Chapter Three

After a few minutes, a blonde and tall man of around twenty-six came towards her cubicle. "Hi, Raven, welcome to JC Group Inc., I'm Charlie Gardner, Corporate Trainee Manager. I will be training you during the period of your internship. You will be reporting to me for everything," said Mr. Gardner with a smile. 

"Good morning, sir," said Raven, eager to learn. He pulled a chair and sat down beside her. In the next few minutes, he explained about the company and the entire production process. 

"Interesting, right?" He asked with a smile and Raven nodded. "You look so young, Raven. How old are you?" 

"I'm twenty," she told him.

"That makes you the youngest in our entire office," he told her, and Raven's eyes widened.

"Oh, but I'm very hardworking, Mr. Gardner," she informed, feeling embarrassed. 

"Please call me Charlie, " he told her with a twinkle in his eye. Raven nodded. He gave her work and discussed how to complete it within the time span. After he left, Raven started working upon her first assignment but the hair at the nape of her neck started tingling. It seemed like she was being watched by someone. Looking around the entire office, she found no one looking at her though.  

It was past lunchtime and she didn't get to grab anything for herself. If she would have been at her college, she would have been dragged to the cafeteria and stuffed with food. Her friends loved food and they always ensured that she never skipped her meals. Thinking about her friends, she suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to inform them about her internship. She left the campus without informing any of them! They would be worried about her. 

A guy came towards her cubicle and stood beside her desk. "Hey, haven't seen you before? Have you escaped school?" He grinned. A dark-haired woman of his age joined him, looking at Raven with interest. 

"Haha, very funny. Do I look like a schoolgirl to you?" Raven glared at the man. He laughed loudly. 

"Shut up, Danny. Hi, I'm Chloe and this is Danny. It's lunchtime. Would you like to join us?" Asked Chloe. 

"Hi, I'm Raven. I'd love to grab a bite of something. I'm famished," said Raven with a smile. She shut her computer down and picked up her backpack and left with them. Soon they were joined by others and they all went to the office cafeteria to eat. 

A cute and friendly guy sat down beside her. "I'm Thomas, I sit right next to your cubicle," he said, stretching his hand for a shake. 

"Oh, I didn't notice you, I'm sorry, " said Raven, feeling embarrassed. 

"You're cute," he said with a grin. Raven blushed more. 

"Stop flirting, Thomas, " glared another girl, pulling a chair and sitting with them. "Don't mind him. He flirts with everyone. By the way, I'm Lucy, I'm a designer, " she introduced herself. 

"Hi, I just joined today as an intern," Raven informed them. 

"We know, you're under Charlie Gardner, " informed Chloe. "He's a hard taskmaster but I don't know how he forgot to bark today after meeting you," she laughed out loud. 

"I swear, I too noticed," said Lucy. Raven colored at the direction of their thoughts.

"He was very professional with me. There might be some other reason for his behavior, " said Raven. 

"Whatever, guys, let's get our orders," said Thomas, getting up. Danny and Lucy too accompanied him to get the food. Raven was about to get up too when Chloe caught her hand. "Don't bother. They'll get it," she said. 

"So, spill. How did you get inducted here? You're just twenty and Van Halen is very particular about perfection and experience," asked Raven. 

"Nothing much to spill. There was a written test and campus interview at our college and I got selected," she informed her, avoiding the unnecessary details.

"Don't tell me Van Halen personally selected you?" She asked with disbelief. 

"Yes, but Anthony Baker conducted the interview in sir's presence, " informed Raven so that they didn't misunderstand the situation at all.

"You must be really good at your job then," said Chloe with appreciation. 

Raven blushed. "I'm still learning," she said. The others brought the food and they all attacked hungrily. As she was about to bite into her burger, Charlie Gardner walked up to their table.

"Mind if I join you guys?" He asked with his eyes focused upon Raven. Everyone looked at one another but no one had the courage to say no to his face. They were all trainees after all and he was their Reporting Head. 

"So, Raven, how are you liking it here?" Asked Charlie dragging a chair and sitting opposite to her. 

