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“And your marital status?”
I blink once, convinced I must have misheard, but I know I didn't when she continues to grin at me.
“Not interested,” I reply flatly whilst looking anywhere but at her. I hear her muttering something under her breath but refuse to look in her direction.
“Here is your pass, Mr Wilson.” She says my name with disgust. I look at her with one cocked brow. “I’m to call Mr Young's assistant to let her know you are here,” she informs me before picking up the phone and turning in her chair so her back is to me. I roll my eyes before going back to looking at the large foyer. Why am I always the bad guy when I refuse a woman’s advantages? Yet they have every right to refuse mine. Either way, I’m the bad guy, and it’s just pathetic.
“Ms Hughes will be with you in a moment,” the receptionist announces before walking away from her desk.
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” I call after her. She doesn’t bother acknowledging me; she just keeps walking away as I chuckle.
I pick the lanyard with a visitor's pass on it and loop it around my neck. I hate wearing these things; it gives people a reason to look at me. I’m not a people person; I much prefer my own company and that of computers. At least they don’t judge you or ask personal questions.
I go back to looking around at the cameras I can see. Hugo, one of the guys who started here yesterday, sent the report as Calvin suggested. It wasn’t good in any shape or form. Half the cameras are dirty, so the picture is horrendous; five cameras don’t work at all, and the system is so slow that a person could steal anything they wanted and get away with it. I spent the night reviewing the report and blueprints to see where I would put the cameras and where they were a waste of space. I have a new system I would like to install, but it’s not cheap, and I don’t know how much Young wants to spend.
“Excuse me, Mr Wilson?”
Her voice snaps me back to reality as I look down to see Chelsea Hughes smiling up at me.
“You are Mr Wilson, are you not?” she asks as she holds her hand out.
“Yes, sorry, I was in work mode,” I apologise as I shake her hand. I remind myself I need to be nice to this one. The guys are hoping she will agree to accompany us to future events. “Ms Hughes, I assume?” Chelsea nods as I let go of her hand. “Why do you look so familiar?” I ask. Calvin had instructed me on the politest way to mention I’ve matched with her on the app. Apparently, I’m not to be as blunt as I am with others. The asshole is getting a kick out of this, I swear.
“I was just wandering the same thing,” she replies, frowning. Before I can ask if it's Tinder, she smiles, slipping back to being the professional, the guys told me she is.
“Please follow me to the security hub. I know your guys are already in there unless needed elsewhere.” She turns away, leaving me with no option but to follow. Oh well, they guys can’t say I haven’t tried.
“I will need access to anywhere there’s a camera or alarm, as well as the server room,” I instruct as I fall into step beside her. At six-foot-five, I tower over her petite frame. She can't be any more than five one, maybe five two at an absolute push.
Chelsea flashes me a smile whilst nodding.
“Of course. I know a few meetings are happening today, so I will give you the times when those conference rooms will be inaccessible. That way, you don’t have to wait around longer than you need to.”
Sounds good to me, in and out, just how I like it.
I follow her to a door at the back of the entrance foyer with a " SECURITY " plaque. Well, I guess there is no mistaking what’s in there. Chelsea lifts her pass around her neck and holds it to the lockbox. I hear the click as it unlocks, and she can open the door.
“How many people have access to this room?” I ask as we enter. Two guys turn in their seats to look at the door before jumping to their feet. “At ease, go back to what you were doing,” I instruct instantly as they sit back and monitor the CCTV screens.
“To be honest, I’m not sure. I’ve only been in the position for less than a week, and my predecessor never told me. It will all be on the system, though. Everyone’s profile shows where they have access to.” She steps forward and lifts my visitor pass. “This one will only have visitor access, which is elevators only. If you want to access the offices or conference rooms, you will need a staff member with you who has access to those areas.”
I have no doubt she sees how my eyebrows disappear into my hairline, especially judging by the smirk on her face.
“As I said, I will need access to everywhere.”
Chelsea continues to smile up at me with a devious smile. Is she playing with me?
“Then it’s a good job your staff have access to all areas and the computer system so they can alter that.” Crafty bitch was trying to get a reaction out of me; it nearly fucking worked too. Something tells me she doesn’t like me questioning how secure the building her boss runs is. She turns on her heels and heads towards the door. “I trust they will be able to show you around and help you with anything you need. If you require extra assistance, my extension number is 482,” She calls before leaving the room. I look back to the two employees watching me rather than the screen.
“A lot of good she is.”
“Chels is alright; she's just straight to the point and doesn’t waste her time on things she doesn’t need to worry about,” Hugo answers, grinning. “She’s a bit like you, boss,” he adds, winking at me.
I take off my lanyard and toss it in his direction. He catches it before it can hit him in the face.
“Sort that out whilst I make a plan of action.” I point to Derryn beside him. “You are with me today unless there is an issue. Hugo, you’re on your own.” I hear both answering respectfully, “Yes sir,” as I sit at a table and pull my laptop and tablet out of my bag, eager to get to work so I can finish here and return to the office, where I would much rather be.
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