A Locked Box

Chapter 27

   "Fine. Come on. My father's ride should have been halfway here before he called me." Devin led Kat outside where sure enough a glossy, luxurious car sat out front. It looked so out of place in such a run-down part of the city.

   "Mr. Carver, you have someone with you." the well-groomed man said in a wrinkle-free suit.

   Devin nodded. "She'll be joining me."

   Kat stayed silent as she took Devin's open car door offer. He slid in after her, shutting the door with a sour face. She found it amusing. "The Devin with a venomous look. Wow, I never thought I would see this day."

   He rolled his eyes. "I'm surprised you didn't say anything." the driver was sitting behind the wheel as he spoke, the engine roaring to life.

   Kat laughed and clapped her hands. "Sarcasm. I've missed it." Devin chuckled as he waited for the car to reach his least favorite place. Kat entertained herself otherwise.

   Devin stopped Kat before they entered the large office. She looked up at him in confusion. "I'm telling you now as warning that my father judges people quite quickly and can be rude more often than not."

   She scoffed. "Do you really think I'm going to let some arrogant corporate lapdog get under my skin?"

   "No. I'm afraid of what will happen if you get under his."

   Kat stared at him dully. "From the sound of it, you think he's going to hurt me."

   "Physically maybe not but reputation-wise, he could kill you," Devin said seriously.

   She rolled her eyes. "Let's go in before your father starts calling you again," she said, quickly turning him around and pushing him lightly towards the closed office door. Devin begrudgingly turned the knob and pushed it open. He walked in slowly as if he was expecting something to jump out and get him.

   The balding man seated at the desk looked up, a large smile appearing on his face. "Devin! So glad you came."

   "I didn't have a choice, Dad," Devin replied blankly. Kat followed, her gaze flickering to Devin's slouching posture to his father's fake smile.

   Her eyes narrowed as the older man noticed her. "Ah, and you brought a friend."

   Devin nodded slowly. "She's one of my classmates. She said that she wanted to meet you and to join me during this unexpected work."

   A knowing smile appeared on the man's face. His fingers tapped suspiciously on the desk as if he was waiting for Devin to continue. When he didn't, he turned his attention. "It's nice to meet you. You can just call me Mr. Carver."

   Kat nodded. "It is nice to meet you, Mr. Carver. My name is Katherine Frost." Devin was surprised by her to speak her full name and in such a nice tone. He had a feeling it was fake and she hated the idea of smiling in front of his father. He could only pray that she wouldn't say anything bad.

   Mr. Carver smiled before turning to Devin. "I need you to help me with the filing of our newest asset." he pointed to a stack of papers. "I'm busy myself with a meeting in five so I need you to do it."

   Devin resigned and nodded. A pang shifted through Kat's heart as he took the pile of papers and headed to a couch a few feet from the front door. Kat followed and took a seat beside him as he started to separate the papers and read through them. "Can I help?" she asked quietly.

   Devin looked up with a small smile. "Are you sure?" She nodded. "Okay," he dumped half of the papers on her lap and returned to his own. They worked in silence, acutely aware of Devin's father absence two minutes later. Devin didn't speak his concerns until he was sure his father had everything he needed. "Looks like I'm losing the bet."