The dark silk suit that was tailored specially for him should have a snake scale print weaved into the fabric. At one time, I believed he was a good person, I hate it even more that he knows more about me than the average man. I used to think he was so handsome, but now I know who he really is, and it’s all I can do to tolerate his presence.
His slimy half-smile tilts up on one side as on his tan, perfectly shaved face as he levels me with a glare from his almost black eyes, “What’s the matter princess, can’t handle it?” His Cuban accent used to pleasantly slide over me when we would talk, but now the sound of his voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard.
He wants to get a rise out of me, he wants me to screw up so I won’t get the big corner office next to my dad he’s been drooling over for the last year. The one that became available when my uncle announced his upcoming retirement.
To be honest, the office is more important to him than it is to me. I’m just enjoying making him work for it. Especially since I found out his family is wealthy in Cuba and he lied tome all about struggling to work his way to where he’s at.
Harris has always got what he wants. He would like for everyone to believe that he works hard, but one phone call to his father and money appears in his account like magic. I was witness to a temper tantrum once, albeit smooth and calculated, and I learned that when Harris is denied, hewillget revenge.
However, showing any sign of weakness will only give him power over me.
Giving him a show-stopping smile, I say, “I can run circles around you. I’ve already proven that.”
Alluding to his recent failure in the Enderson, Inc. case wipes the smug smile off his face. I think even some of the oily shine from his perfectly styled coal-black hair may have dulled some when his smile fell.
I managed to get the signatures needed from the family when he couldn’t; they wanted to sell, but my dad was low-balling them, and they didn’t like Harris. It’s my opinion that they could see the snake in him even when he was shmoozing. Once I stepped in and negotiated between them and my father, both sides got what they wanted.
The anger from that has been fueling his campaign to show me up to my father since.
He narrows his eyes, I swear if we were in a video game he would shoot lasers at me and tilts his head to the side a bit. “Game on, princess. Arrangements are made and we fly out next week.”
My only response is lacing my fingers on my desk as I sit up straight and cross my legs while cocking my brow, conveying that I’m not intimidated. He just smiles and pushes off the door. I listen as his footfalls recede on the carpet and when I know it’s safe the smile drops from my face, and I slump back in my chair.
Damn it!
Leaning on the arm of my chair with my chin on my fingers, I look at the damn folder like it’s a bomb. I’ve always told myself I can live in the business world as long as I don’t cross the lines I don’t agree with, but fuck if he hasn’t pulled me into a pissing match to prove to my father I’m not worthy.
He knows I hate this part of the business, only because I made the mistake of confiding my hopes and fears in him before I realized he wasn’t worthy of my trust.
With an exaggerated huff, I sit back up and open the folder for The Harlow Springs Ranch. Twelve hundred acres that was at one time a cattle ranch, but now it’s a horse ranch. It’s been in the same family for over a hundred years.
Flipping through the basic info, I scan the file to find the real reason my dad wants it. Ah, there it is, natural springs are dotted throughout the property’s hills, and he already has a bidder for it so they can build luxury spas for rich people who have more money than sense.
A little more digging reveals the rich Native American heritage of the area combined with the natural springs will put a spin on advertising that will have them paying big bucks and booking out in advance to experience ‘a piece of lost native history’.
Fucking vultures.
Resting my head in my hands, I try to push the anger down.
I can do this. Inhaling a deep breath, I count to three, hold it for three, and let it out for three. I’m going to need my yoga today, all the muscles in my back are bunching and twisting just by being in the same room as this file.
Just as I’m wrapping up my day, I quietly walk past my father’s office to the elevators and let out the breath that’s lodged in my lungs when I don’t see him at his desk. But my relief is squashed when I hear his voice.
“Elly, you gota minute?”
So much for my clean escape.
Squaring my shoulders and painting a smile on my face, I turn around and peek around the door to find him sitting in one of the chairs in his conference area. He is looking at the view through his floor-to-ceiling window.
“Sure, what’s up?” I drop my shoulder bag with my computer and that damn folder in it onto the couch by his desk and walk to the conference area to sit in a chair close to him.
He doesn’t look at me, but stares out the window, his usual authoritative air and reminder that he would rather pretend I’m the boy he never had sitting next to him. I got used to his disappointment long ago, but I would be a liar if I said it didn’t sting on a deep level every time.
“You got your next assignment?” It’s an innocent question, it’s meant to sound conversational, but this is him feeling me out to see if there are any chinks in my armor.
Casually linking my fingers in front of me, I nod my head, knowing he’s watching me in his peripheral, his eagle eyes looking for anything remotely like weakness. “I did, I was reading through it this afternoon. Do you want to go over it?”
“No, I don’t think it’s necessary.” He takes a calculated breath and sets his arms on the arms of the chair, letting his hands dangle at the ends. “I don’t need to tell you this is an important deal and has to be closed.”
