Spurned but not broken

chapter 12

Amelie laid in her bed, eyes closed as another sigh left her lips. The article was gone, and although noon would be able to tell it was her, she felt somewhat relieved, whilst also feeling secretly disappointed that her mystery man's identity had slipped through her fingers. Although, even if she found out who he was, what was she going to do with that information? It's not like she could just approach him, shake his hand and go "Do you remember me from the night we were both drugged and slept together?" It's not as if she could tell him that his eyes have appeared in her dreams more times than she could count.

With another sigh she turned over, opening her eyes to check the time, 5:30am. She sat up and stretched out her stiff limbs, not like she'd be able to sleep now anyway, so she decided to go take a hot shower and then have a very much-needed coffee to get her through her long day of meetings.

After washing away the remnants of sleep from her body, Amelie walked to her dresser. She needed to wear something that showed she was a professional and meant business. She hated meeting with these types of people, rich, powerful, usually totally full of themselves and more often than not completely condescending. She pulled out a pair of flare black suit trousers, an oversized white blouse, a black underbust corset, a set of black lace underwear and matching bra and got dressed. This outfit always made her feel powerful. Walking back into the bathroom, she got to work on her hair, drying it and then straightening it before doing her makeup. Black eyeliner on her top eyelid with a small flick at the end, a slight smokey under eye, mascara and a gentle layer of her gray tinted lipgloss. She walked back out into her room, towards the full-length mirror so she could fully assess her look, nodding in satisfaction before she slipped on a sleek pair of black heels and grabbed her fitted suit jacket, just in time for a knock at the door.

Opening the door, a hand holding out an extra-large take-away cup burst through the opening first and Amelie couldn't help but chuckle. Her best friend knew her so well.

Summer walked through the opening, and stared at her friend and boss with her eyes wide and her mouth open. Hearing Amelie still laughing, Summer shook her head, "Wow Ames! You look hot!"

Still laughing, Amelie obliged her friends' theatrics and took a slow spin to show off her entire outfit.

"Whoever you're meeting is with isn't going to be able to think straight with you looking like that. You could probably demand that all staff on set have to dress like power rangers and I doubt he would argue."

Amelie simply shook her head and chuckled at her friend's remark before taking a long slow sip of her drink.

"So it's 7am now. I've already ordered us up some breakfast which should be here shortly, I've arranged transport to X Groups office for 9 to allow for traffic. I thought after breakfast we could discuss some of your other meetings for the day before we head out."

Another knock on the door and Summer swiftly crossed the room to accept their room service.

It was 9am, Jaxon had been in the office since 7, making sure everything was set for his meeting a little later. He also wanted to make sure he was ahead of his other work so that there would be no potential interruptions.

He was typing away on his computer, responding to the multiple emails that had built up in the space of an hour as his door opened, Johnathon's voice rang out across the office and the smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted its way towards Jaxon.

"Everything's set ready for their arrival." Placing the coffee down and taking a seat on the other side of Jaxon's desk.

"Good, I want this meeting to go as smoothly as possible. I still need to address that request before we sign anything."

Johnathon laughed: "I've never heard of an author wanting to be so actively involved in an adaptation before. Usually they're happy to take the money and just sign off to the production company when they're shown the decisions."

Jaxon looked thoughtful, there was definitely something different about this writer. Not just the impression their works left on the reader, but the fact they wanted to be involved in the whole creative process, wanted their opinions to be taken into consideration, and wanting to be present for auditions and as well as having the final say on castings. Normally, Jaxon would outright refuse something so ridiculous, but he had a feeling that working in this kind of partnership with this, Tiger Lily, would potentially result in something beyond his expectations.

As he finished his coffee, continuing his conversation with Johnathon, he noticed the time.

"9:45, they should be arriving soon. Johnathon, go down to the front desk ready to greet them and bring them straight to my office. Have Janet prepare refreshments ready for their arrival. I want you in this meeting as well."

Nodding, Johnathon simply rose from his seat, pulled out his phone and began making the appropriate preparations for his boss as he left the office ready to receive their expected guests.

Outside the X Group company offices, Amelie and Summer pulled up. Looking up at the imposing building, Summer let out a low whistle.

"Wow, looks like you're signing a contract with a major big shot, Ames."

Amelie, however, wasn't quite as impressed or daunted by the prospect. She knew this contract had the potential to be a huge success, and she was determined to see it through.

They exited the parked vehicle and headed towards the entrance to the company, Amelie making sure to keep her face partially covered with her oversized sunglasses again. She still didn't want to disclose her full identity just yet.

Walking through the large glass-doored entrance, they headed towards the large reception desk so they could announce their arrival.

A young bonce woman sat behind the desk, tapping away at her computer. She looked up once she felt the two women in front of her and plastered on her practiced smile. "Hello ladies and welcome to X Group, how may I help you today?"

"Hello, yes, we actually have an appointment today, under the name Brookes publishing, Tiger Lily." Summer smiled back at the woman whom she already didn't particularly like.

The blonde woman's eyes widened at the name, "Tiger Lily? You mean, THE Tiger Lily?"

Summer rolled her eyes, "Well, if you know of more than one, I'd like their details," a smirk crossing her lips.

Just as the receptionist was about to respond, footsteps crossing the room towards them gained Summers' attention.

"Hello ladies, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Johnathon, the one you have been leasing with."

Summer smiled and the quite handsome man in front of her, "Hello Johnathon, my name is Summer, I believe we have been the ones aligning our bosses' schedules."

Johnathon bowed slightly, "Please, follow me this way, my boss is waiting in his office."

Amelie and Summer both shared a look as they followed behind Johnathon.