Something Special

Chapter 5

“This is our cafeteria.  Usually, they serve something that passes for human consumption.” Portia nervously laughed at her own feeble attempt at humor.

“Thank you for showing me around, Ms. Portia. You’ve been very, ah, attentive. I believe I have a meeting with Mr. Mason after lunch. I’d like to just check my email to ensure I’m prepared.” Hunter pulled out his smartphone from his pocket.

Portia dreamily smiled at him. “Oh, I don’t mind,” and continued to hover nearby.  

“Please excuse me,” Hunter stepped away from Portia for the first time all morning and sighed a deep breath like he’d been released from a enormous weight.  He really needed to talk to Mr. Mason about this work arrangement. These women act like they’ve never seen a man before!

As he walked further into the cafeteria, a delicious scent registered in his finely chiseled nose. It was a beautiful aroma of vanilla laced with a hint of citrus.  He had smelled it earlier, up in the office after meeting with Mr. Mason. I wonder if it’s an air freshener they use here, or if they have their own bakery.   I must find out what that heavenly scent is, making a mental note.

Hunter entered the queue for the food service, and selected a sandwich, chips and a bottle of water. He looked over the service line and there were no desserts in sight, so what he was smelling was most likely not a bakery item.   When he checked out, the lunch lady smiled eagerly at him.  “I’m Hunter Stark.  I just started as an intern here today.” 

“Oh, I know! First meal on the job is on me” she said, winking at him-and a little too seductively for Hunter’s taste. 

“Uh, thank you. Very kind of you,” Hunter nervously gathered his selections and moved quickly to find a table. Alone.  

As he scrolled through emails on his phone, Hunter’s mind drifted to the morning’s events.    Mr. Mason graciously gave him the opportunity to intern at Gold Standard Provisions.  They provided accounting and legal services to some of the largest corporations in the Northern Territory.  Experience was going to be key if he was ever to join his brother leading Stark Enterprises when his father finally decided to retire. He could have easily learned the ropes at his father’s company, but Hunter liked to be independent and not just have things handed to him because he was the boss’ son. Interning at an outside company would also give him insight of how other businesses were handled.  

When Portia assigned herself to showing Hunter around, he had a sense of overwhelming repulsion toward her.  Something was not right about that woman, but he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was.  She was physically attractive, although Hunter had no interest in her---or any of the other women who were throwing themselves at him. That was such a turn-off for him. Sure, he worked out and took care of himself, but it was like these women hadn’t seen a decent guy in a very, very long time.  

As he unwrapped his turkey-pastrami sandwich, he gazed around the cafeteria. For a company with the name “Gold Standard,” the décor could stand to be updated a bit. There were a number of round tables with two to four chairs at each, and paintings hung evenly spaced across the long beige walls. Regardless of their surroundings, employees were scattered about enjoying their food and break from work.  Then, he recognized two women on the other side of the room-one was the receptionist and the other was the woman he didn’t get to greet upstairs in accounting. What was her name?  Mr. Mason had said it but Portia had interrupted so suddenly that he had forgotten-which was very unlike him. 

Hunter pretended to look through his phone but began to try to listen in to the women’s conversation to see if he could find out her name. His hearing was exceptional, so eavesdropping wasn’t a problem for him, although he didn’t do it all the time out of courtesy of others.  

“I’m serious, Brianna, you need to go out and have fun! You deserve it after all you’ve been through,” the receptionist said.

Yes, that was her name, Brianna. And she needs a good time.  Hmmmm.