Chapter 20 THE MEETING PART 1
Vivienne looked through her windshield at the shiny front of Hunt Enterprises. Forty-five stories of steel and glass reaching up to the sky. The sunlight on Monday morning shone off its windows, almost blinding her, as if the building itself was trying to push her away.
For the eleventh minute, she sat still in the driver's seat, her hands so tightly gripping the steering wheel that they hurt. She had carefully picked out a navy blazer and matching pants at dawn, but now it didn't fit right.
She couldn't stop thinking about Noah's last words this morning.
"Do you remember how we practiced being brave?" He had his arms around her and was squeezing her with surprising strength. "Don't look down, like we said."
Mrs. Chen had been standing in the doorway, her kind, weathered face watching them with a smile. "Don't worry about little one. We have a good time today. Take your time."
Vivienne had nodded, given Noah her phone number on three different pieces of paper, kissed his forehead, and then said, "I'll be back before dinner."
She wished she had never left.
She jumped when she heard a car horn honking in the parking garage. Vivienne saw her own reflection in the rearview mirror. Even though she carefully applied concealer, there were still dark circles under her eyes, gotten from a night spent staring at the ceiling, going over what she would say to the man she used to love, who had no idea who she really was.
"You can do this," she whispered to her reflection. "It's just a business meeting."
Her phone buzzed. A message from Marcus.
"Good luck today. We're counting on you."
She put her phone away, picked up her leather portfolio, and finally made herself get out of the car. She had to think about every step she took as she walked to the entrance, and her heels clicked against the concrete.
The lobby was too much for her to handle. She felt like she was too small. Light came in through the massive windows, making the marble floors shine like mirrors. A huge sculpture of metal ribbons that were twisted together hung above. It was beautiful but cold and out of reach, like everything else in Alexander's world.
Two guards in well-fitted uniforms looked at her with indifference at the security desk.
"Vivienne Cross," she said, her voice steady, abstract to how she felt. "I have an appointment with Alexander Hunt."
One guard looked at his computer while the other looked at her with interest, but not too much. They took her driver's license, gave her a visitor badge, and told her where to find the executive elevators.
"Forty-fifth floor," the guard said. "Someone will be there to meet you."
Thank goodness the elevator was empty. Vivienne let out a breath she didn't know she was holding as soon as the doors closed. The elevator moved up with almost no noise. The only sign of movement was the numbers on the control panel changing.
15... 22... 30...
Her heart raced faster with each number that went up. She looked at herself in the mirrored walls and almost didn't recognize herself. Not just because of the surgery to fix her face years ago, but also because of the fear that was hiding behind her eyes.
What was wrong with this scared woman? Where was the brave girl who had once stood up to Victoria Hunt and refused to be bought off?
40... 43... 44...
Vivienne closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to tap into Noah's childlike wisdom. Don't look down. I've got you.
A soft chime let her know she was there. The doors opened to reveal a reception area that looked like it was meant to both impress and scare people. Recessed lighting shone on the white marble floors. Glass walls showed conference rooms where executives pointed at digital displays.
A woman sat behind a curved white stone desk, and her sharp eyes locked onto Vivienne right away.
"Good morning," the receptionist said with a smile that was both professional and cool. "What can I do for you?"
"Vivienne Cross here. Mr. Hunt and I have an appointment at ten."
The receptionist typed on her keyboard. "Yes, Ms. Cross. Please take a seat. Someone will be with you soon."
Vivienne sat on the edge of a chair that looked like it had been designed by someone who had never actually sat in one. She had a leather portfolio on her lap and kept tracing the edges with her fingers. A digital clock on the wall counted down each minute that passed.
The sound of heels coming up behind her made her look down a hallway. A thin blonde woman walked out wearing a perfect gray pencil skirt and a crisp white blouse. She looked familiar; she had been at CrossLight with Alexander the day it all started.
"Ms. Cross." The woman reached out her hand. "Hello, I'm Jane Sterling, Mr. Hunt's executive assistant."
Vivienne stood there, knowing that Jane was assessing her as they shook hands. Jane's grip was strong, and her fingers were cool and dry, while Vivienne's palm was a little damp.
"Thank you for coming in today," Jane said, but the way she said it made it sound more like a statement than real thanks. "Come with me, and I'll show you Mr. Hunt's office."
They walked through a maze of the same hallways. Jane's heels hit the floor in a steady rhythm, while Vivienne struggled to keep her breath steady. There were abstract art pieces on the walls that were probably worth more than the whole office rent for CrossLight.
"I hope you didn't have any trouble finding our building," Jane asked, which broke the tension.
"None at all."
"Wasn't traffic bad this morning?"
"It was okay."
Jane looked at her. "Ms. Cross, you seem to be very quiet. Maybe you're nervous?"
It felt like the question was a trap. "Just focused," Vivienne said.
Jane smiled a little. "Mr. Hunt can be scary, but you don't need to be. He really likes your... potential."
Vivienne's skin prickled at the tone of her voice, but before she could say anything, they reached a set of double doors at the end of a hall.
Jane knocked once and then opened the door without waiting for an answer. She stepped aside to let Vivienne in and said, "Mr. Hunt, Ms. Cross."
Vivienne stopped at the door, feeling like she was about to fall off a cliff.
"Go on," Jane said, pointing to the open door with her hand. "He doesn't like to wait."
Vivienne pushed herself forward, each step taking her deeper into a past she had been running from. The office slowly revealed itself: a huge room with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the city, minimalist furniture that somehow gave off an air of great wealth, and a huge dark wood desk in front of the stunning view.
Then she saw him.
Alexander stood with his back to the door, his outline visible in the morning light. She remembered his broad shoulders, which were now covered by a perfectly fitted suit. His dark hair was shorter now, but it was still the same rich color.
He turned at the sound of her entrance, and Vivienne's world tilted.
Jane immediately excused herself.