nevertheless~

part 40

Hardin's POV.

"What's with her?", Landon asks me as if I know what's wrong with her.

"I dunno", I walk to the door that she just left. I know she's avoiding me but I don't even want to push her to tell me anything right now. I know she had a bit of social anxiety before, but this was a completely different side of her. A long walk in this lavish premises takes me to the ladies' washroom...oh, now do I dare?

"Hardin...Scott?", I hear a sharp woman's voice call my name. The instant I turn around to find Claudia, walking toward me in full gusto and stopping a step short of reach.

"Claudia", I curtly acknowledge her presence.

"Very amazing presentation, I must say. I have seen many in my time, but you guys really know your work.", She smiles graciously.

"Thank you".

"Especially, from the girl that got stuck, who was that lady?", She asks about Tessa.

"Tessa. She's my co-worker, my team leader in fact too".

"She was really great too.", she tells me.

"I have put in a word for your company on my own. My investor seems to be really interested in what you can bring to ours."

"You have? Oh, that's wonderful. I really appreciate that. But you've not even sat through the questions and answers round yet?" I counter.

"Well, you see the thing is...our CEO, he really needs to put in his investments somewhere so it's in your favour that he already wants to work with you.", the floor might as well have slipped from beneath my feet.

"Thank you for telling me about it Claudia, but I really insist you sit through that round so that you can get the full picture of what you really wanna do with us. It's really good to know that you guys want to show interest in our company, but we'd like for you to sit till the end so you can see the big picture too", I tell her.

"Wow. You're...you're really professional. How long have you been working with Jonathan?", she gives a laugh to change the air.

"Well. Around 2 years now. You? How long have you been here for?"

"All of my life. I'm new here. So...hopefully, I know some things or so, but don't have many hopes from me. I'm only 26", the barely aged woman breaks the ice.

"Oh, where were you working before this?", I ask, engaged in the conversation.

"Sales for a luxury brand in France. I recently changed from that to books."

"Why publishing then?", I ask.

"It's...Well, you see when we say France, most people think of tourism, Eiffel tower, lovely romantic trips, luxury brands for clothes, accessories and perfumes. They don't exactly think of books. So, I wanted to somehow change fields to see what's wrong with publishing in France"

"Right. That's pretty experimental for someone your age.", A crack of laugh follows us.

"Well...life's very short to not experiment, and if done correctly you can be successful in your experiment, right?"

"Right. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be out there?", I ask.

"Well, I think that's a very unfair question. You're asking a woman, in front of the women's bathroom, what she's doing there?", she is really fucking funny, what the hell. I thought she'd be all boss woman or something like that.

"I..ugh, sorry. I'll be gone", shyness creeps right back into my spine and she recognizes it.

"No. I think you were here for a reason, right?", she asks, her posture reflecting mine in her.