Arranged to be Yours

Chapter 18

"Are you sure you can do this?" Damien asked me, a slight hint of anxiousness in his voice.

Slowly, I tore my gaze away from the publishing headquarters to glance at my cousin.

"I don't doubt your abilities, it's just...the situation is quite dire. David Taylor has been scheming behind the scenes for a while now. He's been waiting for the right time to strike and now it was given to him on a silver platter."

I nodded, understanding the root cause of his concern. It's not like he was wrong in thinking so either. After all, can a twenty two year old author really convince veteran men and woman that our side was the winning side?

No matter what, I'll have to convince them of that.

Casting my doubts aside, I straightened my spine and steeled my resolve. "I understand where you are coming from with this, but I am sure. I can do this. I have to. I'll protect that which belongs to me and is dear to my heart. I'm a Gloriosa too, after all, and we never submit to those who oppose us." I smiled at him, wickedly beautiful, making a smirk tug at his lips.

"Now there's the fiery cousin I know. Go get them, tiger," he urged as I got out of the car.

The building in itself was nothing threatening. It was a normal five story office building with probably a few work stations and of course the boardroom where the meeting was going to be held, right on the fifth floor. The structure was simplistic and minimal, a morbid grey colour that was enough to sour anyone's mood if you had to come to work here and see the sight every day. Putting it simply: it was nothing in comparison to the grandeur flair of Glass Bridge Entertainment. In fact, one might even go as far as saying that it looked like a speck of dirt that sullied the appearance of Glass Bridge by being associated with it. But it was frightening in its own way. Not for the outward appearance but for the people waiting for me inside on the fifth floor.

Every single shareholder interested in the publishing and author department of Glass Bridge was waiting to hear what the, as they called it, ignorant youth had to say for herself. It was now or never. One wrong word, one slip up, and everything we've worked for will come crashing down around us.

It had taken a lot of groveling over the phone last night to get these people to even agree to come. I wasn't going to let the chance slip through my fingers. So, with my head held high, I entered the building and made my way to the elevator. Once inside and riding up, I checked my appearance to make sure not a single strand of hair was out of place. A navy knee length skirt with a white blouse and matching navy suit jacket, along with plain navy heels, hair pulled back into a tight bun. A light smoky eye with shadow rose lipstick. Damien had been proud at my choice of attire.

"It makes you look older and more mature. It also gives off an air of confidence and lets people know to take you seriously. Perfect choice."

The bell pinged and the stainless steel doors opened. I made my way down to the end of the hall where the door was and took a deep breath. It's time.

I'll protect that which is mine, I thought determinedly before grasping the handle and opening the door.

If I felt intimidated, I made sure not to show it.

Ten pairs of eyes followed my every move as I headed to the head of the conference table. Taking a seat, I sat up straight, back never touching the chair, and began a life changing meeting.

"Good day. First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this meeting. I'd also like to thank you for allowing me a chance to express myself, despite the controversary regarding the ownership of the company." I bowed my head slightly out of respect.