It’s the second time in two weeks Laura’s called to Headquarters. This has never happened before, and when she steps out of the elevators and heads for the reception area, she doesn’t know what to expect. Last week, she was in the middle of a mishap when the Love in the Net website experienced technical problems and overbooked her. Good thing she turned that around, and that was an understatement. In the past days since she invited Alex and Nate over to her apartment, she can really see herself spending more time with both men. She looks forward to their messages, and they’ve even set a second date for tomorrow. There’s still a feeling in the pit of her stomach that’s unsure about the situation though.
What happens if one of them wants to take it to the next level?
Can Laura really be in an exclusive relationship with two different partners?
What happens if she falls for one of them?
What happens if she falls for both?
There are numerous thoughts racing through her head, and none of them end in ‘happily ever after’. One, two, or all of them will get hurt, and that she doesn’t want to dwell on.
“Laura!” Mia, the receptionist calls to her.
At that, her train of thought is broken. She blinks her eyes a couple times to wake herself up and then walks over to Mia. There’s a small smile on the woman’s face, very different from the usual ear-to-ear grin she usually sports when they see one another.
“How have you been?” Laura asks, leaning her elbows on the table. “I’m here to meet Madison. Can you please tell her I’m here?”
“She called me earlier and told me about the meeting.” Mia then presses the button to unlock the glass doors right beside the reception. “You can head straight for her office.”
At that, Laura mouths a small ‘thanks’, smile included, before she enters the back office of Love in the Net. There are different seat pods and humongous floor pillows at the side of the entrance. Three LCD TV screens line each side of the two opposing walls while below the screens are glass tables housing various consoles. The main entrance then expands to the formal workplace stations. To one side are rows and rows of cubicles with a light wood finish while to the other side are eight-seater oval-shaped tables for those who prefer to work in groups.
Madison Conrad’s office takes one corner of the office space. From where she’s standing, Laura can see that the boss’ blinds are drawn down as a ‘do not disturb’ sign. Either way, Laura knows Madison’s expecting her if she even called Mia to let her right inside, and so, her nude pointed toe heels move her in the direction of the big boss’ glass enclosed corner office.
Knock. Knock.
Laura hears shuffling from inside the room and then a, “Laura, is that you?”
“Yup.”
In a second, the door opens and Laura comes face to face with Madison Harmon, CEO and Founder of Love in the Net. As always, there’s not a hair out of place and not a single crease on her sheath dress. She looks just as she does every day, ready to rule the world.
“Please have seat,” she then says, walking around her desk to sit in her executive chair.
Laura then takes her own seat and waits for Madison to speak. When the woman leans her body forward and rests her elbows just right in front of her laptop, Laura suddenly feels a heavy weight on her chest. When Madison thins her lips into a straight line, Laura knows right then and there to expect bad news.
“I heard you went on a date with both Mr. Montgomery…” Alex. “And Mr. Anderson.” That’s Nate.
Laura tips her head into a slight nod. Did they do anything she doesn’t know about? Laura knows it can’t be the sex. She’s sure. Constant, no-strings attached sex is one of the most profitable services of the company, so they would never take that away. Then what is it?
“So how did your date go?” asks the CEO, then leaning back to rest her back against the chair. “Will there be a second one.”
Laura gives her another nod. Where is this going?
“I see. Another great job from you Laura,” Madison then says, though her face still remains impassive. “You really are one of the best in this company.” There’s still that weight on her chest. “But I’ll have to let you go…I wish you the best in all your future endeavors, and I’m sure you’ll do great whatever your next step is…”
WHAT?! Laura wants to scream out loud. Did she really just get fired after receiving praise for her work?
“Ms. Conrad…” she says, using her last name since she’s at a loss for words. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, Laura…I’m sorry to have to say this…” Then, the woman stands up and walks around her desk. She then rests a hand on Laura’s shoulder. “But to compensate you for your hard work during your time here, I’ll be giving you a generous severance pay, one we don’t give to all terminated employees.”
“But why?” Laura then asks, tone a little harder this time. She’s not going to leave the office without an explanation. “You just told me I was doing great, so I don’t understand why you’re terminating me.”
She hears Madison click her tongue, a show of impatience. Then, she opens her mouth to speak. “In three years, you’ll be thirty, and we’re a company who offers the most beautiful and eligible women. You know we have a rigorous selection process for selecting Premium Lovers…It’s hard to accept, but we all age, and our clients will look for…” A pause. “Fresher fruit.”
Laura’s tempted to let out a string of profanities, but she knows that wouldn’t do anything to help her case. Instead, she chooses a different route, where reason supposedly trumps everything else.
“But that won’t stop me from landing and keeping clients,” she then tries. Right now, she’s more infuriated than distraught. She’s being laid off for unfair reasons. Her age, really?! “I am one of your top Premium Lovers. I know I’m better than some of the younger ones.”
Alpha woman versus alpha woman, Madison matches Laura’s fire with her own.
“My decision’s final, Laura…it’s best if you walk away quietly.”
And just like that, Laura leaves the woman’s office and entirely out of the building. With no job and that means nothing to do during the day and night, Laura decides to stay in bed. She decides to just face reality tomorrow and leaves a number of her messages unanswered.
‘Excited for tomorrow. Hotel booked. ;)’ – Alex
From Mia, ‘Laura, I heard about what happened. That bitch is just jealous. I heard through the grapevine she was ranting about your successful date with the two guys who came into the office last week.’
From Derek, another colleague, ‘Hey babe, the gang and I are free if you want to get wasted. Just shoot us a text.’
From Candice, one of her best friends and another Premium Lover, ‘Babe, drinks tonight? Xo’
‘See you tomorrow. If it hadn’t been for Love in the Net, we would’ve never met…;)’ – Nate