"Adrian, oh, I was about to go to the reception area to meet you. Anyway, good to see you again," Darmiel replied as he glanced at Brenda. "Stand up straight, Brenda," he said in a low voice. He reached out to give Adrian a firm, professional handshake, his sharp eyes quickly jumping back to his assistant, who looked as if she were desperately wishing for the marble floor to split open and swallow her whole.
Brenda slowly looked up, her eyes wondered somewhere except to where Darmiel and Adrian were standing. Her gaze darted frantically from the abstract paintings on the corporate wall to the polished silver elevator doors, absolutely refusing to lock eyes with the tall, imposing architect who had just stepped into their office. Her breathing was shallow, and her chest heaved slightly as
