12. Haelyn
TWELVE
HAELYN
A tentative smile formed on my lips as surprise sank deeply into my bones. My breaths came out uneven and unnatural as I threw a double take at Mr. Graves, who was now towering over me with expectation. He was waiting for me to turn around and head to Gorig, but I hadn’t fully absorbed his approval.
Did he like my idea that much?
I skimmed my gaze over the rough skin of his chin until it landed on a deep set of piercing green eyes. My mouth moved of its own accord under the heavy spell of his stare. “Are you serious?” My voice came out as a whisper.
“Do I look like the type to joke?” His question didn’t sound like one, but more like a fact I should’ve picked up about him sooner. With his attention still anchored on my face, he clutched the documents held tight to my chest and laid them on his desk. “After you.” Mr. Graves’ hand stretched beside my body toward the exit, his skin barely grazing over my shirt.
And to think I had no intention of coming to his office this morning, knowing I still had six days left to solve the Gorig problem. There were rare moments when the first idea that popped into my head was the best one, so I doubted myself about presenting Mr. Graves something so… unconventional.
Yet the more I thought about it, the more confidence I gained. Now that he had agreed to my suggestion, I walked out of his office with my chest pushed forward and my chin lifted in the air.
At every job I had, I always did my best to be a good employee, and with that, small wins tagged along as well. But this was different. Even if we hadn’t accomplished anything yet, my heart swelled with pride.
I bit my bottom lip as Mr. Graves called the elevator, his presence burning hot behind me. His breath fell over my neck and with an unconscious move I touched the skin there.
The doors slid open and we walked inside, both of us turning to face the exit.
I always envied others for having a clear path in life or even those who had a hobby, but what if I finally found my purpose?
What if this was what I was good at?
“Do you have a speech in mind?” His guttural voice interrupted my thoughts.
Did I have a speech? What did he mean? Until two minutes ago I thought my idea was shit. I never thought about anything further than convincing him to accept.
“Other than grovel and explain?” I lifted my shoulders and a brow.
The door opened and we moved stepped out, but before I could, a hand grabbed my wrist and turned me around. The air was knocked out of my lungs even though he let my hand go as soon as I faced him.
My throat dried with a swallow. The look on his face made me doubt if it was better to run or come up with an excuse. I ignored the scent of alcohol, then took a step back.
I glanced up at him as his lips moved. “Is that your brilliant plan?”
I took a step back, smoothing my shirt even if it was perfectly ironed. I checked twice before leaving my house. “I’m good at improvising,” I said, my eyes pointed at the shoes I had on.
Mr. Graves sighed, threading a hand through his hair. “For fuck’s sake, I can’t believe I’m putting the future of the company in the hands of a novice who counts on her skill of improvising.”
I opened my mouth with the intention of saying, "Did you ever get a meeting with Gorig that I’m unaware of?” but I bit it back. Mr. Graves was my boss and talking back to him wasn’t what I was here to do.
So instead of letting my mind speak for me, I looked him in the eye, hoping he could see how sincere I was. “I promise I’ll do everything in my power to get you that contract.”
He was silent for a moment, and my heart thumped so loudly I heard its beats in my ears. Only when he nodded did I allow myself to breathe.
We moved past the mass of employees on the ground floor, my steps falling close to Mr. Graves’. The bodyguard at the entrance greeted his boss, then slid the doors open for us.
The wind hit at my ribcage and blood rose into my cheeks at the sharp slice of the cold air. I sucked in a breath and fastened my pace, hoping his car was somewhere close.
I was so stunned by his decision I had forgot to put my coat on.
He strode forward on the pavement, then snuck between two cars, glancing left and right. After a few cars passed, he got inside a grey BMW parked a step outside of the building. I followed him, pulling the polished handle of the door before I got inside and looped the seatbelt around my body.
Two seconds in the spine-chilling air and I was already shaking. The air inside my cheap apartment was as unforgiving as the one outside, but unlike right now, I was usually wearing my whole wardrobe to get through the night.
Mr. Graves brought the engine to life and turned the heat on for my seat before he did the same to his. “You should’ve grabbed a coat on our way out.”
Smartass.
I should’ve.
The drive to Gorig took about fifteen minutes and Mr. Graves and I were as silent as the dead. Every time he breathed out, the scent of alcohol tingled my nostrils.
“Do you have chewing gum?” I asked the moment I realized I also left my purse at work. If I wasn’t in such a hurry, I would’ve had my strawberry pack with me.
His head snapped in my direction. “No, but I have some paper mints. ”
I nodded. “That’ll do.” Though it was going to take away the chewing part.
He tilted his hand and opened the armrest, then handed me the paper mint case. I popped one into my mouth and stretched it to him. “Want one?”
“No,” he hummed.
I bit my bottom lip, glancing out the window where the Gorig building was. “You should take one.” Again, his head jerked to mine and his eyes squinted on me. I fidgeted in my seat, swallowing harshly. “It’s not my business what you do in your free time, but I don’t think talking to a potential partner while oozing alcohol would give them a good impression.”
Mr. Graves’ jaw twitched uncontrollably and before I knew it, he snatched the paper mints out of my grip and threw three on his tongue.
“I’m sorry?—”
“Let’s go,” he said, then got out of the car and closed the door shut after him.
My eyelids lowered on my eyes.
Now he was going to hate me and probably fire me. I just hoped he was smart enough to realize I did it for him.
I didn’t mean to offend him, but I couldn’t keep my mouth shut knowing where we were headed. Today was truly his last shot to partner with Gorig, and I preferred to not give him any other reason than the obvious to refuse us.
What did he want me to do? Send his ship sailing to drown?
As much as he was bothered by my comment, I was at peace because I did everything that depended on me to make this work.
My eyes swept to Mr. Graves. He had his eyes pointed ahead and every muscle in his body tensed.
I restrained a sigh.