However, now was the day she met her new employer and she was so nervous she didn’t know what to do with herself. She’d actually been so amused with her own panic, she’d laughed out loud on several occasions. Passers-by must have thought her mad or pissed. Getting dressed this morning had been mayhem in itself. After throwing most of her clothes around the bedroom at least ten times, she’d eventually opted for a grey business suit with black heels. Her long black hair was up in a neat bun and her make-up was minimal chic. She’d grabbed her briefcase holding her beloved laptop and other gadgets, which she couldn’t possibly live without, and headed for the nearest coffee shop.
She’d waited her whole career to land a job like this and now she’d done it. She just had to keep it, to impress a certain person so much that he wouldn’t be able to run his company without her. What would she have to do to astound him? Play with him, that’s what.
Her last job had been easy compared to what this guy was going to expect from her. She was the best software designer she knew and had beaten all of her peers with her intuitive knowledge of the systems she operated, but for some reason she just couldn’t rein in her fear of meeting the inimitable Mr. Conner Avery. His genius astounded her. Sure, to the average Joe walking down the street, he would just appear like a fucked up rock star or something, but to her, he was simply the most dazzling mentor she could wish for. There was every chance he might see her as just another designer and that she just wasn’t going to allow. He would see Evie Peters. She would make sure of it in any way she needed to achieve her goal.
He hadn’t actually employed her directly. She had been head hunted by an agency on behalf of Bluetech and she’d jumped at the chance. Two very dull interviews later, she’d impressed the very incompetent Director of Design, Mr. Ian Lenton enough to get the job. With that came a very handsome salary and benefits package.
It was an absolute priority to show the man himself what she was capable of, and to do that, she needed to get close enough to him to let him see her rather extraordinary ability when her hands were on a keyboard.
She’d mainly worked on banking and security, but she could achieve anything given the correct guidance, and he was the man to give it to her. A blue haired, tattooed rocker who happened to be one of the world’s most talented computer nerds, apparently he was also one of the world’s most talented womanisers and Lotharios. If his looks were anything to go by, she wasn’t a bit surprised. Not that he interested her in that way. He was a little too obvious for her liking. It was simply his mind and respect that she wanted.
If only her mum could meet him, she’d be appalled and scared to death. She remembered her conversation with her about the new position.
“What’s your new boss like then, love?” she enquired sweetly.
“He’s very experienced and I’m hoping to learn a lot from him, Mum.”
“Is he a decent man, though? It’s important that he’s a decent man. As long as he has good moral instincts, you’ll know your job’s secure.” she replied with a loving crinkle in her eyes.
God, her mum was definitely the sweetest woman in the world. She knew so little about the world of business and all the boring and complicated games that came with it. Evie herself had found that world really quite easy to navigate and had become indifferent to the complexities of negotiating her way through the politics of social interaction in the office. Given her mother and father’s inability to function at such a scheming level, she never quite understood her ease with playing the game, as she called it. No one had gotten the better of her for a long time.
She’d been caught out once when first starting her career. Marie Thompson. The bitch had deliberately had her fired for something she hadn’t done, just because Evie was better at programming and she’d felt threatened. From that moment on, she’d started learning how to play and hadn’t looked back since. She’d become quite the master at it and no one had managed to better her yet. Albeit some new London variety would certainly be an entertainment for a while.
She felt herself giggling to herself at that thought and it seemed to release some of her anxiety.
Looking back up towards the mass of glass, she scanned for the fourteenth floor. That’s where she’d be working, in an office of her own as a senior consultant. She would report directly to Mr. Avery on a weekly basis and would be expected to travel to the States regularly.
This was absolutely her dream job and she was so ready for it. So why the bundle of nerves in her stomach?
She glanced again at the vivid blue sign that signalled the entrance to Bluetech and took a deep breath, lifting her chin and smiling as she headed for the foyer.
“Good morning. How may I help you?” the peroxide blonde at reception said to her.
“Hi, my name’s Evelyn Peters and I’m starting today on the fourteenth floor. I believe I’m to pick up my key card and paperwork from you,” she replied in her most charming voice. Never a good idea to piss off a receptionist. They hold more power than you think.
“Oh, Miss Peters, yes. Please come with me. I’ll take you to your office. My name is Terry Knowlson,” she said with a professional lilt. Evie noticed her lime green nail varnish and instantly knew how to play this one.
As they reached the elevator, she waited for the door to open before she began.
“Terry, my word, where did you get that colour? It is just too fabulous.” She indicated towards the revolting colour on her nails.
“Oh, do you like it? It is rather fantastic, isn’t it? Harrods have it in on a promo deal. The girlies go there at the weekend to get all the latest new things.” Boring. So very dull and so predictable.
“Oh, wow, well given that I’m new in town, you’ll just have to fill me in on all the places to go and of course all the shopping around here.” Evie fluttered her lashes. Yes you can flirt with women, too. It’s really quite effective.
