Chapter 10 Andrea #2
“James Hollis, HR.” Gerald gestured to James at the side of the table.
James stood and stuck out his arm a lot more impressively than Kelly had managed.
“Not a sales rock star, I’m afraid.” He smiled in a way that couldn’t be clearly identified as bitchy.
“Just a culture champion, alas.” Gerald laughed awkwardly.
Liam, for his part, raised his brows a fraction and glanced at Bonnie.
“And finally, Andrea Jones, whom I’m sure needs no introduction.” Gerald laughed and looked around the table for approval, slapping Liam lightly on the back. I could feel the heat crawl up my neck.
“Hi,” I said, attempting to stand, but facing a similar issue to Kelly. “I’m ClotRx.”
I’m ClotRx—really? That was my intro? Never had I loathed my product’s brand name more. It sounded like I identified as some sort of prescription period treatment. Liam’s brows knit together.
“It’s the hemostatic agent,” Bonnie whispered to him. My ears grew hotter. I wasn’t sure if it was the cocktails, but I was starting to feel giddy. I tottered slightly, hoping I could sit down again soon.
“Yes, of course. We’ve met.” Liam smiled and extended his arm. Was he trying to suppress a laugh? Had he and Gerald been talking about me, maybe joking with this stony-faced Bonnie about what a fool I’d made of myself?
I held out my hand. Bonnie was looking at me like I’d been dredged off the bottom of the Thames.
“It’s good to see you again, Andrea,” said Liam, his handsome face softening. He was both hard to look at and hard to tear my eyes away from. “In slightly less awkward circumstances this time, I hope.”
His mouth curved into that slight smile. The same mouth that had been all over me only yesterday. On my neck. My breasts.
Did they all know?
Stop it.
My heart was pounding. Was he really standing here acting like we were polite acquaintances? Like he hadn’t been inside me?
I wished they’d all just leave. This was not a conversation I wanted to have right now in front of my boss, my friends, and this starched-looking woman in the expensive gray suit. Her expression implied she had a very bad taste in her mouth.
“Andrea doesn’t waste time, does she?” Gerald chuckled. “Straight in on the new boss before he’s even found the coffee machine. Lucky he’s not the litigious type.”
Bonnie smirked. I looked at Liam helplessly. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. I had no idea what to say—I didn’t have the presence of mind to laugh it off like a good sport.
“You gave our new CEO quite the hands-on welcome,” Gerald said with a wink. Bonnie gave a brittle laugh, her eyes flat. “I thought she was going to pin him against the wall. Unusual strategy for career advancement, but points for initiative.”
Time stopped. If I’d been closer to the edge of the rooftop bar, I would have thrown myself right over it.
“Talk about making an impression. In more ways than one.” Gerald raised a brow pointedly, then looked around at the group with a grin. The edges of my vision started to blur, and a lump rose in my throat.
He laughed heartily. “Nobody was looking at the PowerPoint, I can tell you that—”
“Gerald,” Liam said, his voice like glass.
There was a long pause as he adjusted his cuffs, never breaking eye contact.
“Any chance you’ve got any of those cheese scones around?
” His expression was blank. Seemed like an odd request, especially since he delivered it like he was asking Gerald if he’d just shat in the punchbowl.
Monish froze, his glass halfway to his mouth. James’s eyes shot up to mine, but his head didn’t move. Kelly was looking at Liam, paralyzed, her mouth full of espresso martini. She gulped it down without blinking.
Liam was watching Gerald with a predatory stillness.
“You remember the scones, Gerald? From this morning, at the office? Maybe a frittata square.” Gerald’s grin evaporated, and he appeared to visibly shrink.
“With chives.” Liam’s tone was ice-cold.
What the hell did cheese scones have to do with anything?
A ruddy flush crept up Gerald’s neck, and his eyes flickered. Hand trembling slightly, he placed his champagne flute on the table and swallowed hard. I glanced down at James. What just happened? It felt like the energy around the table had changed in an instant. Nobody moved.
