Chapter 4 Alex
I LET OUT A LONG brEATH as I watched the young woman shoot off towards the restrooms. She’d caught me off guard as I pushed through into the lobby.
A five-foot-three young woman, standing leather-clad in worn biker gear among a sea of suits.
Her head darting left to right in panic.
It was an unusual sight for a Monday morning… or any morning for that matter.
When she turned to my question, a heart-shaped face framed by a plume of cinnamon curls met me. Clusters of freckles gathered on the light-brown skin of her cheeks and nose, where a gemstone winked from a piercing. Her mouth was plump and lipstick pink—modest yet seductive—and frowning at me.
I couldn’t help but smile in return.
She was startling and stunning, but perhaps strangest of all (despite eyeing me head to toe like I was a seared fillet of Wagyu), the woman didn’t seem to recognise me.
I should’ve asked for her number.
I considered waiting for her to leave. She was probably a motorbike courier dropping off a package to one of the many businesses based in my tower.
Perhaps she has a delivery for me, my hopefulness piped in, but I shook it off.
It was lust getting the better of me, after a self-imposed sex free month, and I needed to stick to the new rule: No more flings.
Now running very late, I put the beautiful woman aside and strode to the bank of lifts to start my day. I didn’t have time to go to my office before the first meeting, but it wouldn’t be a problem. It was only a quick hello with David and the auditing team, then I could continue with my hectic day.
I’d occupied myself with work over the last few weeks, so much so that I’d barely seen my house. It was partly to get the Atlantra contract over the line, but also to avoid Mother and Mimi, whose calls and messages had been relentless. As if I weren’t clear enough with them after the opera.
The packed lift ascended, stopping at three floors, depositing staff, before I stepped out on forty-eight. I walked past the Accounts receptionist, who greeted me with a blush.
“Good morning, Stephanie,” I said, smiling back. I knew she was an excellent communicator from her performance review… Just not around me, apparently.
David was standing outside one of the meeting rooms, chatting with my CFO. “Here’s trouble,” I said, smiling at Juliette and leaning into David for a solid handshake.
“I should be saying the same to you with the fintech deal of the year about to go through. We might have to start calling you a tech mogul.”
“What can I say? They know a great product when they see it.”
“And a great deal in comparison to our competitors,” Juliette added.
“Ever the CFO,” I said wryly.
“Best hold off the accountant bashing for the next half hour; we’re your only company,” she returned knowingly.
“You know, you’re meant to fear us auditors,” David joined in.
“Even when I’m paying you?”
He gave me the same raised eyebrow he’d been sporting since Cambridge. “Well, let me make it up to you with lunch on me. I’ve not seen you since Sian’s birthday.”
“I’ve been busy. Lunch sounds good though, just not today. I’ve got back-to-back meetings.”
“Always giving me the brush off, this one.” David laughed at Juliette. “We’ll get a date in the diary. Right!” He looked about his team, and his brow furrowed. “One person down. Ayesha, have you seen Nancy?”
“I haven’t, but I can text her,” replied one of the graduates wearing a buff-brown trouser suit and matching hijab.
“Wait, here she comes.” David looked over to the lifts and raised his hand.
I turned to see the woman from the lobby barely holding back a run, causing her pass to swing around her neck.
She’d changed into an unflattering grey suit and was carrying the same plain black backpack with the bright green Grenfell Heart pin on the strap that I’d mistaken for a delivery bag, although it was now much bulkier, presumably filled with her seductive biker gear.
Her hair bounced freely about her face, which looked flustered.
She was so captivating, I couldn’t remove my gaze.
“I’m so sorry, traffic was a nightmare,” she apologised to David before clocking me. Her expression startled, and she quickly looked away. Evidently, she’d just worked out who I was. I held back a smirk.
“No problem, you’re just in time. Shall we?” David gestured to the meeting room, and the thirty-strong Goldfields team filtered in.
I held the door open in wait while ignoring a chiding voice. “You found the loos then?”
“I did, thanks,” she murmured, giving me a half-glance that hid her eyes and slid by to sit at the furthest end of the table.
Not a flirt? Yet more intriguing. I smiled to myself, letting my mind briefly wander where it shouldn’t when Nancy’s sweet honey breeze swept over me.
My chest constricted vice-tight, and for a moment, I couldn’t draw breath.
A touch unnerved by the visceral reaction, I took my seat next to Juliette.
“Okay,” David started. “I believe everyone is new except for Emma and Sean.” He gestured to two of the senior managers.
“So, to get introductions out of the way, this is Alexander Toverton, CEO, and Juliette Wright, CFO. Juliette will introduce us to the division structures and department heads before we tour the facilities. Toverton PLC is extending our access to the health suite, GP services, and relaxation pods on fifty-six.”
The Goldfields team murmured appreciatively.
“Just so everyone’s on the same page, each division will be audited by a senior manager, leading a set of auditors and an apprenticeship support team.
Emma, you’ll take HealthTech with Sasha and Carl in support.
” Emma nodded and looked over at the pair.
“Sean, you’ll lead GreenTech with India and Ayesha.
” India looked uninterested, and Ayesha deadpan.
“Gary and Sarah, you’ll work through the FinTech accounts and report to me.
And Nancy and I will concentrate on the transactions.
” David turned to her surprised expression.
“Apologies in advance; it’ll be a data slog. ”
“No problem.” She nodded earnestly. “Whatever you need from me.”
A scoff from across the table drew my attention to India: a prim young woman with shoulder-length jet black hair and pale skin coated in a deeper shade of makeup.
“That’s the attitude we like at Goldfields,” David said cheerfully, although he gave India an assessing look as he said it.
My gaze shifted back to Nancy, catching her staring right at me before her eyes darted down to her notepad.
My heart jackhammered, but I schooled my face, remaining neutral.
“David, you’ll be handling some sensitive data with the contracts we’re pushing through, so I’ll need you to work in one of our secure areas.
I’ll have an office set up for you both. ”
“Much appreciated,” David said, reviewing the agenda. “Right. Are there any questions at this point?” There was silence and shaking heads. “Excellent. I’ll hand over to Juliette for the briefing. Alex, we won’t take up any more of your time. I know how busy you are.”
“Thanks, David, and great to meet you all. Juliette.” I rose and glanced over at Nancy, expecting to meet her eyes again—but they were lowered.
I hesitated, willing her to look up, but her gaze remained fixed on her notepad.
Shaking off a curious irritation, I left the meeting room and forced myself not to look back as I walked to the lifts.