A Bitter Coincidence

Chapter 5

Chapter 5.

Friday morning, I was sitting around this large mahogany table that seated at least ten people. There was me, 2 interior designs named Andrew and Jo. Gio and Callum were the outdoor designers, a woman called Eve who sorted out the accounts and spending for the materials and furniture for the wards. There was a man whose name I forgot who came in to help with the health and safety aspect of things and Sam, who was seated at the end of the table, looking the every bit of the leader I knew he was.

At the moment there seemed a debate on why the internal spaces had a bigger budget that the garden areas. I felt awkward considering this was the first meeting of the project.

“…Garden is just as important as the internal space. We might have to paint and change the area due to the weather conditions.” Gio exclaimed, hands flying everywhere to make his point.

“Yes, but the internal walls need special paint and materials to ensure the children don’t catch anything.” Jo calming stated.

She had a point. I was seated on the opposite side of Sam, furthest away from the debate, I hated confrontation and I wanted to avoid this as much as possible. The group seemed to enjoy my ideas when I explained them and the interior design couple seemed excited to help me find sustainable materials and paint. Overall I was happy working with these people, although right now I wish they’d just agree on something. From the start of the meeting, Sam was happy this morning, he shook my hand and gave me that ‘weak at the knees’ smile. Multiple times I caught him staring at me from across the table and all I could do was become flustered and smile shyly at him. Damn it. I knew I should have worn something more professional. He stated to come in casual clothing since I’ll be painting and designing the walls, there was no point in dressing up a anymore but wearing a pink floral midi skirt and an off the shoulder white top with tan ankle boots, I looked like I rocked up out of a festival. My brown hair was down around my shoulders and I had my usual rings and a necklace on. I am every bit of the boho chick just like my Grammy.

Sam spoke so loudly it brought me back to the meeting, “We’ll discuss it further if you need it and I’ll be able to help as this project is important but for now, use the budget available. Is that alright?” His authority voice seemed to work and everyone nodded. Luckily my budget seemed too much but I still had a lot of research to do about the materials I needed to get for the walls.

“Wonderful, now that seems to be finished, this meeting is finished. Thank you for coming this morning and if you have any questions, my office is just down the corridor. You can also contact Eve or Lionel.” Ahh that’s the other dudes name. “Please don’t be afraid to walk around and take a look at the rooms and the outside area. The construction is still ongoing on the other end of the hospital so please wear the protective equipment if you’re in that part.” With a nod, everyone got up and was leaving. I was putting my things away into my portfolio and bag when Sam came up beside me.

“How did you find the meeting?”

I smiled up at him “yeah, I enjoyed it. I have so many ideas, I honestly can’t wait to start getting messy and creative. I’m sorry I didn’t say much, I just didn’t want to overstep or say the wrong thing. They seemed to want to argue a lot and I didn’t.” He laughed at that.

“I understand, no need for apologises. You staying or going?”

“Staying if that’s okay, I’m going to sketch the layout and place where I think I want the walls designed. I need to research what materials are best.”

“Need any help with that?”

“No I got it thanks, If I do, I’ll talk to Eve and Lionel.” He tilted his head at that and I caught another glimpse of the puckered burn marks running down his neck. It looked redder today and more raised. Before I had the chance to stop myself I said “that looks sore.” I nodded towards his neck.

He seemed shocked for a split second and turned away from me. “That is none of your business.” Sam snarled. I was taken aback by his sudden attitude and I realised I overstepped.

“I’m sorry” Shaking my head “I didn’t me- I didn’t know-“

“YO” Came a shout from the doorway. A tall man, around the same height as Sam with short Blonde hair came into the room. He stopped dead and looked from me to Sam with furrowed brows. He came towards me with his hand outstretched.

“Hi, I’m Seth.”

“Hi, I’m Skylar. It’s nice meet you.” Seth.. as it Sam’s brother? Oh lord there’s two of them. The more I looked at Seth the more resembles I could see between them. Both had the same skin and hair colour, nose shape and build. However, Seth’s eyes were completely different. Seth had one deep brown eye and the other was a dark blue. Something I’ve never seen before.

“Skylar is the new designer for the walls of the children unit.” Sam interrupted my thoughts.

“Ahh, yes I remember you mentioning the new designer.” He smiled towards. “Great to meet you. My brother here has told me all about your amazing work.”

