3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
“Are you ready for this?” Allison asks me.
We’re standing side by side, nestled among the crowd that has gathered for the official unveiling of our new company, now proudly named Ascent Athletics.
Alongside Heather, Matteo, and Lennox, we form just a small part of the sea of excited faces.
Half of us come from Apex Fitness, while the other half represent the team from Flux Wears, our two worlds converging in this moment of new beginnings.
Standing at the very forefront of the crowd, , Evelyn Chang naturally commands attention. She was and still remains the company's CEO, which was the best thing to come out of this merger.
She’s holding a huge pair of scissors with a wide smile on her face as she addresses us.
“Yes. I should be. Today’s a big day for me,” I respond confidently before glancing at Allison. “You?”
“I feel a little queasy, but I’ll be alright.”
Heather groans from where she stands next to Matteo. “I really shouldn’t have let you guys talk me into drinking last night. My head feels like it’s going to explode.”
“Same here,” Matteo blurts with a grimace.
Lennox chuckles with his hands in his pockets. “Way to make a good first impression.”
I catch a glimpse of Matthew at the corner of my eye. He’s a couple of feet away from us, but no matter how far he is, he’s never one to blend in with the crowd. Not with that height.
He’s laughing at something the man next to him says, perfect white teeth on display to the people around him. He’s wearing the same army green suit I had seen him in earlier this morning.
I can still feel the anxiety I felt this morning when we came out of our apartments at the same time. I knew I couldn’t avoid him forever, especially now that we’d be colleagues at work, but I was willing to try at home at least.
I didn’t think he’d leave so early too and of course, seeing him looking so sharp in that suit just a few hours after he had me naked under him, efficiently aborted my plans of not running into him at home.
My nerves had shot up the roof when he spoke first. My legs felt like jelly when he asked me for a ride.
All of these reactions aren’t the best for a one-night stand. So I left as quickly as I could, to avoid escalating our already precarious situation.
The deal last night was easier said than done. We never talk about it. We never bring it up. It never happened.
Yet, it’s all I’ve been able to think about since I woke up deliciously sore in his strong arms this morning.
I’ll do nothing but rule it out as normal. I’ve never had a one-night stand before, so it’s okay to still be jittery about it. Maybe even overthink it a little.
Also, the odds don’t exactly favor me since the one-night stand in question is my best friend’s brother and my neighbor. So, I’ll cut myself some slack.
What I’m feeling is totally normal. I just need to give it a few days. Besides, it’s easier to forget sex with a stranger than sex with your neighbor.
I have more important things to focus on. Right now, what matters to me is what happens at the board meeting after this unveiling is over.
Even though a tiny part of me is slightly anxious about who my competition for Brand Director might be, I choose not to worry about it. I’m simply confident that the right things will fall into place.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Evelyn speaks as she opens the scissors. “I present to you, Ascent Athletics!”
Rounds of clapping and cheers erupt from the crowd as Evelyn snips the bow at the double doors of the building.
The fluxxies mix with us under the guise of congratulating one another. After a handshake here and there, I make my way inside the company alongside the throng of employees.
I head straight for the executive boardroom and I get there just in time, as the office slowly gets filled up with both new and familiar faces.
Evelyn grins at me and I try to remain professional on my seat. I’m suddenly a bundle of nerves among these new faces, and I’m gently tapping my foot against the floor to keep my anxiety at bay.
Evelyn looks round the boardroom with a pleased smile on her face. We’re all seated and ready, save for the empty seat next to me.
“It seems like we’re missing someone.” She says just as the doors open behind her.
“That would be me,” Matthew says as he strolls into the office. “It appears I’m a little late. I got caught up in the festivities downstairs.”
I’m not surprised that he’s here. He is the face of the Fluxxies after all, so I guess it’s critical that he’s also a part of this meeting.
I look away from him before we can lock eyes again. I hate how my body seems to react to his voice alone.
“That’s all right, Mr. Pierce. Do take a seat.”
I keep my gaze ahead as he approaches me and occupies the seat next to me. I’m immediately hit with the scent of his cologne and every single intricate detail of the sex between us last night starts to play against my wishes.
His fingers stroking me in his car. His tongue in my mouth, on my neck, licking and sucking my nipples. My fingers in his hair, scratching along his back, tracing down his face, tracing his abs and wrapping around his length.
