Chapter 4 FOUR

Chapter 4

The atmosphere in the boardroom was tense and heavy. Ava perched herself on the end of the elongated polished table; the animosity that existed between her and Damon was as thick as fog. The others in the room, the senior executives and advisors, went right on as if everything was normal, talking about profit margins and future acquisitions. But all Ava could focus on was the man seated at the opposite end.

He had barely looked at her since she came into the room yet she could sense him watching her, like a dare. He looked at her and leaned back in the chair, his arm on the back of the chair and there was a look in his eyes that made her feel nauseous. It was as if he was expecting her to slip, to stumble, to mess up in her performance, or whatever one could call it.

But she wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.

She adjusted herself in the chair and moved her papers nearer to her. She had worked all night on this meeting, rehearsing every detail until the numbers before her became a blur. She would not allow him or any other person to see that she was in any way unsure.

Her chance came when the conversation turned to the department she was heading. One of the older men, Mr. Pritchard, was explaining the measures to bring down the expenses, his voice was slow and patronizing. Ava could not allow him to go on with such a statement and thus she cleared her throat to draw everyone's attention to her.

"I believe we can increase our revenue without sacrificing employee retention," she began, her voice steady despite the pressure building inside her. "If we focus on streamlining operations and improving internal efficiency"

A low chuckle cut her off.

Damon.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing as he met hers across the room. "Streamlining operations? That's your solution?"

The question, laced with skepticism, sent a flush of heat creeping up her neck. But she refused to back down. "It's part of a broader strategy, yes. I've outlined specific areas where we can"

"You mean you've outlined where we can cut corners?" Damon spoke evenly but there was no mistaking the tone of the challenge that was in his voice. He was not just arguing with her, but he was challenging her. Pushing to see how far she'd go before she broke.

Ava straightened, keeping her gaze locked on his. "No, I mean I've found ways to make the existing structure more efficient. There's no need for drastic measures when you can simply"

"Simply what?" "His voice was so soft that it sent a shiver down her spine. "You think this company survives on 'simple' solutions?"

The silence in the room grew heavy and dense as if the very air was waiting for what was to come next. Ava could sense the other executives shifting their gaze between the two of them, but she didn't back down. Damon wanted her to break down under his gaze, but she wouldn't allow it.

She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "I think this company thrives on intelligent, well-considered strategies. And I think that is precisely what I have proposed."

Ava experienced a moment of silence, where nobody uttered a word. She could only hear the beating of her heart in her ears. He then looked at her and she was unable to read his emotions. Then he reclined in the chair, put his arms behind his head and a subtle grin crossed his lips.

"Oh," he said almost laughing, "I guess we will know soon enough."

The atmosphere in the room relaxed a little but Ava was fully aware that this was not the end of it. Damon had let her speak, but the battle wasn't won yet. She would have to show that she is worthy not only to him but to everybody in the room as well.

After the meeting was over, Ava remained seated to collect her belongings while the others left the room one by one. She moved slowly, her fingers fumbling slightly as she shoved papers into her briefcase. She resumed the initiative with tension still high in her throat after the confrontation and still panting. She disliked the FACT that he can provoke her and that she can think of what he said even IF he is not there.

As she snapped her briefcase shut, she sensed someone standing behind her, the old feeling of dread rising like static electricity. She did not need to look back to realize that it was him.

"You did pretty good in there," Damon whispered. Too close.

Ava sat up but did not look at him. "I'm not here to be coddled."

"I wasn't offering." He whispered those words but the way he said them, she could easily picture his smirk.

She stared at him then, and for the first time in the boardroom, there was a passion in her gaze. "I know what I'm doing, Damon. I don't need your approval."

His eyes darkened slightly, something flickering behind them; something unreadable. "What you should be concerned with is not approval."

"Well, then what should I be worried about?" She did not know if she wanted to argue with him but the words came out bitter and edged with annoyance. He was always so calm, so restrained, and it was beginning to get on her tits.

Damon took a step closer, the space between them shrinking until she could feel the heat of his body. Her breath caught in her throat, but she refused to move. He looked at her sternly, almost as if he was trying to find something in her face. "Do not make decisions out of passion, Ava," he whispered, his tone menacing. "That's how you lose."

The words he spoke sent a chill down her spine but Ava sat up straight, she's not a mouse. "I am not the one who is biased."

There was a silence for a few seconds. They had tension and Ava could feel her heart beating against her chest. But she didn't look away from him. She wouldn't let him have that much control over her life. She wouldn't give him that power.

Damon forced a smile of half on his face but the glare of his eyes did not leave. "We'll see."

He said nothing else and went away while Ava was standing and thinking vigorously at the same time. She exhaled the air in her lungs when she tried to contain the storm that seemed to bubble inside of her. Damon was playing a game but she was not yet aware of the rules of the game he was playing.

But one thing was clear; she couldn't afford to lose.

All over the city, Lucas Hawthorne remained in his office, his hands clasped together in front of him as he gazed out the window at the buildings. He had heard of Damon Blackwood's recent activities and the elements of the game were slowly unfolding to him.

A smile tugged at his lips. Soon,

it would be his turn to attack.