Mr. Sinclair

8.Forced Proximity.

Amelia looked at her sketches once again before closing the notebook. She sighed in frustration as she threw the pencil on the table. Lately, she had been having trouble concentrating on the designs for the upcoming spring. She knew time was slipping away and nothing convinced her enough. And she was in a complicated moment to talk about it with her own "boss".

She wrinkled her nose as her mind wandered to their recent interactions, filled with a strange atmosphere between them. It seemed like all the hatred was still pushing them apart, but now there were looks between them that she hadn't noticed before.

However, someone like Nathan puzzled her. Amelia felt like he was a person so difficult to decipher, that it did not even surprise her to think that he was doing all that to sabotage her. Especially after what happened at the meeting.

"Creativity problems?"

Rita's voice brought her back to reality. She quickly lifted her head, seeing her friend enter the kitchen.

"Uhg. I can't decide on the designs. I have never felt so overwhelmed. I'm afraid I won't be able to do it," she replied, hiding her face in her hands.

"Relax, you just need to clear your head a bit. You've had a lot to think about these days," Rita said.

The young woman rolled her eyes.

"Don't even mention it..."

Rita let out a little laugh, pouring herself a cup of coffee and leaving one for her friend.

"So what's up with Sinclair? Have things improved?"

Amelia took a big sip of her cup before responding, looking straight at her friend.

" Well...remember the other day in the café? He left me out of the meeting with the international designers."

Upon hearing this, her best friend widened her eyes as she leaned against the table, incredulous.

"He did WHAT!?"

"It was when he gave me the day off. He just didn't want me to show up there."

Her friend gasped with indignation.

"Have you talked to Myriam about this yet?"

"No, and being honest, I don't think telling her it will solve anything. It will just be more pressure on my back."

"Oh God, Amelia. I can't believe he did that. He's a damn piece of—"

"Yes, he is." Amelia interrupted, nodding with resignation. "But I can be too. That's why I had all fabric manufacturing prices changed the other day. Thanks to his betrayal to me, the company now has to spend three times what it used to. But look on the bright side, we have new premium textures to create new things."

Rita took a hand to her mouth in realization.

"Oh my... Is that why he was so furious the other day?"

Amelia nodded, a mischievous smile hiding in her coffee cup. As they both had breakfast, her phone started vibrating. The young woman chuckled mockingly at the name on the screen.

"And, speaking of the devil..."

Good morning. I need you in my office in half an hour to discuss the design and costume prototypes. Don't be late.

She rolled her eyes reading the message, noting the corporate chilliness he always communicated with. Once again, it was her friend who brought her back to reality.

"How will you two ever come to an agreement if you can't even hold a stare without hating each other?"

She shrugged, grabbing her sketchbook and purse.

"Being honest, I don't have an answer to that yet. But for now, I just have to go to the office because my new boss needs me" she said sarcastically, making a funny face.

With that, she bid her best friend goodbye and left her apartment, heading to her office. Her initial idea had been to ride her bike, as she normally did. But today, she had the misfortune of having it stolen from her small parking spot overnight. Astonished and in distress, she checked her wallet to see if she could afford a taxi to avoid being late.

However, her few low-value bills could only take her a couple of blocks down the road.

Sighing resignedly, she walked with lack of energy to the bus stop. Nathan's particular schedule request echoed in her head. From that moment on, Amelia knew it was going to be a long, long day.

...

Nathan was sitting at his desk, drumming his fingers on the polished wooden surface. The hum surrounding his office was a familiar symphony, a backdrop to his meticulously organized chaos. His gaze drifted to the empty chair across from him, where Amelia should have been. He was waiting for her for almost an hour. She was late, again.

As if on cue, Amelia burst through the door, her cheeks flushed from the brisk walk from the parking lot. She dropped her bag on her desk and looked up, meeting Nathan's cold, scrutinizing gaze. Her heart sank; she could almost hear his condescending thoughts. She straightened her posture and shot him a defiant look while she was sitting on the chair.

"How nice of you, Johnson," Nathan said mockingly. Amelia rolled her eyes.

