Nora’s POV
I glared at the see-through glass demarcating our shared office space.
Who does Ray think he is, confining me in a fishbowl?
How do I work knowing he’s got his eyes on me?
The glass was sleek and modern, utterly frustrating. Soundproof, it ensured our conversations were reduced to scribbled notes. I could roll it in if required and turn it into a single office again.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Ray’s handwriting appeared on the glass.
I rolled my eyes, chuckling despite myself.
“I don’t think you gave me the chance to say that earlier; you were looking too serious.”
“Stop flirting and let me work,” I wrote back, sticking the note to the glass.
He shrugged in response. “Can’t help it. You’re too captivating.”
I shook my head, laughing.
“You know you don’t have to cover up your entire face in here, right? I’m sure your face will be begging for fresh air.”
Using the remote control, I raised the glass so he could hear me. “I didn’t know you were so worried about what my face wanted,” I said, raising my brows at him.
“Actually, I’m just curious. You remind me of someone.”
“Hmm,” I said, rolling my seat to face him. “I always remind people of someone. Unfortunately, I’m not that someone, so please focus on your work so I can do the same.”
“Sorry, ma’am,” he said, grinning. “I’ll let you work, but know you have me to contend with in this office.”
“Focus, Raymond!”
He brought his hands to his chest in a mock shock. “Finally, she’s on first-name basis.”
I rolled my eyes, picking up the remote and rolling the glass back in.
He drew a smiling face and stuck it to the glass.
I sighed, tossing my pen. This was ridiculous. But somehow, it was also thrilling.
As the morning passed, our note exchange continued.
“I need coffee,” he wrote.
“I’m not your assistant,” I replied.
“There’s none as lovely as you. And I bet your coffee will taste even better.”
I rolled my eyes and stood up, making my way to the coffee maker at the extreme end of the office.
I made a cup and acted like I was bringing it to him. He was smiling from ear to ear, extending his hand in anticipation to collect it.
However, I walked past him and into my office. I felt his eyes boring holes into my back, but I didn’t care. I didn’t even turn to look at him as I took my seat, going through my files while taking tiny sips from the mug.
He quickly wrote down a big question mark and stuck it to the glass.
I replied with, “I’m not your assistant.”
“Alright, roll up the glass.”
“No,” I responded, going back to work. The only good thing about this glass setup was that I was the only one who could control it, so I get to choose when he can speak to me.
He knocked on the glass, trying to draw my attention.
“Meeting time,” he mouthed, sticking a paper note that said so.
Rolling my eyes, I joined him at his table.
“Our project needs capital as well as a new site,” he began. “I’ve researched potential sites, but it’ll require significant investment.”
“I agree, so what do you suggest we do to achieve that?” I asked.
“Well, with added resources from Kings Land and Blue Enterprise, we could cover some of those things.”
“How much are we talking about here?”
“Estimating billions of dollars.”
“Well, that’s a lot, but we could sell some shares to raise funds. Once the project succeeds, we can re-buy them.”
His eyes lit up. “Brilliant! I didn’t think of that.”
“Elementary finance,” I said with a smirk.
He grinned. “You’re a genius, Lady B.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get too excited.”
This was it-my way of getting my feet into Blue Enterprise, buying their shares. Once the shares went on sale, I would use a fake identity to purchase them. The money required for the project was so little that selling just five percent of Kings Land shares could cover the expenses. I had the ball rolling, and it would get in the net sooner or later.
We discussed details, and soon the meeting was over. I went back to my office, which I now referred to as my little cubicle.
Ray passed me another note: “You’re adorable when you’re serious.”
I blushed, quickly covering my face. This was getting out of hand.
“Ray, stop it!” I mouthed.
He chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender.
But I knew he’d continue. And strangely, I looked forward to it.
I went out for lunch just along the street and placed a call to Juliette.
“Did you get all the information I need?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“How many shares does Raymond own?”
“He initially owned sixty percent of the company shares but gave his son three percent, leaving him with fifty-seven percent.”
“So even if one buys like twenty percent of his shares, they still don’t stand a chance against him in the company?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you know if any of the shareholders would like to sell their shares?”
“I’ll find out about that, ma’am.”
“Alright, if I want to get it, do I have enough money in my possession?” Is one thing to sell my shares to purchase it, however I don’t want to do that.
