The one where she handles her first case

~ Bella ~

I stood in front of the conference room, practically shaking with fear.

Maggie had informed me a few minutes ago that all the parties had arrived and were waiting for me in the conference room.

I should have gone in but I was stalling for time, hoping I could regain my nerves first.

I tried to remember everything I knew about breathing exercises but I was drawing a serious blank.

"You can do this! You can do this, Bella," I chanted, psyching myself up.

In my hand, I held a file of papers including the contracts that Irene had delivered to me.

I pressed it tightly to my chest. Parker and I had spent all of the last two days poring over it for every loophole possible.

He'd also been grilling me for these past two days, trying to prepare me.

But even though he'd done a great job, I still felt ill-prepared.

"I'm going to mess this up," I muttered to myself.

"Now, that is concerning," a deep voice said suddenly behind me.

I squealed and jumped almost two feet into the air.

I