Shattered: A Salvation Society Novel Bella Emy (best ebook reader for laptop .TXT) 📖

don’t focus. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and then hit the backspace. I fill in the correct spelling of the contact’s last name. It’s Simpson, not Simson.

God, if it keeps going like this, I’ll never get done.

RING, RING!

My eyes avert to the blaring phone on my desk as the red light indicates an incoming call comes through. The conference room’s extension is displayed on the little rectangular screen. Is there a meeting I was supposed to attend and I somehow forgot? Great. Maybe that’s where everyone is.

I quickly flip through the pages in the planner on my desk, but I don’t have any meeting scheduled in for today. Why would they hold a meeting on a Friday afternoon? And on my last day, no less. I pick up the receiver and speak. “Yes?”

“Alexa, it’s Mr. Elmers.”

“Yes, Mr. Elmers?” I shake my leg nervously. They’re probably all waiting on me to start the meeting.

“Please come see me before you leave today. There are a few things I’d like to go over with you before you go. I’m in the conference room.”

“I’ll be right there.” I bite the inside of my cheek. Maybe he wants to wish me well. I’ve been his right-hand woman since I’ve been working here.

I push away from my desk after saving the contact’s information and then my eyes glance up at the clock. Five minutes to five. It’s going to be a late night. Oh well. At least my clothes are already packed.

Most of them, anyway.

As I walk down the hall, the knots in my stomach grow stronger. Why the hell am I even nervous? I’ve been working here for years. This is not something new.

But the bar, Lexi’s Luxurious Lounge, is something I’ve dreamed of for years. It’s going to be perfect. I just can’t believe this is my last day here, and I’m about to start on this new adventure.

As I continue making my way down the hall, I reach the first window to the conference room. I quickly peer inside but don’t stop moving. Why the hell does it look so dark in there? I was sure Mr. Elmers said he was waiting for me there. Maybe he stepped to the bathroom or went to take a call in another office.

I shrug and walk to the door, knocking before entering. There’s no response, so I turn the knob and make my way in. How odd. I flip my head to find the light switch in the confines of the darkness, and as I do, my questions are answered.

“Surprise!” My co-workers shout, jumping out and showing themselves as the lights go on. Cheers and whistles fill my ears.

All around the room, decorations encompass the area and plates and cups with forks and spoons are scattered across the table. A big rectangular white box sits in the center. Colorful balloons hang on the walls surrounding the room.

I take in the familiar faces smiling back at me. I can’t believe this was all for me.

I’m taken aback as I wasn’t expecting this. I probably should have figured it out though. I’ve been working with most of these people for the past six years; I should have known they wouldn’t have taken off without at least saying good-bye. Unlike some people.

“Oh, my God. Wow, everything looks so beautiful,” I say, taking everything in.

Mr. Elmers emerges from the crowd, holding a woven basket wrapped in pink see-through cellophane. He smiles as he walks over to me. “It was so difficult not to spoil the surprise, but we’ve been planning this for the longest time. Here, Lexi,” he says, handing me the basket. Then he leans in and kisses my cheek.

“Thank you so much.” We part and I step back. “I can’t believe you guys did this all for me.” I place the basket on one of the chairs. An envelope with my name on it sticks out from the side.

My closest work friend, Joanna, steps forward. “Of course, we did. You’ve been part of Elmers & Elmers for as long as I can remember. This place wouldn’t be what it was if it weren’t for you. There’s no way we wouldn’t have said good-bye and happy birthday the proper way.”

I chuckle. “My birthday’s not for another two weeks.” And I’ll be far away on vacation in California after Kennedy’s wedding.

“Yeah, but you won’t be here, so hush,” Joanna says, coming toward me and taking me into her arms. “Happy Birthday, Lexi. We’re going to miss you so much around here.”

My eyes begin to water. I can’t believe this is really it. As we pull away, I see her eyes reflecting mine; she’s about to be in tears, too.

“Aww, Jo… we’ll see each other. Don’t worry about it,” I say, holding my arms as she looks me in the eyes.

She smirks. “Oh, you’d better believe it, and I’ll be at the lounge on opening night with bells and whistles!”

We chuckle and embrace again.

“Let me go grab my phone, so we can take some pics of you with everyone. I’ll be right back,” Joanna says, walking to one of the chairs and fishing in her purse for her phone.

“Well, let’s get this show on the road!” Mr. Elmers announces, opening up the box on the table. A white frosted birthday cake with the words, “Happy Birthday and Lots of Luck, Lexi!” sits inside.

“How pretty,” I say, stepping forward and looking into the box.

Sabrina, the accounting manager, picks the cake up and places it onto a platter, then she begins placing candles on top. “Sorry, Alexa. We’ve only got twelve candles.”

I giggle and tilt my head. “Hey, twelve’s fine. I wouldn’t mind going back to my pre-teen days.”

As those words leave my lips, I wish I hadn’t gone there. No way in hell would I want to relive my teenage years. They were too difficult and too painful. At least they were by the end.

“All right, everyone, crowd around Lexi, and let’s get some pictures in before she blows