However I’m hoping the money Mr Beaumont left to me will be enough to cover it up.
“Well, it depends, ma’am. For the shareholders to want to sell their shares, they’ll need a better offer. As you know, Blue Enterprise is the biggest company in the whole of Boston; having shares there is the greatest privilege to them. No one will want to throw that away.”
“You’re right. However, I’m certain Raymond will be selling a little out of his to fund the project. If I can get the shareholders to sell theirs, I’ll buy the ones he’s willing to sell, and I should have at least sixty percent of the shares.”
“You already thought this through, but how are you sure it’s going to work?”
“I have no idea, Juliette, but I have to make it work one way or another.”
“Well then, I’ll keep doing my part here, even if I don’t know why you’re doing this. By the way, I got information that someone is digging into your background, so be careful.”
“Digging into my background? Do you have any idea who it might be?”
“Not in the tiniest bit. I have my hunch, though; I think it’s from Blue Enterprise.”
“Well, I’m not surprised. I have some really curious people here. Thanks for the update, Juliette; I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime, ma’am.”
I got back to the office, and guess who was in there?
Sandra.
I was about to open the office when I heard her, I stood there frozen, unsure of what to do.
Go in ?
Or
Go back ?
Well I decided to just remain at the door.
“Why can’t you find her another office?”
“Because I need her close so we can achieve what we want.”
“No, it’s because you want her around, and I won’t have it. I can see the way you look at her.”
“You’re not the boss of me, Sandra. And right now you’re interrupting my work; please pick your bag and leave.”
“So because of her, you talk to me in this manner? That flirty, self-centered slut is the reason you’re acting this way.”
“Enough, Sandra. Lady B is my coworker, and I don’t recall giving you the right to interfere in my life. It was an agreement from the start; stop acting like you’re my wife.”
There was a pause after he said that; the office was so quiet.
I stood there, still listening.
“All these days, I’ve had my doubts, but now I’m certain she’s the reason. What happened to us, Ray? We were just fine before she came in. Don’t let her come between us.” Her voice became calm and pleading.
“I really don’t know how to make you understand that Lady B is just a colleague, and you’re only overthinking. But it seems you’ve chosen to be daft and not listen; I won’t waste my time explaining any further. Please leave, and before you go, I’m not continuing this anymore.”
“You can’t be serious!” she raised her voice.
“Ooh yes, I am.”
Ray had a way of throwing people away when they were no longer needed, despite my dislike for Sandra I could feel her pain right now. Cause have worn those shoes before and know how uncomfortable and painful they are
“I don’t believe you. You’re only speaking out of anger right now. I’ll go, but I’ll be back. And I can’t let that Lady whatever ruin what we have between us.”
“There’s nothing between us, Sandra; it’s just sex, I’ll have you know if you haven’t realized. If you were having thoughts of becoming my wife, you should better abort such thoughts because it’s not going to happen. And even the sex between us is over.”
The place fell quiet again; do quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
I heard footsteps coming toward the entrance and quickly opened the door.
Her face was red with anger. The moment she saw me, she stopped; if eyes could kill, I’d be twelve feet underground already.
I quickly shifted from her path, giving her a chance to pass.
She eyed me and hissed before leaving the office.
“Wooo, she’s so upset,” I said, feigning surprise as if I hadn’t been listening in on their conversation.
Ray ran his hands through his hair in frustration before looking up, trying to form a smile.
“Thought you had gone to eat the entire food in Boston; what kept you so long?”
“I was taking my time,” I said, shrugging as I made my way into my office.
Ray’s POV
Lady B was stunning, even when frustrated.
I loved watching her reactions, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Our glass divider became a makeshift message board.
I drew cartoons, making her laugh.
During our meeting, her financial suggestion impressed me. “Genius” wasn’t an exaggeration.
However, Sandra had to come in and ruin everything; my mood soured all of a sudden.
I knocked on the glass, signaling for her to bring it down.
“We’ll be going to see the site for the project tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Can we shift it to maybe next tomorrow? I have somewhere important to be tomorrow.”
“Ooh, alright then. Next tomorrow it is,” I replied.
“It’s past four already; I should get going,” she said, packing up her things.
