Chapter 1

Chapter One

Zana

All remote workers are required to attend the annual sales meeting…

The email glares at me from my screen like the hot gates of corporate hell just cracked open.

"This has to be some kind of joke," I mutter, pulling up my video chat with Caro. Her messy bun and oversized cardigan fill my screen. Totally failing to read the room (or in this case, tiny video box), she beams at me.

"Zana! Did you see the announcement? Isn't it exciting?"

I stare at her, slack-jawed. "Exciting? More like a total nightmare! The whole point of working remotely for a company that is headquartered in Obsidian City is to never set foot in that office. Like, ever."

She waves a dismissive hand. "Oh come on, it'll be fun! A chance to see everyone in person, collaborate face-to-face..."

"Hard pass. My life as I know it is officially over." I slump back in my chair, running a hand through my messy bun. "Caro, you know I'm allergic to peopling. I break out in hives at the mere thought of water cooler small talk."

"You're exaggerating. It's not that bad! Think of it as an adventure." Her optimism is really starting to grate.

"An adventure straight into an anxiety attack! Beauty of remote work is that nobody has to witness my RBF or hear the unfiltered word vomit that spills out of my mouth. I'm a walking HR violation!"

Caro tries to hide a smirk. "I'm sure you'll manage to behave yourself for a couple days. Plus, I really need my favorite data wizard there to keep everything running smoothly!"

I narrow my eyes at her. "Wow, laying the guilt on thick. Low blow, boss lady."

"Could there be a virtual option at least?" I ask, my voice tinged with desperation. "You know, so I don't have to actually be in the same room as these people?"

It's Caro's turn to roll her eyes at me. "Z. It's the annual. Sales. Meeting." She says it like those words should have some kind of effect on me. "All the senior execs will be there in person, including your counterpart in sales."

My eye twitches at the mention of my nemesis, the bane of my professional existence. I've only recently discovered that the user behind the infuriating XSonagh718 username is none other than the senior sales manager of my division.

Just my luck. Of all the people in this company, he's the one who makes my job a living nightmare. I've lost count of the times I've had to lock down spreadsheets to prevent him from wreaking havoc on my meticulously crafted formulas.

And don't even get me started on the constant roadblocks he threw up when I needed access to vital company data. I practically had to stage a one-woman riot before the higher-ups finally stepped in and granted me the clearance I needed.

I massage my temples, feeling a tension headache coming on at the mere thought of being in the same room as XSonagh718. "Caro, you know I love you, but I'm not sure I can handle being in close proximity to that walking, talking spreadsheet saboteur. What if I accidentally on purpose throat punch him? Because that's gonna happen. I wouldn't be able to control it. It's like a reflex."

"I know he's a pain, Z, but this meeting is important. We need you there to present your data findings to the execs. You're the best analyst we've got." She clasps her hands together. "Please, Zana? For me? I promise spa treatments and unlimited cocktails at the hotel bar!"

Throwing my hands up, I groan. "Ugh, fine! But I reserve the right to be a grouchy gremlin the whole time. And, if this all goes horribly wrong, I reserve the right to say ‘I told you so' for the rest of eternity."

I groan, knowing she's right but hating it all the same. "Fine. But if he so much as looks at one of my pivot tables funny, I'm not responsible for my actions."

Caro laughs, her voice warm with affection. "That's my girl. Don't worry, I'll make sure to seat you two on opposite sides of the room. And who knows? Maybe this meeting will be a chance for you to finally put him in his place.""

I snort. "Yeah, right. More like a chance for me to accidentally set fire to the conference room with the sheer force of my annoyance."

I say all that but I'm not about to let some dudebro undermine all the work I do for the company, remote worker or not. It's time for this data diva to step up and show them all what I'm really capable of. "You better not expect anything higher than ‘meets expectations' on my eval after this."

"I know better than to get my hopes up," Caro laughs. "See you in Obsidian!"

I log off of the chat, and use the pent up adrenaline to finish my tasks in record time.

Dragging myself off the bed, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. My long black hair is a tangled mess, and there are dark circles under my eyes from too many late nights staring at spreadsheets. Ugh, I look like a hot mess express. Good thing I've got a few days to pull myself together before this stupid meeting.

With a groan, I heave myself off the bed and start rummaging through my closet for something presentable to wear. I haven't worn professional clothes in years, and I doubt I have anything that will fit me right.

I march to the barely used back corner of my closet where the ghosts of corporate office past still linger in the form of smart suit jackets and sweater sets that are several sizes too small.

Dammit. I need to go shopping. I'm already regretting my decision.

Maybe I can somehow call off sick? I fire off a quick message to Caro about perhaps being too sick to travel. She responds with a grinning emoji and that she would slap a mask on my face and dress me in a haz-mat suit.

Well, that was worth a shot.

I stare into the dark abyss of my closet, resigned to my fate. God help me.