His hands pining my wrists above my head. His hips slapping against mine. His cock driving deeper and harder into me. His lips telling me to call his name louder, groaning against my neck and calling me baby. Our eyes staying locked the entire time, the look of pleasure on his face when he comes.
“Oh, fuck me,” I unconsciously mumble as I squeeze my thighs together. I don’t even realize how loud I am until Evelyn calls my name.
When I look at her, I see all eyes on me. Including Matthew’s.
“Is there a problem, Miss Donovan? Are you following us?”
Oh my god.
I shift on my seat and squeak out an answer. “Yeah.” I clear my throat and nod. “I mean, yes. I’m on track.”
Reminiscing sex with my neighbor at a boardroom meeting isn’t exactly the best way to start my day. Especially not when that said neighbor is sitting next to me.
He’s still looking at me, as if trying to figure out what just happened. When Evelyn speaks again, he finally looks away.
“Alright, good. We were just getting to another important part.”
Control yourself, Hailey. You’ll get over this. It’s only a matter of time. Focus on what’s important.
“That’s right,” I mumble to myself and try to ignore the way my clit pulses like it has a heartbeat of its own.
“In light of our search for the next Brand Director, I’m excited to share that we have not just one, but two highly qualified candidates in contention.”
The anxiety I was experiencing at the beginning of the meeting creeps up on me again. I clasp my fingers together as Evelyn speaks.
It’s now or never.
My boss turns to me. “Miss Donovan from Apex Fitness and Mr. Pierce from Flux Wears. But of course, those names don’t matter now because together, we’re Ascent Athletics.”
Immediately those words leave Evelyn’s mouth, something in me shatters into a million pieces. My ears are ringing as I robotically turn to face Matthew next to me.
But he doesn’t look at me. He’s sitting straighter now, attention solely focused on Evelyn.
It can’t be. Can it?
“Excuse me?” I blurt out without control. The rest of the executives turn to look at me but I don’t give a damn about the confusion on their faces.
My blood is steaming hot from the indifferent look on Matthew’s face. When he glances at me, I can see the smugness in them and something tells me he had known about this way longer than I did.
“Yes, Miss Donovan?” Evelyn responds. I can’t hide the flare of my nostrils as I glance at her.
“What Pierce are we talking about?”
Evelyn gestures to the man next to me. “There’s just one Pierce and he’s sitting right next to you.”
Never in my wildest imaginations did I think I would be competing with my next-door neighbor for a position I’ve worked tirelessly for. The same next-door neighbor I fucked last night.
Matthew is silent, smiling even. Like there’s something funny about the redness of my face. Like he’s satisfied with the piping hot anger I’m trying so hard to conceal.
I look away from him with a clench of my jaw. My hands ball into fists as Evelyn continues.
“To determine the best fit for this critical role, we’ve decided to assign both of you to lead a joint project.
Together, you’ll develop a limited sportswear collection and spearhead the campaign for the upcoming Legacy Sports Summit.
Keep in mind that this project is a high-stakes opportunity to showcase your creativity, leadership, and ability to drive results.
“As you must know, the results of this project can either make or mar this company, so endeavor to put in your all. At the conclusion, we’ll evaluate your contributions, and the candidate who demonstrates exceptional performance will rightfully earn the position.
I trust both of you will rise to the challenge and deliver something remarkable. ”
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse. Jesus Christ.
I’m as stiff as a rock on the chair. My fists are balled so hard that my knuckles turn white.
Matthew speaks like the smug bastard he is.
“Thank you for this incredible opportunity, Miss Chang. Thank you for trusting us with such a sensitive project. I’m excited to collaborate on the collection and campaign and I’m confident that this challenge will bring out the best in Miss Donovan and me.
I’ll give my all to ensure we deliver something exceptional for the company and the event. ”
What a smooth asshole.
Evelyn is thoroughly pleased, alongside everyone else in the office. They turn to me now, expecting me to say something.
It’s embarrassing that I’m at a loss for words but even more embarrassing that it makes me look like a fool.
Evelyn, my ever-expectant boss, gently raises a brow at me. We might be a merged company now, but there’s a bridge that exists between both companies that won’t be crossed in a single day.
“Would you like to say anything, Miss Donovan?”