Chapter 26
Leap Of Faith
Elena
One step at a time, deep breaths, squared shoulders… you can do this Elena.
I could, only that I couldn't believe I was really doing this. I was dressed in a black pencil gown and a white jacket, I kept my eyes down, avoiding the intense gazes I'd been receiving ever since I stepped out of the house.
Was I nuts? I wondered as I walked into Harrington Enterprises and headed straight for the elevator.
I couldn't believe I was doing this. I was coming back to work with Damien Landon, the man I'd been arranged to marry and had married until recently.
I pressed the button for the top floor—Damien's office, despite the growing unease I felt.
I'd spent all night telling myself how and why I couldn't do this but the terms he'd offered had been enticing. Five times my current pay would be enough to comfortably take care of Lily and sort out a lot of other things.
It hadn't been easy getting this job, I didn't want to lose it just like that. Not to add, I'd done some research, and the thought brought a smile to my lips.
The elevator opened at that moment, snapping me out of my thoughts and I stepped out, walking towards Damien's office.
"Hello, good—" Clara had just begun greeting, but she trailed off and her eyes flashed coldly. "You again," she sneered, quickly moving and blocking the door.
"What do you want?" She stared at me with an unfriendly look. "Mr. Damien doesn't want to be disturbed," she glared at me.
"Mr. Damien's expecting me," I said with a small smile, and I didn't move from my position. "You can go inside and ask him."
"Hmmm, this had better not be some trick," she snorted coldly, not moving from her position.
I simply smiled, "If you keep me waiting for much longer, I'm afraid he's not going to like that."
Clara's expression wavered, clearly torn between believing me or not.
"Stay here," she said after a moment. "I'll let him know you're here," she turned and slipped into his office. A few moments later she walked out, "you can go in," she muttered, giving me a strange look.
I merely smiled, looking far more confident than how I actually felt.
Get your act together Elena, it's show time.
Damien was seated behind his desk when I walked in, his desk was strewn with paperwork.
"You came," he said the moment I walked in. It was a simple statement but I could feel the confidence that oozed from his statement.
"I did," I nodded, standing on the spot. "I came to negotiate some terms," I added, holding back the urge to fidget on the spot.
"Indeed," Damien chuckled, raising his head from the paperwork. "We can—" he trailed off as his gaze swept over me. His eyes heated up as they swept over me, tracing every inch of me.
I swallowed, the look in his eyes made me tense. I couldn't imagine seeing that look in Damien's eyes, especially when he was staring at me.
"What are the terms you want to negotiate?" After what seemed like several seconds but was only a split second, Damien steered the conversation back on track.
"I…" I paused, trying to pick my words slowly.
"Have a seat," Damien spoke suddenly. I nodded, suddenly realizing I'd been standing. I could feel his eyes on me as I took a seat across me and I struggled to breathe.
'Focus Elena,' I pinched myself, bringing myself back to the present.
"I noticed you've been suggesting things," I began slowly, tapping the desk. "Do you know me from somewhere?" I asked, "Your actions feel like it," my cheeks reddened as I recalled the scene where Damien had kissed me right in this very office.
Damien remained silent, I couldn't read the expression in his eyes as he stared at me.
"Would you believe me if I said I did know you?" He suddenly spoke up, leaning forward. "If I told you that we were married, and we—"
"I don't think so," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I believe I'd know the father of my child when I see one."
Damien fell silent.
"I'll apologize for my earlier misbehavior," Damien nodded, shaking his head. "It won't repeat itself," his tone was grave and heavy. I couldn't tell if he meant it, but his word was as good as I was going to get.
"Thank you," I nodded, keeping my expression blank.
"Now, about the project," Damien reached into his drawer, pulling out some files. I recognized them, it was the proposal for Project Houston.
"I understand if you want to make adjustments," I stammered, suddenly feeling self-conscious. I'd lost myself when drafting the proposal, it wouldn't be wrong to say I'd poured my heart into it.
"The subsidiary can be—"
"I'm not adjusting anything," Damien cut me off. "It's perfect."
I'd already finished my statement when his words dawned on me and my eyes widened. "Yo—you said it's perfect?"
"You did a good job on this," Damien praised, flipping over some pages. "This will be presented at the directors meeting today before final approval and then we begin."
I nodded, a feeling of excitement welling up inside me. I still couldn't believe that Damien had approved of it so easily.
But I knew better than to get ahead of myself. The proposal had to be pitched to the directors before then pitched to various investors and shareholders.
If it was approved, only then could I say it was a success. But this was a good start.
"I'll be ready if the proposal needs any further adjustments," I added, getting to my feet. I'd just turned to leave when Damien's voice rang out.
"Where do you think you're going?" He chuckled, plopping the proposal on the desk. "The meetings by…" he glanced at the clock. "Ten-thirty."
I stared, not quite sure what he was getting at.
"You'll be the one presenting the proposal," Damien dropped a bombshell.
Wait what! My mind blanked and I stared at him like a ghost. What was he talking about?
"Me?" I nudged myself. "I… I can't," the thought of presenting the proposal before all the directors made my throat dry. Damien had to be joking.
"I wasn't asking, Elena," Damien shook his head. "You're presenting the proposal today, and that's final," I felt shock whip through me and his words practically sealed my faith.
I glanced at the clock, it was ten-fifteen.
For what would be the biggest presentation of my life and I had just fifteen minutes to prepare.
Brutal.