"I like the atmosphere, sir," she told him, shyly. The others again looked at one another, silently communicating through their own sign language. 

"So, which college do you go to?" He asked her. She could see the bored expressions on the faces of the others. 

"I'm at the Coventry College Of Fashion, Mr. Gardner, " she informed him. 

"Call me Charlie, please, " said Mr. Gardner. Lucy coughed and nearly fell from her seat. Charlie Gardner was a good-looking tool who only knew how to overburden trainees with work and more work. Raven colored at the unwanted attention that she was receiving. 

"Yes, Ms. Andrew, have you finished the designs on the latest project? You're already running late for submission," he told Lucy. 

"Yes sir, I'll complete it today, " she promised. 

"I'm done. I'll get back to work, " said Raven, getting up. She wanted to escape Charlie Gardner's attention. The way he was behaving, was creepy. 

"I'm also going back," said Charlie Gardner,  getting up too. The others groaned and gave her a look of sympathy. Raven walked up to the elevator with Charlie Gardner. She stood fidgeting with her fingers, aware of his creepy stare. No one said a word to one another. The door opened and he walked out with her. The moment she stepped out of the elevator, Raven had the same uncanny feeling of being watched. She looked around but couldn't see anyone. Charlie Gardner escorted her to her cubicle much to her dismay. He dragged a chair and sat down with her, checking her first assignment. 

"Mr. Gardner, come into my chamber, now, " said the furious voice of Ralph Van Halen from the entrance to the room, his angry eyes staring straight at Raven's cubicle. Everyone looked flustered and busy seeing their angry big boss. Charlie Gardner stood up nervously and walked away towards the door. They both disappeared from view and there was hushed whispering going on all around her. Raven had ducked and managed to hide from Ralph Van Halen's view while he was standing at the entrance of their workplace. Raven continued with her work and submitted it to Mr. Gardner. After being summoned, Charlie Gardner hadn't once come into their room and everyone was worried. 

"I would love to see him sacked," said Lucy. 

"Me too," said Chloe. 

"I'm done for the day. I'm going to Oxygen tonight for a drink. Who all are interested to join me?" Asked Danny, looking at Raven. Raven had never been to such a place before since her parents were too strict and didn't approve of it. She knew that Oxygen was a nightclub nearby since it was quite famous amongst her group of friends too. 

"Why don't you all come over to my place?" Said Thomas seeing Raven's disinterest. 

"Count me in," said Chloe, excitedly. 

"Me too," said Lucy, jumping up and down.

"What about you Raven?" Asked Thomas. 

"I...," started Raven but before she could speak, a very hassled Mr. Rogers rushed into the room. 

"Ms. Porterfield, Mr. Van Halen has summoned you to his office just now, " he informed breathlessly. 

"Oh," Raven's face fell and she gaped at Mr. Rogers with nervousness and shock. What did he want now? 

His phone buzzed and he picked it up with a grave expression on his face. "Yes sir. I've informed her. She's on her way, " he said with panic. After the call was disconnected, he looked at Raven. 

"You're still here?" He asked impatiently. 

"I'm going, sir," she said, picking up her backpack and walking towards the elevators. She licked her lips nervously, not knowing what he wanted this time. After the last meeting, she hadn't expected him to summon her ever. She had thought that she wouldn't have to interact with him again. 

She reached his floor with dread and walked towards his office, praying in her mind. She knocked softly on his door. "Come in," came his prompt reply. She pushed the door open and peeped inside. He wasn't at his desk where he was supposed to be. Raven pushed the door further and went inside the room. She saw him sitting on the sofa at the other side of the room, with his laptop and lots of files sprawled before him. 

"Yes, sir?" she asked, hesitantly. He didn't look up from his work. 

"Sit down and help me with these files," he growled. Raven sat down on the couch beside him, not knowing exactly what help he needed. She had no idea why he seemed so angry. His jaws were clenched and his face was flushed with anger and he furiously dumped a mountain load of files in front of her. 

"Too bad you cannot have your night of fun," He said sarcastically as Raven stared at him with her mouth hanging open.