Yes, Sir

7.1

•- Laine Bennett -•

I find myself tapping a pen against my front tooth as I impatiently await Austin to step from his office this early morning. A meeting was set to begin in a few minutes, and after an early start to my day on my part, all that was needed was the boss of the plan to take charge and initiate the start of work.

The meeting in particular held a higher personal agenda. Today would be the official start of work on my grandmother's store, and although her presence will not be in the office for quite some time, her opinion on certain matters discussed today will be missed, but I was to sit in her place.

I'm jerked from my worrisome thoughts as Austin's door opens. In his hands he holds the files I'd given him earlier this morning upon arrival to inform him of the budgeting costs I managed to tally up over the course of the weekend to fit our personal budget including the generous discount Austin provided at our expense.

He maintained a professional exterior and I was as impressed by his professionalism now as I had been the day we made contact months ago.

His gaze meets my own and the corners of his lips twitch upwards before he motions towards the direction of the conference room. I stand from my seated position and follow him in silence as we weave through employees in the way to where we needed to be.

The conference room doors were opened wide and everyone sat positioned in their seats ready to partake in what was meant to happen in this room.

One of the women who worked with real estate lifts her hand in my direction, causing my eyes to meet her own.

"Would you mind getting me a bagel, Laine?"

My eyes grow wide as she makes her request, and I remain silent in utter fear of what to respond. Beating me to the punch, Austin runs his thumb along the tip of his nose before sitting down at the head of the table.

"Actually, Miss. Bennett will be taking over the financial advising during this particular project. Should anyone have questions on budgeting you are to see her," he nods in my direction before pointing to the chair beside him, "Have a seat, Miss. Bennett."

I clear my throat and oblige nonetheless. My options were slim and as much as I would prefer to leap from the cemeteries window across from me, I decide against the rather tasteful desire.

Taking my seat, I tuck my skirt underneath me and position the files I'd prepared for today's rundown of what will and will not take place during the renovations of my grandmother's store.

Overall, I was impressed by Austin's willfulness and excitement to partake in such a task. Hidden behind his cold exterior was nothing more than a sensible man who would help anyone he could. He carried himself to be this strict Casanova who only committed to after work activities that included alcohol and ruffled sheets, but I was pleased to learn the other side of him that was beyond playful and instead of that ice front he portrayed, he was just a soft teddy bear waiting to be cuddled on the couch.

All my biased opinions aside, I would work this project as professionally as possible. I could not risk exposure of our relationship despite how freeing that would be. I loved the seclusion and thrill of sneaking around in silence from the public eye, but our families knew and as far as I was concerned, sneaking around lasted the first few months of our damned deal. Now the silence was deafening and I wanted to be able to kiss him in the hall or arrive to work at the same time without suspicion, but with the publicity of his newest endeavor would cause more of my name to reach the tabloids.

Looking amongst each seated person at the table, Austin clears his throat and opens in files, making everyone else do the same.

"The client is Evaleen Adler, she owns a store just outside of Brooklyn called 'Lainea.' The flooring will need redone and the beams will need replaced. The layout is not ideally something clients would want to walk into, and the exterior needs remodeled as well as new landscaping," Austin spoke quick, and met the point spot on. Everyone rushed to gather his words as he closes his file before turning to me, "Anything I've missed, Miss. Bennett?"