Shadow Of The Prey

CH11. The Opening Move.

"And who might you be?" Mr. Lennox questions.

A double breasted dark charcoal suit with light grey pinstripes, a white collared button up with bronze checkered cuff links, and polished black leather dress shoes.

Compared to the nights at the casino, during work he seems to prioritize having a more casual 'gentle' hairstyle. Swept back still, yet containing the softness of a gentleman.
Previous nights seemed to have him favoring a swept back look that's sharp and rugged, almost untamable and beastly.

His eyes casually scan my body, until focusing back to my eyes.


"Yes, Mr. Lennox, this is Ms. Barrington. She my new assistant." Mr. Cardosa smiles, gesturing me to approach closer.

I obey and step closer, confident and eager to give introductions, yet continuing my act to show a hint of worry and confusion.

"Seems you ignored the invitation rules." Mr. Lennox scoffs, his eyes amused.
"Oh sir, you should be more lenient. After all, I want her to meet everyone and become apart of the company."

Giving a surprised look, I glance at Mr. Lennox and Mr. Cardosa.
My mouth slightly gaped open in shock, I make sure to put a slight nervousness in my voice.

"Pardon? I apologize, I didn't think my attendance would cause an issue." I interject.
"No need to apologize. Mr. Cardosa was only generous and I merely commented on it." Mr. Lennox chuckles, until holding out his hand, "Carlisle Lennox, and you are?"

Understanding that he wishes to avoid any hints of our outside escapades, I smile and play along.

"Elise Barrington. It's wonderful meeting you, Sir." I shake his hand and flash the sweetest, most innocent smile I can.
Releasing his hand, I take my purse from the seat and give a little head tilt.
"I apologize, but may I use the powder room?" I whisper to Mr. Cardosa.
"Of course, just out the doors and to the left. Follow the hall and you should see the signs."
"Wonderful, please excuse me." I give a little head bow, turning to take my leave.


In the restroom, I take my time refreshing myself.
Fixing my hair so no strand is astray, and ensuring my makeup remains perfect. Applying more concealer on the love mark, I fix the dress to cover it well.

The target's eyes seemed to continue burning into my back even as I left the room.
His sly acting seems to have come to play, but his eyes questioned me. By now, he should be ordering a background check to see what 'my game is'.
Unfortunately for him, Elise Barrington simply wants a job she's happy with, nothing more and nothing less.

I stare at my own reflection, Miss. Barrington's eyes seeming to be happy and blissful.
Deep down I consider the routes this lunch could go. All possible scenarios playing in my mind as the props come to mind.
The placement of every table, the route all servers walk, and every guest within the room. Laying out a map in my mind, I focus on three possible outcomes.
Adjusting my bracelet, I bend one of the clasps to face outwards with a pair of tweezers. The bracelet secure, yet no one would notice the minute change.


Entering the hall, I give a friendly warm smile to coworkers I recognize.
Standing near the elegant sofas and a vase of flowers, I veer to the right of the 'main aisle' in between all the tables and seats.

"Ms. Barrington, good afternoon." An older lady smiles.
"Mrs. Caddel, hello. Are you enjoying the luncheon?" I approach, giving my greetings to those around.

Mrs. Caddel is one of the managers for customer relations. She's not a priority, however being a chatterbox, she's the perfect prop to continue my plan.

Speaking my ear off for eighteen minutes and twenty-seven seconds, a server makes a round and I take my leave.
Walking towards Mr. Cardosa, I visualize the next few seconds as if I'm in control of each action of every prop.

Among the invited guests, there are presidential shareholders. Out of all my props, they're the most valuable.


"Oh! I'm sorry!" Gasping, I feel my right hand get tugged back.
Turning to see I've perfectly bumped into my prop.

A warm cream suit with a tweed coat, brown accessories, and a luxury gold watch with an emerald face.
The man turns back to me stunned by the small accident, his height towering me almost rivalling the target's.

"I'm terribly sorry!" I stammer, trying to pull my bracelet away.

The small hook, placed in the perfect direction, snagged on his tweed jacket.
Latched on near his waist, we twist and turn, trying to get a good look at what's happened.


"Oh." The man simply speaks.

Glancing up to meet his eyes, I meet the green hued eyes.
"Oh! It's you!" I exclaim with a voice of surprise and friendliness.
The man I had run into at the company on the day of my interview, stands before me.

"Yes, it seems you enjoy bumping into me." He simply chuckles, his hand lightly grazing my caught wrist.
"I do apologize. I wasn't trying to cause a scene." My cheeks grow faintly red—controlling one's exterior appearance is a vital lesson, and creating a blush to my cheeks on command is child's play.
"Please don't apologize. It was my fault after all." He kindly speaks.

