Chapter 4 - Nervous and Meeting
"I have nothing to wear," Iris groaned.
A huge pile of clothes was lying on her bed. She couldn't select anything to wear. None of it felt right.
Rhea sighed. "Stop pacing. You're making me anxious."
"I've never done a real meeting," Iris said. "Do I go formal? Casual? Formal-formal?" The meetings she had with the twins were in casual, baggy clothes or even pajamas.
"You go, you," Rhea replied. "Hold on."
Rhea quickly went through her closet and the pile of clothes on her bed. "Here, wear it," she picked out the outfit and handed it to Iris. She looked at the outfit.
"Heels?" Iris hesitated.
"Yes. Not sneakers."
"It suits your aesthetic and looks formal. Because you are 19, looking a little cute does not give a poor impression. Keep the makeup light and natural and let the curls run wild," she further added. "And wear pointed heels. It makes you look more formal," she picked up her black heels and handed them to Iris.
"Perfect," Rhea praised both her style and the beauty of Iris.
Iris followed instructions quietly.
When she looked in the mirror, she didn't look out of place. Just… young. But composed.
"What do you think about Sinclairs?" she asked Rhea. "I have heard they are filthy rich, though they are gentlemen. I have heard no scandals or complaints against them in the news. And, unfortunately, very attractive. Like Greek gods," Rhea told what she knew.
"That doesn't help," Iris muttered.
"They're not criminals," Rhea added. "At least not the kind that end up on the news."
That helped a little.
"You can do it," she encouraged the nervous Iris, whose legs bounced in nervousness. Her social anxiety kicked in. She didn't even get sleep last night, overthinking today's meeting.
"You'll be fine," Rhea said. "Go in. Be polite. Don't overshare. And don't apologize for existing."
Iris smiled faintly. "Thank you."
---
[flashback]
"Ms. Fields, I am Emilia Broome from Sinclair Corp. Mr. Sinclairs would like to meet you regarding a note and how you got the information."
"I am not sure what you are talking about," Iris tried to avoid the topic. Why were they contacting her? Her mind went into a full panic mode.
"Ms. Fields, we have proof. Sir has informed me that if you don't meet them, they would take legal action since the note contained some sensitive topics," Emilia carefully replied. The threat was evident in the message.
Iris let out a defeated sigh. Her work was indeed illegal, hence she didn't mess with big companies to get into trouble. She knew it was Sinclair's company she was helping, but she did not think that far enough for the CEOs to be calling her for a meeting.
She was going to blame the coffee. Her brain was functioning bright enough to think before doing that stupid thing.
"Ms. Fields, are you still on the line?"
"Yeah. When do I have to meet?" she meekly asked.
"Tomorrow 11,:30 am. Sinclair Headquarters," Emilia replied professionally. "I will send you the details on this number," she added.
"Okay," she said and hung up.
"Guess I need to go," she sulked.
[end]
---
Iris walked towards the reception. "Hi. I have a meeting arranged with Mr. Sinclairs." She further showed her phone, which had the proof.
"Let me check," the receptionist said. "Please take elevator 11 to the 52nd floor."
She pressed the button for the 52nd floor. The moment the elevator door closed, her anxiety kicked in. She told herself not to shake or stutter in front of them. Nonetheless, her hands were already sweating nervously.
'Do not embarrass yourself.'
*ding*
The elevator door opened to the mostly empty floor. A guard was standing at the entrance. "Ms. Fields?" he looked at her. "Yes," she cleared her throat. "Please follow me," he replied. Scary. She said to herself. Her eyes wandered around the empty white marbled lobby with contrasting golden and black furniture. It was like walking through another dimension.
"Please enter," he motioned to the door, which was 20 steps away from her. She thanked him and went forward. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.
"Come in," a husky yet languid voice answered.
Clenching her fist and relaxing, she entered the office. Her soft steps echoed through the room.
Jasper, who was facing the enormous glass wall, turned around. His eyes lingered on her for a couple of seconds. "Please have a seat," he ushered her towards the leather sofa with a gentle smile. Though his eyes held another story.
Iris sat down on the sofa, placing her purse beside her. "Hi. I am Iris," she introduced as she realized her stupidity. "Which you already know. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here," her cheeks reddened at her awkwardness.
