The Intern Who Broke the Billionaire

Chapter Seven

Evie’s POV

I feel his eyes on me as I walk across the spacious office to the brow leather sofa, boring into the back of my head. Ignoring the intrusive thoughts of asking what his problem is, I make myself comfortable and reach for my red pen and orange highlighter. Beginning the lengthy, dull manuscript I start piecing together the hidden meanings and correcting incorrect grammar and tenses. I know sounds boring, it is to many including my friends and family, but I blossom in this type of work. I know I do, I just need to believe in myself and keep my head down. Do the work. Go home. Get my degree in 9 months.

Twenty minutes later I walk back over to the desk to Mr Wolfe… oh s**t I mean Alex. That’s gonna take some getting used to. As I approach he lifts his head and his eyes look confused.

“Are you done already?” Alex seemed surprised that it only took me twenty minutes. It was only 6 pages and it was like a 12 year old wrote it, so wasn’t exactly difficult for me. “Yes. I have annotated each page. I have written down symmetrical, ironic and metaphorical meanings that are attempted to be hidden in there. Corrected a lot of poor grammar and misused adjectives and conjunctives are all over the place.” Professionally and concisely I deliver my findings.

“Is that so? Let me so what you’ve got and compare it to the junior editor I assigned this to shall we?” He takes the papers from my hands and starts looking over them with a neutral expression, revealing nothing. As he turns the pages I gulp nervously feeling the rising anxiety pulse within my chest. What if I’m not good enough? What if I’ve got this all wrong? I start to spiral as he proceeds further and deeper into my work. My breathing quickens and I feel my hands start to tremble. Taking me out of my head, Alex starts to speak “Evie. I must admit I’m impressed. On a glance this looks somewhat ok but when you look into it properly it is sub par. You have even found deeper meanings within this that not even my junior editor cared to add to his conclusion. In fact you both have opposite opinions on this manuscript.” I look at him shock written on my face.

“Is that a good thing? That I have a differing opinion?” Surely it is a good thing but I don’t know if the junior editor will appreciate an intern going against his opinion. I guess he will have to suck it up and do better I guess. Or that is what I feel Alex may say to him. From what I can gather about Alex so far is the he’s very blunt, workaholic and has a very cold look to him. However, underneath it I don’t believe that’s all him. There’s more to it.

“Yes it’s a good thing. Clearly he hasn’t been doing his job. I’ll have words. Evie go get a drink and bring me a coffee please and meet me in boardroom 1 in ten minutes.” His voice is cold and filled with steel. Clearly pissed that people are slacking. I nod at his instruction and before I realise I hadn’t even asked him how he takes his coffee. Too late now I ain’t making myself look like a fool. I enter the half empty staff room and make a herbal tea for myself and I saw that he had black coffee no sugar this morning so that’s what I go for. By the time I was done it was time for the meeting, a little surprised he would want me in there with him on my first day but his choice.

Standing in front of the glass door that had a silver plaque saying ‘Boardroom 1’ I knock and anxiously wait to be called in. Once I hear a male voice shout ‘enter’ I push the door open with my hip and cautiously approach Mr Wolfe with his coffee, he gestures me to sit in the chair next to him and I do as I’m asked. Waiting for the meeting to start is like waiting to be hung, the room was in utter silence just the same snapping sounds of pages turning as notes get an extra look over by board members and editors. Suddenly Mr Wolfe’s voice boomed across the room “Right everyone, time to get this meeting done I have a lot more work to attend to if you hadn’t noticed. We have got three new authors to review this morning. First Suzy Lancaster I believe with the piece ‘Growing Shadows’ and that was you Richard who reviewed that,” the editor I believed now to be called Richard explained it was a moving piece with a stunning amount of depth to the correlation of the title to its actual meaning and it’s a piece that could go very far. Next was another female author was a bit basic but could go far with guidance, decision to offer a ghost writer was made. Lastly 45 minutes after the meeting started we got onto the author I was asked to evaluate. Alex asks for the junior editor called Jamie to reveal his thoughts on the piece. “Sir, I thought it was moving. Had good pacing, metaphors and similes are present and accurate and the irony in this piece brings a lot of anticipation. I think we should move forward with this piece.” God he sounds cocky.

“Actually I must disagree. The story’s meaning and irony doesn’t correlate or match the pacing or metaphors. The incorrect use of certain adjectives makes this story confusing changing the whole meaning of the origin. Plus the grammar is sloppy.” I spoke before I even thought properly. I look around after my short speech and see the whole room staring at me. Then one member spoke, an older gentleman called Darren who is a senior board member “who is she Mr Wolfe and why is she opposing a superior?”

“This is Evangeline Snow Mr Woods. She is the new intern. I asked her to look over this piece this morning to offer her judgement.” Mr Wolfe had my back but I have a feeling with his tone I’m in deep s**t for speaking without him asking me to. He never told me not to speak either though.

“So Jamie how have you come to the conclusion of all the positives when Miss Snow has very little positive to say about this piece. If I remember rightly from the conclusion email you said you were gonna recommend to take this piece on. Explain to the room please.” Darren said with an irritated tone. Jamie flushed crimson, clearly hadn’t read the piece properly. “Mr Woods I genuinely thought it was a good piece, maybe needed some adjustment. I will stand by what I have proposed.” Jamie voice trembled as he justified himself.

“I’m going to be truthful, I don’t think you read that piece thoroughly as per your job role. And you sitting there and lying and still trying to push forward with it is beyond me. Stay behind after the meeting please,” now Mr Wolfe really does sound angered. I choose to keep quiet unless spoken to, however Darren asks me a question “so Miss Snow want to explain your decision and supporting evidence for your opinion,” I deliver my thoughts and evidence within the piece with quotes and explain myself in as much detail as they want. After they were satisfied they closed the meeting ten minutes later than scheduled, all looking desperate for their caffeine fix. Jamie sat with his head down the rest of the meeting.

Once everyone started to stand up Mr Wolfe whispers to me to wait behind also. I get a handshake from the board members welcoming me to the team. Everyone disperses. Just me, Jamie and Mr Wolfe left in the room. Waiting.