Chapter 9
Mira
I don't bother correcting him about who started the tour in question. I don't know who he's trying to fool because I can read him like an open book. But the real question is why. Why bother giving me a moment to appreciate my new surroundings? Why guide me through the warehouse himself instead of dumping the task on a more willing and available subordinate?
Owen once mentioned that his youngest grandson loved visiting this place as a child. Is he enjoying the tour as much as I am? If so, why is he so angry?
This man is like a secret code I'd love to crack,a human Fort Knox I'd like to break into... where I think I'd discover a heart of gold inside the vault. But maybe that's just my optimistic side wondering whether Elliot is really as kind as his grandfather described him...
I follow him into the final room, the main workspace, where numerous creators are gathered. A meeting area in the center is surrounded by rows of partitioned desks. The place is pure heaven: I spot colorful beanbag chairs, walls covered with whiteboards, and 3D simulation stations.
Welcome to your new home! I can hardly believe it. I'm finally here! Owen was right: it was only a matter of time before I officially traded my old Magic Wand employee badge for a creator badge.
What would he think of me now?
Maybe he'd tell you to take it easy on the wine and write sober next time, but still.
Overcome with emotion, my eyes fill with tears.
Elliot introduces me to my coworkers, who are divided into two teams: Alpha and Beta. Several members welcome me. Touched by their enthusiasm, I look forward to working alongside them.
Once the boss moves away from me, Tessa, a brunette who leads Team Beta, tells me I'm part of her group. I look to Elliot for confirmation, but he stares back as if the whole process bores him.
"Go ahead," he tells me before addressing the room. "Everyone can get back to work."
His employees immediately obey his royal decree like loyal soldiers of the Vale brand.
Tessa takes the time to show me my new workspace. One look leaves me speechless: I've never had a space that was mine alone. Everything amazes me,the L-shaped desk dominated by two monitors. The brand-new laptop in one corner, just waiting to be opened. I sit in the luxurious chair and run a hand over the ergonomic keyboard.
Look at me: I have grown-up things like a desk and my own stapler! I click it twice to make sure I'm not dreaming.
"We're thrilled to have you on the team, Mira," my new manager says, readjusting her already-perfect ponytail. "I'm glad Noah gave in so quickly when we fought over you."
"You fought over me?"
The words sound ridiculous as soon as they leave my mouth. Tessa gives me a broad smile.
"Don't worry. I went easy on him. I pretended to cry, and he gave up right away."
She bursts out laughing, and I join her. Compared to Victoria, Tessa is a breath of fresh air.
"I'm the one who insisted Mr. Vale read your proposal. Noah hesitated a little because of its content."
"I'm sorry," I reply with a grimace.
"Oh, no, don't apologize. We're so short on time, and you dared to speak your mind. You're exactly the kind of creator our team needs."
"Oh! I mean... thank you."
This whole thing has gone so much better than I imagined.
"I'll give you a quick rundown of how we operate. Every Friday, everyone has to present a new idea. We've set up a multistep process over six months to give Mr. Vale as many options as possible to choose from."
"Options for what?"
"He wants to do a renovation for the fiftieth anniversary. It's a huge project, crucial to the park, and he expects us to give it our best."
"You can count on me! I won't let you down."
"I'll let you get settled. I hope you like Italian food because the team planned a lunch to give you a proper welcome."
"You'd have to be a monster not to like Italian food."
"I knew you'd fit right in!" Tessa says with a small laugh. "See you at noon, then."
With that, she turns on her heel and leaves me alone with my shiny new toys.
Everyone here is so nice! It's incredible. The atmosphere is completely different from what I imagined. Nothing like the stories I've heard about the creators. My worries seem silly now.
After sliding my backpack under my desk, I spin around in my chair. Then, once my head stops spinning, I grab the stapler and fire it a few times, sending staples raining around me like confetti.
I sense Elliot's presence before I see him: the back of my neck tingles. I look behind me to find his piercing gaze fixed on my back as though he'd like to stab me.
"Yes?"
I beam because I love seeing his right eye twitch just from my smile.
