Chapter 10 Chapter 10
Violet
If I couldn’t repay him with wealth or promises, I’d repay him with what I knew. I dressed quickly in the simplest outfit I owned: white shirt, beige trousers, and pulled back my hair in a low bun.
I drove to the city center, clutching my bag like it held the weight of my resolve. The skyscraper loomed above everything else, sleek and intimidating.
Lockwood International gleamed in silver across its glass façade.
For a moment, I just sat there, palms pressed against the steering wheel, watching my pulse race in my wrists.
I was going to show up in his office unannounced and I hoped I wouldn’t catch him in a worse mood.
The security guards didn’t stop me when I entered so I took that as a positive sign. The lobby consisted of black marble floors, chrome accents, and soft lighting that screamed wealth.
Women in designer labels and impossibly high heels swept past me, and I suddenly became very aware of my simple clothes and the faint circles under my eyes.
So I squared my shoulders, ignored the stares, and enquired at the reception who asked me to wait.
Minutes turned to hours and I was still waiting in the lobby while I saw the receptionist let the others who came in after me.
After wasting three hours, I couldn’t take it anymore and walked towards the desk again.
“Excuse me, I have been waiting for over three hours. When can I expect to meet him?”
She gave me a polite smile.
“His calendar is packed for the entire year. Alpha Lockwood rarely entertains walk-ins.”
“I see. But alpha Lockwood asked me to visit him regarding a potential deal today. You can check with him.”
I said, trying not to sound desperate. I still had until midnight before the deadline but I couldn’t sit here all day either.
She gave me a nod but I didn't see her reaching for the phone.
Unease began to gnaw at me and my left foot was tapping anxiously. I looked around and noticed more people were waiting for their turns. I had to do something.
“What floor is Alpha Lockwood’s office? I believe that isn’t any confidential information.” I gave it a shot and the receptionist nodded.
“The topmost floor”
“Thanks” I nodded and pretended to return to the waiting area. But when she was distracted, I headed straight to the elevator and pressed the button.
The doors were starting to close and I saw her get up from her seat to shout but thankfully it closed.
I had never done something so stupid but I hoped Elijah would forget it when I gave him my wonderfully crafted presentation.
The elevator chimed open to a corridor lined with glass and quiet power. His office door stood at the end made of dark wood, and his name was written in bold letters that gleamed gold.
I took a deep breath and placed my hand on the doorknob and behind me, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps as guards ran towards me.
My heart skipped once, hard.
Before I could lose my nerve, I pushed the door open and said the first words that came to me, the ones I’d rehearsed all night while the guards were hot on my heels.
“Please give me a chance to…”
But I stopped abruptly when I noticed that I had walked in on a girl with her back facing me, beaming at Elijah as she pulled him closer for a kiss.
And he was looking right at me.
I stood rooted to the spot for a second as the girl continued to blabber something.
And my eyes widened in surprise.
I was not sure what I had expected when I entered his office, maybe him scowling at his employees but definitely not a girl leaning in for a kiss.
My mind told me I should look away, that I had definitely chosen the worst possible time to interrupt something.
But my eyes refused to obey.
They kept staring at the way he hugged her back, the way she grabbed his face and raised herself on the toes to reach his chin.
I couldn’t see her face yet but they appeared close….way too close if he was letting her touch him like that.
She was wearing a long overcoat and her long, curly hair spilled on her shoulders gracefully.
Slowly, she brought her lips closer and then planted a kiss on his cheek just as I had begun to squint my eyes.
And then a smile appeared on his lips. Not the scowl he gave me last night but a real smile that made him look even more appealing. That shouldn’t be legal.
His sleeves were rolled up again, and his hand was casually resting on her back.
“Are you fucking serious, El?” She demanded and punched him on his shoulder.
I was so lost in observing them that I let out a startled cry when I felt a pair of hands grab me by the arms and try to pull me back.
“You broke in the line, miss” the guard said as he almost managed to pull me outside the door while Elijah was busy with the girl.
I tried to throw my hands on the door and grab it but my strength wasn’t enough so I literally screamed my lungs out.
“Elijah!!!!”
The girl had been busy punching him on the shoulders but then whirled around to look at the chaos occurring behind her.
The guards were taken aback to hear me scream their boss’ name and wondered if they had made a mistake by touching me.
I took that chance to run inside the cabin, consequences be damned.
“Who are you?” The girl asked, tilting her head to study me.
Meanwhile, I raised my purse up and grabbed the paperweight to throw at the guards and screamed at Elijah.
“Tell them to leave or you will be responsible for their injuries.”
Not my best threat, I knew.
Elijah let out a breath like he was already regretting seeing me again and looked at the guards.
“It's fine. You can leave.”
The guards bowed to him and left, closing the door on their way out.
Both Elijah and the girl watched me curiously as I straightened my clothes, smoothed down my hair and took a few calming breaths.
My throat felt parched after all the action and head felt dizzy due to lack of sleep. I had already crossed the borders of etiquettes so what was one more…
Hence, I tossed the coaster aside and gulped down the water in the glass standing on his table.
Elijah and the girl only watched me as I reached for the other glass and muttered “Sorry” and proceeded to drink it as well.
Because I had dignity… and dehydration.
“Will anybody tell me what the fuck is going on?” She asked.
“Meet Violet Hayes, the girl who is dead set on marrying me.”