“You’re always in a rush to leave. Do you have someone waiting for you at home?”
I recalled the person I had sent to get information about her, saying something about her having children. Maybe that was why she was always in a hurry to go home.
“Yes, I have to go back home to my children.”
“Wow, I didn’t know that.”
“You know nothing, Raymond McLaren,” she said, her voice husky as she picked up her bag.
I didn’t know how to respond to what she said because, truthfully, I knew nothing about her.
“Wait up; I’m closing for the day as well…”
She raised an eyebrow, searching my face.
“Do you also have someone waiting for you at home?”
“Actually, no, but I have nothing else to do here. I might as well just go home and get a good sleep.”
“Hmm, if you say so.”
I picked up my jacket, and we both left the office together.
There was something about her that made me want to be around her all the time, to pull her into my arms, toss off that hijab, and let my hands roam around that body of hers.
“Jeez!” I shook my head, trying to think as straight as possible.
We got to the elevator, and I tapped the button for the ground floor.
We both got in, maintaining an awkward distance.
From the tenth floor, the elevator started moving down slowly.
It got to the seventh floor and stopped.
“Why did it stop? Is someone trying to get in?” she asked, alarm creeping into her voice.
“I have no idea.” I pressed the button for the ground floor again.
However, this time, the elevator jolted violently and dropped a floor down.
“Ahhhh!” Her eyes widened as the elevator lurched, her hands grasping for the railing.
“What’s happening?” she exclaimed, panic creeping into her voice.
My face darkened. “I don’t know. Hold on!”
The elevator shuddered again, dropping another floor before jerking to a stop.
Her breath caught. “We’re stuck.”
I swiftly pressed the emergency phone button. “Hello? Hello? We’re trapped in the elevator!”
Static filled the line.
“Damn it !”
Her grip on the railing tightened so was mine.”This isn’t good.” She said, wiping off sweat with the back of her palm from her forehead.
My eyes locked onto hers. “Don’t worry; help will come soon.”
But her fear was escalating. “What if it doesn’t? What if we’re trapped here forever?”
I stepped closer, my voice calm. “We’ll get out, I promise, nothing like that will happen.”
The elevator creaked ominously.
Her voice trembled. “I don’t like this. I don’t like this, I don’t like being trapped.”
The elevator jolted again, making her fall towards my direction.
I took her hands in mine. “I’m here. You’re safe.”
For a moment, we just stood there, hands entwined. The silence felt oppressive, amplifying the sound of our breaths.
The elevator jolted again forcing our hands to come loose, she flew backwards and I caught her, my grip firm on the railing, I pulled her into my arms wrapping my hand around her, her head to my chest.
We were that way just listening to each other’s heart rate.
I didn’t utter a word neither did she.
Suddenly, her phone beeped, breaking the tension.
She pulled away quickly, probably just realizing how close we were, she picked the phone answering. “Hello?” Her voice quivering.
“Ma’am, we have your location. Help is on the way,” a voice reassured.
She exhaled, relief washing over her. “Thank you.”
My eyes never left hers. “See? We’ll be out soon.”
But the soon became longer than expected.
We both sat on the floor of the elevator, she brought her knee to her chest, muttering silent prayers.
Picking up my phone I tried to reach the security team, however there was no service.
“Try calling them again to see what’s keeping them..” I said turning to her.
She picked up her phone and realized there was no service either.
Her gaze drifted back to me,”no service. I told you we’ll probably be dead before help com…”
She could barely complete her sentence before the elevator jolted violently, sending her tumbling. My reflexes kicked in, and I caught her in my arms, pulling her close.
She screamed, panic-stricken, as the elevator shuddered again.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay!” I tried to calm her, my heart racing.
Her hijab slipped, and she hastily adjusted it with trembling hands.
“I don’t want to die!” she cried, tears streaming down her face. “People die in elevators! My children… they have no one else!”
I held her tight, speaking softly. “We’ll get out. Perfectly fine. I promise.”
The elevator lurched once more, and I lost balance, falling onto her side.
Our eyes met, and for an instant, I forgot the danger.
My urge to uncover the mystery beneath her hijab surged. Despite not knowing her face, my body yearned for her.
I gently brought my hands to her face, feeling her rapid heartbeat beneath my touch.
I held the hem of the hijab and…