AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His office is nearest to Emelia’s. He’s sitting behind his desk, reading something on his computer when I interrupt.
He looks up and frowns, no doubt trying to make sense of my odd curiosity and short temper. “They’re down with HR getting ID badges…I told them they could leave once they were done. Didn’t want to overload them on the first day.”
Fuck.
I mourn the fact that I don’t get the chance to speak with Emelia on Tuesday, but fate’s on my side on Wednesday morning when I walk into the Banks and Barclay building and find her stalled at the security desk.
“—probably why it’s not working. Could you just try to scan it one more time for me, please?” she asks gently.
The security guard swipes her access card again, and his screen lights up with a big red X.
I have to work to hide my Cheshire grin.
“Maddox, it’s fine. I’ll take her up.”
He nods in my direction before handing Emelia’s access card back to her. “Ma’am, sometime today, you should have HR take a look at your card. It could just be that you haven’t been properly added to the system, but they might need to issue you a new one altogether.”
Emelia nods. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
She smiles in thanks, and the security guard has the audacity to blush.
I fight the urge to roll my eyes as I continue past them toward the bank of elevators. My actions say,Keep up or stay stuck down here. I don’t care either way.
Today, she’s wearing heels, and I hear her footsteps start to echo behind me on the marble floor. She has to hurry to catch me after I press the up arrow outside the elevator. The doors in front of us slide open right away, and I step aside to allow her space to enter first.
She doesn’t say a word as she brushes past me and takes her spot in the corner, as far away from me as she can possibly manage. I follow after her, and then the doors sweep shut.
“The seventh floor, please.”
I clear my throat, pressing the illuminated seven just like I was planning to do anyway.
I turn to survey her and find that, for once, her eyes aren’t on the floor.
She’s looking at me, wearing an expression of determination.
“Mr. Barclay. I’m Emelia Mercier, a new hire at Banks and Barclay. I’ll be part of the team working on the Belle Haven Estate.”
She takes a half-step toward me and holds her hand out for me to shake, as if expecting me to go along with this ruse.
My eyes narrow at the corners. I let her hand hang there, suspended as the elevator ascends.
“Another bout of amnesia, then?”
Her lips part in shock. “What?”
“I remember who you are, Ms. Mercier. There’s no need to formally introduce yourself again.”
She drops her hand and looks away, redness creeping up from the silk bow tied delicately at the base of her neck.
The elevator dings on the seventh floor.
“Happy belated birthday, by the way.”
