Beauty and the beast

5

The week has been draining. I'm glad it's finally Friday.

I was setting up the conference room for a meeting that has been stressing Mr Hernandez all week long. He was meeting with investors who flew in from Greece, this deal was very important to him.

I put down a packet of information that I had printed, stapled and cut last night. I hadn't gotten much sleep but at least everything is ready for today. I completed my round around the large table and started another one but with water bottles and glasses.

When I had finished making sure everything was set in the correct place and I made sure the coffee tray was full of everything, I sat down for the first time since I entered the office.

I was seriously thanking myself for wearing flat shoes today instead of heels. I wore a light blue jumpsuit with cream shoes and hoop like earrings. My hair was in the best resemblance of a bun at the top of my head because it lost its curls and I needed to wash it. I looked pretty natural today, I didn't even put on makeup. Not that I put on much besides lipgloss, mascara and eyeliner.

My phone vibrated on the small table in the corner for myself and I checked it. It was a message from Jess, we had exchanged numbers before I left the office on Monday. We've been chatting since.

"Are we getting lunch today?"  read her message and I replied with "Of course".  We've been having lunch together in the tea room or at the bistro down the block since Monday, it's our little tradition.

It was now 09:55 and Mr Hernandez walked into the room with at least ten men following him in. He looked at the table before looking at me with a slight look of approval in his eyes. He never says thank you, you just see whether he approves your work or not.

"Thank you for flying in gentlemen, I hope to make this meeting worth your time. If you need anything, Ms Matthews, behind the table is available. Okay let's begin," he spoke in his usual tone and all the men looked at me when he had pointed at me.

I dimmed the lights and turned on the projector with the presentation I had prepared already presented. He started discussing business things and I got distracted.

He looked handsome, in his element while charming the investors and their advisors. He wore black slacks, a black blazer and a crisp white shirt with the top button open. He looked like he was in charge like he had influence. It was his everyday look but I haven't been paying much attention to just how attractive he was until now.

"Why do you think we should invest in this deal, my child?" the older looking man, who sat at the end of the table, next to where Mr Hernandez stood asked me.

I looked at Mr Hernandez with slight panic in my eyes. He smirked at me with crossed arms. He must've noticed I zoned out and was checking him out, shit.

Good work Nadia.

I cleared my throat and begin trying to save myself.

"Well sir, without any bias towards Mr Hernandez or the company, I think it would be the best use of your money. As you have seen from the presentation, all investors here at Hernandez towers are yet to regret their decision to invest in any project. Mr Hernandez is one of the few people in this day and age where you'd get your money's worth. Some would say he's παλικάρι," I finished as the whole room went silent and I wondered if I had said it correctly.

They whispered amongst each other in Greek and I looked down at my hands. I felt Mr Hernandez's intense stare and I didn't blame him. My reply could cost this deal.

"We'll take it," the man replied after they finished their whispering

I breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back into my chair.