One Step Further (eBook)

CHAPTER I

As Cynthia Harris sat reading the morning newspaper, she could sense it was going to be another typical day in New York City. The crime rate was up, the stock market was down, and according to the weather forecast it was going to snow. Cynthia shuddered at the thought of severe weather, after all these years she still did not like walking in the snow, especially when it turned to slush. Usually, with the high volume of traffic, the snow became a discolored, ugly, and dangerous mess, quite indicative of some of the people who lived in the city. However, she liked the freshly fallen snow because it was quite beautiful and reminded her of all the possibilities the city had to offer.

Cynthia placed the newspaper on the table, looked around her apartment and smiled, here she was a Southern Girl from Alabama, who came to New York and defied the law of failure. She was Vice-President of Advertising for Bauer & Bauer Incorporated, a well-known advertising firm on Madison Avenue. She lived in a luxury apartment building in the best part of the city and was engaged to the most wonderful man in the world, she could not ask for more; but her rise up the corporate ladder was not an easy one. Looking back on her arrival in the Big Apple, she had no idea where to start looking for a job, money was extremely tight, and she had to sub-let a studio apartment in an extremely old building. Her first job was as a secretary for a law firm on Wall Street, but being the eager and ambitious person she was, she could not be satisfied with the position.

Once while talking to her boss about the situation, he gave her the name of a friend of his in the advertising business. It turned out he was interviewing for a Department Manager position within his firm. Cynthia felt this was her chance to make it big, but to her dismay she was not considered for the position. As he explained, she was qualified but lacked the experience needed to head such a huge department. After that, she felt as though her life was at a standstill, interview after interview, they all said the same, “lack of experience”. How could she gain experience, when she spent all her life in school, but she did not give up and one day lady luck smiled on her. She received a phone call from her boss’ friend of Bauer & Bauer, so much time had passed since her awful interview, she had almost forgotten about him. He mentioned that, even though she was not ready for a position as Department Manager, he did feel she would be an asset to their Sales Force and wanted to hire her as a Sales Manager Trainee. From that moment on her climb was all up hill, she became Department Manager, and within three years, she was Director of Advertising, and two months ago, she was appointed Vice-President of Advertising, she was the youngest VP in the firm and the only woman. Sometimes she felt she had gone too far, too fast. Looking at the clock, Cynthia knew she better get dressed or she would be pounding the pavement again for another job.

As usual, when Cynthia arrived at her office, there was a pile of work on her desk, it was going to take all day to clear away the mail. Just as Cynthia was getting settled her secretary walked in, “Excuse me, Ms. Harris.”

Her name was Laura Burton, and had joined the firm about three months ago, she was very efficient and Cynthia’s right hand. With a little luck and help, she could go far in the firm.

Cynthia looked up from her work. “Yes Laura. What is it?”

Laura smiled, looking professional as always. “I wanted to remind you of the budget meeting this morning at ten o’clock.”

“Thanks, Laura. I had almost forgotten about it. Pull the file on the last meeting, add all the names of Department Managers and their budget reports so far for the year. Also, send a memo to the Director of Advertising stating that I need a progress report on the ad campaign for Mr. Carson by Tuesday afternoon.”

Cynthia hoped she was not missing anything.

“Also, Ms. Harris. There is a young lady on line two refusing to give her name but insisting you would take the call.”

Cynthia looked at Laura, smiled and said, “Thank you. That will be all for now, please close the door.”

Cynthia picked up the phone. “Hello, this is Cynthia Harris.”

She immediately started laughing. “Stephanie, I knew it was you. Why do you keep harassing my secretary?”

“Cynthia, I am sorry, she should know my voice by now.”

“Stephanie she is new, she has only been here three months.”

Stephanie laughed loudly in Cynthia’s ear. “My goodness. What happened to the last one?”

Cynthia continued to laugh. “You happened to the last one; she quit. I am preparing for a meeting. What do you want?”