Sam came up next to me and placed his hand ever so lightly on my lower back. The contact alone made me wet and shiver. All I could do is smile back at Seth.

“You’ll be dealing a lot with my baby brother here. Hey, blink once for yes twice for no, is he annoying and boring to work for?” Seth smirked whilst I tried not to blink at all.

“I haven’t been around him much as of yet, but I’ll be sure to send you a sign.” I replied.

Seth and Sam barked out laughing and I couldn’t help giggling with them.

“I like her.” Seth said to Sam, whilst still laughing.

“What are you doing here Seth?” Sam Said.

“Came to see you and wondered if you wanted to go for lunch before the Quinton meeting.”

“Yeah I could eat, Skylar would you like to join us?” Sam turned towards me, his hand still touching my back.

I shook my head and picked up my bags. “No thank you, I have some things I’d like to do here if that’s alright.”

“We could go to lunch without this i***t here. I can tell you right now I’m better company than him.” Seth winked at me and I swear I could feel Sam’s hand tighten and he was glaring at Seth.

I laughed and moved away from Sam’s hand. His touch was too much and completely inappropriate since he was boss, even though I wanted his hands everywhere on me. I walked around the table towards the door.

“As much as that sounds tempting Mr Anderson, I think Sam here would miss your teasing.” I turned to wave to them as Seth laughed. “Thank you for the offer though, maybe next time. Goodbye Sam, it was nice to meet you Seth.”

“You too Skylar.” Seth waved. Sam and I looked at each other before I left to go get some sketches done.

(Sam’s P.O.V.)

After Skylar left the office, I turned to Seth “You could have called instead of coming in.”

I wanted some alone time with Skylar, apart from the meetings we’ve had, I haven’t had a chance to really talk to her that wasn’t about work. Since that day in the park, I couldn’t seem to stop my thoughts drifting towards the curvy brunette. When we bumped into each other, it wasn’t completely unintentional, I noticed Skylar when I was warming up across the park from her and I just watched her. Creepy as it seems, I couldn’t stop staring, she was beautiful and then when I spoke to her she was shy and kind. Seeing her at the club was a bonus and I absolutely had to speak to her, except I’m pretty sure she has someone, who she was at the club with but that didn’t stop me from talking to her. The Gods couldn’t stop me if they tried.

Skylar is kind, smart, creative, honest and witty and completely too good for me, especially now that I’ve hired her for the children’s ward.

“Yes well you would have ignored me like you have the 3 other calls. I wanted to see who you hired for the ward as well and knew you had a meeting this morning.” Seth replied.

“Wonderful.”

“What’s wrong? You’re never like th-.” Seth eyed me a second more and smirked. The fucker smirked and stood there with his arms crossed. “You wanted some time alone with the new designer didn’t you?”

“I only wanted to show her where to go and to show her the garden area.” I picked up my notes from the table and left the meeting room towards my office. Seth followed and once I was inside he plopped down onto my leather couch.

“Right, so before I walked in, you guys looked cosy. I don’t blame you, she’s pretty but not what you usually go for. If you EVER go for anyone. She seems too nice for you.”

“Sod off Seth, I haven’t made a move on her. We actually met before she came for her interview. She was at Crushed Velvet on Sunday night, on the roof top before you came.”

“I don’t remember seeing her but then again that night was blur. You disappeared after a while.”

I shrugged “I wasn’t feeling it, so I went home.”

Seth looked at me then and I knew by the look on his face that he was going to want a heart-to-heart. Not today. “You ready to go?” I asked him.

“Nah, nope.” He was shaking his head and standing up. “We’re going to talk about this. I’m your big brother and I’ve hated seeing you going through what you have these last ten years. You deserve someone Sam. I understand that you have issues but don’t hide and definitely stop screwing women like you have. I can tell you don’t feel one bit of what you should and it’s tearing you up, I know it. Grace and mum know it. We all want the best for you brother and we’re here for you.” He had his hand on me then and the same look of sorrow on his face whenever he brought up this conversation. “You can’t change what’s happened, only how you deal with it and you haven’t been dealing with it. If you want to ask that Skylar woman out, do it but don’t do for a quick screw. You’ll regret it. She seems nice… too nice for your dingy ass but you never know what’s going to happen. You have to start letting people in.”

“I think I f****d it before I even got the chance.”

“What do you mean?”

