Impressing the Clients

9

I put on a black turtle neck 3/4 sleeves tucked in a high waisted, plaid black and white pants and slid into my red pointed heels. I added a light make-up, nude lips and winged liner.

Just in time, Jackie and Kyle came in unannounced. They really need to learn how to knock. "A little bird told me that someone's got caught up in a hot confusion last night," Jackie wiggled her brows, surely Kyle has told her what happened.

"Well, it's nothing. He and I just flirted a little bit," I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Besides, I think he won't be bothering me again. Not worth both of our time," I said as I checked myself out in the mirror.

"Ladies, I would love to see how this topic gets Paula riled up but we have to go. Mr. Ty's already waiting at the hotel's dining hall. He doesn't wanna make the client wait up," he led us out from my unit and onto the elevators.

"Business mode on," Kyle reminded us both. We both nodded in agreement.

————

We arrived the fine dining hall and saw Mr. Ty already sitting on the table assigned to us. We all smiled at him, he smiled back at us. I can clearly see he's nervous. I was, too. We sat in silence, waiting for the client to come.

Moments later, a man in a sharp suit towering over us came and Mr. Ty stood up abruptly and shook his hand, "good to see you again, Mr. Davidson."

The rest of us stood up at once, and turn to the client we all had been waiting for.

Oh, no. It's Marco.

He shook Mr. Ty's hand, "nice to see you too, Mr. Ty. Although, I didn't expect us to have some company."

Wait, was his voice got a little deeper?

I looked at him. His beard were a little overgrown than what I saw last time. His eyes were a bit darker. My fucking god, he still looked like a carving from every girl's wet dream.

He's wearing with his all black suit and tie. My thighs clenched involuntarily. He's looking sharp and all business-y.

Kyle, who was beside me, whispered, "you are definitely screwed." Yes, I am.

He turned to me, checked me out way too slow and offered his hand, "Hi, I'm Mason Davidson, you must be?" Oh, so he gave me a fake name last night and now we're pretending not to know each other, okay. Two can play at this.

He's all for business tonight but he looked at me like I was his next meal. I wouldn't mind, though.

"Paula Santiago, junior structural engineer," I shook his hand. "This is Jackie Levi, junior architect. And Kyle Matthews, senior structural engineer," I introduced them to him. They both shook his hand.

We all seated and placed our orders. I was seated right in front of him and it was so uncomfortable. He's been stealing glances at me while he, Mr. Ty and Kyle talk about the renovation process at his mansion. Jackie and I silently listened and nodded to what they were discussing.

"So who's gonna be handling my reconstruction first hand?" He questioned as he sliced his steak. "That would be me and Paula here," Kyle answered. "I'll be training her for the first month and slowly transition for her to take over on the 2nd and 3rd month," he continued.

"Training her? Should I trust someone who doesn't exactly know what she's doing?" He looked straight at me.

What in the actual fuck, did he just insulted me?

I patted my mouth with the napkin lightly and answered back, "with all due respect sir, I may not be an expert but I know what I'm doing. I've prepared for this project and I am sure I won't disappoint," mirroring what he told me last night about his history with girls.

"I'm sure you won't," he eyed me up and down and took a bite of his steak.

Fucking asshole.

"I understood the process here that Ms. Santiago answers to you and you," turning to Kyle and Mr. Ty, "but I would like to get those daily reports as well. No matter if it's too technical, I'm sure Ms. Santiago wouldn't mind walking me through it." He said with a smirk.

"But Mr. Davidson, you wouldn't want to trouble yourself with it, we'll be handling it well," Mr. Ty protested.

"Mr. Ty, it is not a request," he said calmly. Too calmly, almost threatening. "You wouldn't mind, would you Ms. Santiago?" He turned back to me. "Not at all," I say confidently. "Good," he ended.

I excused myself to the bathroom. I needed room to breathe. I was staring at my reflection when the door opened. Mason came in.

"Did I rile you up?" He smirked as he stood straight, hands on his pocket.

"You didn't, I can handle it," I said walking past him but he gripped my arm. I was put to a stop.

"Let me go," I said seriously. "I usually am professional with business stuff. But you, love, are making me wanna try personal touch to this project," he looked at me and bit his lip.

My eyes followed the movement on his lips. So fucking inviting.

I gathered all my strength and said, "let's keep it professional, sir." I yanked my arm away from him and walked back to our table.

The rest of the night was so uncomfortable. He would look at me way too long and smirk to himself.

Psycho. That's for sure.

As we ended the meeting, we all stood up and exited the dining hall. Mason walked beside me, looking straight ahead and said, "I look forward to checking your daily reports." He emphasized 'daily' too much.

Not good. Not fucking good.

Mason stopped in his tracks as we reached the lobby, "so Mr. Ty, I trust you'll start with it tomorrow and waste no time." Mr. Ty nodded, "yes, of course. We are ready." He looked at me once again like I was a piece of meat, "see you very soon, engineer." I didn't manage to say anything in response. He turned away and walked.

Not good. Not fucking good.

***