Chapter 5 Fated To Meet

[Raelyn’s POV]

The next day, I wake up early and head to work while nausea threatens to engulf me. I’m not sure if it is from the pregnancy or if it is nerves over turning in my two weeks, but by the time I arrive at work, I feel like I’m going to throw up.

“It’s okay.” I tell myself, sucking in a few deep breaths. “It’s all going to be okay.”

It wasn’t like I was leaving this place with nothing. I had my savings and a degree that would certainly allow me to get a job wherever I went. Of course, I would struggle for the first portion of it, and I knew that raising a child alone wasn’t exactly easy, but I was used to being alone and doing what I had to, so nothing was really changing.

“Okay.” I announce, pulling down my visor to make sure that my makeup and hair look fine. “Let’s do this.”

Placing a smile on my face, I climb out of my car and head into the building. The minute I do, I’m met with a flurry of motion and a nervous energy that is so thick you can cut it.

Frowning, I look around until I spot Tabitha, my friend who started at the company around the same time as me, and start moving.

“What’s going on?” I ask, taking in what is happening.

“Rae!” She gasps, her golden eyes widening. “It’s bad.”

“Bad,” I repeat, furrowing my brows. “What do you mean?”

“The CEO!” She gasps, panic filling her eyes. “He’s coming for an audit.”

“And?”

Maybe there was something wrong with me, but I didn’t quite understand why everyone would be so nervous about that. The company was running fine thanks to upper management and the employees doing as they were meant to.

“Have you not heard the rumors about him?” She snaps, giving me a look of disbelief.

“Rumors. Are you really going to let a bunch of rumors frazzle you?”

What was this? Some kind of daytime drama where the CEO came in and fired everyone just for funsies? Why on earth were they so worried?

“He once fired an entire team for a single mistake.” Tabitha pushes, brushing some white-blonde hair that has fallen from her bun out of her face. “And another because he didn’t like the way they presented themselves.”

Remaining silent, I consider what she is telling me, but again I just can’t bring myself to be too concerned with what she is saying. Hell, why should I be when I wasn’t going to be with the company much longer anyway?

“That’s too bad,” I say now. “I guess that means that everyone should certainly be on their best behavior. Don’t want to upset the CEO after all.”

“Why are you so calm?”

Because I’m going to be leaving the company in two weeks. I respond silently. Whatever happened no longer applies to me.

“Because what will happen will happen.” I say openly. “Now, I need to go to HR before the morning meeting. If you’ll excuse me.”

Smiling, I give Tabitha’s arm a squeeze before heading further into the office. As I move, I run into more and more workers in a frenzy, and I can’t help but feel a bit curious about the man who would be visiting the company.

Was he truly that scary to have everyone freaking out like this, or were these rumors put out to keep everyone from slacking off? I was sure it was the latter, but it was still amazing how effectively the plan was working.

“Poor fools.” I murmur when I reach my destination. “Here’s hoping that nothing happens to any of you.”

Lifting a hand, I knock on the door in front of me and then wait until I hear someone within to tell me to enter, and when I do, I stop after only entering a few feet.

Eyes widening, I take in the man sitting at the desk in front of Miss Everly, our HR rep. Even if a month had passed, I recognized him instantly, and in that moment everything in me started to scream, "Run away." Get out of here before he recognizes me.

However, when his eyes come to rest on me, I don’t see a hint of recognition, and I’m left feeling a bit conflicted.

“Sorry,” he says, smiling as he rises to his feet. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“N-no,” I rasp, flushing over how I was acting. “I’m sorry. I just felt that I might have interrupted something.”

“Not at all,” he chuckles, flashing me a million-watt smile. “I was just leaving.”

Nodding, I watch as he gives a nod to Miss Everly and then heads toward me, and when he passes by, I half expect him to grab me and drag me along with him, but he doesn’t do such a thing, and I’m left with nothing but relief.

“Miss O’Malley.” Miss Everly calls, drawing my gaze to her. “How can I help you?”

“Oh,” I gasp, releasing the breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” she giggles, her eyes flashing in amusement. “Most people would be surprised by such a fine specimen of a man.”

If only that was the issue. I think, moving forward and then grabbing my two weeks out of my bag. But that isn’t the case for me.

“I only came to give you this.” I tell her, passing the note. “I apologize ahead of time, but there has been a… situation…. That requires me to travel for a bit, and I’m not certain when I’ll be back.”

“Oh, dear. I do hope it’s nothing too serious.”

“Well, it isn’t anything dire.” I tell her, smiling. “Anyway, I need to go, otherwise I’m going to miss the morning meeting.”

“Of course, dear.” Miss Everly beams. “And please, if there’s anything we at Dawson Industries can do to help you, let us know.”

“Absolutely.”

Giving one last polite smile, I turn and head out of her office, and to my surprise, the man is waiting out there for me.

“Hello, again.” He says as I feel my heart rate kick up speed. “Did I startle you?”

“No.” Yes. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“There is,” he confirms, his beautiful green eyes glowing. “I was hoping that you could show me where the morning meeting is being held. You see, I’ve never actually been here, so I’m a bit lost and could really use a guide.”

“Shouldn’t you speak to a secretary about that?” I ask, hoping that I wasn’t coming across as too rude. “They’d be more helpful than me.”

“I don’t think so.” He counters. “I think you’re perfect for my needs.”