“Before you walked in, she noticed the scars. I snapped at her.” I felt like such a d**k. When other women noticed them, I became angry but I didn’t care about how I was treating women and they only cared if they got 5 minutes of my time, as long as I kept my shirt on. However, with Skylar I hated that I snapped at her. She didn’t mean anything by her statement and she looked at me with nothing but tenderness and warmth, something I wasn’t used to.

“Well, you better apologise to her when you see her next.” And with that Seth nodded at me and turned to the door. “You coming?” and walked out. I took a deep breath, grabbed my belongings for the meeting and followed him to the car.

The Quinton meeting was long and tiring and we only seemed to agree on a small number of things to move ahead with the build and design. Seth and I loved our job with the building, designing and the marketing aspect of the company and since it was us two who were the shared bosses we had to make sure it was worth every penny. When our father passed away ten years ago, Anderson corporation was given to us and even at the ages of 20 and 22 my brother and I wanted to carry it on. Seth had to run the company alone whilst I was recovering from the accident and we both found it difficult at first, but thanks to the team we have we were doing well and I know Dad would be proud.

Seth, Grace and Mum had to pull me out of my arse loads of times for me to take this role seriously and thank god they did because I didn’t want to think where I would be without them.

I checked my watch, and it was just a little after six in the evening and after having food with Seth and the other company, I headed back to the hospital site to do more work. I didn’t want to head home so early and do absolutely nothing. I hated the silence of my apartment and I wasn’t in the mood for company. I said hello to security and made my way to the elevator, the second floor was built and ready to be designed. We had a 3rd floor but that was for other offices and examination rooms. I loved this building, it was clean, light and spacious and perfect to help the little ones during their treatment. I turned right towards my office when I noticed lights from the left of the elevator down the corridor, the censored lights only detect people if they’re in the rooms. I turned the corner and saw Skylar on the floor, sketching in her sketchbook and she had an iPad next to her. Her back was to the wall and was at an angle facing away from me. From here I could hear the faint beats of music that seemed to come from her way. She looks so peaceful drawing and what I liked about her is that she seemed to have no idea how lovely she looked like this. The more steps I took towards her, the more I could see sketches laid out around her. Animals, maps and inspirational words that was a mix of traditional and modern art. She wrote little notes around each design and I noticed that she specified specific materials for each plan. I was next her and she still hadn’t noticed me so I crouched down and lightly tapped her shoulder. She whirled around and squealed so fast she fell back and when I went to grab her, she took me down with her. And now I was almost on top of her and I bet she could feel me as I was hard as rock from just watching her. f**k.

“Hi.” She whispered. She holding onto my arms that were currently caging her shoulders.

“Hey.” I whispered back. I could see her face more clearly now, she had a light spray of freckles around her nose and cheeks, she had a small scar on the bridge of her nose and her lips that were full and pink were breathing heavily on me. I smelt strawberries and coffee and I knew from then that they were going to be my favourite foods from here on out.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I tried to let you know I was near but your music was loud.”

“Yeah, it helps me when I’m in the zone. I wanted to get some sketches done and plan where I was going to put everything. Why are you back so early?” Her hand ever so slightly tightened on my arms and from there I had goosebumps that ran up my whole arm to my chest. This girl is going to kill me.

“It’s not early, Sky. It’s after six in the evening, you’ve been here for hours.”

“WHAT?!” She let go and went to sit up and I stepped back and sat on the floor next to her whilst she checked her phone. “s**t, I didn’t realise how late it was it. I’ve been so distracted with my work.” She looked at me then, “What are you doing back?”

“I had some things to do in my office here, so I came back.”

“Oh, of course. Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry and I’m sorry I stayed late.” She went onto her knees to pick up the papers and I grabbed her hand to stop her. We both exhaled at the sparks that seemed to explode when we touched skin on skin. I felt it in the park and at the office the other day and I’ve never experienced anything like it before. She was looking at my hand and that’s when I realised she could see more of the burn scars on parts of my knuckles and wrist. She looked at me and then placed her other hand over my scarred one.

“It’s okay, I’m glad I came otherwise you would have probably stayed the night if I didn’t and you can stay as long as you want. Unless it’s after 11pm, then you’re locked in.” I winked to let her know I was joking, kind of. She gave me a small smile and let go on me. I picked up a sketch “these are wonderful, I like that style on the watercolour and mix and match of different materials. Why the words?”