“Oh yes, you must join us one day and of course we all love a gossip about the main man upstairs, forever getting himself into all sorts of trouble. Mind you, he’s so divine. I think we’d allow him anything. You should see some of his friends. My god, they’re to die for. There’s one, Mr. White, good lord, he’s enough to set the heavens alight.” She fanned herself for added effect. Pathetic.
“Well, I certainly can’t wait to see that. He must be quite something,” she replied with feigned excitement. Really, most of them are arrogant arseholes with the accumulated brain cells of a gnat.
“Yes, he’s quite beautiful, and I dare say quite the handful if you know what I mean? Oh, we’re here.”
She stepped off the elevator and headed down the hall. Opening the door on the right, she ushered Evie into the room.
“This is all yours,” Terry said, waving her hand around the vast space.
“Thank you for bringing me up here. It was very kind of you. Please don’t let me hold you up. I’ll be fine. I know you are probably very busy,” Evie said, smiling her winning smile.
“Don’t be silly. I’ll grab you a coffee and then I’ll disappear. Oh, by the way, Mr. Avery won’t be here until next Tuesday. He’s gone to Rome on business, but I was told to tell you to access his files for any information you might need. You have level six clearance, which you can get to via the server. Your code’s in the card so you can get into most of his shared access. He also gave me that box in the corner for you to familiarise yourself with.” She pointed toward the huge glass window and indicated the box sitting below it.
“Right, brilliant. You’ve been such a help, Terry. It’s so nice to meet someone interesting on my first day.” Dumb arse blonde.
“You are very welcome, Evelyn. It’s nice to have a kindred spirit in the building. Most of the women here are quite corporate or geeky,” she whispered and giggled.
“Well I’m grateful all the same.” Evie giggled in return. That’s why I earn the money, honey. I’m corporate, you bloody idiot.
“Right, so I’ll drop off that coffee and then be on
my way. You look like a milk and no sugar type of girl? Oh, and he’s set a meeting for Tuesday morning at ten with you in his office. So that gives you a few days to get ready for him,” she said, snorting with laughter.
“Okay. Is he terribly scary? I’ve heard all sorts of things,” Evie asked, inquisitive as to her answer.
“Mr. Avery? No, just dreamy. A girl could lose herself in that body, for several days I might add.” She fanned herself again. “He is interesting, though, never says what you expect. That’s what I mean by preparing yourself.” Oh, perhaps not as dumb as I thought then. “Oh, sorry. Listen to me waffling on. If you get lost or need anything, give me a buzz.” She swept out the door in a flurry of what smelt like Chanel.
Evie moved to her new desk and sat down, looking around the office. Her office. Her really very large office. She pictured herself decorating it and moving in some plants. What on earth was she thinking about? She didn’t have time for delicacies, and she needed to know more. She moved across the office and picked up the box. Dragging it back to the desk, she started to ruffle through the varying documents and folders. Boring. Easy. Irrelevant. Tedious. God, it was just more of the same shit in a different location. That was not the reason she came to this company. Might as well start as she meant to go on.
“Here’s your coffee, honey.” Teresa swanned in and plonked a rather disgusting looking mug of something in front of her.
“Oh thanks, Teresa, you’re such a star.” Not.
“Can I do anything else for you?” Yes, fuck off.
“No, thank you. You have been very helpful. Perhaps we can catch up on some gossip later though.”
“Okay, hun. See you later.” Bye!
She grabbed her laptop and logged on, simultaneously logging onto the company computer in front of her. After several minutes of familiarising herself with the internal server and systems, she drew up Mr. Avery’s private email - naughty, but necessary for what she was about to do.
Logging back into her own system, she found the files and encrypted drives she was after and attached them to an email to him. This would either start her new career with a bang or piss him right off. She didn’t care which; she just needed to make an impact, and when he received this email, if he could get into it, she would definitely make an impact.
Subject: Brown box of Dreary.
Attach: file xcc1143
Mr Avery,
Thank you for the position at your company. I hope to be a worthwhile investment for you.
Please see the attached, if you can.
As and when you have understood the unlimited talent you have just hired, please feel free to call me to discuss any potential projects you might have for me.
Kind Regards
Evelyn Peters
Senior Consultant
BLUETECH INC.
She hit send before she chickened out.
Right, well, she’d be fired or elevated to a very senior level by the start of next week. That was some of her very best work and she’d just given it to him with the hope that he liked what he saw. He could also just poach it for himself, but that was almost expected of a man with no moral compass at all. Clever? Yes, but a decent man? More than likely not.
She busied herself for the next three hours with the box of very dreary shit. Unexciting was not the word for it, but she at least had to ensure she’d completed it before she met with him. She ploughed through the monotonous crap until she’d finally had enough. It was time to go walkabout for a while and get familiar with the new building. She also needed a proper cup of coffee. She hoped that didn’t mean leaving the building, but if it did, so be it. Just as she was leaving the office, she heard the bleep of her personal email and wandered back to the screen.
Opening the email, she gasped.
Subject: Imaginative
Miss Peters,
Shows promise.
Lacking in structure, but not too bad at all.
