Lost in Miami

Chapter 11

I could die in my spot right now!

My knees were trembling as I was setting up my laptop on the projector. My mind is in a daze when I think of presenting this in front of him. My heart is beating so erratically that I think I’m starting to lose my senses. I shut my eyes and began to calm my nerves down when I heard Austin speak.

“I have already gone through the designs which were submitted by Miss Smith” he said making me look at him. He was staring at me “In fact….. I like them.”

My eyes widened with what he spoke.

“Sir?” Miss Smith was equally surprised as the others including myself in the conference room. We all thought that this work would not be up to the mark as the William Industries, but he approved! I could see everyone with happy faces.

“But…” Okay! I think the happiness was too soon . He took out a slide from the material which was submitted to him and showed it to Britney while saying “I think I would want some changes here, in this.” He pointed out the laces drawn at the edges and something else which was out of my sight.

“Oh, this slide was done by Rachel Davis. Sorry, she is new here. I could guide her…” as Britney was speaking Austin lifted up a hand to stop her mid-sentence. “It’s okay Miss Smith. I would like to talk to Miss Davis about this myself. Is that okay Miss Davis?”

Britney looked at me—that look where you know you have to succumb to whatever the enemy is going to tell you. “Uh….well…”

Austin looked at me. “Will you stay behind, Miss Davis?”

I looked at Matt and then at Britney again. I wanted to ask for help but she was arching her brows at me, telling me to agree at all costs! What?!

“Rachel?” Britney called me when she noticed I wasn’t answering. “You’ll stay behind with Mr. William, right?”

Oh damn!

I shut my eyes before looking at Austin. “Yes, Mr. William…” I said and I saw that familiar smirk , just sitting there on his seat, which screamed at me with evil intentions.

Fuck!

“Right! So, this meeting is adjourned.” Austin said as he stood up. “I’m looking forward to the completion of this season’s collection Miss Smith.” He extended his hands towards Britney which she took. Wow even the uptight high maintenance Britney looks a bit smitten. Huh! This arrogant good looking bastard!

Even Matt shook his hands and everyone was looking very happy while here I was, hyperventilating much.

Britney and Matt walked to me after shaking hands with Austin and his team. “Please do your best to defend our designs. We need to do better than the other team if we need promotion,” Britney whispered.

I nodded. It’s not like I have any other choice, anyway.

“You can do this, Rachel!” Matt tapped my shoulder before going out of the conference room.

I took a deep breath. I feel like all my senses are leaving me. My mind is blank. My heart is racing incredibly fast. My system is almost shutting down. How will I be able to do this if I’m not my usual self?

Austin said something to his team before they exited the room leaving him and me alone. Oh God please…by any chance could this be a dream? My eyes stayed on my laptop, silently praying that this is just a dream and that I will wake up and nothing like this is happening. But when I heard Austin’s footsteps getting closer, I lost hope. This is not a dream. I am here, in one room, with him. Alone. We are alone.

Austin stopped when he reached by my side. I bit my lower lip and slowly looked at him. My heart almost jumped out of my chest as I saw his deep grey eyes looking down at me so intensely. He doesn’t even budge, continuously looking!

“S-so…” f**k! Imma make a fool of me right now. I know I will! Austin pulled a chair. “Sit Rachel…” he said. I swallowed and sat. “Thanks” I muttered as I fixed myself on the chair. He pulled a chair too and sat beside me. He leaned closer to me as he looked at the slides in his hands.

I glanced at him and saw how focused he was on the slides. Wow, is it just me or does he look more handsome than the last time I saw him? Now that I’m close to him again, I can see how long his lashes are. I can see how perfect his eyebrows are. How tall his nose is.

I bit my lip and looked away. I shouldn’t be admiring him in the close distance. I cleared my throat and collected my cool again. “W-what changes do you want me to make?” I asked as I fumbled with my laptop.

I heard Austin sigh. “I think these laces would be more suitable on the train rather than on sleeves.” I looked at him and he was still staring intently at the slide. I thought he was here to get back at me. I was expecting that he would confront me and I had braced myself for that but he is all professional talks. Well its better this way. I’ll just forget about everything.

“Miss Davis, aren’t you taking notes?”

“Oh, yes” I took the notepad and pen in my hand and started scribbling whatever he advised.

“Well, you obviously write pretty good notes afterall.” Oh s**t! And I’m suddenly reminded of the note that I left that morning on the bedside table. WTF! He is taunting me.

“So you really are here to get back at me, right? I know I was wrong in the first place and I really feel bad about what I did okay, I’m sorry.”

“You should be.”

“Why is it a big deal to you anyway? These things happen.”

“Wow. For someone who was virgin just a few days ago, you’ve got a lot to say about one night stands.”

This arrogant bastard. Look at his audacity! “I am who I am. Your approval is not needed.” I snapped at him just when I realize that he is my boss now.

Guilty enough, from the corner of my eye I looked up to check if he was angry but to my surprise, the corners of his lips were lifted a bit and lips pressed tightly as if he was trying not to laugh. I have to keep my emotions in check. I cannot snap like that in future.

This time he seriously addresses the issue on the designs. The most satisfying thing was when I pitch in my opinions and he looked surprised that I know much more than just some basic stuff. Of course I haven’t worked anywhere officially before, but I majored in fashion designing. I used to always keep up with the trends and other related stuff. He totally bought my opinion. Maybe he’s not that bad.