“I wanted something that could inspire the children. If they’re here for a long period of time I don’t want the walls to be something that they’ll find boring. The words are they to comfort them and inspire them hopefully. Most of the quotes are from children stories, some are from google that I thought worked well. The walls in the play room will have animals and insects all in a similar style with maps and quotes. I thought the corridors should be something underwater. Maybe add a few mythical beings and mythical stories, they’re just ideas for now.” I saw a blush creep up her neck and cheeks when she realised she babbled again and I couldn’t help but reach out and stroke her cheek. Her eyes widened but she didn’t push me away.

“It sounds amazing, I can’t wait to see it.” We stayed like that for however much longer, I don’t know but I didn’t want to move, in fact I moved closer to her and were face to face, enough that I could feel her breath. “I’m sorry.” I said.

“For what?”

“For snapping at you earlier, when you referred to my neck.”

She slightly shook her head, my hand still on her cheek. “No, please I shouldn’t have said anything, it was rude.”

“It wasn’t. In fact that was the nicest thing a woman has said about my neck.”

“Oh.” Her eyes moved to my neck and then returned to my eyes again. “Are you okay? I mean it must still hurt-.” I moved in and brushed my lips against hers and after a second she kissed me back, with a little more force. I moved both my hands to cup her face and she followed by grabbing both wrists. Tilting her head to get a better angle and to deepen the kiss, she gasped and I traced my tongue on her lower lip, slowly making my way into her mouth to find hers. She could kiss and it was so powerful in that moment, I thought I was going to come my pants.

She forced her tongue against mine whilst biting my lip, she moved her leg around my side to get closer and the sparks I felt earlier were nothing compared to the explosions I could feel with her. I gripped her waist and my other hand found her hip and the soft cushion of her backside. I heard her moan and after another few minutes I bit her lip and gave her a few more pecks before I moved away and rested my forehead on hers. We were both breathing hard and she smiled. “Well, that was nice.” She licked her lips and I gave her another slow kiss. Somehow this one was more intimate and relaxing, something I never wanted to stop doing.

“It was, I wanted to do that ever since that day in the park.” I replied back.

“Really?”

“Mhm.” I didn’t know what to say to that, that was the best kiss I’ve ever had. And that’s exactly what I told her. Skylar blushed again and I couldn’t help but smile, she always seemed shy. Her eyes widened and she looked around like she was suddenly realising we were still on the floor in the middle of the corridor at night time. My grip on her hip tightened and she almost shrunk away, which I didn’t like. “It’s okay, we won’t get into trouble, I own the building remember?” I winked which only seemed to make her more nervous.

“I know, it’s not that, it’s just that it’s…I’m not sure… Oh f**k-.” She closed her eyes and tilted her head so her hair covered her face. “What are we doing Sam?” She asked so quietly I wasn’t sure I heard her properly.

“We talked and kissed.”

“Yes, I understand that you prick, but why?”

I chuckled at her casual statement “I don’t know about you, but every time I’m near you and touching you I feel this…”

“Electricity?” She asked.

I looked at her and grinned. “Yes, exactly that. I can’t help myself Skylar. I’m not one to kiss people I’ve hired. I just wanted to. I had to.”

She broke eye contact and quickly moved to gather her belongings. “Right and you have it out of your system now, I should go.” I had no idea what she meant, but she was no way out of my system, not even close. I hated that she thought that, that she thought she meant so little. She looked awkward and panicky. I stood up but not before grabbing her bag from her.

“Listen to me. I wanted to kiss you and from the way you kissed me back so did you. I’m telling you right now, I definitely want to do that again. I haven’t gotten it out of my system, not even a tiny bit. I like you Sky, I wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t.”

She huffed and placed her hands on her hips, she looked pissed and she looked a little scared. “I don’t do this Sam, I don’t kiss my boss or anyone randomly. I find it hard to believe you feel that way after not even a week of knowing me.”

“Then lets get to know each other. We’ll go, grab a drink or something now. Right now. Please?”

Sky stared at me for so long, I had no idea what was running through her mind. But whatever doubts she had I had to erase them, I needed her to see this wasn’t a game. She nodded “Okay but only one drink.” I sighed and smiled. Still holding her belongings I held my hand out for her to take and once she did, I felt like I won the lottery.