Chapter Three

Evie was at the door waiting for her.

"So what's up? Are you going to accept the offer or you want it passed down to me? I'd be glad to go in your stead." Evie grinned, tugging her dress.

"Go to your office, Evie. I need some space to think about it." She sighed.

"No need to think about it. I've moved your things outside and there's a cab waiting for you to take you to the HQ." Abruptly, Camila turned to her with a questioning look. "What! Don't worry, I paid for it."

"Evie, I need to at least find a place to move into before i even start going to that HQ! " She groaned, rolling her eyes at her.

"The thing is, everything has been made available for you."

"You're talking as if you participated in pushing me out of this place." Mila turned to her fully, folding her arms. She must have something to spill.

"Well, you can't say or tell so let's keep it that way. All you need to know is that, Mr Dante and I have made everything ready for you. Best of luck, sugar. I can have your office all to myself. " She twirled around, giggling.

"God knows what you guys have been doing behind my back." Camila muttered and proceed to her office. 

It was empty. Really empty. 

In just that space of time she went to meet Mr Dante, Evie had packed her things out. That silly coconut head of a girl.

"What should i do, God? Not ready for this big thing that just landed in my hands like a piece of chicken."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ERIC

Eric watched the video Ad as it came to an end on his tablet, He removed his eyeglasses with gentle caution, placing them on the table before him and turned his attention to the lady who has been watching every of his moves with a lick of tongue. His secretary. He knew but chose to ignore. 

He doesn't give a shit about it. He would fuck her whenever he likes but now, he needs to watch her more often.

"How's the Ad sir?" Clara questioned, then proceed to drop the files in her hands. Her breast peeking for her flora short dress.

Eric looked briefly, "Yes, It's okay. Tell them I will not be around for the meeting. Josh will represent me." He took the files and opened. Then he smirked at the small picture glaring at him from the information file. "She's the one leading the project, right?"

"Yes, sir. I received a call that she's on her way already." Clara responded with a nod. Irritation appeared on her face as she glared at the picture Eric was smiling to. 

"Good. Set up a meeting with other new project members selected when she arrives. We have to move fast before the Luxoria takes any step. We are to be three times ahead of that goddamn company." He replied, waving his hand to dismiss her out of his office. 

Eric leaned back to his chair, his fingers drumming the hardwood table. His mind wandered off to the woman that seems to take another space in his every day thinking again. That week was not the first he'd met her. He'd seen her somewhere before. 

But where? 

His phone chimed, a message popped in and he read. After, his eyes caught his wallpaper on his phone, It was a picture of a dirty blonde lady in a white dress turning her back at him. Her face impossible to see. He sighed. He didn't know who she is and had no memory of how the picture got his screen but somehow, he didn't want to change it.

CAMILA

Camila groaned as she got out of the cab with her things packed neatly in a box. She stared at the building for the second time she's been here again. 

"Breathe, Camila. You’ve got this. All you have to do is to do your job and leave as soon as possible." She breathed in and out before moving forward. 

She'd been called by that annoying sounding if she was right secretary, that a meeting will be held as soon as she comes into the HQ. Mila walked further in, and the place seemed to part for her, security gates sliding back, elevators ready and waiting in hush.

She reached the elevators, feeling her heart calm, her stance set. Whatever waited above like deals, money, men who assumed power was a given especially her boss, she felt set for it.

Camila got to the lobby, her eyes wandering to see if she could find her new place and luckily, it was right ahead of her with the huge placard written 'Project lead office'. She quickly settled in. 

She gasped at how bigger it was than her former office. She could see the busy city from here. Okay, this is one great opportunity. Her phone chimed and that cut her office tour short. 

'The meeting is about to start. Come to the conference room.' She read aloud the first one.

The second one was from her mom, she sighed. Another number.

And a voicemail.

Against her better judgment, she played it.

"Camila, it's your mother. Again. Since you refuse to answer my calls like a respectful daughter, I'll leave a message. I need you to call me back about the money for the gala. And I spoke to Mrs. Henderson at the club, her son is a doctor. A real doctor, not a lab technician. I gave him your number. His name is Bradley. He'll call you. Try to be pleasant when he does, though I know that's difficult for you. And please, wear something flattering. He's seen your I*******m and apparently you need to update your photos. The ones from your father's funeral make you look dowdy. Anyway, call me back. Or don't. You're probably too busy with your little experiments to care about family. Bye."

The message ended. Camila deleted it.

She walked out of the door, a woman had crossed her.

 "Dr. Camila?" A woman in her late thirties appeared at her office door. Perfectly styled auburn hair, designer glasses, professional smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

 "I'm Dr. Sarah Jenkins. I'll be your senior research associate on the project."

"Oh! Nice to meet you." Camila stood to shake her hand.

"I have to admit, I was... surprised when they brought in someone from regional." Sarah's smile tightened. "I've been with the project since its inception. Eight months of groundwork."

"I'm sure your work has been invaluable," Camila offered diplomatically.

"Mm." Sarah's gaze swept over Camila's office. "Well, I've prepared the latest reports for you. We have a lot to catch you up on."

"They didn't even let me rest." She mumbled as she grabbed her laptop that was still warm. She had at least wanted to present something when she has read about what the project would be and what have been done so far. She'd done little of her research, at least that would show she was a serious and worthy enough to be the Lead Biochemical Researcher.