“Oh, of course.” I’d never seen Gerald look like that in all the time I’d worked at Novexia. His voice was tiny, hesitant. “The … scones. Yes. I’ll just—” He turned abruptly and walked away from the table. We sat there awkwardly, watching him go.
“Well, lovely to meet you all.” Bonnie smiled, but her eyes were cold. “We really must—” She gestured toward the retreating figure of Gerald with her head.
“Yes, a pleasure.” Liam smiled. “I look forward to catching up with you again soon.” His eyes floated to mine and stayed there for a moment, but I couldn’t read his expression.
Bonnie put a hand on Liam’s back, and they turned and walked toward the throng of waiting arse-kissers.
“Enjoy.” James smiled and tossed a limp-fingered wave at their retreating backs. We stared after the trio until they were out of earshot.
“What the fuck was that?” Kelly gripped the edge of the table.
“No idea.” James’s eyes were wide. “I feel like I just witnessed an assassination.”
“I almost felt sorry for Gerald.” Kelly put both hands on the sides of her face. “Especially after he called us rock stars. Jesus Christ.”
“Von Roth really wanted those brunch items, didn’t he?” suggested Monish. “Do you think they were special?”
“Maybe he’s gluten-intolerant?” said Kelly.
“I have absolutely no clue,” I said.
But that was … weird. It was almost as if Liam gave Gerald a dressing down or something. The speed at which Gerald ran from our table.
“Well, he is a corporate psychopath,” said James. “Perhaps his meds wore off.”
“I’m just glad the subject changed.” I breathed out heavily and sat down, watching Liam’s tall frame disappear into the crowd. “I thought I might be about to pass out.”
“Wow, Wilhelm von Roth is a fucking prima donna.” James looked disgusted.
“Never seen anything like it. Demanding scones and—what was it, frittata squares?—in a bar? Who does he think he is, Beyoncé? I guess that’s what happens when you’re raised with a silver spoon in your mouth.
Although quite how that was related to whatever his problem was with Gerald, I have no idea. ”
“He does seem entitled,” said Monish disdainfully. “Life has no doubt been delivered to him on a platter.”
“Probably has a jar of yellow-only hand-polished M&Ms in his penthouse,” I scoffed.
“Just another douchebag, but with prettier bone structure.” James shook his head. “Disappointing.”
“And we’re still no closer to coming up with a solution to save me from getting fired,” I said. “Or made redundant, if they can get away with calling it that. I’ve got a target on my back now. Even if he’s ‘not the litigious type.’” I made sarcastic air quotes with my fingers.
James froze.
“What?” I asked.
He held up both hands and looked into the distance like he was having some sort of vision. “Shh. I think I’ve got it.” He rolled his eyes so hard I half expected a vending machine prize to fall out. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of this earlier.”
We looked at him expectantly.
“Well, technically, you’re not the one who’s on dangerous ground over what happened today, Andy.”
“What do you mean?” I didn’t know if I could take any more of James’s schemes.
“It’s von Roth.” The table was silent.
“I … I don’t think so?” I couldn’t for the life of me think what Liam would have to worry about.
He probably had a butler who ironed his newspapers every morning.
“I’m not sure if you noticed, but he’s the CEO.
He’s literally the only one who doesn’t have to worry about losing his job. Or anything else for that matter.”
“Well, yes and no, Andy,” said Monish. “James may have a point.”
“Not just a point, a solution.” Kelly slammed both hands down on the table, making the drinks wobble dangerously. Fortunately, all four glasses were almost empty.
“Same again, please?” Kelly mouthed at a waiter, who gave her a thumbs-up.
“He can’t get rid of you, Andy,” said James. “At least, not anytime soon. You’re not just another employee now. You’re a liability.”
He waited for me to catch on. I didn’t.
“You could sue him,” he said.
“Or go to the media.” Monish looked at his immaculate nails. “He’s just bought the company. Whatever he’s planning for Novexia, he won’t want any bad press.”
“Von Roth knew you worked at Novexia, but he kept his identity from you,” said James. “That’s not a good look.”
“It’s almost entrapment.” Monish swirled the ice in his glass.