Page 17 of Tiebreaker

“I just need a few minutes” I say, “do you mind waiting while I get cleaned up? I've had a long week.”

He nods.

“Of course, I'll be down in the lobby.”

As I move to close the door, I pause.

“From what company did you say,” I ask, a lightbulb flickering inside my sleep-fogged, waterlogged head.

He glances down to his paperwork and then back up at me.

“Arion Investments,” he says, “you have heard of it, haven't you?”

“I’ve never worked there,” I say, but I have heard of it. And technically Ihaven'tworked there. I've worked in the lobby of it’s HQ building, at the coffee shop. I haven't worked at the actual company. My mind races backwards.

“Is this about the fire at the coffee shop,” I ask. “Is this insurance stuff, because I wasn't there when it happened.”

His lips part in the shape of an ‘O’ before he shakes his head again.

“Miss Copper. We should talk about this properly,” he says. “Get dressed, and let me take you for lunch. I'll wait for you downstairs in the lobby. Take your time, please. But we really do need to talk.”

Seven

Olivia

I’m notready for this. I put on my best shoes, without the worn-out soles.

I'm in business casual, not that I own much, but from when I was still in school I had a couple of skirts and a few shirts that could pass. No blazer though. I guess I should have invested when I finished up my degree, and was deciding what to do with my future. But applying for jobs and all that seemed too overwhelming. And I just ended up at the coffee shop instead. So all I have is a woolen v-neck cardigan to go over my button-down shirt.

I stare up at the tower for Arion Investments, and try to fight the shaky feeling in my stomach. Thankfully, it has two entrances. And because of that, I don't have to see the coffee shop. I'm on the far side of the building, where the big business people come and go. I approach the front door, and it swings open for me, a doorman tipping his hat to me.

“Good afternoon, Miss,” he says, “they're expecting you up on the top floor. Let me show you to the elevators.” I falter for a second. He knows who I am? My stomach shrivels in my gut. But I have to push forward. I smile, pasting it on my face, trying to be a normal human being.

Except I feel anything but normal. The world feels like it’s staring at me, seeing right through me, now more than ever. I used to be invisible.

Now I’m terrified that I’m not.

“Thank you,” I say, and he shows me into the elevator and presses the button for me.

“Don't let those three intimidate you,” he says, shaking a finger at me. The doors close before I can ask him what he means. My appointment with the lawyer had been confusing to say the least. Something about a bequest that I've been left some money or something like that. That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. Almost as crazy as people thinking I’m a girlfriend-for-hire for ‘dates’. He told me that I needed to come down to the main offices and speak with the CEO, Lansing O’Connel. And now I'm here, confused, and a little nervous. Apparently the company, which I thought was one of those big stock market companies isn't. It's privately owned and operated, and…

And the shares in it are being held in trust for four people from what the lawyer said, and I need to talk about that specifically. More details, he wasn’t at liberty to give me.

I've barely been able to sleep since he told me. And when I can't catch a glance of myself in the mirrored doors of the elevator I'm surprised that I don't look more exhausted than I do.

Holding my breath, I step out of the elevator into a quiet lobby at the far end a woman sits at a desk, and she gets to her feet as soon as she sees me.

“You must be Olivia,” she says, folding her hands in front of her as she smiles. “Go right in, the meeting is about to start.” She gestures to a pair of tall doors.

I look at them uncertainly, as if I'm not sure I should open them up.

She nods encouragingly.

“They’re waiting for you,” she says, almost gently.

“Thanks,” I say, grabbing the handle and pulling it open. Bright light washes over me from the floor to ceiling windows. Through them I can see Los Angeles. Pretty like a pearl, it shines in the early afternoon light. So beautiful it almost takes my breath away.

Movement to my left, makes me look at my jaw almost drops open at the sight of one of the most attractive men I've ever seen in my life.

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