CHAPTER 4
1298 Words
“Just take your call, Mason,” Raven whispered, slapping her face lightly. She has been trying Mason and her thoughts are already running wild as to why Mason has decided not to pick up.
Frustration grew as she was unable to concentrate on her work, she looked exhausted.
I hope nothing is wrong with him.” Raven thought. The laptop in her front was wide open with no activities on it.
She continues dialling his number hoping she might be lucky, but her efforts remain futile.
“Hello,” a sharp voice suddenly interrupted her actions. “Why are you pressured?” Mason Blackwood asked casually as if they were in a relationship.
“Good morning sir.” Raven greeted but remained concentrated on her phone. Mason stepped closer to her desk, pulled a chair under Raven’s table and sat on it, crossing his legs confidently.
“Your countenance is very adorable, Raven,” he complimented. Although focused on her phone, Raven unconsciously reacted, rolling her eyes in displeasure.
“I have a lot on my desk please, I’m not ready for your dry joke this morning sir,” she teased, adjusting her laptop.
Mason Blackwood was not impressed with the statement but he wouldn't want to ruin the moment.
“My dry jokes will light up your spirit, unlike you wasting your time calling your boyfriend who is busy enjoying another woman’s comfort,” he retaliated.
Raven swallowed hard, his comment sent a shiver down her spine.
The voice inside her already raising suggestions that she is not good enough. “Why is he not taking my calls if he is not with another girl?” She thought.
“Let me salvage your situation and give you a promising relationship.” Mason Blackwood assured her, flashing his charming signature smirk.
“Do you think he loves you?”—
”Hello, Are you there?” Raven interrupted Mason Blackwood walking towards the door, faking a call, “I have been trying to reach you.” she continued until she shut the door behind her and the put-on call faded as she moved farther from her office leaving Mason Blackwood sitting in her office.
Mason chuckled and left the office.
Coincidentally, it was the lunch break, Raven moved to the cafeteria to get her lunch. She is still worried that Mason has not picked up her call nor has he returned it.
She had tried to call him nine times.
Grayson walked in with Isabela into his office, his eyes glanced through the office and Raven’s chair from the door. Raven was not in her office.
“Where is a Raven?” he asked, turning to Isabela.
Isabela waited for a second, “She might have probably stepped out to get something.
“Get across to her to meet me in the office now,” he ordered, opening his main office door,” and I need you in my office in a few seconds.
Isabela stood in front of Raven’s table and picked up her phone to call Raven. “Hello Ma’am,” Raven’s voice echoed from the phone.
“Meet me in Boss’ office in less than a minute,” she ended the call and headed to Grayson’s office.
“HR sent me an email about the briefings from the Managing Director while I was away,” Grayson uttered in a firm voice while reaching for a bottle of whiskey. Isabela swallowed hard, and a wave of unease swept over her.
“That’s a nice move, I believe the situation called for a quick briefing on a Saturday.” Isabela didn't respond right away, Grayson turned to her, swirling the glass in his hand.
“But waiting till now without getting a report from Raven or you, I hope you have a cogent reason for your action.”
“Uh—I… A soft knock interrupted, easing the tension off Isabela as she stuttered trying to figure out a good reason for her action.
“What was the briefing about?” Grayson inquired, ignoring the knock.
The knock continued. “Come in,” Isabela called in a low voice but clear enough for Raven to hear.
Raven entered but the look on their faces set a chill through her. “Something is wrong.” she thought.
Grayson’s frown slowly morphed into his signature smirk.
“Come here, darling. Have a seat.”
Raven hesitantly sat beside Isabela, her heart pounding like a drum. Grayson sat leaning forward, his gaze locked on Raven.
“Your job description states, I get feedback after every meeting. Any reason why I didn't receive a report on Saturday’s meeting? Raven?”
Raven drifted her eyes to Isabela for a fraction of a second, Grayson traced her gaze on Isabela.
“Do you have any reason, Isabela?” he asked again, his tone lower, softer, compared to his earlier firm question.
“No—I thought Raven had communicated to you. Raven’s brows shut up, her mouth fell open.
“The internal auditors flagged some discrepancies in the accounts, somehow, it’s spreading like wildfire, and the employees think Blackwood Enterprise is on the brink of bankruptcy,” Isabela explained.
Grayson chuckled loudly as he leaned backwards, “My enterprises, bankrupt?”
“I already informed the auditors that you instructed them to do their forensic analysis, but they discovered a system error which has been rectified.”
Grayson cut in—“So don't tell me you forgot to send me an email regarding this information, Raven.”
Raven cleared her throat, “Isabela, instructed the legal team and the internal Auditors to conduct their analysis ensuring the errors are rectified. However, I was waiting patiently to communicate the result instead of the problem.” she said with every bit of courage in her.
“So sorry for the delay,” she apologized.
Isabela’s words hung in the air, she was speechless.
Grayson appears unreadable, swirling his drink.
Raven’s phone rang. “Who is that?” Grayson asked.
“It’s my phone,” Raven replied. She checked her phone, it was Mason, her fiance, and her whole face lit with joy. She muted the call.
“Isabela, I need a word with my assistant,” Grayson said.
Isabela walked to the door, her calculated and unwavering walk was gone for the first time in the presence of Raven.
She moved with less confidence almost sheepishly and slammed the door.
“You care for a glass?” Grayson offered with a soft dreamy smile playing on his lips.
“I don’t take alcohol, sir.” She rejected politely.
Grayson stood up from his seat, walked towards Raven and stood behind her. Raven’s heart pounded in her chest, her hand fidgeting as she grabbed her bag tightly.
“You have no idea how cute you are, do you?” he questioned gently, his hand gliding over Raven’s left shoulder.
The warmness of his palm seeped into her skin, the gentle touch made it even more noticeable by the bare elegance of her sleeveless gown.
“Sir, I haven't finished the Corel Ventures document you asked me to send by noon, it’s almost time and I am still working on it. Please allow me to go and complete it”
“Alright, you can leave,” he said, returning to his seat. She excused herself to the door. She got a message on her phone as she stepped out of the office she pulled the phone from the bag, it was a message from Mason, her fiance.
“I am sorry for not picking up your calls, I was very busy. Meet me at my place at 8pm. Thanks.”
A bright smirk appeared on her lips. The whole pressure of the office faded away.
- Writer
