Have you heard the news yet?" Janet squealed as she sat on the edge of my white desk with a grin on her face. She was fiddling with her hands, clearly excited about something.

"No, what news?" I looked up from my computer and raised an eyebrow at her. Janet was the queen bee of gossip in the office, and I can't lie, I loved hearing it.

"Well, I heard there is an opening for a PA upstairs," She smiled and clapped her hands with pure, overjoyed excitement. "No one knows about it yet, and I heard it from Tony, who heard it from Janice, who heard it from Sarah, and we all know Sarah is full of absolute crap anyway."

"So, how exactly do you know this rumour isn't bullshit?" I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest. Janet and I had worked at 'Midnight Industries' for two years now. Janet was the receptionist, and I was Mr Smith's personal assistant. He worked for Mr Morgan, who owned the company, but the strange thing was no one had ever seen or met Mr Morgan, ever. He worked on the top floor, and no one I knew had ever been up there and returned to this floor. Once you are promoted here and reach the top level, you are never heard from or seen again by us ordinary people.

Her gaze returned to mine. "I just know, okay," She shrugged it off.

"You slept with Tony again, didn't you?" I raised my eyebrow at her.

"I did not!" she pressed her lips together. She was lying, again. "Okay, I did but his sources are always reliable. He also said you should definitely apply. I mean, everyone knows you basically run this department, and Mr Smith would be nothing without you." Her gaze was firm on me, but her hands were flying in the air.

"Come on, Mr Smith is a really nice guy."

"Who relies on you to do everything for him." She rolled her eyes. "You basically run those meetings, and he gets all the credit," she said, standing up and resting her hands on my desk. "Ebony, you deserve better than that." Her voice was tender, and I could tell she truly meant it.

"Thank you, but honestly, I'm happy here with you. I'm left alone by management, and I get paid well. I don't want to be involved in the political side of running a business. Where is the fun in that?" I closed my eyes for a few moments, before looking back at Janet.

"You could get to meet the mysterious CEO, Mr Morgan." She winked and smiled. "But seriously, you should definitely give this some thought Ebony." she said, using her 'serious' voice. I nodded at her and sighed softly in agreement. "Good girl."

"I do wonder what the mysterious Mr Morgan looks like though." I smiled.

"I bet you there is no 'Mr Morgan' and it's just some huge computer running this place and everyone who enters the top floor has a microchip inserted in them. That's why we never see anyone from up there," She smiled wickedly at her own joke.

"It couldn't possibly be, because they are busy doing their job, could it?" I laughed.

"Please, no one but you works around here, and that is a fact," she said, turning her back to me and walking out of the office door. "I'm going to see Tony." she waved. "Just apply for the job already." She yelled from down the hallway.

"I'm not promising anything," I yelled, after her smiling.

Janet had become one of my best friends, as we shared everything together. She shared way too much, but I appreciated having her around here. This office building was twenty stories high and one of many 'Midnight' buildings around the world. They traded everything and were number one for their business practices worldwide. I was lucky enough to work for one of the nicest people I have ever met, Johnny Smith. He was in his late sixties twice divorced, with no children of his own, but one stepchild. He didn't talk about it much, but he let it slip at our last Christmas party when I drove him home. He was a colossal gossip when intoxicated, and we took full advantage of this.

"Good morning, Miss Summers, lovely day isn't it," Mr Smith said, in his usual cheery voice. "How are you today, my dear?"

"I'm very well, sir, thank you. I have your files on your desk, and your black suit is fresh from the dry cleaners and in your office." I smiled at him.

"Thank you; you truly are the best of the best around here, aren't you?" He said, handing me a bright blue flower.

"It's beautiful, thank you." I put the flower in my glass vase that was holding the other flowers he had brought me this week. Every morning without fail, he brings me a flower from his prized garden.

"It's my brand-new species, midnight blue." he smiled. I still don't know why he gives me a flower every morning, but I loved the gesture. He is extremely sweet.

"How appropriate," I smiled. "I love it."

"Good. Well, I had better get ready for my first meeting. Who is it again?" He said, running his hand through his grey hair.

