Chapter 17

I unlocked my PC, sent the files over to Cleo and Prue, and got out of there. As I was putting my bag over my shoulder, I saw Damian in the doorway watching me carefully. I couldn’t quite understand why he had chosen me for this or what the moment was between us. Either way I knew it couldn’t happen again. I just needed to get started on Project Orion; I needed something to focus on.

The following morning as I arrived, Cleo was at her desk but there was no sign of Prue.

“Hey, where’s Prue?” I asked.

Cleo scooted her chair closer. “She’s been with Mr. Ice since she got here. She didn’t even get her coat off before he called her in. He didn’t sound happy either.”

“Ouch, so he’s in a fantastic mood today. This is going to be fun. Do you know what he called her in for?”

“No idea.” Cleo responded.

She wheeled back over to her side as I logged on. We heard the door open and instinctively looked over our shoulders to see Prue walking out the office. She didn’t look happy. I was about to stand and follow her to check on her when Damian called.

“Cleo, can I see you please.”

His voice wasn’t as stern as I had heard previously, but there clearly was an undertone to it. Cleo looked at me for guidance.

“Stay strong, you got this.” I smiled.

As soon as she was inside, I went in search of Prue. I found her making a drink in the kitchen.

“Hey, are you alright? Cleo said you got called in as soon as you arrived?”

Prue huffed, “Yeah, he wants to make sure we don’t blow it.”

“What do you mean?”

“The contract with Dan, he wants to make sure we know our place and how much is riding on us getting it right.” Prue snapped.

“That’s not fair, you two are amazing. I know you will succeed with this. And I'm there if you need to ask anything. I don’t understand why he is pressuring so much.”

“He has figures to hit, and this print run will massively exceed them.”

“As long as you are alright?”

“I’m fine.” Prue confirmed. “I can handle Mr. Ice, the question is, can you?”

Her question threw me off guard. I tilted my head trying to think of something to say but she laughed it off and finished making her drink. I walked back in silence. Cleo was already back at her desk and was on a call with Dan. Her camera was on, so I gave him a wave as I walked by.

As I opened my inbox, there was an email with files on from Damian. There was also a meeting request for 9:30 a.m. I spent the next 20 minutes looking through the files I had been sent trying to make heads or tails of them. I saw Damian leave his office just before the meeting. It was then that I realised the meeting request had a room booked against it. I quickly scooped up my laptop, notebook, and pen and scrambled after him.

As I entered, he was just taking a seat close to the door. I opted to sit opposite him. His stare was intense.

Maybe sitting opposite wasn't the best idea, I thought to myself.

“I hope I didn’t upset your team this morning.” He spoke.

I shook my head, “They will be alright. I have faith in them. Afterall, I did train them.”

“Confidence in your skills is admirable.”

I blushed as I realised my comment could be seen as big headed. He connected his laptop to the TV screen in the room and opened one of the attachments he sent through to me. He talked me through what was on there and what information he wanted extracting and compiling. We worked like this for the next hour or so. I took notes upon notes down.

“Alright, now, how do you propose we show what information is required in the simplest format for the directors to understand?” He asked.

I thought for a moment, while my brain decided on the best option of all the ideas floating around. I started explaining different options depending on how he wanted the data to be displayed.

“Show me.” He directed.

I pulled my laptop close to me and opened a spreadsheet that I had designed for something else on a job a few months previous. Damian took to his feet and moved to the seat next to me. As he took a seat, his knee brushed against mine. I couldn’t help but blush at the contact. My mind flooded with the memory of the moment we shared the night before.