Chapter 6 Lexie's POV

Chapter 5

Lexie's POV

The atmosphere in the conference room was thick with tension. Everyone present including me had no idea what was going to happen next. Ethan sat calmly as he glanced at us. I wondered what he was going to do next after what happened with Susan. Maybe he would discover something else that did not seem professional. Who knows or maybe I would be the one in the hot seat.

"Thank you all for your patience," Ethan began, his voice steady.

I almost snorted at that. There was nothing patient about me sitting here. But I wasn't going to let that be known to every other person here. I was already in his black book. There was no need to be more of a nuisance especially since I was only just temporary.

"As I mentioned earlier, I'll be working closely with both the architectural department and public relations, but I want to emphasize the importance of Miss Thompson's team within this structure, which was why I requested you be present." He continued.

I watched him silently as he continued his speech because what was what it was apparently.

"Her department is temporary," Ethan continued, his gaze locking onto mine. "However, I want to see what your team can do and how we can integrate your efforts into our overall objectives. Your contributions matter, and I expect you to treat this opportunity as seriously as I do."

As much as I was delighted by this opportunity, I could not also shake the feeling that Ethan did not see me as someone capable. I hated that he emphasized that my department was temporary. I'm sure it won't be long until everybody in the company finds out that I'm just a temp. I imagined flying across the table to punch him but then thought better of it. Ethan wasn't worth it...at least not yet.

"Do you currently have any clients?" Ethan asked, directing the question to me.

"Yes, we do," I said to him,

He stared at me like there was something more he wanted me to say. But he asked a question and I answered it. Wasn't that enough?

"And?" He prompted with a raised eyebrow.

"And..." I said in reply because I wasn't sure what he was asking me.

He released a sigh of irritation. "Is there anyone of note? Anything I should know about?"

"No. There is nothing I cannot handle." I told him.

That reply did not sit well with him. He looked annoyed and I felt delighted. Serves him right for trying to. make me feel lesser than I am. I reported to him but that did not mean he was going to scrutinize my work. I wasn't going to give him that opportunity to do so.

"We are to work together." He said to me, his voice thinly veiled with irritation.

"And you hired me to do a job even if it's only temporary." Emphasis on temporary, "There was a reason I was hired and we have clients, yes but it's not my first rodeo. I can handle this." I said to him,

Ethan stared at me with those mesmerising eyes, although this time, they were not filled with warmth. There was anger brimming beneath the surface. I could sense it and I was ready for it. Too bad there wasn't an opportunity to display my skills because his phone rang at that moment.

He glanced at it, his Express shifting slightly.

"Excuse me for a moment," he said, stepping away. "I need to take this call. We will continue some other day." He said dismissing us.

I watched him discreetly as he walked out of the room. Did I mention how good his legs looked in the trousers? Ethan was a good-looking man even if he was being infuriated at this moment. I hated that even after everything I still felt attracted to him.

The other department heads began to gather their things, and I moved to gather my things. There was no need to stay seated.

Amber approached me just as we were walking out of the conference room. "What a whirlwind." She said,

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You have no idea. I feel like I just ran a marathon."

"Seriously, you look drained. Although with the way you challenged him...you go, girl. Don't let any man belittle you." She said with a smile.

"Yeah, it's just...Mr. Blackwood is intense." I told her

"Tell me about it. At least it will shake things up around here because while we are the best, things have been going a bit down rail." She said to me,

I understood what she meant. Blackwood Enterprises will always be the best at what they do but there have been rumours that the quality wasn't what it used to be. They are rumours but with Amber speaking up, perhaps they are not just rumours.

"Let's hope he knows what he is doing." She said to me,

Yeah, let's hope he does although I wasn't in doubt. I was sure Ethan was going to do wonders with the company.

As we wrapped up, I made my way back to my office, feeling exhausted. The meeting had taken a lot out of me. Something I never expected a meeting could do to me. The hallway buzzed with activity, employees rushing to and fro, as I navigated through the crowd.

When I entered my office, I found my coworker, Elizabeth, sitting at her desk, a mischievous grin on her face.

"There you are! I was beginning to think you'd been swallowed whole in that meeting," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Believe me, it felt like it!" I exclaimed, sinking into my chair. "You wouldn't believe the chaos that just unfolded."

"Oh, do tell!" Elizabeth leaned in, clearly intrigued. "What happened?"

I took a deep breath, trying to summarize the meeting without diving into the details of my history with Ethan. There was no need to tell her though. Ethan was Ethan and the person I met today seemed different from the person I had met in the club.

"Turns out we are going to be working directly with the CEO and the other departments we were already aware of but emphasis on the CEO part," I told her.

"So he is going to be monitoring us?" She asked me.

"Yup. Like a bunch of kids."

"I'm not even surprised. We are a new department so I was kind of expecting that all eyes would be on us." She told me.

Well, I wasn't expecting it.

"So......how hot is he?" She asked me.

I stared at her as I tried to fight the smile making its way to my face. "Seriously?"

"I need to know so I know exactly what to wear when coming into the office. Who knows if I'll run into him." She said to me,

I couldn't hold it in anymore and laughed freely. "You are one crazy girl."

"I know." She said with a wide smile. "Now tell me, how hot is he? Chris Hemsworth hot or Henry Cavill hot?"

"Neither," I told her truthfully.

Ethan was hot but he was unlike the people she mentioned or perhaps I was just biased because, to me, he was hotter.

"I don't believe you." She said with a wide smile.