Chapter 15: In which she takes a step towards takedown.
"McKenna Corporate?"
"They are the best distribution agency in town and they also have the best research lab for chemical testing’s. If we buy 20% of the shares their previous shareholder just released in the market...we get a perfect deal with a distributor for our products and a our very own lab for resource testing. And that too at a very effective price," I concluded, ticking off everything that Sam and I had discussed this morning.
A textile industry didn’t always need a research lab but our company was thinking about introducing new fabrics that could be water resistant and changed colour during the rain. It was an innovation I was really looking forward to even though I did not understand any of the chemistry behind the whole process.
"Hmmm," Nate looked thoughtful, probably running the whole scenario through his head while I leaned against his desk, folding my arms across my chest. Meanwhile, I took the time to properly ogle at him.
Today he wore a black pinstripe suit with black pants and a cherry colored shirt underneath. And Damn! That cherry shirt looked mighty fine on him. He can sure pull off any type of pink and not look girly at all. Not to mention the fact that we had unintentionally matched outfits. Tina had given me a smirk as soon as I came in and it was only after I entered his cabin that I realized why.
"Take a picture," I could hear the smirk in his voice now. “Lasts longer.”
"Nah!" I said, tapping a finger on my chin. "I prefer nudes."
Suddenly, I was tugged forward by my waist and landed on Nate's lap. His arms wrapped around me tightly, blocking any way of escape…not that I wanted to but we were in his office.
"When did you get this bold, Miss. Tresscot?" Nate asked, leaning closer to me so I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek.
"College.” I shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You know," he mused, leaning back on his chair and pulling me with him so that my head was now resting on his chest. "You keep saying that a lot."
"Saying what?" I said, acting innocent.
"You keep saying that you changed when you went to college," he asked, unconsciously running his hands up and down my arm. "What really happened there that changed you so much? I know college can be pretty rowdy and we tend to do a lot of stupid things there. But whenever you say it…I don’t know, it just feels like there’s a deeper meaning behind it."
"Oh...you know, this and that." I gestured vaguely with my arms. Damn! I wanted to avoid this conversation.
"No I don't. That's why I'm asking you," he sounded like he had all the patience in the world, while I was trying my hardest to get him to change this topic. But knowing Nate, he'd probably pester me till I spilled my guts out.
"Well...I met some pretty crazy people. Made some amazing friends too and what matters now is that this is who I am and I prefer myself this way." I answered truthfully. Some experiences were just too hard to share and I wasn’t ready for that yet.
"No boyfriends?" he asked innocently, successfully changing the subject.
I raised my head from his chest and narrowed my eyes at his cheeky smile. That little probing into my personal life was deliberate and sounded incredulous coming from the infamous playboy. I mean…apart from me, was there any girl that Nate hadn’t slept with in high school? It was like he was trying to break some sort of world record!
"Well...I-"
A knock sounded at his door and I scrambled out of his lap just in time before the intruder rudely barged in.
Phew! Saved by a jerk.
But the guy who entered looked suspiciously familiar. I narrowed my eyes at him as I tried to remember where I'd seen him before.
"Nate! Buddy! Long time no see!" I watched as he came forward and brushed past me to bear hug a surprised looking Nate.
"Huge?" Nate asked, and that's when I finally remembered why he looked so familiar.
"Took a while!" He said smirking.
Blonde hair. Hollywood worthy looks. Mischievous grey-blue eyes. It was no doubt the one and only playboy of the century-
"Hugh Donovan!"
He released Nate on hearing my voice and turned towards me questioningly. "Yes?"
I was too busy gaping at him to answer. So Nate, being the polite person that he is (not), gave me a kind glare and Hugh a try-anything-and-there-won't-even-be-a-body-to-identify kind of glare and forcefully cleared his throat to get Hugh's attention.
"Hey Nate, who's this fine piece of ass?" Hugh asked pointing at me, shamelessly as always, unknowing to Nathan's murderous expression, while I frowned at his sexist comment.
"Hugh," Nathan spoke through clenched teeth, "meet Savannah Tresscot, my girlfriend."
Holy Shit! Did Mr. Jealous Brooding Boss just say girlfriend! And just like that, I instantly forgot the maggot trespassing in on our lovely-dovey moment.
"Holy Cow! Morning Myrtle?"
Or not.
I guess this time, it was me with the murderous expression as Nathan quickly said, "Hugh, let’s go to my private suit, shall we? It's much more comfortable than this office."
Hugh agreed and went to stand by the door, probably testing if he was dreaming because according to him, me and Nate could have never ended up together even if I were the last woman on earth, while the only thought going through my head was, 'who the hell has a private suit in their office?' Well...Nathan Synclair, obviously.
"And Savannah," I turned to see Nate standing by the open door, "You're invited too, but before you come, confirm the deal with McKenna Corporate please."
It was great news, one step forward towards my father's downfall. I should be happy, but the only thing I could do was force a smile and nod as the door closed behind Nate.
I should be happy. But I wasn't. I felt like the most horrible person in this world.