"It's Mr David. He is from 'Neon Lighting,' and he wants to discuss trade overseas." I said, handing him a cliff notes version of the company and what it does. "Anton David is the new CEO and is trying to expand the business overseas."

"Ahhhh, yes. Anton." He repeated reminding himself. "Very good. Thank you, my dear." he smiled, walking to his office.

"No problem, sir," I called, as he closed the heavy wooden doors behind him. "Happy to help," I said under my breath as I turned back to my computer. Another day, another dollar.

---------

"Oh, damn! I left my phone at work," I yelled as I dressed in the changing room of the gym. "How is that even possible?"

"How are you going to get it now?" Janet said as she dried her long blonde hair. "It's like nine pm babe, and everyone would have gone home."

"I guess I can drive by and see if a cleaner will let me in? Gosh, I'm so stupid! It's Friday night how am I supposed to get through the weekend without my phone? I know, I'll call Mr Smith. He might be able to let me in?" I shrugged. "Can I borrow your phone?"

"You have your boss's number memorized?" She looked at me strangely as she handed me her pink phone.

"I type it about a thousand times a week on letters and emails. It's not that crazy." I said, rolling my eyes and dialling her phone quicker than I had before, messing up a few times before finally getting it right.

"Yeah, it kinda is. The rest of us just hit copy and be done with it."

"Shut up. Oh, hi, Mr Smith...Sorry I was talking to a friend. ..... Yes, it's the blonde one .... No, we are not an item... I know there is nothing wrong with it...everyone should be happy... ok... I agree, we should all have rights to be with whomever.... yep... Mr Smith, look I'm calling because I need a favour. I left my phone in the office and I was wondering if you could possibly.... why not? ...... I'd only be a second .... please sir, I ....... Ok, I understand ....... that's ok. Thanks anyway. Have a super weekend." I let out a huge sigh and groan. "NO!"

"Soooooo, no, then?" Janet said, biting her lip.

"He said no one is allowed to enter the building after hours as it's forbidden for all staff. There is no way to get inside until Monday at 7 am. That's the rules."

"Ummmmm, Monday is a public holiday babe."

"FUCK!!" I yelled, raising my hands in the air.

"What now?" Janet said, shrugging her shoulders.

"I guess I go with plan B. I do a drive-by and hope someone is there."

"Good plan. You want me to come with you?"

"Nah, I'll be fine. You still on for tomorrow night?" Every weekend we try to go out to a new bar and meet exciting new people. So far, we have had no success in doing this. It's usually just us two drinking and talking way too loud about reality Tv or Instagram.

"Yep, can't wait. We are going to get wasted!" She did a little dance as she sang.

"Cool-li-o. I'll be at yours by eight?"

"I'll have the vodka on ice baby. Remember to hydrate tomorrow," she said, handing me bottled water.

"Thanks, I'll see you tomorrow," I said, running out of the lockers and towards my car. "I hope someone is there. How am I supposed to go the whole weekend without my phone?" I threw my bag on the seat next to me and the contents spilled everywhere over the floor.

"Damn it! Is this a bad sign or something?"

I pulled up in front of the 'Midnight Trading' building. It looked even more beautiful at night as the lights and water reflecting on the glass structure made it look magical, like it was practically glowing in the pitch-black night. I swiped my employee card and watched as the large black gate opened in front of me. I never noticed the loud creaking of the gates before though, it was almost eerie. I parked my car just in front of the huge turning glass door and stared at the dark building in front of me.

"This is embarrassing." I rolled my eyes at myself. "Come on Ebony, get your head together. Don't chicken out now. Let's hope a nice lonely cleaner takes pity on me." I shrugged, as I pulled myself out of the car. I looked around the darkness of the car park and felt a shiver go up my spine.

"This place is creepy at night," I walked up to the huge glass walls of the building and looked in. The building was pitch black and quiet. "Hello," I called tapping on the glass. Nothing. "Damn it."

I was about to give in to my gut feeling and flee this place when I suddenly saw a light shining in the foyer of the building. Then the lights of the bottom floor lit up the darkness like a lighthouse at sea. I watched as two men in security uniforms walked through the foyer, talking on their radios. I took this as a sign and ran towards the glass doors.

"Hello, excuse me," I called tapping on the crystal-clear glass. "Hello, can you help me? Excuse me." I yelled as they both got into the elevator, and the door closed.

