"I want him to fall, but God I want to slap him first."
The board meeting took longer than usual, everybody is stiff and to be honest, the meeting is boring. Sinclair's voice fills the room and I am trying to stop myself from yawning. He introduces me as the new Personal Secretary and I catch a glimpse of Sophie examining me from her seat. I don't even have time for that. There is applause here and there, then a man.. later learn is Tom is going over some boring report. In a few hours, Sinclair dismisses everyone.
I am not surprised at the speed Tom leaves the room. He looked nervous during his speech. And he kept glancing at me. I smirk.
When everyone is out except me, Sophie's still here. She ignores me and walks right to Sinclair. Says something about people who came in. Flipping her hair.
Is she… is she trying to flirt with him?
He doesn't even give her a second glance, just gives dry replies and a nod of his head.
"Would you like to help me with anything else?"
"No he says, Camille is here for that" She glances at me, grabs her file, and walks out. I watch her.
Papers are scattered here and there. There is a pen under the table. And a coffee stain on the projector. I clean up the stain and arrange the folder appropriately. There is a subtle ache at the back of my neck. My heels are too tight and my stomach has been empty since 9 am.
Sinclair is quiet, doesn't say anything, and he just stands by the window gazing into nothing. His back is straight like always. He is in a tailored suit of course, his shirt is unwrinkled, properly ironed and I can perceive his perfume from where I stand. The type of man who doesn't need to sweat about anything in his lifetime.
"You are welcome by the way," I say clearing up the last piece of paper from the desk.
He doesn't turn.
"Those last-minute changes to the Mexico slides? I added louder this time. I stayed up till two to fix them, the least you could say is thank you" I add.
Now he turns to me, fast.
"That's your job isn't it?"
He is staring at me, the corner of his mouth is raised but not in a smile, more like he is surprised that I have the nerve to speak.
"I don't need applause," I say mostly to myself than to him.
"Good. Because you won't get it"
I slam the last folder a little harder than necessary into my bag. The strap slips off my shoulder and when I bend to catch it, my foot hooks on the leg of the chair. It happens too fast.
I take a step back and I lose balance suddenly. Next thing I am falling sideways.
Then a hand grabs my hand swiftly and firmly. Pulls me back upright.
It's Sinclair.
I straighten. "I am fine," I say quickly, tugging my arms free.
He steps back. "You were about to fall," he says calmly.
"I didn't"
He's eyes her on me. I can't tell what he's thinking. He looks tired or annoyed or both.
I look away first.
"Thanks," I say. Adjusting the strap on my shoulder. " For the bare minimum.
Then there is a weird silence that settles between us.
I walk towards the door. My heels on the floor were louder than I wanted them to be.
I don't look back.
But I feel his eyes on my back.
This isn't going well at all.
~~~~~
I am a bit nervous when I receive a call from Mrs Montclair that she would like us to have lunch.
I don't take the excuse from Sinclair, because of course, what happened earlier. I assume he would be angry.
I should apologize I think. But I wasn't wrong. Why do I have to?
I am all in my thoughts about whether that's why Mrs Montclair wants to see me all of a sudden.
When I get to the restaurant, it's nothing fancy. Not the kind of place I expect Mrs Montclair to pick but it's calm.
She's already seated when I arrive. A cream blouse, pale pink lipstick, and not a single hair out of sight. Her bodyguard is behind her.
There is something about women like this. They make you feel underdressed even if you aren't.
"You are right on time," she says as she settles her glass of wine on the table. "I like that"
"Thank you," I say. She settled into the chair in front of her.
A waitress comes by and takes our orders… something light for both of us.
When it's just us, she says. "I have been seeing you around the office," you have settled in well.
"I try to keep busy"
"That's smart, so how is Sinclair" she says immediately, like it's the weather we are talking about.
I shrug, trying to sound casual like we didn't just have a mini conflict "He's… one of a kind"
She gives a light chuckle. "Why am I not surprised"
She nods slowly, as if she likes the response. "He's not the easiest. But he notices more than he lets on."
I play with the corner of my napkin. "I've noticed that."
."He's been through a lot. More than he says. But I'm sure you've picked up on that too." Then she leans in. "He has quite a few women in his life" she leans back and flaps her hand. "But you see, they are all after his money, all of them"
I say nothing. Why is she telling me this?
Our drinks arrive. I'm grateful for the distraction.
Mrs. Montclair doesn't say much after that. Just takes a few small bites, shakes her head as I answer her questions, about the office, the workload, and how I am finding the role.
At one point, she says, "I'm glad you're still around."
I glance at her. "Were you expecting me not to be?"
She lifts a brow. "Let's just say… most people don't survive his attitude for long."
I smile faintly. "I'm not most people."
"No," she says, watching me closely now. "You're not."
Soon enough, we are done with lunch. She pays before I can reach for my purse. I thank her, and she waves it off.
As we stand to leave, she rests a hand lightly on my arm. "If you need anything… I'm around."
"I will remember that."
Her bodyguard gives me a nod before they leave.
She walks out with the same calm grace she came in with. I stay back a few seconds longer, replaying the conversation in my head.
It was just lunch.
But nothing with that woman is ever just anything.