Taming The Lockwood

Eight

The following morning, I was running extremely late. Gabriel had decided to send me a longer list of instructions to complete, I was almost certain he knew the repercussions and wanted me to fall into a hole he'd already dug out.

This time I'm balancing two trays of drinks with names I didn't even want to attempt pronouncing. Some people desperately needed to be taught lessons on appreciating the simpler things in life... like water.

I had decided to up my dress game for once. At least I can find some newfound confidence from a new look. I'd paired a warm neutral toned jumper with pinstripe, checkered trousers and a matching blazer jacket.

By the time I'd made it through the glass doors of the conference room, panting and somehow balancing two trays, and the glasses that sat on the bridge of my nose, at least twelve pairs of eyes swivelled in my direction, eyeing the drinks in my hand. I placed them precariously on the table, watching them scramble for their beverages, eyes still fixed on me.

Calm. Calm. Calm.

A surge of heat warms my cheeks and I inwardly scolded myself.

"I- Erm, the coffee machine broke." I splutter, staring directly into the eyes of the lion.

He is definitely going to eat me for dinner.

A thin eyebrow shoots up in response to my excuse. "Is that so, Miss Evans?"

"I-,"

"You could be dying and I wouldn't expect such an excuse for your tardiness. A few weeks in with your new job and you're already taking liberties?" Once again, that penetrating glare is forced in my direction. I swear he should just get plastic surgery to keep that expression permanently.

How dare he!

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.

"Sit."

He did not just-

"Or would you prefer to take my seat?"

I gulped. The only spare seat was next to him.

Lord hath mercy.

***
An hour later and with no progression of any of the ideas proposed, I could practically feel the frustration and bubbling anger radiating off the monster sat next to me, in waves.

Silence thickens the air. Nobody dares to speak, everyone who had tried to, was shot down.

In my very humble opinion, I was disappointed, to say the least, that a group of individuals held in such high regard couldn't see beyond their short sighted vision. Clearly, the problem of maintaining their current profits for the LockEden project at hand was not due to a lack of appeal, but rather because they needed to cut some unnecessary costs and it would be very easy to pinpoint those.

You could be labelled as one-

Shut up.

The passive stock could also be shifted out first to nearby companies...

"Miss Evans, is it?" A gentlemen's voice broke through. It was Mr Eden's promising heir. Edward. Mr Eden couldn't make it to the meeting and his son was more than happy to step forward. Yet for some unknown reason, his presence made the air grow more stifling.

"Miss Evans, you're the only person who hasn't spoken. I'd love to hear what you think...?" He asks inquisitively.

My mouth gapes open. Then shuts. Then opens.