Chapter Four – Katy

Nerves cascade through my system as I make my way down town to the Debroils Enterprises office for an emergency meeting with the owner there because his company is having some serious financial issues and they need a new plan. I wasn’t intending to take on any more clients until after the partner decision meeting, but since Grant asked me in front of two of the senior partners, including Doug Harrison himself, I felt like I couldn’t say no. To be honest, I don’t know if that was an intentional thing. I don’t know if he meant to throw me under the bus like that in a way to sabotage me, but here I am, doing it for him, wondering how I allowed myself to get railroaded.

It doesn’t matter now, I tell myself firmly as I step much quicker. I just need to do a good job, that’s all that matters. Screw Grant, screw worrying, I just need to prove myself.

Maybe I can use this as a way to make myself look even more suited to the position. After all, it isn’t me who said I didn’t have the time, it’s Grant. That won’t exactly look good, will it? I mean, I might end up pulling a lot of all nights, but again it’ll all be worth it.

The only night I absolutely cannot back down on is Friday. I can’t be in the office then no matter what. It’ll be the absolute last straw with Robyn since she’s been planning a low key night out for my birthday ever since last year. I promised, and after the double date nightmare I cannot do it again. I just can’t. No matter what, Friday is to be kept free.

I have to admit when I stand at the foot of the Debroils Enterprises building, I’m impressed. I’ve been to a lot of offices in my time, but this just screams ‘luxury’. What a shame that it’s all just a sham and that it’s all falling apart. I clutch my briefcase closer to me and shake my head in dismay. The best looking things are always the messiest inside.

Right, I think with sheer determination. Get in there, make this work somehow.

Easier said than done, I know, but I have to put my best foot forward. I step inside and head to the front desk where a bored looking receptionist with the longest nails taps away at her computer. She types so fast, even quicker than me, so I have to assume that she’s not really writing anything at all. I guess she’s one that’s just an expert at making herself look busy.

I stand in front of her desk, waiting for her to give up the rouse and finally acknowledge me. She knows that I’m in front of her, my shadow is casting over her, this must be a power play on her part. I don’t care if she wants to play that, if that’s what makes her happy. I need the moment to get my brain in order anyway, to prepare myself for this unexpected job.

“Yeah?” she finally drags her eyes away from the screen to ask in a tone that shows no respect whatsoever. Much as it gets my back up, I refuse to rise to the bait.

“Oh thank you, I didn’t want to interrupt you. I’m looking for Evan Debroils.” I only remember it so well because it’s such an unusual name. “Do you know where I might find him?”

“Top floor. Elevator’s there.” She pointes behind her then gets right back to fake typing again, effectively ending the conversation before I can get a chance to say anything else. Maybe this rudeness is something I should mention to Evan, but it seems she works for the building rather than his office.

“Right, thank you.” I’m not going to let her rudeness affect my behavior.

I make my way over to the elevator and wait for it to descend. Luckily because it’s late morning now, there aren’t hundreds of people jostling to get inside like I’m sure there are early on in the day. I need this alone time to steel myself. The thing is, I always have confidence when I go into meetings, that’s essential for getting people to believe in me and in Harrison and Associates, but that’s always because I’ve had time to do some solid research and I’m properly focused. It’s just lucky that after filing the paper work for Mr. Thomas that there isn’t anything I can do for him for the moment, but I still don’t feel as focused as I’d like to be.

I need to recover from that quickly though, because it’s almost time for me to put my brave face on! I need to remember who I am, how hard I’ve worked, how I can do this.

I step into the elevator and take some deep breaths. I slide my eyes closed to center myself, which isn’t easy because of the terrible music playing over my head. Why do people think that elevator rides can’t just be silent? It’s beyond me! It’s a time to focus and relax. I don’t need tinny, horrible, old fashioned music getting in the way of that.

Before I feel like I’ve had enough time, the elevator stops and the doors open wide, bringing me right into the middle of the office space. Workers scurry busily around me, completely ignoring my existence as if they’re used to people randomly bursting in during the day… which judging by the elevator positon, I suppose they are. To me, it’s strange, like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

I tentatively step forward, wondering who the face of the company is, the person that I’m supposed to talk to right away. There’s usually a clearly indicated desk, but not here. I can’t help but wonder if it’s designed to confuse people on purpose. Suppliers, clients, visitors, they are already at a disadvantage for not understanding the structure properly.

“Hello there, Miss,” a syrupy voice grabs my attention. “Can I help you please?”