"Damn it! They must have heard me. Rude." I jumped suddenly at the sound of a door slamming shut to the side of me. I panicked as I gazed around the darkness, hoping to see a friendly face but nothing. "Hello? Is anyone there? I need some help, I left my phone inside,"

"Can I help you, lady?" A deep voice growled right behind me, making me jump once again. My heart started to beat fast as I looked around me but there was nobody there.

"Hello?" I whispered under my breath.

"I said, CAN I HELP YOU, LADY?" I turned to see a tall blonde guy wearing a black button-up shirt and black fitted pants. He was very handsome with his chiselled jaw and broad chest, but he was extremely pale, like his skin had never seen the sun. His eyes were bright blue, and the way he was staring at me made me feel very insecure and scared. He clearly did not want me here.

"Geez, you scared me," I said, out of breath. "Where did you come from?"

"What are you doing here? No humans ... I mean, no one is allowed on these premises after dark." His eyes were intense, and I had to look away as I felt dizzy. His pure presence made me instantly nervous and regret my decision to be here.

"Sorry, I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I work here."

"Why would that sound ridiculous?" He said, sternly.

"Ummm, not the ridiculous part. Anyway, as I said, I work here, and I left my phone in my office. I was wondering if I could get it. I'll be in and out before you know it." I tried to smile sweetly hoping he would pity me, but he just looked at me like I was pathetic and to be honest, at this point I probably was.

"No," he sneered, folding his arms over his chest.

"But I just want my phone?" I pleaded. "I know it's a pain and I promise I..."

"No. No one is allowed in after dark. That is the rule. You need to leave." he raised his eyebrow at me. "Leave, now."

"Could you please get it? It's on the tenth floor where I work, "

"What is your name?" He said, looking me up and down.

"Ebony Summers. I work for Mr Smith, and I'm his .... OH, MY LORD! WHAT ON EARTH? ....." I yelled loudly as I saw two guys inside the building covered in blood walking towards the elevator. "What the hell? Are they hurt? We should call 911." I pointed to the building as the guys inside started laughing as they entered the elevator.

"Seriously?" The blonde man rolled his eyes and sighed loudly in frustration. "Idiots! Now I have to deal with this shit."

"What do you mean deal with this? Why are you not freaking out right now? They are covered in blood. I need to get out of here." I started to back away.

"Oh no, you don't missy." He grabbed my arm and pulled me back towards him. "You have to come with me now," he said, turning back to me. "You have seen too much."

"What are you talking about?" My heart was beating so fast as I tried to pull away from his tight grip on my arm. "Let me go." He just smirked at me and my fear, and I noticed that he was staring at my chest. "Let me go! What is going on here?" I once again tried to pull my arm away from him.

"I advise you not to run from me. I don't want to play this game with you. If you follow me now, I will not harm you, but if you decide to run from me, there will be consequences. Do you understand?" His eyes now had flecks of red through them as his body tensed.

"It's all good. I didn't see anything anyway so; I'll just be on my way and out of your hair. Thanks for your time." I said trying to sound cool calm and collected. In fact, I'm quite sure I waved at him like we were old friends. "I didn't see anything, and I won't be telling anyone I can assure you. Thanks for your time and..."

"You will be going nowhere, but inside this building with me right now." He said cutting me off.

"Wait, what? Where are we going?" I said, as my heart beat so fast I thought it might explode through my chest.

"To see the boss." He growled, taking a step towards me.

"Who is the boss?"

He smirked at me, making me even more nervous than I already was at this moment. "Mr Morgan. We are going to see Mr Morgan about our little situation here."

"The..the top floor?" I stuttered. Nobody saw the top floor unless they never wanted to see the lights of day again. That was the rumour anyway.

"The top floor," he repeated in my face. "We have some things he is going to want to discuss." His eyes were now completely red, and he was holding my wrist extremely tight. "MOVE NOW. Or I will make you."

"What are you?" I whispered, through my teeth.

"Not your biggest concern. NOW MOVE," he yelled, pulling me into the darkness.

"Please," I whispered, my voice choking itself, failing to say what I needed to say. "Please, please don't hurt me."