Chapter 2: Anonymous Tip

Valerie rushed to get to work, a top knot on her head while her chocolate locks were cascading down her back. She wore a pale blue shirt which was decorated with white pinstripes, tucked into a white pencil skirt. She held tightly onto the straps of her bag while she dashed through the lobby, running carefully since she didn't want to break her neck, the marble charcoal tiles were treacherous after all. She was aware that running like that made her look funny, but she didn't care. Right now all that mattered was getting to the office without Daniel, the sales manager, noticing she was late. Even if it was only a few minutes.

She scanned her card to pass security and took the elevator to the fourth floor. The minute the elevator doors opened she let out a relieved sigh, stepping out of the car and checking her watch. She was only ten minutes late which meant that she could get away with it. Glancing around when she heard soft murmurs she cautiously walked to her desk, taking in her surroundings. She had no idea what was going on, but people were quietly talking amongst themselves. She dropped her bag on her desk and glanced aside, watching as Andrew, her co-worker/friend approached her.

"Something big is happening right now." He whispered to her.

"What's going on exactly?" She quietly asked him.

"Daniel's contract has been terminated." Andrew informed her, "Apparently there is such a thing as karma."

Valerie narrowed her eyes on the closed office door ahead of her. Usually the windows were frosted and no one could see what Daniel was up to, today, however, they could all look inside. Daniel was standing with his back turned to her while a guy wearing a navy suit and a white crisp shirt was leaning against the desk, his arms folded in front of his chest as he talked to Daniel. The guy didn't seem pleased at all, he looked angry. His hazel eyes ablaze while his face was marred to a permanent scowl. Navy suit guy was probably preaching to Daniel while the sales manager took it all, not saying anything back because he knew navy suit guy was right about whatever he was preaching about.

"I guess so."

"Heard shit went down over the weekend. Apparently one of the founders received an anonymous tip about Daniel and his secret love affair with the intern, he collected data over the weekend and called Daniel up to his office first thing in the morning. He fired him, just like that."

"Just like that?" Valerie repeated.

"Yeah, the clueless founder wasn't going to let it end like that. Apparently he has a temper and needed to get things off his chest before Daniel left the building."

Valerie nodded, "So here he is, preaching to Daniel while the guy takes it like a champ."

Andrew snorted, "Don't start sweet talking that guy, he doesn't deserve it."

She locked eyes with Andrew, "I'm not, I'm just saying. I don't think I'd be able to stand there and listen to someone berate me. I'd either run or try and defend myself."

Andrew shoved his hands in his pockets, his eyes trailing back to Daniel's office, "I suppose the majority would react that way. But Daniel has been getting away with his bullshit for far too long and he knows it."

Andrew excused himself when Daniel spun around and left his office. Valerie took in the scene confused about what just happened. While she had been dragged into her sister's wedding craze others were being investigated because of an anonymous tip. It was such a weird coincidence. Friday night she had been complaining to the handsome Gabriel about her boss and come Monday said boss was fired. It was just odd how things worked out like that.

She held her breath when she watched the guy in the navy suit stroll out of the office. He stepped forward and called everyone over so he could make an official announcement. She quietly approached him, standing in the back while navy suit explained the situation to them.

"Due to his inappropriate behavior Daniel's contract has been terminated. Same goes for the intern. As for the time being you guys can focus on your tasks. From what we gathered you are all capable of following through without needing someone to hold your hand. We'll be appointing a new sales manager in two weeks. If you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'm Ethan Hunter. If you can't reach me you can also contact my co-founder, Gabriel Starr." He wrapped his little speech up and excused himself, "That would be all."

Valerie stared at Ethan's retreating figure, her blood running cold as the name Gabriel Starr echoed through her mind. She jumped when she felt a hand upon her shoulder, glancing aside she met Andrew's concerned gaze.

"You okay?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." She lied, "Just need to let this all sink in, you know."

Andrew grinned at her, "We should go to that fancy place you hang out at to celebrate. No more Daniel and two weeks of freedom. We're so lucky."

"Yes, we're so lucky." She agreed, knowing in the back of her mind that it had nothing to do with luck. It was all her opening her big mouth to a stranger who withheld information from her.

"So we'll leave at five." Andrew continued.

"Sure."

She walked back to her desk and sat down, going through her emails while she avoided responding to more complicated questions since her head wasn't in the game. She was confused and angry and all she wanted to do was storm to Starr's office and ask him what he was thinking. She embarrassed herself in front of him and he used her drunken confession to fire Daniel. He referred to it as an anonymous tip, but she knew it was her who tattled on Daniel. She was supposed to be happy about it, yet she felt dirty. She needed a drink or two to get over it.

***

The lounge was quiet tonight, probably since it was a Monday night. She took a seat at the bar like usual, but today she was joined by the cheerful Andrew. She ordered a spicy margarita, needing it to pep her up a little. Andrew ordered a Greyhound, going for a bitter drink.

"I still can't believe it." Andrew raved, "Daniel is gone, I mean we were all hoping it would happen. But now it finally did."

"I can't believe it either."

The bartender served them their drinks quietly and continued his task of wiping tall glasses. She watched him move around, his moves were practiced and smooth as he took an order and prepared it. The glint in his green eyes told her he loved his job. She wondered if she'd be able to love her job now as well. With Daniel gone there were tons of possibilities awaiting her.

She raised her glass and faced Andrew, "Here is to hoping we get a better replacement."

"I'll drink to that."

They had a fun night out together, sharing a few drinks while discussing the possibilities. They wondered how Hunter and Starr would select a new sales manager. Either they'd hire someone new or they'd choose someone from the department. They were leaning towards the latter which meant that someone was getting a big promotion in two weeks. She wanted to hope that it'd be her, but she doubted it. She closed deals, but she wasn't the top ranking employee. They just had to wait and see who'd become their new appointed leader.

"I'm heading to the bathroom, we leave after?" Andrew asked her.

She nodded, "Yeah, sure."

Once Andrew was out of sight Valerie faced the bartender, reaching for a business card in her bag and flipping it around to write a message for Gabriel. We need to talk. She left it at that and asked the bartender to come over.

"What can I do for you, Val?"

"When Gabriel comes over again, can you hand him this card?" She asked the confused looking bartender, "You'd be doing me a huge favor."

He took the card from her, putting it away in a drawer, "If he does show up again I'll hand it to him. But don't get your hopes up, okay? I haven't seen him before, not sure if he's coming back for another drink."

Valerie smiled, "He'll come back, he seems like the type to have a drink here and relax."

"We'll see."

She paid for the drinks she shared with Andrew and collected her things. When Andrew joined her again they left together, sharing a cab to go home. Since she paid for the drinks Andrew insisted on paying the cab fare.

"See you tomorrow." Andrew told her as she climbed out the cab, "I liked that fancy place too."

She faced Andrew, holding tightly onto the strap of her bag as she playfully answered him, "Then you should drop by more often. The lounge could use more regulars. And who knows who you'll meet there."

Like meeting your boss' boss and ranting to him about unnecessary things. Just the thought of Gabriel more or less interrogating her infuriated her. She didn't show it though, she kept her face straight while she waved Andrew goodbye. Once the cab pulled away she entered her apartment building and headed straight to her apartment, immediately getting ready for bed. She hoped Gabriel would drop by at the lounge soon so he'd contact her. She knew it was easier to demand a meeting at the office, but she didn't have the guts to do it that way. It would make things real, now she could pretend he was a stranger she met at the lounge. Just a stranger and nothing more. When he contacted her it'd be more personal, she'd be able to get things off her chest without worrying about upsetting the founder of the company she worked at.