Hollow

Thirty Four | Kryptonite

"Mr. Duncan, please report to the COO's office." Pearl's voice says over the intercom.

I sigh and stand, walking out of my temporary office to the long corridor that leads to the COO's office and stop at the reception where a woman grins at me.

"Are you here to see Mr. Gardner?"

I nod.

"He's currently in the middle of an important phone call but he will be done shortly. Is there anything else I can help you with while you wait?"

"No, that's alright. Thank you."

I sit down on the couch, waiting patiently as I observe my surroundings. I just got here and they're already sending me to hell. After waiting for about twenty minutes, the woman calls out and tells me to enter Mr. Gardner's office. I raise my hand to knock on the door but they open instantly making my eyes widen before quietly making my way inside.

Tate looks up from the files on his desk. "Navid! Please have a seat."

"Thank you."

"I know you're new here but I'm sure you must have heard that our former CFO was relieved of her duties." He states, pausing as if to confirm.

"Yes."

"Now, this position needs to be filled very fast and we're looking for someone."

"Do you have a few names in mind?"

He nods. "I recommended you."

"I'm deeply honored, sir, but with all due respect, I'm already working on the new project with my mother and Zahra herself."

"Yes, I am aware of that but the terms of the contract clearly state you're assigned here until the project is launched." He states confidently.

"Surely, there has to be somebody that can do it better." I suggest.

"Let's not keep the big boss waiting, yeah?" He chuckles, standing up.

We walk out of his office and start making our way towards the other side of his office. We pass through security, where as a security protocol, I leave my finger prints and biometrics. He then ushers me through large doors across the other side of the room, placing his hand on a fingerprint scan.

"She's waiting for you." Alex Colby greets, motioning for us before walking out. As we enter, my eyes land on the boss in all her glory, grinning at us.

"I hope your first day wasn't too bad?"

I shake my head. "Everyone was very welcoming, ma'am."

She nods. "I know our contract stipulated that you're supposed to train with us so I thought, what better way to do that than throwing you to the wolves." She says, chuckling.

Tate rolls his eyes. "Just put the poor boy out of his misery."

"Effective immediately, you're the CFO of Pierce Industries. Congratulations!"

"Thank you." I mumble but it comes out as a question.

She stares at me in surprise then a small smirk makes its way at the corner of her lips, amusement glinting in her eyes. I take that as my cue to leave so I turn around and start making my way out.

"Navid?"

I turn back around. "Yes?"

"Good luck." She smiles.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Zahra POV

I walk inside the café and as soon as I step the threshold, I bump into someone making me back up a little bit looking at the person in front of me. Dark brown eyes look back at me with curiosity.

"I'm so sorry." The man says in a gentle voice.

I smile, waving him off before hearing my name being called. The stranger's mouth widens in an 'o' shape looking at me, realization probably kicking in. I turn around to look at the owner of the voice and it turns out to be Omar Hassan, Jas' older brother, rushing toward me with a grin covering his facial features. He reaches us and envelops me in a hug before turning to the man standing next to me.

"I see you already met Zahra." Omar points out then turns to me. "Z, this is my best friend Gabriel."

"It's nice to meet you." Gabriel smiles extending his hand that I shake with a grin.

After a thorough discussion, we decide to enter the café and settle on a table with Gabriel sitting next to me and Omar across.

I pull out my phone to ask Jas about her whereabouts before turning to look at the people in front of me. Minutes later, the doorbell of the café and I look over my shoulder to see Jas walking towards us with a smile on her face. Omar stands from his seat to greet his sister who and I kid you not, Jas jumps into her brother's arms. She then greets Gabriel, kisses my cheek right after before settling next to her brother.