Yield

Chapter 6

Stepping out of the car, Laurette walked into the tall building without hesitation.

Laurette strode past her employees to the elevator. She waited a few seconds before getting in.

"Hottie," Laurette murmured, catching her reflection on the elevator's mirrored panel.

The elevator dinged open when it arrived on the first floor, and as usual, Jamila was there with her tablet. Jamila, poised and professional, was dressed in her stylish hijab and flowing dress.

"Morning, Miss Raine," she greeted as Laurette stepped out of the elevator and made her way to the office. "Morning."

Cutting straight to the point, Jamila updated Laurette.

"The board's made a decision. You and Mr Sterling will share a suite, presentations, and ideas for the duration of the merger. "

Laurette didn't blink

"Noted." She knew it would happen sooner or later.

"You can choose whatever desk you like."

She followed Jamila to the new suite Rhodes, and she would be.

The suite was sleek and elegant. There were two tables; one near the door and the other next to the long window but were still parallel to each other.

"I prefer this one," She pointed to the one near the door. Just in case of an emergency, she'd be the first one out.

Rhodes arrived a few minutes later with coffee in one hand and an office bag in the other.

Jamila went over the arrangement again. "Then I pick the one in front of the window. I enjoy the view, especially when it moves." He said, leaning against the desk, watching Laurette.

Laurette understood what he meant, but she didn't comment. She simply turned on her computer and began typing.

The silence that followed wasn't polite. It was awkward.

Jamila dropped the schedules on the table, her eyes flicked between Rhodes and Laurette. She said nothing, lingered a few more seconds before she exited.

Rhodes unpacked his bag. Placing a half-eaten croissant, alongside stacks of folders, and a bonsai tree on the desk.

Laurette glanced at it once before returning to her screen.

"Didn't realise we were doing the Cold War aesthetic." Rhodes said, settling down in his chair.

Laurette answered without looking up, "I realise we were doing brunch."

Rhodes didn't reply. He began his work, occasionally glancing at her while flipping through the sketches and documents.

The sound of the constant clicks of keys and rustling paper filled the room.

Rhodes sent a document to the printer. The hum of the printer sounded for a split second before stopping. Then, a sharp red blinking light appeared on the printer.

He sighed as he made his way to the printer. He opened the printer tray, checking for any faults but finding nothing.

Without asking, Laurette joined him. As if practised with ease, she opened the back panel, removed a crumpled sheet, and reset the tray.

Rhodes watched her, amused. She handed him the printed sheet.

"Thank you," he said, watching as she made her way back to her seat.

Rhodes sent a document he'd been working on to Laurette.

Laurette edited it, making the approach more sharp and the language tight.

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

The next morning, Rhodes placed a USB drive on Laurette's desk.

"The board wants projections by Friday."

Standing up and adjusting her blouse, she responded.

"We'll have it on Thursday."

Passing her a model, "Scan through it before I send it off,"

"I'll review it after the 11am call."

After the exchange, Laurette made her way to the boardroom.

She met Rhodes in the hallway with two junior analysts by his side. With a small nod of the head towards Rhodes, Laurette spoke to the analysts.

"Make sure the Sterling file is updated before it's sent to the boardroom. "

Rhodes tilted his head, quite taken aback by what she said but didn't say anything.

He didn't know what games she was playing at —but he knew that he was already in it.