Gwen's pov

"Did the order for gemstones arrive?"

"Yes Ms Carter".

"Are the reports for new recruits ready ?".

"Yes Ms Carter."

"And what about those issues with the finance department?"

"Fixed Ms Carter."

"What's in my schedule?"

"A meeting with Mr Smith and his friend in twenty minutes. Then you may want to check the progress of the new project we took in, followed by a meeting with the HR manager, and a video conference with our new clients."

Today's schedule was full. I didn't complain when I had a lot to do, it gave me a reason to not think about my past, not to wallow in self pity. Work till you drop is my motto.

"Your getting good at your job." I appreciated Lisa. I still remember the clueless girl who attended the interview, she was so nervous she knocked down a whole stack of files I had just finished. I challenged her to finish the work she messed up in two hours, surprisingly she put her fears aside, and managed to complete it in one hour. I hired her, never had any regrets.

"You look good." I heard Lisa say. I smiled at her. I wore a black pencil skirt with white collared shirt and a matching black blazer. It went well with my favorite black pumps and a pair of golden hoop earrings. I put on some concealar and red lipstick. This will do today.

"Thanks, now get back to work." Lisa gave me the stink eye trudged back to her cabin. Now I can face the world.

************

I walked into the conference room, to see three large men sitting together. I immediately recognised the salt and pepper hair of Luke Smith. Luke Smith was an engima among the bossy and arrogant businessmen. He was one of the first investor in my company, he backed us up f inancially and guided me when I trudged around like a clueless monkey.

"Luke" I greeted happily. Luke looked up in confusion but his face too broke into a full blown smile. He steeped up and embraced me in a warm fatherly hug, a kind of hug I had never received.

"Gwen this is John Scott, John this is Gwen Carter" he introduced a bulky man with narrow hawk eyes. "Pleasure to meet you Mr Scott" I replied my smile professional.

"This is my son Christopher" I heard Luke say. I looked up hearing Luke's voice to see a pair of mesmerizing gray eyes, a shade that could make you weak in the knees.He was not a male model, but he should be one. Luscious hair sat like a mop of golden threads on his head. His bristly eyebrows were drawn together, it looked like a crease mark on paper, my hands itched to smooth it out. His concrete jaw and broad shoulders spoke of strength. His eyes held a strong determination as though any other emotion would make him weak. He made a firm eye contact challenging you to back down, or you would pay a price.

Stop gawking at him a like a creepy old man. Far from thinking of you as a businesswoman he will think of you as a psychopath. My subconscious mocked.

I extended my hand for a handshake muttering a quick "Hello". His large hand enveloped mine, his hand was not rough for a hunk like him, it was surprisingly soft and felt good. Tearing my eyes away from him, I looked up "So, how can I help you?"

"I want to organise a charity ball for kids with cancer hence an auction, so I was hoping you could make the jewelry designs for us." I heard Mr Scott.

"Of course" I smiled. Nothing made me more happy than being identified with my company. I felt like a proud mother, as awkward as that sounds.

"Ahh here's comes the man." John said looking towards the door, to see another figure emerge.

"Ms Carter meet my brother Sam." Ohh no, why does fate put me up with the worst people in history and when I put them back into their place I'm the bitch. Like how does that work.

Sam Scott was your typical player, no sense of direction in life. Life as bad as it could get loaded him up with money and fame. He basked in people's attention, and hogged the limelight. I just had to keep myself from punching his annoying face. I smiled towards him, to notice the pervert was staring at my legs. Idiot, no use talking to him anymore.

"Where have you been all my life?" Sam tried an awful pick-up line. Did he seriously think this would work on me.

"I've been right here, running my company" I countered. Fiesty I like I heard Sam say.

Christopher and Luke were glaring at him, as though wishing nothing more than to put a hole in his head. Luke I understood his proctectivness over me, but his son Christopher why ?

Why did he care to glare at Sam?

John was oblivious to the rising tension, he should continue talking if he wants his brother in one piece. More than one person in willing to beat the lunatic up.

Sam casually wrapped his arms around my waist, his hands dangerously close to my lower back. Can I just kill him? It's not like anyone will miss him.

His brother would miss him. My subconscious mocked.

I smiled sweetly and stomped my heel directly on his shoe. I mentally did a happy dance for wearing pumps. Heels hurt more. Sam yelped in pain, taking his hands off me and rubbing the sole of his feet. I almost missed the proud look of Luke and relieved expression of Christopher. Why would he be relieved?

"Ohh I'm awfully sorry" I told him pouting a little and spotting an innocent expression that fooled no one. "We should always see where we put our hands and legs."

Even though Sam understood the hidden meaning of my words, he gave me a tight lipped smile. Ha take that you deranged monkey, never mess with a girl who has high heels.

"Since, this is the first time I'm working with you. I'd like it if you and Luke do this together." John asked rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Of course, ready to work with me again Luke" I asked him eyebrows raised a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

"Ohh no, I think Gwen and Chris can handle this together" Luke answered. I looked into Chris's gray eyes, it made my insides fuzzy. Him and me together not a good idea. Like at all.

"Ready to show the old men, how things are done" I joked at Chris giving Luke the stink eye.

"Let's show the old man" Chris agreed with me. His deep voice made me want to hide in a corner, a shiver ran down my spine. Thankfully no one noticed it.

"So I'll send the papers, can you discuss the terms tommorow" John asked rising to his feet.

"Sure" I replied just as Luke walked him out. Now it was me Chris and the pig. Gah will Chris hold his hands back if I want to punch him. Like it's a noble thing to do.

"You know Gwen, I have a lot of influence, I can get you to places you have never been. If we can meet for dinner, and then probably a little something, you can have me completely" Sam purred in what he thought was a seductive voice. You call that seductive it sounds like a dying pig. Who gave him permission to call me Gwen. Only people I like and know call me that.

A murderous expression crossed Chris face, he balled up his fists ready to throw in a punch or two. Normally I would love to watch the show, but punching the idiot would lead to consequences for both of us. Men always draw blood and fists, there are other ways to tackle situations. I put my hand over his balled up fist. He looked at me questioningly as though I denied him the right to defend my honor.

"I don't like used things Sam. Your reputation of being a man wh*re clearly states that you have been used far more times than the tissue paper in my bag, so let's not have wishful thinking."

Sam looked up, if he had a brain which I doubt he had, he would understand the meaning of my insult. See that's the way you do it. Sarcasm was the best thing in the world I tell you.

"Goodbye Sam" I took Chris hand and led him out of the cabin leaving him look like a fish out of water.

****

"So let's meet tommorow to discuss the deal?" Chris questioned rubbing the back of his neck.

"Sure, if that's okay with you." I replied.

"Okay then, umm bye." He said not looking into my eyes.

"Bye" I said, still he made no move to leave, confusion etched into my face. I didn't want to let him go, why ? What's wrong with me?

When was something right with you, my subconscious again. I'm telling you me and my subconscious are gonna have a talk.

"Umm could you, please let go." Chris asked awkwardly. I didn't know what he meant, I was still holding his hand. Heat crawled up my neck, ohh gosh this is so embarrassing. I immediately let go of his hand. Chris looked amused, of course he looked happy. Billionaire Gwen Carter made a fool of herself.

It's not the first time. Yet again folks mocks my subconscious.

"See you tomorrow" Chris muttered and went towards the exit.