Free Business: Phoenix #1 by Zoe Danielle Page B

busy in meetings all morning so I don’t like to
bother her. Is there any chance you can give it to me?” I tell a little white
lie. It’s for a good cause though, so it’s all okay. I’m not a bad person.
    “Of course.” She gives me the number and we exchange
pleasantries before ending the call.
    I start to dial Matthews’s number and stop when I see
Casey walk past my door. I wait to see if it’s my office she is aiming for, but
she carries on. Ah, she must be going to see Stephen a few offices down. Wooow
lucky escape.
    I quickly dial the number and it rings a while. I glance
at my watch 3pm – I wonder what time it is there. I hope I don’t wake him.
    “Matthew Jackson.” He sounds out of breath.
    “Hi, Matthew, it’s Hannah speaking. How are you?” Really I
wanted to say get back over here you asshole, but I remember this man is now my
boss.
    “Hi, Hannah, how is she?” Well thanks for asking how I am
shit bag.
    “Well, that’s what I’m calling you for. She’s like a
little lost dog that’s pining for her owner. Nobody dares to speak to her as
they’re scared she’s going to bite their head off.”
    I hear him exhale. “I’ll call her now.”
    “No! Don’t! Then she will know I’ve been in contact and
will be pissed that I’m interfering!” I protest.
    “I won’t say anything to give you away Hannah. I promise.
Will you call me later to update me on her?” He asks.
    “Of course I will. Take care.” I smile.
    “You too.” He ends the call at that.
    I sit back in my chair and hope things work out for my
dearest friend.

Chapter Fourteen
    Casey
     
    “So, everything is fine. I think sending Michelle to
investigate the downfalls of the business was a good idea,” Stephen stops when
he hears my phone’s ringtone.
    I look down at my phone and see Matt’s name on the caller
ID.
    “Sorry, I need to take this call Stephen. I’ll be back
later.”
    “Hi, Matt, how are you?” I answer and make my way out the
door and back up to my office.
    “Missing you like mad, other than that I’m okay. How are
you?” He asks with concern in his voice.
    “I’m okay.” I lie.
    “So, why don’t we look at booking a ticket for you to come
over here next week?” He asks. I miss his voice, I miss his touch.
    “Maybe, I’ll have to see how things are running over here
first, but I’ll definitely be coming to see you soon. I miss you so much,
Jacks.” I balance the phone between my ear and shoulder as I push my door open
and see a male figure sitting on the chair facing my desk.
    I squint trying to work out who it is at first. Not paying
much attention to what Matt is saying on the phone.
    The man realizes I have entered and stands and turns; Darren.
He couldn’t have picked a worse fucking time.
    “What the fuck are you doing here?” I shout.
    “Calm down, it’s about time me and you have a little
overdue chat, don’t you think?”
    “Get the fuck out of here before I call security! You have
no business here!” Every part of my body is raging. I don’t think the mood I
was in previously is helping.
    He laughs. “You don’t scare me Casey.”
    He walks towards me and I move backward until I hit the
door. Oh fuck.
     
    ~~~~~
     
    Hannah
    I'm almost falling asleep with the conference call with
the managers and managing directors of our hotel chains. Borrrring, Casey
should be the one who is listening to them drone on but I figured she wasn't in
the mood, so being the good friend that I am I decided to take over. I know for
the future though.
    I start to doodle on my desk pad to pass the time when my
mobile phone starts vibrating on the table, giving me such a fright. The caller
ID says Matthew Jackson; he must be phoning me to update me on his chat with
Casey.
    I can't just stop the call I'm on without looking
unprofessional so I tap the side button on my phone to put it on silent and I
make a note to call back as soon as this call has finished, if it ever does.
    I get back to my