3 - At the Office (2)

Sebastian was impressed. The new technology SST developed was unproven, but it looked very promising. His decision to sign up with their company pleased him.

Having motion sensor control and a wide-angle lens for the cameras was an enormous improvement over the old security system. It was cost-effective and covered every area that had blind spots before.

Sebastian received a call from SST earlier that there was a last-minute change with the crew assigned to do the installation. He didn’t really care who came to do the work, as long as Clara would be there as promised.

He was getting worried but he didn’t only have one, but three of the SST executives at his behest, ready to answer all of his questions.

It surprised Sebastian that the top dogs were doing the installation themselves. He thought they had people for that, but it showed how knowledgeable they were about their own product, and how dedicated they were to a job done right. 

Clara piqued his interest, and he couldn’t wait to know more about her.

“How much would it take for you to transfer to my company?” he asked after her presentation.

“Are you poaching me right now?” Clara asked, flabbergasted.

“Let me tell you, all three of us come in a package, so it’s not gonna work,” Clara added.

“No, not them, just you.” He paused to stare for dramatic effect.

“I will give you a top-of-the-line research facility with highly trained people at your disposal,” he challenged.

Max looks at Jeremy, waggles his eyebrows, and grins. His eyes seemed to say, ‘Ooohhh.. Look at these two. Something is happening, and I cannot wait for Clara to kick his ass.’

“You can’t afford me. I already own 30% of this company.” She stared at him while her jaw clenched. 

“A good investment, I see.”

“How do you think we came up with this technology? I already have that top-of-the-line research facility you are talking about. Plus, I am not for sale,” she smirked. 

‘That’s what they all say, but at the right price, I know you will cave.’ He sneered silently.

Sebastian pretended to rub his lip so he could hide his smile. The more they spent time together, the more Clara intrigued him. 

‘Who are you, Clara Johnson?’ His plan to cajole, or confront her, wasn’t working, and now it was time to take the gentler route.

“Oh, my bad! I apologize for my indiscretion. I did not think you were for sale. Just wanted to see how dedicated you are to staying in San Jose. I was thinking, maybe I could entice you to move to San Diego. This city can use someone like you, and I’d rather you worked for my company than anybody else’s.” He stares at her pointedly.

Clara squinted an eye. ‘Why did it feel like he was not talking about work anymore?’ she shuddered and looked away. 

“Still not for sale,” she adds, now pissed off more than ever. 

“Don’t you know when to quit?” she said a little too brusquely.

Max stepped in before Clara blew the deal for them. “What Clara, Uhm... Ms. Johnson meant that she really loves our company because she helped build it from scratch. She is not thinking of going anywhere soon.”

“Fine, fine! I’m sorry. It’s just that some people just need the right price, and they’re willing to do anything,” Sebastian replied.

Smoke was coming out of Clara’s ears, and Jeremy knew that her temper could probably break their deal if Mr. Colfer did not stop talking soon. 

He squeezes Clara’s hand very tightly under the table, lending her his strength and self-restraint. This was one deal they could not walk away from.

“Nope, not Ms. Johnson. She’s very loyal to SST.” Max laughs awkwardly as he stands. It was time to go.

“We’ll leave you to play with the new system and let us know if you think we missed anything.” Max folded his laptop, ready to head out before Clara exploded.

“Again, I apologize. Why don’t we throw this conversation under the rug? I would like to invite all of you to join me for dinner to compensate for my mistake,” Sebastian said apologetically. 

He wanted to rile Clara up so she would pay attention to him, but he did not know she was this dedicated to her company. It was funny because he never felt more attracted to her right now when she looks as if she was ready to punch him in the face.

“I was thinking of bringing all of you to the “V.” Not really sure if you are familiar with that restaurant, but I heard that they have the best steak in town. I haven’t been there lately, but this is a suitable occasion to celebrate, don’t you think?” 

Clara still had that stony-eyed look on her face and knew that he should not have pushed her too much. 

“Please say you’ll come. I want to redeem myself.” he invited.

“No!” she says the same time Max and Jeremy say yes in unison.

That was two against one. She rolls her eyes at them. Such sellouts, she thought, just because of food.

Max raises both his eyebrows at Jeremy and smiles sheepishly. 

Mr. Colfer was confusing Jeremy a little with his remarks, but why were they all directed at Clara? He wondered if there was something about his intentions that needed to be explored. Jeremy narrowed his eyes as he looked at Sebastian.

Clara was sitting across from them on the table, and was shaking her head as she mouthed to them, ‘No! We’ll just go by ourselves.’ 

Max pleaded with her to go, ‘Please, please, please, you promised we were having dinner somewhere fancy.’ He loud whispered which made Clara glare at him to shut his mouth.

Jeremy forgot his suspicions for a moment. “Yeah, I agree,” he followed when Max kicked him under the table.

Clara widens her eyes at both of them. They had planned to eat at the same restaurant before they left, and now Mr. Colfer invited himself to rain on their parade.

“Fine! We’ll be there! Such a bunch of kids. You both owe me,” she said, annoyed that they had to spend more time with Sebastian when they didn’t need to. 

‘Why do they have to go, anyway? Who wants to have dinner with this pretentious prick? He thinks he’s handsome, and he can just hit on anybody.’

“We’ll meet you there at 7,” Clara said, glancing at Sebastian before she turned to walk out the door, pushing Max and Jeremy with her. 

“You guys are in big trouble!” She mumbles to them.