Taking a step back to avoid bumping into the server approaching on his left, he bumped into me at the perfect angle, allowing my bracelet to latch on.
Simply walking towards Mr. Cardosa's direction, I would have passed by this man fine, except if he was to step back to avoid somebody else.

"So this is your doing?" I giggle light heartedly.
"I suppose we're even now." He chuckles, focusing on trying to carefully untangle the bracelet from his jacket.
"Oh be careful pulling!-"
Before I can say my words quick enough, his tweed jacket tears.

"I-I'm so sorry! I can replace it for you!" I sigh, looking at the torn spot on his jacket.
"It's only a small tear. Nothing to worry about. I would've been more upset if your bracelet broke. Handcrafted?" He asks.
"Oh? Yes, it's from Italy."
"Hm, is it one of Moretti's?"
Looking puzzled, I give a pleased smile.
"Yes, how'd you know?"
"The trademark clasp. It doesn't seem like one of his usual collections though."
"That's correct, you have a very good eye. My father adores his work and ordered a custom watch for himself and my mother. He then had a bracelet made for me to match theirs."
"Ah, a family heirloom?"
"I suppose now it is. It was a gift for me leaving home."
"Oh? Far from home now?"
"I'd say so. I believe my parents are arriving in Pavia now."
"Hm, they travel lots then?" He gives a small chuckle.
His smile reading to be friendly and kind, with his eyes showing he's very interested in our conversation.

"Due to work they always move around. Since I left though, I believe they're travelling to relax."
"Well, Pavia's beautiful. Has plenty of gems throughout the city." He chuckles, reminiscing.
"Have you been?" I ask, curiously.
"Of course. Usually when I want solitude on rare occasions."
"Then I suppose my parents would get along with you well. Pavia's their favourite place to isolate from the 'outside world'."
"With the taste in craftsmen your father has as well, I'm sure I'd get along great with them." He flashes a kind playful smile, a light hearted chuckle with an undertone of romantic interest.

"Oh, I never got your name." I flash a look of realization and embarrassment.
He simply gives a small smile—one out of adoration—and holds his hand out. His palm facing up as he tips his head ever so gently.
"Please, call me Elliot."
"Only Elliot?" I give a cheeky glance.
"My last name's irrelevant."
"Well, Elliot, this is a business lunch. Would it be rude to assume that everyone else calls you Elliot as well here?"
Giving a small chuckle, he shrugs.
"Of course no one would call me as such. However, it would be a shame to have a formality start in our introduction."
"After ruining your jacket, I believe we're far from formality. Elise, Elise Barrington." Wearing a sweet smile, I place my hand on his giving him a dainty curtsy.
"Wonderful to be acquainted with you, Elise."
His thumb squeezes my ring finger lightly, yet delicately.


Elliot Cavanaugh—the target's close friend.
When we had run into each other, he was someone I barely recognized for a moment, however it became clear to me from the gentle scent of his powdery-woody cologne, that this man was 'Sir Emerald'.
The question if he recognizes 'Lady Ruby' is still unknown, however what I wanted from this interaction is soon answered.

Elliot's eyes glance behind me.
Tilting my head, I follow his eyes playing the role of a curious lamb.

To the right of the back room, three men stand near a exit door.
I notice a friend of Elliot's seeming to wave him over. Amongst the people surrounding them, I catch the movement of fabric.
Carlisle Lennox seemed to have been watching us, and turned just before I did.

The story I designed continuing perfectly on route, I turn back to Elliot and smile.
"Oh I apologize if I'm keeping you." I smile, glancing at him and his friend.
"Not at all. It seems we have a meeting however."
"I won't keep you then. However, I'd feel terrible if you went to a meeting wearing a ruined jacket." I pout, staring at the small rip.
Giving a hearty chuckle, Elliot unbuttons his jacket before hanging it over his arm.
"Don't fret. I believe I said I was at fault for it."
"My bracelet was what ripped it though."
"Let's say this pleasant conversation is enough to cover a ruined jacket. I wouldn't want worrying to ruin your lunch." Elliot flashes a gentle smile, resembling a prince.

Up close, I understand why these men are bombarded by women.
He has a dangerous womanizing gentleness that could make any lady fall into his arms easily— however I'm not interested in being one of those women.
A man as gentle as him is the most dangerous. He simply reeks of someone who can be highly manipulative—surely he must be if he's close to the target.

"I'll take your word for it. I won't keep you longer." I give a polite smile, tucking my hair behind my ear.
"Until the next time we run into each other." He gives a small wink, walking past me.

I turn back to watch him leave, meeting his eyes as he glances back at me as well. Keeping it casual, I give him a small elegant wave before turning to find Mr. Cardosa.