Three
1346 Words
Chapter Three
Monday morning arrived too quickly. The cold air bit at my skin as I hurried down the street, clutching my bag tighter than usual. The weekend had drained me. shopping, memories, but now the office awaited.
The building loomed tall, glass catching the pale winter sun. I paused at the entrance, inhaled deeply, and whispered, “You can do this, Lisa.”
Inside, the buzz was louder than usual. Phones rang, heels clicked against polished floors, voices carried in sharp tones. Something was different today.
“Morning, Lisa,” one of the interns greeted, sliding past me with a stack of files.
“Morning,” I replied, forcing a smile.
I reached my desk, tucked in the corner, and began arranging my notes. My supervisor, Mrs. Debrowsky, appeared almost instantly, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
“Lisa, you’re here early. Good. We’ve got a situation.”
My stomach tightened. “What kind of situation?”
She pressed a folder into my hands. “Big client coming in today. Important interview. The intern scheduled to attend called in sick. You’ll take her place.”
I froze. “Me?”
“Yes, you. You’ve been shadowing long enough. Time to step up. Don’t worry, you’ll just observe and take notes. But you need to be in that room.”
My pulse quickened. I nodded, clutching the folder like it was my lifeline.
The whispers around the office grew louder.
“He’s a bigshot.”
“Inherited his grandfather’s company.”
“Got into some trouble, needs legal help.”
“I heard he’s ruthless.”
I tried to block them out, focusing on the papers in my hands. Contracts, reports, legal jargon that blurred together. My fingers trembled as I flipped through them.
Max’s words from the weekend echoed in my mind: “You’ve hated Christmas ever since our parents passed away.” He was right. But here I was, about to face something bigger than Christmas. Something that involves being put on the spot.
Mrs. Debrowsky’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Lisa, the meeting is in one hour. Prepare yourself.”
I nodded again, swallowing hard. My heart raced, not just from nerves but from an unshakable feeling that this day would not be ordinary.
I spent the next thirty minutes buried in the folder. The words swam, but I forced myself to focus. I scribbled notes, highlighted key points, rehearsed introductions in my head.
“Good morning, sir. My name is Lisa, I’ll be assisting today.”
No, too stiff.
“Hello, I’m Lisa. I’ll be observing and taking notes.”
Better.
I practiced under my breath, ignoring the curious glances from other interns.
The office buzzed like a hive. Secretaries rushed past with coffee trays, lawyers whispered in corners, interns exchanged nervous looks. Everyone seemed to know this client was important.
One of the interns leaned over. “You’re lucky, Lisa. This guy’s a legend. Some say he’s impossible to deal with, but if you impress him, you’ll be remembered.”
Lucky. The word rang hollow. I didn’t feel lucky. I felt like a fraud about to be exposed.
I slipped away to the restroom, gripping the sink as I stared at my reflection. My shawl was gone, replaced by a crisp blouse and blazer, but my eyes betrayed me. Nervous, uncertain, haunted.
“You can do this,” I whispered again, but the words felt thin.
I thought of my mother, her steady hands decorating the tree, her laughter filling the room. I thought of Max, his teasing, his concern. I thought of the vow I made outside the store: No more hiding.
This was my chance to prove it.
Back at my desk, Mrs. Debrowsky appeared again.
“Lisa, remember, professionalism above all. This client is demanding. Don’t let nerves show. Take notes, stay quiet unless spoken to. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her gaze softened slightly. “I wouldn’t put you in this position if I didn’t think you could handle it. Trust yourself.”
Her words steadied me, just enough.
The hour slipped away faster than I expected. Soon, the secretary announced, “The client has arrived.”
A hush fell over the office. Doors opened, footsteps echoed, voices lowered.
I gathered my folder, my pen, my courage. My legs felt heavy as I walked toward the meeting room. Each step was a drumbeat in my chest.
The door loomed ahead, polished wood, brass handle gleaming. I paused, inhaled deeply, and pushed the door open, stepping into the room. The air was thick with tension, lawyers seated around the table, papers spread out like battle plans.
I slipped into a chair near the corner, my folder open, pen poised. My heart pounded, but I forced my face into calm.
The door opened, and the air shifted.
I looked up from my folder. The room fell silent as the client stepped in. His presence filled the space instantly—broad shoulders, sharp suit, a confidence that seemed to bend the atmosphere around him.
And then my breath caught.
It was Chase.
The boy from the garden, the kiss that had haunted me, a memory I had tried to bury. But he wasn’t that boy anymore. His chubby frame was gone, replaced by lean muscle that stretched against his tailored jacket. His jawline was sharper, his aura heavier, commanding. Even the way he carried himself, steady and deliberate, spoke of power.
I froze, my pen slipping slightly in my grip. My mind screamed, No, it can’t be him. My very second ever crush, and first kiss. Chase.
He moved to the head of the table, his gaze sweeping the room. For a moment, his brown eyes brushed mine, and I felt the ground tilt beneath me. Quick, sharp and undeniable recognition flickered there.
Mrs. Debrowsky began the introductions, her voice steady. “Mr. Chase Belmond, thank you for coming. We understand the urgency of your situation.”
Belmond. The name from the gossip at the store. The whispers about shady dealings, lawsuits, contracts. I hadn’t cared then, but now it was real, sitting across from me.
Chase leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “I appreciate your firm’s proactiveness. I need this handled quickly.” His voice was deeper now, smoother, carrying authority.
I tried to focus on the meeting, on the legal jargon spilling across the table. But my mind kept drifting.
How had he changed so much?
What had happened in those years?
Why did fate decide to throw him back into my life now?
My chest tightened. I forced myself to write, to keep my head down, but every time his voice filled the room, my pulse quickened.
Chase spoke with precision, his words clipped, his tone firm. “Josh Devan Delatrix has been a thorn in my side for years. His dirty tricks will do him no good this time, as I’m dealing with his s**t once and for all.”
Mrs. Debrowsky asked questions, lawyers debated strategies, papers shuffled. I kept writing my messy notes.
At one point, Chase leaned forward, his gaze locking on me. “And you are?”
My throat tightened. “Lisa Orwells. I’m… assisting today.”
His lips curved, just slightly. “Lisa” he said my name like it was a memory, like it carried weight. “you weren’t present at my previous meeting.”
“Oh don’t bother about her. She’s an intern. They take turns with these things. It’s part of her learning experience.” Mrs Debrowsky chuckled
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I ducked my head, scribbling nothing.
When it finally ended, Chase stood. He shook hands with Mrs. Debrowsky, nodded to the lawyers, then paused. His brown eyes found me again.
For a heartbeat, the room disappeared. It was just us, caught in a silence that spoke louder than words.
“I would appreciate Miss Orwells continued assistance with this. She looks… capable.
The lawyers exchanged surprised glances.
Mrs. Debrowsky raised a brow, but said nothing. Chase's eyes never left mine.
- Writer