I twist to see an intimidatingly sexy woman smiling back at me. She’s one of those who might not be a classical beauty, but knows what she has and she works with it well. Her face is painted to the max, she has red lips that are almost intoxicating, her blonde hair falls past her shoulders in waves, and her clothes are tailored perfectly to her frame. She’s the sort of woman that I imagine men desire to work with, she’s like an office fantasy brought to life in front of me.

I glance down at myself, seeing a crisp, slightly washed out and very tired version of myself. I know that I can look better, I just don’t ever have the time to. And to be honest, people respect lawyers who look all business rather than someone with a face full of make-up. Still right now that doesn’t make me feel any less intimidated. I’m like the nerdy girl faced with the cheerleader.

“I, erm…” I can feel my face flame with embarrassment which is very annoying. “I’m here for a meeting with a Mr. Evan Debroils this morning. I’m the lawyer.”

“Oh, right sure.” I almost sigh with relief that she’s expecting me. “Please come with me.”

I follow her through the office and as we go I can feel all eyes upon me. I have no doubt that the employees of this business have no idea what’s really going on, and my presence alone is bound to cause whispers. I know why business owners do this, they don’t want to cause panic and low morale, but sometimes I’m sure the rumors are worse than the truth… although maybe not here.

“Hold on a moment, I’ll just go and see what Evan is up to. Please take a seat.”

I perch my butt on the edge of the chair and I wait. And I wait, and I wait a bit more. I can’t stop my eyes from darting towards the door of Mr. Debroils office and I get a strange feeling about what might be going on inside there. Normally I would know about a man’s reputation before I got involved, so I could prepare myself, but today I wasn’t given the time. I wonder how tacky it would be to do my research while I wait. Is this the sort of man who would fool around with members of staff? In my personal experience, that always leads to failure because of distraction, because of the strain that it puts on the business owner’s family, and because it’s just damn mess.

“Right.” Finally, before I get the chance to pull out my phone. “Evan is waiting for you.”

I search her discretely, trying to see any signs of fooling around, but there doesn’t seem to be any. Maybe I’m just cynical now and I’ve seen too much so I judge everyone whom I’ve seen in the past. Maybe what I need to do is go into things with an open mind.

I push myself into a standing position and I try my hardest to find a more positive mind set, then I step inside the office. A luxurious room with the largest mahogany desk I’ve ever seen. The illusion of money is definitely here, but not the actual cash flow!

“Hello there, Mr. Debroils, my name is Katy Atwater and I am your lawyer…”

“Yes,” he interrupts rudely. “Ally just told me. Where’s Grant? I specifically asked for Grant.”

His words sting me hard, I don’t like the way that they make me feel all inadequate inside. “I understand that,” I rasp. “But Grant is not available, so they have sent me.”

He runs his hand through his dark mane, looking incredible stressed. “But I wanted Grant for a reason, I know that he’s capable, we have worked together before.”

This gets my back up. I don’t want to be seen as any less capable as Grant from this man who doesn’t know me at all. Plus, I really can’t lose this contract now, it’ll absolutely kill my chances.

“I assure you, Mr. Debroils, that I am just as capable. I have worked on just as many cases as him and I have had more success.” Pride fills my chest as I realize how true that is. “I assure you, I will work hard for you and will ensure that we reach a resolution that suits you.”

He pauses thoughtfully for much too long, only stirring up my dislike for him. If he dares to make any derogatory comments because I’m female and I will flip. I’m just as capable, damn it! I stare at him, glancing over his piercing green eyes, his high cheekbones, his strong shoulders… I suppose he would be very good looking if he wasn’t such as ass.

“Fine,” he finally agrees. “I don’t see that I have any choice, so yeah, let’s do this.”

I part my lips, ready to say something else, when his cell phone blasts out. Without any consideration for me being in the room he grabs it from his pocket and he pulls it out. I can instantly tell from the way that his cheeks pale that it isn’t going to be good news, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s anything to do with the financial mess. I need all the details if I’m going to make this work. I’ve had people hide stuff from me before and it always comes out in the most embarrassing way possible.

“I just need to take this in private,” he tells me quietly. “I’ll be right back.”

As he goes from the room I try to assess how I feel about him, and it isn’t good. He’s arrogant, secretive, and potentially a sleaze. On top of all of that, he’s got his business into a royal mess as well. I don’t know how I’m going to make this work, but somehow, I need to do my best. My future career depends on it.