his iPad and turned it towards Alice once more, who was now holding on to the backrest of her chair for support, and realizing a bit too late that there was a video playing.

  “…my Name is Grace Matthews, and I am the first assistant of the management board of Grantham Global. I’m sorry for ambushing you, but I am currently out of town due to an emergency in my family. I know you were supposed to have a job interview for the second assistant position next week, but Mr. Grantham himself has approved your immediate employment. I am available on call for you if you need any clarification or help. I have prepared for the upcoming meetings this month and it there are any alterations I am sure that you will be able to handle them, your boss has recommended you highly. Good luck!”

  The video vanished when it ended leaving Alice to stare at the form that ordered her transfer to the headquarters of Grantham Global further downtown. She still felt a little out of it as she took the pen that was offered to her and signed the digital document.

  “Please let us know which folders not to take, and please place your personal belongings into this box” the older man asked and Alice nodded absent-mindedly, now and then shaking her head or pointed at the things that shouldn’t be moved as they were part of her now former job, while she herself was packing a few things.

  Her desk was empty and forlorn within minutes. It was not until the older man returned that Alice realized what was happening and the rest of the floor had heard the news. Alice saw her best friend Bianca enter the hallway to her office as the man in charge returned.

  “I was asked to inform you that a car is waiting for you downstairs,” he told her and Alice couldn’t do much more than simply nod.

  “Thank you, Miss.” And with that he left, just to be replaced with a confused looking Bianca.

  “What’s going on?” She inquired flabbergasted.

  “I’m just being promoted to the second assistant of the management board of Grantham Global,” Alice answered, staring into nothingness.

  “But we’ve just learned about the fusion!” Bianca stated confusedly.

  “I learned about it last week and was told not to share, especially because my now ex-boss was moved to the consulting team,” Alice responded.

  “Wow, he must have recommended you highly,” Bianca rejoiced.

  “Yes, but he wanted to keep me and I was supposed to have a job interview for becoming his consulting team’s assistant but that’s out of the question now, obviously.”

  “Congrats girl!” Bianca cheered.

  “Thank you,” Alice answered thoughtfully. “But I’m not sure if I like it. I wanted to earn this position and not just get it because someone decided to skip procedures because they can’t exist without an assistant.”

  “I get that, but do you really think they would give you the job if you’re not qualified to do it?” her best friend argued.

  “But what if I screw it up? I have no one to show me the ropes. They will just fire me, realizing that they’ve made a mistake,” Alice felt as if she was spiraling down.

  “You’re being silly again. I just told you the answer to that,” Bianca crossed her arms in front of her chest and shook her head.

  “Yes, you are right,” Alice sighed. “It just feels… wrong, you know? Getting a job only because of my boss’ recommendation and because they need someone.”

  “Your pride again, Alice,” Bianca rolled her eyes. “Are you criticizing every gift you get?”

  She hadn’t really with the Dark Alley, that much Alice knew, but it was easier to be skeptical than grateful. It had always been that way for her.

  “If you feel like this is wrong,” her friend suggested, “just prove to them that they made the right decision.”

  “Him,” Alice corrected.

  “Huh?”

  “My transfer is signed by J.J. Grantham himself, the managing director and head of the board of Grantham Global.” Alice explained.

  “Well, in that ca
se you are saying that a billionaire businessman doesn’t know what he is doing by simply giving you a job you were applying for anyways.” Bianca shrugged and Alice felt as if she was turning even paler. “You know I am right, silly,” she started to turn around to leave. “You have to call me once you’ve settled, okay?” Her best friend demanded softly.

  “Yes, of course!” And with that Alice got moving.

  When Alice arrived downstairs, she didn’t feel like an assistant, looking at the high class, black sedan that was waiting for her and the driver that opened the door for her. She instantly blushed and somehow managed to utter at least one syllable as she tried to thank the man.