"Don’t mess with me today, Nathan. I don’t have the energy for your sarcastic comments."

Nathan smirked, raising his eyebrows.

"Oh, don’t worry. I have enough energy for both of us."

Before Amelia could respond, Evelyn Sinclair interrupted them as she entered the office, holding a thick folder. She glanced at both of them, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

"Good morning, you two. I have some news..."

Nathan and Amelia turned their attention to her, both curious yet cautious.

"There’s an important client meeting in Italy," Mrs. Evelyn began. “And they want to meet you, Amelia!"

The young woman, unable to maintain her composure, widened her eyes in disbelief.

"Wait, really? Me? Oh my God, I..."

Evelyn nodded, smiling warmly at her.

“Yes, they adore you! They want to discuss the progress of the prototypes and talk with you. And who knows? This could be the opportunity of your life to finally step beyond what you know...”

Evelyn's words filled the young woman's chest with ambition. A smile began to spread across her face as her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Meanwhile, Nathan's eyes narrowed, deep in thought.

"So, who's going with her?"

" Great question, because it's you," his mother announced, almost teasingly. "you're flying out this very afternoon."

The words hung in the air, heavy and unwelcome. The brunette's smile gradually faded. They exchanged horrified glances. Traveling together? It was the last thing either of them wanted.

"What? Is there no one else available? Can't I go alone?" Amelia asked, with desperation creeping into her voice.

Evelyn shook her head, resolute.

"No, sweetheart, I'm sorry. It has to be the two of you." Her boss replied, clearly enjoying their discomfort.

"You’re the best team for the job, even if you don’t see it that way. Nathan is the best I have for closing deals with clients. He knows contractual law better than he knows his own name. And you, dear," she said, placing a hand on Amelia's shoulder. “With your talent and your willingness to take risks in creating garments, you’ll make Sinclair Group and Bella Moda soar on the major runways."

Nathan scoffed.

"Me and her, a great team? I think you’re being generous with your words."

Evelyn handed them the file.

"However, you’ll figure it out. The flight is at three. Don’t be late, or I’ll have both your heads to decor my desk."

As they left the office, Amelia and Nathan fell into a deafening silence. The reality of their situation loomed over them like a dark cloud. They had barely survived working in the same office for a month; now they had to travel together and present a united front to important clients.

"This is a disaster," Amelia murmured with a bitter laugh, breaking the silence.

Nathan sighed.

"Well, at least we finally agree on something," he commented, standing up while the young woman followed him with her gaze.

"Although, I don’t see it as that bad."

She looked at him in confusion.

"That’s great, but I do. My only chance at success is alongside you, and you’re the main person with the power to ruin it."

The CEO shot her an intense look.

"That false saintly act doesn’t suit you. Don't you think?"

"Go to hell."

"Likewise," he smiled, sarcastically. "I suppose this will be... an interesting experience."

Amelia glared at him, exhausted by his humor. Without replying, she rolled her eyes and got up from her seat, heading toward the door.

"Wait."

He called out, prompting her to turn her head. Clearing his throat, he moistened his lips with his tongue before speaking as his expression turned serious.

"Let’s make a deal. I promise not to interfere during the trip. But let’s try to get through this without killing each other. Sound good?"

Silence filled the room once more. Amelia remained thoughtful, but she knew they had to deal with it. Besides, she couldn't waste such a professional growth opportunity. And if it meant becoming friends with her worst nemesis, then so be it.

She nodded, lowering her gaze. Although she still didn’t trust him at all, after their previous interactions she felt something had changed in how he was acting, or at least in how he perceived her. She sensed that beneath his personality (which she often detested) his words had been sincere.

His green eyes were watching her expectantly, waiting for a response.

"Okay. Deal. But you have to promise me that you aren't gonna mess with my career."

Nathan nodded quickly.

" I promise you. Let's solve this like two professional adults that we are."

Both share a suspicious glance at each other, knowing the words of the CEO are a little far from their reality. However, pointing the guns to the ground, they accept their fate while Amelia leaves the office.