Angel Face

Excuse Me?

XXIX

After our chat on the terrace, I convinced Duncan to go back home to freshen up since he really did stink.

On the other hand, I decided to stay back and keep both Helena and Claire company. During my stay, both Helena and Claire told me stories of Jack. After listening to which, I realised how I missed on getting to know a kind, loving and humorous person. But as much I would've loved to keep my friends company, I still had a job to do.

"Okay, guys. Thank you for coming at such a short notice." I smiled as I eyed every team leader of the different analyst groups.

At the very beginning when this place was relatively new, the incoming of artifacts to be tested was high. Therefore the board had divided the analysts into teams so that diferent teams could deal with different assignments, simultaneously. This not  only reduced the work pressure but also prevented mix ups or misplacements.

Every team had a total of 10 to 15 members including the leader. The teams had to have 2 to 3 interns and atleast one specialist from language, metal, fabric, currency, art, and other such specializations, each.

"Yeah, okay. But what is this about?" Mr Olson, the leader of team 3 who was a sweet yet stern man in his mid 40s, asked. "Yes, I'm getting to that--" I start but get cut off.

"Just spit it out already. Unlike you, we actually have got work to do." My eyes shifted to Penelope, leader of team 5. And 'the best thing to ever happen to us', her words not mine. It's safe to say that, we weren't exactly friends. "What is your problem, Penelope?" I quizzed, annoyed, placing one hand on the hip. "Don't you know?" She quirked an eyebrow, looking bored. "I don't like you." She shrugged and I scoffed. "Well, I don't like your face. But you don't see me complaining." I bit out.

"Ladies. Please, I guess we have some important matters to discuss. So, can we just do that?" Drew Ace, resident hottie and leader of team 2, intervened. "Anything for you, Drew." Penelope swooned as she looked at Drew, completely starstruck. Rolling my eyes at Penelope's obvious reaction, I put on a mask of indifference.

"Thank you, Ace." I gave him a grateful nod which he returned with a lopsided grin. "Okay, as we all know that a couple of months ago, the security was upgrated. Which happened--"

"Because, the board decided to give their darling analyst a high profile project." Penelope decided to cut in with a scowl. I shot her a withering look but decided to ignore her. Shifting my eyes away from her, I resumed. "So! As I was saying, the details of this project is just as classified as all our other assignments that we have worked on so far. But it was also brought to my notice that this assignment has a really sensitive information that under no circumstances can be made public."

"May I know how do you know that?" Mrs Kang, leader of team 4 asked. I nodded. "Yes. I was informed about it by Mr Marshall, the man whose company has been outsourced to take care of the security of--"

"Not to mention, he is the guy you slept with while you were still dating poor Alexander. And not to mention, also went on to marry him once he got the deal with our organisation." Penelope yet again cut me off, while she grinned like the cat that got the cream. I leaned back in my chair, as I stared at her with a cold hard look. She looked around the table and her grin seemed to falter a bit when she noticed the the annoyed and unimpressed look on everyone's face. But her grin finally disappeared when her eyes met mine.

Growing up, I learnt that people are scared of a lot of things. But the one things that makes even the strongest men shake with fear is, the fear of the unknown. "You cut me off one more time..." So, I trailed off coldly, letting both the threat and fear of the unknown sink into her. I almost smiled in satisfaction when I saw her gulp. "Do you want me to finish that sentence?" I asked airily to which she shook her head. I smirked before continuing. "And I didn't know that my personal life was on the agenda today." I added frostily. "Was it?"