Curious Business (18+)

Coffee Grounds

A/N: Hi everyone! I started writing this because no matter how hard I searched, I couldn't find a story that I related to, or wanted to relate to ;). I may have  started to write this for me, but I thought some of you other dirty birds might enjoy it too! I won't be posting pictures of the characters, as I want this to fit in to your mind the way you want it! This is unfinished and unedited. I have about 5 other parts ready to be published, I just need to transfer it to Wattpad! I will keep the author's notes to a minimum. Bare with me as I try to figure out Wattpad's formatting and all of the other small details. Let me know what you think and be sure to add this to your library to stay up to date! Stay Birdy! -Pseudo

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I wasn't looking forward to another long day at work. For the fifth day in a row, this event continued to stress me out. I had to keep telling myself that this last day would fly by. The conference was five days long and brought in entrepreneurs from all over the world. I had met marketing executives, pharmaceutical representatives, social media CEO's. Some of the most powerful executives in the marketing industry were in my conference center, everything had to go perfectly.

I would spend the next hour assisting my serving staff in prepping the ballroom. Making sure the coffee stations were stocked and clean, adjusting napkins and pens at each place setting. Being the events coordinator, I had looked over every individual square foot of this ballroom, making sure everything was perfect.

"There is a ridiculous amount of coffee grounds in this cup.", I heard a stern voice say to my assistant manager, Lorin.

Sensing some frustration from the man, I stepped in, "So sorry about that, let me get you situated" smiling at him as best I could.

"Thank you Clara", she mouthed to me.

The man looked at me, his brow furrowed, his golden eyes, confused. He looked me over then handed me the cup, without saying a word. I waited for him to say some sort of thank you, but he said nothing, he just kept staring at me. I raised my brows then uncomfortably turned to go fetch fresh coffee for the man, I could feel his gaze burn into my back. Anger began to build inside of me, how did they miss this? I always make sure they drain the coffee pots for the first 3 seconds to get rid of any grounds that have settled. Angrier at myself than at them, I filled the man's mug, hoping this wasn't a sign of how the rest of the day was going to go. His mug was all black with the words "HOLT ENTERPRISE". I knew this name, it was so familiar.

"Lorin, why do I know this name?" I asked my assistant manager, showing her the thermos.

"Holt Enterprise?" She said to herself, "Haven't you seen in the news? That's the new startup company in Minneapolis, they are trying to do some crazy stuff with going green and all that."

"Hmm, there are some big names here this year. Can we make sure all the servers know how to replace the coffee and make sure we don't mess up again?"

"Done and done, as long as you deliver that back to him, he seemed a little...off"

I laughed and made my way to the man who had been so frustrated over a cup of coffee. His arms were crossed, making his white button up pull a little tighter against his arms. I noted his muscular arms and sharp jawline. His hair was clean cut on the edges, long on the top, slicked back and dark brown. His face looked smooth and freshly shaved.

"I'm really sorry about that", I said while handing him his cup, "If you need anything for the rest of the conference, please be sure to find me."

Firm hands soon enveloped mine around the mug. His face still looked at me sternly, what was he trying to figure out? I felt my stomach drop, oh no, he's pissed. The last thing I needed was a big company going to complain to MY boss. The expression he had on his face made it look like he was trying to figure out what to do next. He really must be a little off.

"Uhhh, so yeah just let me know if there is anything I can do to make the rest of this conference better for you."

His eyes relaxed, his forehead smoothed out, and his lips turned into a smirk.

"I will be sure to look for you." He smirked and turned the other way, not even leaving me a second to respond. Lorin was right, he was off. Something was strange about him. It could just be a strange personality trait of those that are attending this event.

I shook my head, trapped by his words or lack thereof. My head felt light and my body felt relaxed. Thoughts went through my head that I try not to let in when I'm outside of my house. The look in his eyes when he turned around made me feel warm. I closed my eyes and let that warmth take over my mind. He walked towards me with his arms crossed against his bare chest. His grey suit pants hung perfectly below his hips. He started to say something, but I couldn't make it out, "I need..."

"I need the lapel microphone, not the handheld." The man who just attacked my thoughts requested.

I felt my face flush red, shit, I've been caught. My fantasizing had been shut down, this is why I keep that side of my brain off at work.

"Yes, uh, absolutely, sorry, I was..." I stuttered

"Daydreaming?" He questioned like he already knew what I was thinking about. He totally knew, it was obvious.

"Uhm, yeah, something like that. Let me get that lapel microphone set up on you, sir."

"You can call me Elias, Elias Holt, for now.", He smirked again

For now?

"Oh...shit. Holt Enterprises, Elias Holt. You're the speaker for today, of course. Not attending the conference. Well, good luck, not that I think you need it, but you know it's just a formality to say good luck before appearing in front of a crowd, ok sorry." I was fumbling over my words and there was no chance of a recovery.

"Thank you," he looked at my name tag, "Clara Engel."

It was finally the end of the day; the conference was over after 6 days of attending to these big shots left and right. I was scanning the room for Elias Holt, I was hoping we would lock eyes and have one more interaction. I saw him in the corner of the ballroom talking to a group of men that I had become familiar with in the past week. They all shook their heads as they left the conversation, leaving Mr. Holt in the corner. He looked up with a pleased smile, almost like he just gotten something his way. His smile broke as he made eye contact with me from the corner. The stare we held felt uncomfortable, forbidden almost, forcing me to bow my head and stare at my feet. When I looked up again, he was walking away.

I didn't actually think this would have been the last time I saw Mr. Holt, but what did I really expect? He was nice to look at for the few days he was here and that was that. There are attractive men in here every single day, so what was different with him? Was it his status? No, I've never cared about that, never been infatuated with the idea of having everything. It wasn't who he was, but how he was that pulled me in. That warmth I felt earlier was finding its way back into my core. I knew what I wanted.