"Yes, Iris," his smile widened at her skittish look.
Elias's shrewd obsidian eyes remained on her. Analyzing her in silence.
Iris shifted uncomfortably under his strong gaze. 'Stop looking at me,' she hissed in her mind.
The thick tension in the room was making her jittery. Her eyes remained on the floor as she fiddled with the hem of her skirt. 'Say something!' she screamed in her mind. The silence was eating her.
"Relax," Elias finally spoke up. His voice was a little deeper than his brother's.
"I-I am," she peeped at him, then at the vase beside him. Suddenly, it became the most 'fascinating' thing in the room. She could never maintain eye contact. Jasper watched everything with amusement.
"Would you like some coffee, Iris?" Jasper asked, walking to the countertop, which had a coffee machine. "No thanks," she politely replied. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat in front of her. A table dividing them. Elias sat beside his brother, his eyes never leaving her.
Her eyes watched their massive self. Their black suit perfectly fits their muscular figure. She squirmed when she looked at how tall and intimidating they were. Her anxiety makes it even worse.
Her eyes peeked at their faces. Rhea was right. They are like the Greek gods.
Jasper folded his hands. "You left a note on our documents."
Her stomach dropped.
"Yes," she said carefully.
"You knew who they belonged to."
"I suspected."
"And you verified the information."
"Yes."
Elias leaned back slightly. "Why?"
Iris hesitated. Lying badly would be worse than telling the truth carefully.
"Because it was inaccurate," she said. "And because acting on it would have caused damage."
"To us?" Jasper asked mildly.
"To you," she agreed. "And to others."
Silence followed.
Not heavy. Calculated.
Jasper finally spoke. "We'd like you to work for us."
"No!" she exclaimed.
When she realized how rude and abrupt her response was, she reddened in embarrassment. She tucked her loose curl behind her ear and looked at them. "I— I'm sorry. That was abrupt. I meant to say I am not qualified for such a job. I even skipped college. You can hire someone way more deserving than me," she carefully explained, not wanting to anger them.
Was this the reality? No.
Working from 9 to 5 daily. Talking with colleagues daily, making presentations, and attending meetings weekly to daily. So many people. Nope, it was a big no for Iris. Her antisocial ass wanted to pull a Zayn from this situation.
Elias studied her. "You didn't hesitate to interfere with our business."
"I didn't interfere," she said. "I warned."
Jasper tilted his head. "And you won't do it again."
"No," she said. "I won't."
Note. Fucking note. She cursed in her brain, wanting to slap herself.
Make a lie. Quickly make a lie. "It was sheer luck. I heard about it from my friend," she tried explaining. Quickly giving them a sheepish smile, her dimples showing.
Great Iris, what a way to tell a convincing lie, her subconscious sarcastically retorted.
Jasper chuckled at her silly attempt at a lie.
"Really?" Jasper leaned forward and placed his chin in his hand. Her eyes glanced at the tattoos that were inked on his hands.
"Yes," she squeaked out, fiddling with her skirt.
Please believe it. Please believe it. Please believe---
"Hmm."
'Can I leave?' she cried in her mind. She felt she was going to have a panic attack if they kept looking at her like that.
"Iris," Jasper began speaking. "It would be great if you don't leave such notes to our rivals or anything about us. It would be both good for you and us. I hope you get what I want to say. Hmm," he smiled at her. His voice was stern. But she knew these honey words were a threat.
She gulped and nodded.
"Words," he grunted.
"Yes, Mr. Sinclair," she meekly responded.
"Good."
Elias slid a card across the table. "If you ever change your mind." His blank face showed no emotions. Jasper looked at his brother with a weird look in his eyes, but maintained his usual charming smile.
'Is he a robot in human skin?' she thought.
"Thank you," she mumbled, picking up the card.
"You may go," Jasper dismissed her. She stood, nodded once, and left without rushing, though her steps quickened when she saw the elevator.
The moment she entered the elevator, she let out a heavy breath; she didn't know she was holding back.
Her knees felt weak. Her hands shook.
Never again, she told herself.
The Sinclair brothers were calm. Polite.
And far more dangerous than they looked.
She wished she had never crossed paths with the Sinclair brothers—and prayed she never would again.