  It all reminded her too much of the Dark Alley. But dread soon gave in to excitement. The last thing she had expected was to start a new job so soon, let alone the one she had decided to aim for. Alice knew herself enough that just a few weeks ago she would have felt sick and have started to panic sooner or later, probably in the sedan. But now, that she had introduced herself to Belladonna, things were different. She couldn’t wait to see her new office, to look around and eventually meet the people she would be working for from now on.

  The idea of how many business secrets she would hear and must keep wasn’t terrifying but was exciting.

  How much Alice really had changed came to her realization as she got out of the car andstepped towards the downtown building which was nothing more than steel and glass. The entire first floor had glass walls, making the interior completely visible for everyone. She had thought her former employer was a big player in the game called business, but Grantham Global deserved that title.

  Entering the building a security guard welcomed her and handed over her access card on which her photo was displayed, telling her which floor to press once she had entered the elevator. Alice had never felt this way before, apart from maybe the first time she entered the Dark Alley. And that probably was the reason why she felt so uneasy about the whole ordeal.

  When she rode upward in the elevator Alice felt the first wave of uneasiness wash over her.

  What the hell was she doing?

  Did she know what she was getting herself into?

  Was she ready for this amount of responsibility?

  Alice could hear her best-friend’s voice in her head telling her that she was making herself crazy for no reason. And she agreed. A little more light-hearted she stepped out of the elevator at the top floor of the building, instantly entering an open space that seemed to be the assistant’s office, with only one double door leading to the room that had to be the meeting room of the managing board.

  Alice instantly knew which side of the office was hers, although she had no idea how the hell the interior designer, or her boss knew her weakness for lilac colored furniture. Even her chair’s covers were lilac colored.

  All the boxes, which the three people she had met in her old office had gathered, were greeting her on her new desk, which meant – much to her relief – that she would spend her time unpacking. Knowing what to do always helped her stay calm and wrap her mind around all the things that were lying ahead.

  Everything regarding her workplace was matching her color and Alice soon realized that her colleague who was away on personal business had pink. However, what was even more intriguing was that the iPhone and her new laptop, which were waiting for her on her desk, also were lilac-colored, and the company logos were replaced with the name of her new employer: two entwined, capital g’s in front of a stylized globe. The note attached to the device told her that this was her business phone which was expected to be answered 24/7. There went her freedom with the booze, at least until Grace was back.

  Everything she needed to keep herself busy until the end of the day was there. Grace had put together a large paper folder giving her all the information she needed to familiarize herself with the procedures and persons she was working for. She was allowed to take that single folder back home with her and had to lock her laptop away in her personal safe. A frigging safe.

  After lunch an IT guy showed up and took digital prints from her hands and eyes and gave her a crash course in data security, explaining to her how to unlock her laptop and her personal safe with her fingerprints and to clean the print away every time she left. Alice was relieved to find it all in the folder Grace had prepared for her.

  In the evening, after spending almost twelve hours at the office reading through her folder, Alice wasn’t sure if she was allowed to take the folder with her or not. There had been no note and it didn’t contain sensitive information apart from where to find them. But in order to access them she would have to have her laptop with her, which she had just locked away in her safe. Sure, she could use her new phone to access information but most of them needed a fingerprint scan for which only her laptop was equipped. Admittedly, it all was a bit overwhelming and although she felt as if she should continue going through all the information, Alice decided to lock the folder away in her desk. There were still two days left for preparations Alice could finish tomorrow, because the next meeting of the management board would be on Friday, and Alice knew perfectly well how to prepare a large meeting room, and the Management Board would gather just behind the two double doors on the other side of her office.

  The view from that room was spectacular, which was a shame; because Alice could imagine that it wasn’t appreciated during hour long discussions. Which was why she couldn’t help but step into the room once more to take a look at the now lit up city, while she hadn’t switched on the lights, to fully enjoy the view.

  This was her new dynamic place of work. Alice knew that it would take time for this fact to sink in; she would have to remind herself the next morning to not go to her old place of employment.