I look forward to our meeting on Tuesday, and don’t worry, I have plenty of other boxes to keep you entertained.
Kind Regards
Conner Avery.
She frowned and blew out her breath. Well, she hadn’t been fired.
But Christ, how on earth had he managed do that in under three hours while in business meetings? She’d seriously underestimated his talent. Maybe she’d be working a little harder than she originally thought.
Chapter 17
Elizabeth
Are you ready for me?
T he incoming text at stupid o’clock makes me jump.
Am I? God, I don’t know. I’ve been awake most of the night and while I’m extremely excited, I’m also very nervous. It’s also ten past five in the bloody morning. What the hell time of day is that to go anywhere?
I think so.
I reply with fumbling fingers. God, I hope so.
Belle helped me pack last night and we downed at least three bottles of wine while we chatted about various Rome related topics and other things. Teresa also popped by, and before we knew it, we were all pissed as farts and cackling like a bunch of old ladies. I should have got a better night’s sleep. I know this now, but I was so wound up by going away with him that I just couldn’t settle. I don’t even know a flight number that I can give to Belle, and I suddenly realise I don’t know this man at all. I’m being completely swept off my feet and away from everything I know, allowing him to control everything around us. But no matter how much I try to tell myself I am being foolhardy, there’s just something about him that makes me feel incredibly safe. Not in the emotional way maybe, but certainly in the physical sense. He will have the whole trip planned to within an inch of its life and I’m sure if it isn’t precisely the way he wants it, someone will be swiftly fired. Actually, I’m sure the ever-efficient Louisa Trembell will have organised the whole adventure, probably in twenty minutes. It would be good to know what she looks like at some point.
My bags are packed and I’ve opted for my usual comfy attire, but have been persuaded by my ever present friend to “jazz myself up a bit,” so I’ve applied more make-up than normal. I’ve also donned skinny black jeans and a thin, burgundy, cashmere jumper of Belle’s. Actually, most of what has been packed into my suitcase is Belle’s. I seriously need a shopping trip if I’m going to be spending any more time with the man.
So now I stand here by the door, staring at the ridiculously high patent brown heels of Belle’s lying next to my comfy red Converse. Style or comfort? Fuck it. I will not have my entire world upside down because of him. It’s bad enough that I couldn’t decide on whether he’d like my belly button charm or not, so had spent at least fifteen minutes faffing around with different styles until I just went with my favourite and hoped it was okay. I’m still not sure he’ll be into it but given he’s covered his back in a tattoo, he can hardly be against it, can he? Maybe he will be. Who knows? Oh, sod it. He wants me, he’s getting me.
I pack the heels into my bag and reach for my old, faithful converse. Lacing them up, I reach for my cropped brown leather jacket and pull my hair over the collar. I find myself gazing at my reflection in the hall mirror and tipping up my chin, really noticing my face for the first time in a while. It appears there’s a confidence in my brown eyes that seems to be telling my inner self to grab life by the neck and shake the hell out of it.
“Alex,” I murmur to myself. “Seems you do this to me.”
Checking my watch again, I pull in a deep breath and grab the last of my coffee. God, I could do with a double shot of vanilla Latte right now, but there’s no time for coffee shops. He’ll be here in minutes and I can feel myself starting to shake a little. For once I wish it was the alcohol still in my bloodstream causing the shakes. It’s not.
I let out that breath and head for the door, dragging my case behind me to meet him in the lobby, and wishing I could gain just a bit more of that Alex self-belief that he’s so good at giving to me. Why does he make me so bloody nervous all the time? It’s ridiculous, an
d quite unnerving. The thought makes me pop an extra strong mint into my mouth and check for my keys and passport again, not wanting to seem stupid when he gets here. They’re both there in my pocket, just as they were ten minutes ago. I open the door, ready for my adventure and not in the slightest ready at all.
“Good morning, Miss Scott,” he rasps huskily.
I yelp out loud, not expecting him to be leaning casually against the opposite wall from my doorway. He looks glorious with his legs and arms casually crossed, the sexiest smile creeping over his face as he watches me. I can feel my cheeks blush as my legs begin that ridiculous buckling beneath me. Good god, he is by far the most rewarding vision a girl could want in the early hours of the morning.
His graceful hand reaches toward my face and I shudder at the expectation of his touch.
“Are you so nervous of me that you always forget to breathe?” he asks quietly.
“Mostly, yes,” I reply, because I just can’t function quickly enough to lie.
“Well, we’ll have to do something about that. I can’t have you keeling over on me before we get the chance to play properly. I’ve got plans for you this weekend and you’ll need all the breath you have for my dishonourable intentions.” He rubs his thumb across my open mouth and then lifts my hand towards his mouth. Kissing it and then opening my palm and kissing the inside, he puts it to the side of his face and leans his cheek into it. “Don’t feel uneasy around me, Elizabeth. Believe me, you’re the one who has the upper hand here, not me. Although I will expect some give on your part for what I have in mind.” Christ, I’m still not breathing. Does he have to be so beautiful? And what exactly does he have in mind?
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