Free Crashing Waves by Graysen Morgen

a few lists to see who's available. I know you want to get started so I'll do what I can. I have to go to Aspen in two weeks, so I might not have someone for you until I get back. As I said before, I believe you are very talented and have one of the most unique styles that I've ever seen. I want to make sure you get the best training and advice. Don't worry about the money, I'll make sure it's something you can afford and if not, I'm sure I know someone who owes me a personal favor or two. I do have one question though, just out of curiosity, what made you change your mind so drastically?
     
    Sincerely,
    R. Eden
     
    After she clicked send, she shut down her computer and rubbed the left side of her head, feeling the four inch scar above the throbbing ache as she pressed the intercom button.
    "Alex?"
    "Yes, Rory."
    "I don't have any meetings for the rest of the afternoon, am I correct?"
    "Yes Ma'am."
    "Good. Hold all of my calls and reroute anything important to Martie's office."
    "Yes Ma'am. Are you feeling okay, Rory?"
    Rory laughed slightly. "Yes, Alex, I'm fine. I just have a few things I need to take care of this afternoon so I won't be returning to the office."
    "Sure thing. Have a nice afternoon."
    "You too."
    Rory dialed Martie's extension and picked up the receiver when she answered.
    "Hey, it's Rory."
    "What's up?"
    "I have a few things I need to do this afternoon, so I'm taking off."
    "What! You have never left this building before dark. Are you feeling okay?"
    "You sound like Alex. Yes, I'm fine. I just need to get out of here today. It's really nothing, I swear to you."
    "I don't know. You're acting funny, Rory."
    "Martie, you know me better than anyone. Therefore you should be happy when I'm stressed out and decide take some time for myself. Plus, I have some errands to run. I routed all of my important calls to you. I'll see you in the morning."
    "Alright, call me later if you want."
    "Okay, have a good afternoon."
    "Yeah, you too." Martie hung up the phone knowing damn good and well something was up with her best friend, but getting Rory to talk about anything was like trying to pull teeth from a grizzly bear.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    Rory ran into Carl, the security guard, as she entered her office building the next day. She felt refreshed after using the extra time off the day before to rest and relax. She'd taken half of a pain pill to stop the agonizing headache and had swum a few laps in her pool to ease the tension in her shoulders. She'd fallen asleep early, and awoke just before her alarm the next morning.
    "Hello, Carl."
    "Happy Friday the thirteenth, Rory."
    Rory's eyebrows cringed together as she walked away. She'd heard the same line reiterated from the receptionist in the lobby as she came through the front door. What the hell is with these people? It's just another bloody day. Get over it! Rory stepped into the elevator and the doors opened on her floor with Alex standing in front of them.
    "If you say something about the date today, I'm going to fire you," Rory said, squeezing past her and walking briskly down the hall.
    Once inside of her office, Rory shut the door and let out a long breath. Don't check it, today of all days. Come on you don't have the best of luck as it is. You finally get her to realize you don't have the time or the desire to train her, but now you can't seem to hand her over to anyone else. Bloody hell, Eden, you can't have your cake and eat it too! Everyone is already on tour. So, either you train the girl or give her to some crony who couldn't give two shits about her or her career. No matter what, you still have to check your email…shit. She wasn't sure why she was so drawn to Austin or cared so much about her career. Hell, if it had been anyone else, she never would've replied to the first email and probably would have had the person arrested for stalking her by now, but the enigmatic young woman had weaseled her way into Rory's mind and now she couldn't get her out if it. She