Cashmere's jaw was set tightly as he rode the elevator to the top floor of Stormshadow Global. He winced at the dryness of his mouth, swallowing thickly as uneasy feelings bombarded his heart.
If not for the fact that he was able to slow down the speed at which the elevator climbed the building's floors, he might be having a panic attack. Thankfully, due to the slow pace, panic was drowned out by confusion and rage.
'What the hell is she doing here?' He thought, 'No way she just happened to show up tonight of all nights. Sure, she could've set this up, but what does she stand to gain from-...' A thought occurred to him, just then. If possible, Cashmere's frown grew even deeper. It became all too clear what his unwanted visitor could gain from this tragic night. '...Power.'
A wave of nausea settled over him as he was gripped by understanding.
He knew just what his mystery guest was planning. And, unfortunately, he was almost certain he could do nothing to stop it.
With that realization, came a whole new wave of dread.
Before he could sink too deep into it, a ding sounded out, signaling the elevator's arrival to the top floor. He walked out as soon as the doors opened, almost on autopilot.
'You're a protector, Cash,' He said to himself, 'Protect your family. Even if it means from her. Protect 'em, Cash. Protect, protect, protect...'
The mindless chant almost served as a security blanket until he came face to face with Victor and Autumn, Kori and Cole's respective assistants, just outside the conference room where his guest was waiting.
"She's inside?" Cashmere inquired, though he already knew the answer.
"Right inside with your uncle," Autumn confirmed, "Are you sure you don't want us to call Cole or-?"
"No, I'll be handling this on my own," Cashmere interjected, "Big boss businessman, right? I got it."
He felt none of the enthusiasm he was putting off but he wouldn't allow them to see that.
Before either Autumn or Victor could say anything, Cashmere walked past them and into the conference room.
Autumn stared at the doors for a long moment before turning to look at her fellow assistant. She didn't have to look at his face for five seconds before his little smirk gave him away. "You called him already, didn't you?"
Victor only shrugged. "Worst he'd do is give me more filing to manage," He grinned, "And I'm not his assistant."
Autumn shook her head in amusement as he walked away.
"Come on, kid!" Victor called behind him, "Twentieth floor has the best coffee and we're gonna be here for a while."
Autumn let out a quiet sigh, staring at the doors with a tinge of curiosity for a moment longer before following after Victor.
Meanwhile, inside the conference room, Cashmere had been paralyzed by the sight of the person he'd been dreading coming to face.
"Long time no see, huh, Cash?"
YOU ARE READING
Winter Chaos
General Fiction*MUST READ SUMMERTIME MADNESS FIRST* Fun loving, dramatized summertime madness has quickly become cold, dark chaos. A kind of winter that doesn't come with the change of the seasons. The past has come back to greet the Stormshadows in a most unexpec...
