Chapter Three

Six years later

Nicole

I chew on my pen nervously as I pace the distance of my team leader's office. I desperately hope there has been a misinformation of some kind. 

"Nicole". I hear Aurora call my name as she enters the office. 

"You are here. Tell me it's a lie please".

Aurora smiles and goes to stand behind her desk, arranging the documents that litter the table. "It's not. You are…..".

"But I can't!!!". I realize my voice has probably gone higher than it should have. Hastily, I walk over to Aurora's desk and lean over it, whispering into her face furiously. "I can't do the presentation, Aurora. I can't".

"Why?". She doesn't even look fazed. "You handled majority of the project in my absence anyways. You know about it more than anybody….even me". 

"But….". I groan. "..... I can't stand in front of all those higher-ups. I'm definitely going to flop…. nervousness and all".

"You won't". Aurora says as she tucks a batch of documents into a chest of drawers. "I know you, Nicole. You are very good at your job and you know it. Your reputation matters to you and the image of this team...your team, matters just as much. So yes, I know you won't let it flop. At least for your pride". 

I glare at her. "So much for no pressure". 

Aurora chuckles as she stashes the last batch of documents into her drawer and settles into her seat. She raises both hands in a surrender. "Still no pressure, sweetheart". 

I sigh and settle into the seat opposite her. "I really can't afford to flop though". I whine.

"Yep...you can't. The chairman will personally have my head if we don't get that contract. He's been so hopeful for it".

"What company are we on this time?".

"Girl….I don't know". Aurora chuckles. "Some high up company that caters for everything from fashion to interior to cuisine. And now, they want to invest in perfumery". 

"How don't you know the company?". I screech. "Isn't that supposed to be your thing, team leader? How the hell am I supposed to deliver a good presentation if I don't even know the target company? Ugh….Aurora you'll be the death of me".

"Lord forbid". Aurora chuckles and shrugs. "Well the chairman never told me either. It's all hush hush. Apparently part of the ultimate test was to see how well we'd deliver if they gave us vague details. They want to see if our product can suit the general public just like how the company prides itself on catering to the general public. They don't want a target audience"

"Well they might have as well just asked for my liver". I scoff. "Do you think our product fits that criteria though?".

"Well…". Aurora retrieves a mint gum from the candy jar on her desk and pops it into her mouth. "That'd be up to the people you'll be presenting to to decide".

I sigh worriedly and sit back on the seat, closing my eyes as I go through the details of our product in my head. I really can't afford to miss this one.

"I do believe in you, Nicole. You can do it".

I pop one eye open and glare at her. 

"Don't patronize me, girl". I stand up and walk out of the office, hearing Aurora's cheeky laughter fill the room as I leave. I go over to my desk in the adjourned space. Even though the office isn't exactly of impressive size, I love it. It's my first real space since I started working for the company and I earned it when I got promoted to the position of Assistant Team Leader earlier in the year. From a scraggly member of the ingredients research team, I had worked my way up the ladder till I finally got noticed and earned myself the position of a product development leader. I worked so hard for my reputation, a presentation isn't about to ruin that now. 

I retrieve a mirror from my bag and take a glance at myself. Thankfully, I visited a salon a week ago. The well cut edges of my bob rest just below my chin and the side parting is an innovation I never considered on myself. I'm thankful I tried it though, for it flatters my heart shaped face really well. If I had known I'd be presenting today, I would have given more attention to my makeup. I came to work with just a thick coat of mascara, blush and some shimmer on my lid. I reach into my bag and pull out my lip gloss, applying generous dashes to my lips. Mostly satisfied, I drop the mirror and smoothen out my suit. Today is a Monday and a seemingly irrelevant chain of thought had led me to wear a suit. It is a dark blue piece, and is well tailoured. A pair of white stilettos had completed the look and I had walked out of my house that morning feeling very good with myself. Apparently, the Lord had been dressing me up for a presentation. 

"Nicole". Aurora burst through my door. "It's time". 

My heart races but I only nod stiffly and grab my laptop and a flash drive. Walking behind Aurora, we make our way to the top floor of the building where the conference room is. At the door, Aurora halts and steps aside, giving me a reassuring nod and a pat on the shoulder. Taking one last deep breath, I open the door.

I make great efforts not to look anyone in the eye as I make my way forward to the small podium where the projector is mounted. Professionally, I set up my laptop with great concentration and turn on the projector. Thankfully the lights instantly dim when the projector comes on and I nearly let out a sigh of relief at the fact that I don't have to search for a light switch. 

"Good morning. My name is Nicole Webster and I'll be delivering the presentation on the development details of the new perfume product, Ambience".

I'm glad my voice doesn't shake and that I don't stutter. And so with a satisfied glance at the dark room, I turn to the screen and begin my presentation.

                         ******************

I can't understand why the Chairman would be looking for me. Had my presentation been that much of a flop? We haven't heard the outcome of the meeting and I'm going out of my mind waiting for them. Is he calling me to his office to personally scold me? I don't imagine that I'd be able to keep my job after this one. 

I pause at the doorway and take in a deep breath. This is it. This is the point of no return. I clench my trembling fists by my side and finally raise a hand to land a soft knock on the door. Even my knock sounds weak and pathetic. I hear the call of the chairman's voice as he orders me in. Saying one last prayer, I open the door and step in.

The office is all black and chrome but I don't even give myself a chance to admire the surroundings. Stiffly, I make my way forward to the sitting area where the chairman is sat. The first thing I notice is that he is smiling. Wait….he is smiling!!!!. Even though it should have, the smile does nothing to calm my nerves.

"Miss Webster….welcome. Please sit. One of our potential partners would like to have a word with you. He'll be with you in a minute".

"Yes sir". I say meekly and sit, risking a glance at the so called partner who stands near the chairman's desk, his back to me and a phone to his ear. I don't let my gaze linger as I turn back to face forward and stare at my hands intensively. I really can't begin to imagine why I'm here. 

"Thank you". I hear the business partner say faintly into the phone as he ends the call and walks over to us. I sit straighter, stiffening my spine. I hear him stop behind me and I resist the urge to squirm. "Nicole?".

My body goes cold, hot and then numb. I know that voice. I hear it in my head all the time, dream of his smile and his touch all the time. How can this be? Stiffly, I rise from my seat and turn to face him.

And standing there, looking the same yet so different, is the only man who has ever consumed me whole. Alexander Van Lexis.