Chapter 4 Do I Know You

4 years later

Natasha sat in the boardroom, shocked at what she had just heard. Their company was bankrupt and will be taken over. As for their jobs, the new owners will determine if they stay or leave.

She had joined this company last year after completing her MBA in business administration and enjoyed every bit of it. After Nona died, she moved to Seattle with her son, Collins, to start at her new job. Her boss was a friendly man who communicated properly and respected his staff. As the personal assistant to Ray, she had met the company in dire straits when she was hired. A small company made up of 40 workers, it had promising prospects but had been run to the ground by the former CFO. Her getting the job had been a big leap of faith, as she was fresh out of school, and she helped Ray through it all. Now they were in a better position, but the debts were many too.

"Is there nothing else we can do, Ray?" Nash asked. She didn't want the tons of workers to go unemployed. She needed this job to take care of her son and his babysitting fees. Her parents opted to help, but she declined their help. They had abandoned her when she needed them the most, and she didn't want anything to do with them. Her Nana had been so understanding and took her in. But after her death, Nash didn't want her efforts to go to waste.

"Unfortunately, no! The deal has been sealed, and the new CEO arrives any day from now with his team. We can only wait till he gets here and hope for the best. In the meantime I need the records in order for the takeover. Sorry I didn't forewarn you. I really had no choice." He looked at her with sadness in his eyes. She was like a daughter to him and had worked so hard to get them back on their feet. He would always be grateful to her.

"It's okay, Ray. You did what's best for your company. I would put everything in order and forward it to you by the end of the week." Nash said and walked to her office to digest and understand the implications of what she had just heard. She was practically without a job unless a miracle occurred.

Nash got home late when Collins was in bed and chose not to wake him up. She quickly did her routine and went to bed, as she had to get to the office early the next day. Nash spent the rest of the week sorting financial matters and putting documents in order. Ray barely showed up or communicated about the takeover, which worried Nash. He always confided in her. She didn't even know who was taking over the firm; everything had been done through his lawyers.

As she walked into the office on the next Monday, it seemed a little busy, which was unusual. It was 15 minutes past 7am, and most employees got here by 8:15, but today was different, and everyone seemed tense, making her wonder what that was about.

As she walked into her office with her favorite black coffee mug, she bumped into someone, spilling coffee on her blue skirt and her pumps.

"Can you watch where you are headed?" Tori said as she observed the damage done to her Fenty boots. She had spent a lot on that piece of luxury, and now it was soiled. She kept her finances tight and rarely indulged in purchases.

"Oh, but you are in my private space. This is my office, ma'am." Nash said furiously as the lady lifted up her head, "Wait! Victoria? Tori?" Nash said with surprise in her voice. She had left that day 4 years ago and only sneaked in while Tori was away to park her essential stuff. Tori must have been mad when she got home, as Nash switched off her phone and she left no note.

"Do I know you?" Tori asked as Natasha took off her glasses. "Natasha? Good heavens. Where have you been? We looked for you everywhere, but your parents won't say a word," Tori replied, embracing her, their argument forgotten. She had been so worried something bad had happened to her. Nash had logged out of all her socials and didn't communicate at all. Rumors went around at school about her running away with Lucas, which Tori firmly refuted. Her friend won't do that.

"Oh Tori, It's a long story. But how come you are here? In my office," Nash said as she placed her bag on her table and sat on the sofa, beckoning Tori to sit next to her.

"Oh, my company was hired to remodel the offices." Tori said, handing her card to Natasha.

"Oh wow, you have your own company? That's amazing, Hun." Nash said

"Yes, I do. After you left, I partook in a competition and won before graduation, so I secured an internship and later used the cash prize to start up my company. A friend got me this contract, so I am working on it personally so there are no errors. Tori said.

"Well, I don't know if I will have a job after today, as the company's ownership has changed hands, but I will miss this space." Nash said, remembering she had to get to the boardroom before 8.

"I need to get to the boardroom, hun. Let's catch up later, okay?" Nash said as she handed her card and picked up the files Ray had asked her to prepare. Tori quickly saved her number and speed-dialled Nash so as to stay in contact

When she stepped into the boardroom, for a second she thought she was in the wrong room, as at the table, a couple of strange faces were seated. She stayed stuck at the door for a while, assessing the situation, until a voice broke into her solace.

"Hey darling, can you get us some coffee?" the voice said.

"Umm... sorry ma'am, that's not my job. I am here for the meeting." Nash said as she placed her files on the table.

"The meeting dressed like that? And who defines jobs around here? If you don't get me that cup of coffee, you won't have a job to talk about after today." The woman concluded.

Nash was conflicted but decided to get the coffee and use the time to catch her breath. In shades, the woman looked intimidating and beautiful. Who was she? Maybe the new owner?

As she walked in with the coffee, she spotted Ray seated on the left side of the table, with a seat vacant next to him. The head of the table was still vacant, and the woman's bag was on the table, but she was nowhere to be found, so she placed the coffee there and headed over to her seat.

As she settled in next to Ray, the lady walked in, getting off a call

"I am sorry, ladies and gentlemen, there has been a delay in the flight, and the boss will only get here later today. In the meantime, we can all head back to our respective departments while I have a talk with Ray here." She said, and with that, everyone left. But she stopped Natasha;

"This coffee is too hot. You can take it away," she said, but Nash stared at her in doubt. She tested the temperature before bringing it to the boardroom. Nash sent her hand to carry the cup, but the lady pulled the saucepan, causing it to splash on Natasha's pumps.

"Oops, sorry about that. You can clean the mess up. Ray, let's talk in your office." The lady said and walked out, Ray following like a dog with a tail between its legs. What a rude lady! She would rather be jobless than work under her.