Sereia's POV
I silently stood beside him as we waited for the elevator to reach ground level.
I didn't attempt to smile as he saw right through me.
I really need to work harder on my smile.
What if everyone else thought it was straight bullshit like he did?
I grabbed my wrist and began to squeeze it.
I was overthinking again. I can't overthink.
I'm at work for crying out loud.
Sweat trickled down my face as the urge to get high crossed my mind.
I'm a hypocrite to myself, trying to hide the junkie that I am.
My mother would laugh in my face if she knew how I was feeling.
My fingers began to fidget and I immediately grabbed them.
Why is this happening to me now?
Why did I let him get to my head about my dumb smile?
Who cares?
"Ms. Sinclair?" his voice broke me from my diseased thoughts.
He was now in the elevator keeping the door open for me. "Are you climbing the stairs again?"
"No," I shook my head as I walked in and stood beside him.
I barely managed yesterday. My thighs still burn.
Now in my current state, I don't even think I would make it past the first flight of stairs.
The doors closed and I wiped the sweat from my face.
I'm a drug addict.
Violet didn't die for me to be a drug addict.
My lips began to quiver and I quickly bit them as I held in my tears.
I could sense him looking down on me so I quickly turned my head away.
I need to be angry now and stay strong. I need to ruin the life of the woman who ruined Violet's.
Finally, the doors opened and we both stepped out to meet whispers.
Olivia was quick to meet us.
"What's going on?" he asked his wife.
"Frank failed his drug test," she said and my heart dropped.
He looked down at me. "Take care of it."
My heart started beating faster.
Me?
"Honey, I already am," she told him, jealous that he gave me the order and not her. "I've already called the security."
"Okay," he told her before looking at me again. "I need you to organize more of these random drug tests. People are getting too comfortable here."
I felt weak in the knees.
I was just considering getting high at work. What was I thinking?
I need to gather the information I need and get the hell out of here.
"Ms. Sinclair," he called my name, his tone pissed to the highest degree.
I turned to look at him.
"Is that understood?" he asked sternly and I nodded.
His facial expression grew angrier.
"Yes sir," I answered when I realized he wanted me to say it.
He gave me an annoyed look before walking away.
What a pain in the ass.
"Isn't he just handsome?" she asked me as she eyed her husband.
I watched her smile happily.
Violet never got a chance to have a husband to smile at.
I wonder if Olivia would feel the same pain as I did if she lost him.
She turned to me and I quickly smiled. "Isn't he?"
"He is," I replied trying to mask my bitterness. "You're very lucky."
He is handsome. Too handsome for someone with an ugly soul like hers.
"Not as lucky as you for having such a good designer. You have to give me her number," she pressed as she eyed my plaid outfit.
"Of course I can," I promised her and she smiled.
The security soon came heading our way and I quickly escaped when she got talking to them.
When I reached my office an employee was nervously sitting beside the door.
When she saw me, she immediately got up.
"Ma'am, I know this is your first week and I'm sorry to overwhelm you but I need your expertise," she blurted.
I smiled as I led her into my office. "What can I help you with?"
She handed me the file. "The representative from Lots Insurance came for an advisory and I ended up getting him to make a deposit with us. The problem is that I think I messed up somewhere."
I searched through the file before giving her a calm look. "It's ok, I'll handle it."
She sighed in relief. "Thank you, ma'am. I could've caused a lawsuit. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
I watched as Olivia walked to her desk and started painting her nails.
I closed the door and smiled. "How about you tell me everything you know about Olivia Harrington."
She began to laugh nervously. "She is a good supervisor, very friendly, and so kind. I couldn't have asked for a better boss."
I watched her silently for a few seconds.
She looked nervous.
I sat down behind my desk. "Let's try that again. Tell me everything you know about Olivia Harrington."
"She's the CEO's wife, ma'am," she said nervously. "If you're suggesting I would ever speak ill about the heiress-"
"Just cut the crap and tell me what I need to know," I snapped and she stayed quiet.
Why? Why? Why?
I was clearly irritable from my minor withdrawal.
"I'm sor-"
"Are you going to report to her what I'll say?" she interrupted me from apologizing.
"I don't report to her, she reports to me," I made clear. "Now go on."
"Well," she started hesitantly. "She does act a bit harsh to us."
"Harsh as in?" I pushed for more detailed information.
"Like she would call us names or shout at us if we don't meet a deadline," she explained. "And-"
"And?" I impatiently asked.
"And she did hit one of us," she said lowly. "He threatened to press charges then he was never seen nor heard from again."
"And the husband?" I asked. "Is he a part of this?"
"Mr. Harrington?" she asked. "No way! He might be grumpy, but he's never done anything like that. He frowns upon that behaviour, so that's why she tries to keep it under wraps."
I grabbed my water and began chugging it down as I nearly died of thirst.
"Thank you, Ms..."
"Ms. Miller," she helped me.
"I'll have this file ready for you by the end of the day," I assured her.
"Okay," she agreed. "You should've been in the meeting already."
My eyes widened. "Meeting?"
She nodded. "Conference room."
"Thank you," I said before rushing to the conference room.
I opened the door as slowly as I could thinking it would make a difference.
To my dismay, everyone was already staring at me.
Elliot who was standing in the front glared at me before trying to pick up where he left off.
My cheeks heated as I began to feel embarrassed.
I sat down at the first chair I saw and pretended like I knew what was going on.
"Don't worry, you didn't miss anything," the man who was sitting next to me whispered.
"What is he talking about?" I whispered back.
My eyes widened when they landed on his blinding blue eyes.
His hair was short and blond and his tailored suit was navy blue.
"Just about how much he wants to be the best in Chicago so it can feel like everyone is sucking his cock," he joked and I covered my mouth so that I wouldn't laugh. "He talks about this every meeting."
"I'm Sereia Sinclair," I introduced myself.
Finally someone with personality over here.
"Blake Harrison," he winked at me before we heard a loud slam.
We both turned to see Elliot glaring at us.
"Care to share we with the class?" he asked as annoyance bled through his tone.
We both held in our smiles as Elliot continued.
We remained well-behaved through the boss's long speech and plan.
I tried to take notes but negative thoughts consumed my mind whenever he talked about the millions they were spending.
I felt like an imposter.
Blake stood up as Elliot made his way to the door.
"Hey," he told him awkwardly and the look Elliot gave him must have been equivalent to a gunshot.
He then stormed out leaving Blake standing alone.
I don't think I've ever seen Elliot not mad or annoyed.
"Sorry I got you in trouble," Blake said as he walked over to me.
"I think I already was since I walked in twenty minutes late."
He laughed. "I'll talk to him for ya."
"From the look he just gave you, I don't think you should be attempting to talk to him."
I picked up his belongings. "Wish me luck."
"I'll plan your funeral," I joked and he laughed before trying to catch up with Elliot.