  The ringing of her office landline made her jump.

  Who was calling at such a late hour? Alice sped

  quickly as she rushed through the large meeting room, trying to get the call before it rang a fifth time.

  “Grantham Global, management board’s office?”

  “Hello, its Alice, right?” She heard a young sounding male voice.

  “Uhm, yes?” Alice wasn’t sure what to say.

  “It’s Jimmy,” the caller explained. “Sorry for calling up, but I wasn’t sure if anyone told you that you have a driver waiting for you, to get you home safely.”

  “I do?” Alice was dazzled – she had her own driver?

  “Yes, and that’s me,” his answer was instant. “I’m driving for you both; Grace and you. I’m sure she wrote that down for you somewhere.”

  “I’m sure she has,” Alice answered. “I’m just finishing up and then I’ll be downstairs in, say, ten minutes? Then you can drive me home and call it a day. Sorry for keeping you working so long!”

  “No worries, I’m used to that. I’ll be waiting up front. You’ll recognize me from earlier today.”

  “Okay, thanks!” Alice was honestly embarrassed and stunned.

  Embarrassed, because she hadn’t asked the driver for his name or even talked to him, and stunned that a mere assistant had her own driver. Then it dawned on Alice how important her new job really was, and how much less free time she probably would have left. But sinking her teeth into this new assignment also had its perks; it would distract her from the Dark Alley, which was tempting her more and more to visit the club during the week.

  Almost exactly ten minutes later Alice walked out of the main entrance to see the same black sedan parked in front of the building where no one else was allowed to even stop. It was exciting to be that important, but right now Alice was rather thankful that she didn’t have to use public transportation to get back home, even if it would get her there faster. The moment her foot touched the sidewalk Jimmy already had opened the back door for her. She gave him a shy smile to which he replied with a wide grin.

  Alice expected him to start a conversation from how often he looked at her through the rearview mirror, but he didn’t. Somehow she had thought him to be talkativ
e like most of the cab drivers, but maybe it was company policy that made him hold his tongue.

  “Thanks for waiting for me,” she eventually broke the silence realizing that Jimmy was driving her home without her having to tell him her address.

  “Not a problem,” he answered cheerfully. “I’m off work the second you are safe and sound at home.”

  “You don’t have fixed working hours?” Alice was stunned to hear this news.

  “Nope,” Jimmy responded. “Usually Grace lets me know when she doesn’t need me during the day, so I can take some hours off, run some private errands, and catch up on some sleep. But I’m on call for the two of you, now.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Alice slapped her hand on her mouth.

  “It’s fine, you didn’t know,” Jimmy gave her a wink through the rearview mirror.

  He was cute, brown-haired and brown-eyed, although not overly handsome, and maybe younger than Alice.

  “My number should be your speed dial nine,” he explained, continuing to be just as cheerful as before. “Just press the nine two times and you’ll reach me. You can call me whenever, wherever, and I’ll get you, even if you are not out on official business. My job is to make sure you are safe and well. Your job is to be there for the board and my job it to be there for you. Dry cleaning, dinner orders, picking up anything, that’s what I do for you so that you can be at the office whenever you are needed.”

  “It’s dawning on me that I might need an apartment closer to the office,” Alice tried to digest the news.

  “Double G has a few apartment buildings downtown, you can request one and if one is available they will give it to you,” Jimmy explained. “I live downtown, too, with an underground parking space, obviously.”

  “Wow,” was all that Alice could say.

  “Yeah,” her driver chuckled, “imagine my surprise as I got the keys to this beautiful Audi, as well as a lease for a downtown apartment from which I can actually see the shore. I thought they had mixed up something. But all drivers at double G have an apartment close to the office, which makes total sense. Many of the managers live in the same building, or at least have an apartment there to get to work quickly. I’m surprised you didn’t attach a lease to your contract.”