Through your eyes

Elliot

I'm looking at my phone at the bar, responding to an email from my assistant confirming my meeting with my board tomorrow. At least I'm trying to. In the course of writing the 10 words to say yes, 8 am is fine, I receive another 20 emails, 15 texts and 8 google alerts. When will this all end, I just want to find some peace.

I wish I could go home and sleep but I've got mountain of papers on my desk to file through. Usually I wouldn't mind, I love what I do, it's what I've worked so hard to achieve. At 23 years, I've built a tech company with a net worth of 2.4 billion pounds. I've come a long way from the 15 year old living on council estate. I've promised myself I wouldn't live like that again. Yet recently, I don't feel satisfied when I close a big deal or when I've made another million. I use to love the chase but lately I feel nothing at all.

I let out a sigh, I came to this Cambridge event today because I've been after the Sorrec deal for a while. It's the biggest opportunity of my career, to provide programming and security for the next Olympic Games. I've got the board in my pocket, the COO is the problem. I think showing my face here today has helped my case. She was interested in my plans in providing opportunities to younger generations. It's not a lie, I just don't like advertising charitable causes publicly, it makes them feel cheap. Also, the students at Cambridge are hardly going to lack for opportunities once they get out of here, they're the most privileged students in the country. I'd rather focus my efforts on schools in South London, but these white collared snobs would wrinkle their noses. At least this form of charity is palatable to them.

Closing deals is more than what your company can bring. Half of it is how well you can talk and sell yourself. I've spent the last hour doing just that and I'm tired. I'm over this day, I already feel a headache coming on.

I'm in the middle of fielding emails, when I hear the sound of laughter to my right. At first I'm jealous, I envy the sound. And then I want to see it, to feel it. To feel something I can't even remember feeling, something I don't know if I've ever felt. I don't remember the last time I laughed sincerely in years. I glance to my right and see a beautiful woman leaning back in her stool, head thrown back and tears leaking out of her eyes. Her smile is contagious, I can feel the corners of my mouth creep up. Hmmm maybe my heart isn't dead after all.

And then as if she feels me staring, she looks a me. Brown eyes, warm, warm brown eyes stare straight into mine. Its like someone dropped their watercolours the way the different shades of brown bleed into one. I feel like I'm falling in to pool of chocolate but the fall never ends, and then under the lights I see flecks of gold, moving almost like liquid through the creamy brown. I don't dare blink in case I miss the way the colours come alive. Long eyelashes frame those striking eyes, followed by a set of arched dark browns. Her nose scrunches a little on the end as a rosy blush rises on her cheeks. I've made her uncomfortable, staring at her like this. I drag my eyes back to my phone and take a deep breath.

Yeah my heart definitely isn't dead, it's thumping like it wants out of my chest and lay itself alongside her orange juice on the bar table. Jeeezzz. What is wrong with me? I never lose my cool, never get flustered but something weird happened right now? Didn't it?

"Elliot?"

I turn my head again and this time I notice she's not alone. "Sadie, How are you?"

I know Sadie's parents and have done business with them in the past. We mostly see each other at social events her parents bring her along too. She's nice, seems to have a good head on her shoulders, never really thought about her much. The business scene in London is small, everyone knows everyone. I'm pretty sure Sadie's father, Ian, wanted me for a son-in-law at one point, I just never acted on the hints he dropped. I don't have time to give to myself let alone anyone else.

"Doing well, and yourself? Never thought I'd be seeing you here" she replies.

"I'm good thank you, just thought I'd try to hang out with my crowd and all" gesturing to all the students. People forget that I'm only 23 years old. I guess it's easier to do business with someone when you don't think about the fact that they're 20 years your junior and have accomplished more than you.

She lets out a breath of disbelief "This is sooo not your crowd, you should be partying it up in Mayfair".

I've never really partied, I don't have the time to, from the second I wake till I close my eyes I'm busy with work. My buddy Jack is the only one who can drag me out of the office and still it's for something productive; to go to the gym.

I let out a polite chuckle, my eyes move to the woman who was laughing, her head moving back and forth from me to Sadie. Huh cute. "We haven't been introduced..."

Sadie sighs "That's because I know to keep my best friend away from you".

Interesting, seems like my ruthless reputation has made it though the campus of Cambridge university. In my defence, I have a very specific vision, you need the best to be the best.

My eyes stray back to the mysterious woman. She's chewing her lip, in a way I can tell is an anxious habit. Her eyes hold no signs of recognition. Hmm she doesn't know who I am. I don't know why that makes my gut clench in excitement. I'm just not going to look into it deeply.

"Perhaps you should let her network with me? Since that is what these events are for? Would you really hold your best friend back?"

She releases a burdened huff "Just to be clear, I'm not doing this because you asked. I think this could help her. Jannah meet Elliot Madden. Elliot this is Jannah Masood.

"Hello, nice to meet you." Jannah speaks and I almost miss it because I get lost in her eyes again.
She's soft spoken, her voice has a musical quality that's so soothing, I wish I could close my eyes and play it on repeat.

I've really got to get my head out of my arse.

"Hello Jannah".