Clash Into Clasp

CHAPTER 7 - Held

The week passed and Alexis was grateful to God that the money was provided and that Adrielle's surgery was successful. She only needed to rest and be monitored at the hospital.

That weekend, she went to church and shared it in the Thanksgiving part of their program.

When she went to work on Monday, she felt the tinge of anxiousness again. The thought of meeting Carl gave her an uneasy feeling.

Though she had not seen him after that afternoon, she knew that she could not avoid him.

She felt shameful that he had seen her break down and she didn't know how to face him.

Her regular working day went on and in the afternoon, she received an email from Mrs. Cole that Mrs. Sheridan's friend would like to meet her and Carl for a new project.

Alexis became a bit anxious because Sheridan's townhouse was still under construction and she was not sure if she could do two projects at the same time. But the thought of seeing and working with Carl made her more anxious.

She was in this state when Mr. Caldwell called for her.

"Can you recheck and finalize this," Albert handed a flash drive to her.

She hesitated to accept it. "Hadn't the designer finalized it?" she looked at him.

"She did but not as well as your work. Just check it and edit what you think requires improvement. It's an order. Give it back before you go home this afternoon," Albert laid the drive on the table.

She nodded slowly and picked it up. Albert then waved his hand gesturing her to leave.

When Laura saw her, she pulled her inside her office and they chatted for a while.

Alexis can't deny the joy she felt in Laura's kind attitude to her.  She's beginning another friendship with a great and gorgeous woman and in that she was joyful.

After their short chat, she went to her table and started her work. She viewed the design and made some edits as Albert said.

Her concentration was focused on editing the interior of the design when Pauleen's voice rang in her ears. "Why are you editing that?"

She was so stunned by the sudden voice that her heart skipped.

"Mr. Caldwell asked me," she replied after calming herself. "Why?" she looked at the woman in confusion.

Pauleen cussed and her face was full of scorn. Her eyes shot a fiery glare at her before storming out of the room.

She was puzzled. What happened to her? Thinking that she still had work, she ignored her wondering thoughts and faced back to her computer.

The next day, Alexis entered EDA wearing her new sky-blue ruffled blouse and black pencil skirt. Grendel had bought ten new sets of office clothes for her,  all blouses were light-colored, three dresses, and a pair of black office shoes. She was indebted to her again for that.
Except for the time they met with Mrs. Sheridan, she had worn her old dark-colored blouses which were loose but were more comfortable for her. However, she was instructed to wear something nicer again so the new fitted blouse and skirt would have to come out.

She was by the reception table when Sherry talked to her. "Mr. Anderson is on his way down. He said you wait for him in the parking lot."

"Okay," she nodded and the unpleasant look Sherry gave her made her frown. She was about to ask about it when Carl's voice boomed in.

"Miss Carter, why are you still here?"
Her heart pounded and only hung her head low, unable to take a glance at him.

"Sorry," she murmured and silently followed him toward the parking area.