Chapter Five: One More Chance
1118 Words
Chloe’s POV
“Can I trust you, Chloe Vance?”
The words kept ringing in my head as I opened the door to the office the next morning. My insides were filled with the appreciation that I planned to express to Mr Thorne for his kindness the previous day. I was even prepared for a better response to his question with a more certain tone.
You can trust me, Mr Thorne.
I had just walked into the office when a deep voice cut through my mind.
“You are ten minutes late!”
“Good morning Mr Thorne, I had to take my time to….”
“Take your time? Am I paying you to rub your lips a gallon of gloss?”
I went silent. Every word died in my throat, I couldn’t even argue further. He had told me the previous day to take my time attending to my mum before coming to the office, and he gave me the opportunity to respond to his question the next day, but right now he had sunk back to his meanness.
“I am sorry, Mr Thorne.”
He eyed me and pointed his finger towards the file on the table. “Pick it up, the board meeting started five minutes ago.”
I drew in a gasp. I had delayed him obviously, Mr Thorne wasn’t the type that would be late to a board meeting. He got up from his seat and walked out on me; I followed suit without hesitation.
When we got to the front of the conference room. I noticed he paused slightly and put his hand inside his pocket. My mom told me some people do that when they are nervous and desperate to hide it. I knew the credibility of the words of an experienced psychologist, so I believed her.
What was my boss so nervous about?
I figured it out immediately as we walked in through the glass doors of the conference room. We met about three dozen people who all turned to stare at us, but that wasn’t the peak of it.
Zack Thorne, his cousin, had his hand on a projected film. The illustration on display was something I was familiar with, a secretive game I discovered a long while ago, but what was he doing showing it to the audience?
“My apologies for my lateness, I was caught up in something.”
“It is fine, Mr Thorne, your brother decided to entertain us a little with this new discovery prior to your arrival,” one of the directors said politely.
Liam Thorne didn’t find that amusing in the least bit. I could see it in his eyes.
“Liam, I was….” Zack started but Liam cut him off halfway.
“You can cut off the entertainment now, Zack, I am here with the real work.”
Zack scoffed,
“Miss Vance, have a seat in the corner over there.”
Liam pointed towards a deserted chair for me. I nodded in agreement and went there. I sat down watching everything with keen interest. Most of the board members seemed uncomfortable at that moment and Zack wasn’t moving either.
“Zack, have a seat, let’s get the meeting started,” Liam said, raising a brow at him.
Zack scoffed again, “f*****g asshole.” He said in French. “Do you seriously think my innovations aren’t welcomed in the company my father nurtured, hun!”
“Relax Mr Thorne, you can always create another time for this innovation to….” One of the directors, a tall blonde woman said.
“No innovation of yours will be acceptable, Zack. I tolerated your criticism six years ago, but not again.”
“Really! Are you still afraid I would surpass you? Just as your father was afraid of my father!”
“Not here Zack, leave!” Liam said coldly.
“Please, both of you have to relax, the world is watching!” A bald man interviewed.
Liam’s calm demeanor was more shocking. While Zack was yelling and was losing control over his composure, Liam remained grounded.
Poor Zack Thorne, he looked so pitiful. Going head on head with a sadist like Liam could be draining. I felt his pain.
“I challenge you to solve the mystery of this,” Zack said, pointing to the projector. “I would assume you are too afraid to admit that you aren’t good enough, that is why you are shutting me out.”
“You are wasting time Zack, I…” My boss said.
“Mr Thorne, don’t you think we should give his idea a chance? Your brother is quite older, and he does have some experience,” a man wearing black gloves said.
He must be one of Zack Thorne’s supporters, I guess.
“Please try out the riddle, Mr Thorne.” Another man said with a huge smile on his cocky face.
Interesting!
“If you are not confident in your ability, you can call a friend to help. Martha will be willing to help you out,” Zack said with a smirk on his face.
Martha! Who is Martha?
“I do not need her help or yours,” Mr Thorne pointed out. “And I am not doing this; I am not a gamer.”
Without thinking, I raised my hand up. “I can do it on behalf of Mr Thorne.”
All heads turned in my direction and the hand I had raised up started to tremble. What have I done? I should have just watched in silence as Mr Thorne had instructed me, I bit my lower lip in punishment, I had just landed myself in trouble with my new boss.
“Who is that lady?” The bald director questioned, narrowing his eyes at me.
My boss stared intently at me, intimidating me, pinning me down. “My apologies everyone, ignore what she said, she is my secretary.”
“Wow! Someone found himself a loyal dog,” Zack said sarcastically.
I was wrong, Zack Thorne wasn’t a good man!
“I am not…. “ I started, tears threatening to stream out of my face.
“She is not a dog! Her name is Chloe Vance, and she will solve your riddle now!” Liam turned towards me. “When she solves your riddle, you will get out of this conference room without complaint.”
“Agreed!” Zack said enthusiastically. I could tell he had more traps up his sleeves and I had voluntarily walked into one.
Now everything hangs on you, Chloe Vance, are you capable enough?
I questioned myself as I walked up to the podium.
- Writer