"Would you mind putting down your weapon so I can speak to you?"
"Is big, bad Mr. Vale afraid of a little stapler?"
I click it a few more times in his direction. The staples fly through the air before landing near my flats.
"I wouldn't trust you with bubble wrap, let alone an instrument like that..."
"You're right. The suffocation warning should be taken more seriously."
A strange sound comes from his throat, which I classify as a laugh. Looks like he has a personality after all!
I return my stapler to its place.
"Do you have any other weapons I should know about?"
Rolling my eyes, I pretend to grab an invisible gun from beneath my desktop. With exaggerated movements, I remove the imaginary magazine and set it on the surface in front of me.
By concentrating very hard, I manage to catch the tiny smile that flashes across Elliot's face. He releases an exaggerated sigh before stepping into my workspace. He's so imposing that the space instantly feels smaller.
Am I imagining things, or did he try to make a joke?
I reward him with a wide smile that he doesn't return. Eventually, I break the silence.
"What can I do for you?"
He opens his mouth, only to close it again a second later.
Does he even know why he's here? The thought makes me feel all fluttery. Calm down, Mira.
"Did you see my new little corner? Pretty cool, right?"
"Meh."
His gaze slides from my face to the gray partitions.
I stare at him, dumbfounded. Would it kill him to be nice? Probably.
I turn my attention back to my desk. No way am I letting him ruin my fun! I press every button on the computer twice, but the stupid thing refuses to turn on.
"Move," he orders as he steps closer.
The addictive scent of his cologne fills my nose.
"Why?" I ask hoarsely.
"Apparently, I feel like giving you a hand."
"Because..."
My hair forms a curtain that hides my smile from him.
"Because you shouldn't be trusted with electrical outlets."
Laughing, I roll my chair back to give him room.
Elliot kneels in his perfectly pressed pants. I shouldn't find it this sexy, but the air heats when he looks up at me from his position on the floor. As his eyes track my crossed legs, his gaze hardens. My heart pounds in my chest like a jackhammer, so loudly I'm surprised he can't hear it.
He abruptly turns and crawls beneath the desk, giving me a perfect view of his backside.
Who's checking out whom now?
I decide to ignore the voice in my head and enjoy the show. Physically, Elliot is nothing like my ex. Every inch of his lean body is muscled as if he runs for fun. I admire his powerful calves and firm ass while he works on the cables under there. It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to reach out and touch him. I take a moment to guess his shoe size. The only conclusion I reach is that in addition to being turned on, I'm terribly immature.
Of course I'd be attracted to my arrogant boss with zero people skills! What a cruel joke after everything I've been through... Maybe there's some chemical imbalance in my body that makes me gravitate toward jerks like Elliot.
What if assholes are my type? Well, that would explain your unhealthy obsession with Mr. Darcy...
I barely get my breathing under control before he stands.
His gaze sets me even more on fire. Despite the blaze spreading through my chest, goose bumps rise along my arms. Knowing my body is having a reaction every bit as contradictory as my brain brings me a little comfort.
Why him? Why is this happening to me? The thought wipes the smile from my face. He stretches out his hand before slipping it into his pocket. Just like that scene in Pride and Prejudice!
Jane Austen, have you become my guardian angel or something? I look up at the high ceiling above us in search of answers. No luck.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Oops. Did I say that out loud?
"Um... Is the computer working now?"
"Yes."
"Great. Thank you! You know where the exit is."
I repeat the line he used to dismiss me after the interview in his office, hoping to get some kind of reaction. He merely glares at me before walking away.
Well, I guess it's a start...
Once he's out of sight, maybe I'll finally be able to think. Something about him throws me off balance: when he's around, I no longer know what to say or do.
When he leaves my workspace, he leaves me behind with all these thoughts circling in my head. I take a deep breath, and my nostrils fill with the scent of his cologne lingering in his wake.
Why does he have to smell so good, too? I cover my face with my hands to muffle my frustrated scream.
Once I've pulled myself together, I timidly press the power button on my computer.
Time to work!