THE CONFRONTATION

Cole Med-tech was a giant thirty-story building that would easily dwarf her father's law firm if placed side by side. Above the entrance, the company's logo, a styled double helix, rotated in a continuous dance like carousels in an amusement park. Anna paused on the sidewalk, craning her neck to look at the full range of the building. Somewhere up there was the man who had stolen her work, and he has to pay for it.

She clutched her portfolio tighter as she passed through security while she fought to keep her breathing steady. The floor in the lobby was shining, and there was a big red plus (➕) sculpture in the center.

Anna walked to the reception desk. "I'd like to see the CEO," she told the receptionist, glad that her voice didn't shake.

The young lady behind the desk, a tall blonde with sharp greenish eyes, barely glanced up from her screen. "Your name, please?"

"Annabelle Bennett."

"May I see your appointment ticket?" Her manicured fingers hovered over her keyboard.

Anna's stomach tightened. "I don't have one."

"Then I'm afraid you can't see Dr. Cole. He doesn't attend to anyone who has not scheduled a meeting." The woman's tone was curt, as if she couldn't wait to turn Anna away.

Even though Anna had expected this kind of response, her palms still grew damp with anxiety. She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice to a murmur. "But I spoke with him earlier. I'm from BM Digital's legal team. I'm here regarding the copyright of the newly launched cardiac imaging software illustrations." 

It was not entirely a lie, she told herself. The part of it that was a lie is that she had not spoken with him, and she's not from BM Digital, but she's her own legal team.

"Can I see your business card?" The receptionist narrowed her eyes slightly.

Anna's heart skipped, she hadn't anticipated this. She made a show of searching through her bag. "Oh no," she pressed her palm to her forehead, hoping the gesture masked the sweat that was forming there. "I must have left my purse at the restaurant where I had breakfast. My cards are there."

The receptionist just stared at her and Anna was sure she could see through her pretense. "I'm sorry, but without proper identification, I cannot allow you to see him."

Anna let her shoulders drop in defeat. "Alright," she sighed. As a last resort, she straightened, squaring her shoulders. 

"Then please make sure to tell him that since he has refused to grant us an audience to discuss settlement terms, our next step will be a court summons."

She stepped closer to the desk, dropping her voice to a whisper so that only the receptionist could hear. The marble floor made each click of her heels louder. "And I'll make it very clear exactly who prevented this case from being handled quietly." Anna held the receptionist's gaze, watching as uncertainty crept into her greenish eyes.

The lady's composure cracked, just slightly. Her fingers fidgeted with her pen in nervousness. Anna felt a pang of guilt at causing someone distress, but she couldn't help it. She pressed on. "Are you sure you want to take responsibility if this case boomerangs, Miss...?" She let the question hang in the air.

"I'll take my leave then." Anna turned on her heel, counting silently. One step. Two steps. Three-

"Wait!" The receptionist's voice was higher than before, slightly strained.

Anna allowed herself a small smile of victory and smoothed her expression before turning back. The receptionist was already speaking into her phone, her voice honey-smooth but slightly shaken. "Sir, Ms. Bennett from BM Digital's legal team is here regarding the cardiac imaging software illustrations' copyright." She paused. "Yes, sir." She lowered the phone, but her eyes were cautious. "Dr. Cole will see you now."

Anna nodded her thanks, suppressing both her triumph and the guilt in her stomach as she followed the receptionist's directions to the elevator. At least, she had gotten access to the man she came to see.

The ride to the thirtieth floor gave her time to study her reflection in the mirror-like doors. Dark circles were under her eyes, and her shoulders slumped in fatigue, she had not taken anything other than the coffee she had the previous morning before she started sketching. She'd pulled her auburn hair into a knot, aiming for a professional appearance, but staring at her reflection now, she thought she appeared desperate instead.

She brushed her hair and gave up on her appearance. What mattered more was the money, and hopefully, she will get some from this company.

Anna felt a chill the moment she stepped into his office. The office was wide, about three times the size of her college apartment, but the furniture that decorated it was sparse, which left much room to move around in. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the entire wall to his right, offering a breathtaking view of Boston Harbor. Her fingers itched to replicate that view on canvas. The atmosphere felt different, like she had been thrown into another planet.

 The CEO was bent over a large table studying some documents. There was a multi-million dollar Rothko painting on the wall directly behind him, where most people would have hung their enlarged portrait. His suit jacket was hung on the back of his chair, and the sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to reveal tanned forearms that implied he spent much time outdoors. A Patek Philippe Nautilus watch adorned his wrist. 

She felt a sudden pull of attraction. For some time, she forgot why she was in his office. She caught herself, but not before her cheeks flushed pink. The mere sight of him reduced her confidence.

He spoke without taking his eyes away from the table. "Will you state why you are here or keep staring?" His voice cut through her wandering thoughts.

"Dr. Cole," she managed, fighting to keep her voice steady. "Thank you for agreeing to see me."

That's when he lifted his head, and Anna felt the full impact of steel-gray eyes on her as she took her seat. 

Oh no! She groaned inwardly. Why am I so unlucky? Of all the men in the world, why did it have to be him?