“Cynthia, I am calling about two things, first I am three months pregnant!” Shouted an excited Stephanie.

“Stephanie, you must be joking. Your children are five and seven, and you are having another one. You need to find something else to do with your time.”

Stephanie laughed. “David and I have agreed this will be the last one.”

“Well, if you keep giving me godchildren. I will be all set in that department. What’s next?”

Cynthia could tell that Stephanie was excited about something other than being pregnant. “Cynthia, did you get the invitation to our high school class reunion?”

“I don’t think so Stephanie. But you know, I don’t do class reunions, at least not high school.”

“Come on Cynthia, it will be fun, and you have some time to plan for it. Besides, we haven’t seen each other in a few years. Please reconsider Cynthia, your godchildren have forgotten what you look like.”

“That is not true Stephanie, but I will think about it. Now I have to go. Take care and I will be in touch.”

“Ok Cynthia, talk with you later.”

Cynthia hung up the phone, sat back in her chair, and thought, my 15th Year High School Class Reunion, that is not something I want to attend. However, she was always happy to hear from Stephanie; they had managed to stay in touch over the years. Stephanie was doing well as a family counselor, and her husband was an attorney. Cynthia smiled, always the social worker. College seemed like a thousand years ago. Cynthia thought about Shelia, who was a military wife with two kids, and living in Japan. Connie lived in Atlanta with twin daughters, her husband was a doctor, and she was an assistant district attorney. Who would have thought it, everyone was enjoying successful careers? Cynthia could not help but think, she was falling behind in the family department.

Cynthia stood up, walked over to the window. Looked out at a city that was fast-paced, unpredictable, and very competitive. In this business she had to be better than yesterday and one step ahead of tomorrow. At the same time, she was trying to maintain her softer side, she was aware people thought of her as being arrogant, ruthless, and very demanding; characteristics that most people could not understand in a woman.

“Excuse me.” The sound of Laura’s voice brought Cynthia’s thoughts back into her office. Cynthia turned away from the window. “Yes Laura.”

“Sorry to disturb you, Ms. Harris, but Mr. Robinson is here to see you.”

“It is alright Laura, send him in.” Frank Robinson was a Department Manager, who tried to see Cynthia every chance he could, always hoping to be on the short list for a promotion. He was very professional about his work and anxious to become a Vice-President.

“Good morning, Cynthia.” Frank walked in smiling as usual, he was always happy and carefree.

Sitting back down at her desk, Cynthia said, “Good morning, Frank. What can I do for you?”

“Nothing much, Cynthia. I just wanted to start my day by seeing a beautiful woman.” Cynthia smiled sweetly. “Frank, flattery will get you nowhere. What do you want?”

Startled, Frank said, “Cynthia you don’t have to be the cold-hearted executive with me. How about joining me for lunch?”

Cynthia had enough of the conversation, she had a long day ahead of her, and calling her cold-hearted was not working in his favor. She stood up and leaned over her desk. “First of all, Mr. Robinson, I am not cold-hearted. Second, you will not have time for lunch.”

Looking perplexed, Frank asked, “Why not?”

“Because you will be preparing your monthly progress report that I want on my desk by tomorrow morning. Now, if you will excuse me. I must attend a meeting.”

Frank stood up, cleared his throat. “Ms. Harris, I got the message loud and clear. I will see you later in the day.”

Cynthia walked out her office, looked at Laura and asked, “Are those files ready?”

Laura handed Cynthia the files, she glanced over them. “Everything seems to be here. By the way Laura, should anything important come up, I will be in the Conference Room, and I should be back in my office by noon.”

Cynthia was very relieved the meeting was finally over, maybe now she could find time to have lunch. Suddenly she thought it would be a great idea to take Steve to lunch. She stared into space, turned her engagement ring around on her finger, she was so lucky to have found a man like Steven. When they were in college together, she made a terrible mistake, which almost destroyed their relationship, but fortunately they...