The Girly Watch Remade

Chapter 20: Pale Imitation

Royal leans back into the chair at the end of the cocoa brown desk. His hands wrap around a light-colored file, flipping through pieces of paper. An old analogue clock on the wall ticks away the moments. His eyes lock onto the photos of the actual design for Caduceus.

He holds up a page from the file. "Miss Ziegler, is this what you'll be submitting for circulation?" he asks, looking up. The blonde woman at the end of the table seems to be scanning every inch of his face with an almost glazed-over expression.

Royal's eyes return to the page, then glance towards the clock. 1:10. The meeting was supposed to start at 1pm. He checks his phone. Zero messages.

Placing the folder flat on the desk, he brings his other hand up, rubbing his forehead. "I don't mean to assume, but you were a former Overwatch member, weren't you?" Royal asks Angela.

She gives a subtle nod, her eyes losing that glassy shine. "Ah, yes, I was - still am, but I mainly focus on the research of medical technology."

Royal hums, his face stone-like. He sighs. "You wouldn't happen to have the number of the liaison, would you?"

Angela nods, palming her phone and looking it over. "I told them to be here early for the meeting, but unfortunately..." She trails off. "I don't seem to have any messages."

A subtle shiver runs through Royal as the room seems to grow slightly colder.

A knock at the door draws the eyes of both Royal and Angela. Royal raises an eyebrow, glancing towards the glass window next to the boardroom door. A familiar head of hair comes into view.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear," Royal mutters under his breath.

Angela's eyes dart towards Royal questioningly.

Royal stands up, wiping his lap down and flattening the wrinkles in his clothes. He moves to the door, pulling it open.

Royal opens the door, revealing Lena Oxton. She's wearing a white long-sleeve button-up with charcoal grey trousers and a black tie, hastily done. Her typically wild hair remains messy and free.

Her eyes lock onto Royal's, and he notices a subtle look of fear cross her features. She tries to speak but stutters, looking like she's seen a ghost. Her gaze darts around his taller form, fixing on something past him.

"Arriving late is unprofessional," Royal says, his words laced with venom. He steps back, shooting a look at the receptionist, who shirks away.

Closing the door behind him, Royal addresses Lena, who's now seated and sitting straight up. "Mrs. Oxton, I assume you're aware of the purpose of this meeting?"

"Only Miss Oxton," Lena corrects quickly.

Royal's eyebrow arches. He makes a clicking noise with his tongue and sits at the end of the table. "And yes, I know that P.C.E.R is working on the production and shipping of Caduceus tech."

Royal nods. "Unfortunately, Joseph Bergstrom, who was supposed to be overseeing this, ran into some flight delays. I'll be overseeing the meeting, and my assistant will handle communications between us and the U.N. about the peacekeeping initiative."

He raises a hand towards a camera on the wall. "Yan Bai Hu, patch the call to the U.N. to the screens. The liaisons have arrived."

Soon, the Vishkar loading screen appears on the wall, turning and spinning. Blocks of windows begin to clear, revealing blurry camera views of a U.N. council.

Angela's hand is wrapped around a pen, her fingers cracking its thin black enamel. Her eyes are glassy, zoned out completely. A brief sensation against her leg, tapping frequently, pulls her attention.