Empire of Deception (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 10

When Thursday comes around I find myself seated in a conference room on the 17th floor of the Bolton Building. majority of the seats around me have already been taken, but a few stragglers continue to walk into the door every so often. I have been here for 15 minutes, anxiously waiting the arrival of Alexander and my father.

Our conference room is quite the opposite of the one over at Swann. Whereas their's reflects light and white, ours is more standard. It's not until now that I notice little potted ferns planted along the counter tops which patrol the perimeter of the room. Seeing the ferns reminds me of the various flowers which still lie idly in their plastic, horribly scattered in nearly every part of my house.

In front of me is a rather large envelope with my name. These folders are also in front of every single seat.

Across from me Theodore Collings accepts a cup of tea from a pretty female intern. I notice him eye her arse as she turns to the aid the next man.

I stifle a scoff, a clear image of his girlfriend popping into my mind. I can't help but wonder what she would think of her boyfriend looking at other girls' behinds.

I look towards the door where a man is just about to enter into the room, but suddenly he stops, flattening himself against the side.

He's waiting for someone.

Sure enough, Victoria Jarwin walks through the door, acknowledging the man with a curt nod. After she is inside, the man follows her. I wonder if he is being polite simply because she is a Jarwin, or if he actually is showing genuine respect.

The man immediately notices the various envelopes and quickly searches for the one that holds his own name. He sits down.

My eyes look around the room, noticing that every spot has been filled.

I look to Victoria for the answer and as if on que, she glances at the wall clock, and then at her own watch, almost as if she thinks the wall time is lying to her.

It's 3:56 PM. She is waiting for 4:00 to strike.

I sit back and loosen my back bone, letting myself sink into the plush office chair. If we have four minutes to wait, might as well get comfortable.

My eyes suddenly narrow at the sight of Christopher stepping inside. Behind him, a man I have never seen before. We resemble a similar age, but he couldn't be more different. Where I have brown hair, he has blonde. Mine isn't styled, my curls doing what they want, but his is combed to a science.

Sharp jawline and piercing dark eyes to match. His face is mostly angles, but imagine the hearts that melt as soon as he smiles.

To my utter shock, I watch as his arm snakes around Victoria's waist, pulling her close.

I see Christopher eyeing this grip wearily. Stuffing his hands deep into his pockets, he gives them a disgusting look before walking to the other side of the room.

My eyes turn back to her. Victoria doesn't flinch at the sudden affection, but I notice that she doesn't relax, only turning her head to receive a whisper from the mystery man.

It only takes a few moments to assess the fact that everyone else in the room has noticed the touch of affection. The sudden announcement that Victoria Jarwin does, in fact, have a boyfriend ignites the desire in the men around me—both young and old.

I even can feel the pull from within me to look at her in a new light.

No longer is she Alexander's daughter, but a female who is not only beautiful, but desired.

I can't seem to tear my eyes off of them, and I begin to search her body, finding bits of exposed skin here and there. I wonder how many parts of her this man has touched. Looking at my colleagues, I feel disgusted by the amount of lust in their eyes, feeling even grosser when I realize that I am just like them.