Chapter 57
Overt Ploy
Elena
What was Sophie doing here? The question remained with me when I walked back to my office, unanswered questions filling my mind.
I couldn't help the faint jealousy that sprang up when I'd spotted Sophia walking out of Damien's office, were they back together? I wondered, or had they always been together?
Perhaps the only good thing that'd happened was Damien promising to take care of Connor, I didn't know how but I'd found myself believing him. Perhaps Connor's actions wouldn't pose much of a threat, if Damien was that confident, he probably had a reason for his confidence.
I'd just turned the corner when I nearly bumped into a trolley carrying a thick pile of files and some stationeries.
"Watch where you're going!" I snapped, my annoyance temporarily spilling over for a moment and I moved aside to let the trolley move past. I was stunned to see another trolley following the first, it was also loaded with some things.
Someone was moving? I wondered, staring. It wasn't strange for someone to move their things when they changed offices, particularly after promotion.
But after checking the floor I was puzzled, where were they taking these things? As far as I knew Damien hadn't approved promotions for anyone recently, so where could they be heading to?
"Who's moving?" I asked the sweaty porter pushing the trolley but the porter mumbled a barely audible answer under his breath before he moved away, completely ignoring me.
I stared for a moment and I touched my nose in embarrassment but I snapped out of my daze and headed back to my office. Whoever it was that was moving in, it'd be revealed soon enough.
The remaining part of the day was filled with work as I went through files and paperwork, I only just realized how lax Damien had been to me when I went through the files, I couldn't afford to lag behind even more.
Connor's actions had left a deep imprint in my mind, I had to pull my weight if not for anything but to discredit others who might be thinking something was going on between me and Damien.
I went through paperwork, signed documents, and made adjustments. I was so engrossed in my work that I didn't realize it was late until a knock at the door broke through my thoughts.
"There's a briefing, you're needed," I had to stop my work and head out, all the while wondering what the briefing was about.
I was surprised when I walked into the briefing room, Damien and the others were all seated and from the looks of things, I was late.
What was going on? I stared, in shock. This couldn't be a briefing I thought, wondering if I'd heard wrong.
"You're late," a sharp voice came from behind me. I was stunned to see Sophia appear again, this time dressed in a more corporate attire.
What was going on? I wondered, sneaking a questioning glance towards Damien but his cold gaze cut me short. I quickly found a place to sit.
"There's been a development," finally Damien rose to his feet and began speaking, he'd just begun speaking when his secretary, Clara approached me.
"Mr. Damien requests for the documents you've worked on," she whispered.
"Documents?" I frowned, confused. "What documents?" I asked, glancing at Damien who was speaking on stage. No one had told me about any particular documents.
Clara had a dark expression on her face, "You were supposed to bring the revised documents here, that's what Mr. Damien is going to present," she spoke harshly while keeping her tone low.
"Well, the —" I hesitated, trying to explain but I felt a sudden hush fill the hall and a few dozen pairs of eyes were fixed on me.
My heart skipped a beat as I raised my head, meeting Damien's gaze. He was furious.
"I'll go get them right away," a lump formed in my throat and I got to my feet uneasily, and I almost tripped over someone's foot. "Sorry," I apologized and I rushed out in a hurry.
I ran as quickly as my legs would let me to my office, thankfully since I'd been working on the files they were on my desk. I quickly scooped them up with haste, not taking the time to arrange them properly.
By the time I'd rushed back to the briefing room, my breaths were already shallow from exhaustion. Clara took the files from my hand and took them to Damien who collected them without even as much as a glance towards me.
I stood for a few seconds, my heart sinking when I caught sight of Sophia. She smiled at me, her eyes holding a mocking gaze.
She was the one! My eyes narrowed and I suddenly had an epiphany, she was the one behind it. It was strange that there'd be a briefing of such scale and I wouldn't be told in time, but it'd all make sense if Sophia had something to do with it.
I didn't have any clues but a gut feeling, however I believed I must be right.
I sighed, Sophia was going to be a problem. Despite my doubts, I couldn't voice them, only finding a seat at the back to watch the proceedings.
The event passed without a hitch, and I rose to my feet, my nerves Tangled in knots as I waited for Damien to finish speaking to some people.
"Well done, Elena," Sophia chuckled, walking past me without as much as a glance. I heard murmurs of a ball being held later and I waited patiently, awaiting further instructions from Damien.
Finally, Damien walked towards me, his expression looked carefully blank but I got the feeling his eyes were cold when they met mine.
"I…I'm sorry," I blurted out, squeezing my hands together and I looked at the ground. I didn't think any excuses would make much of a difference.
"Hmph!" Damien scoffed coldly, "You disappoint me."
I felt my heart tremble at his words, I could feel the blazing fury embedded in those simple words and I could feel even more—his disappointment in me for letting him down.
"You can go back home," Damien turned away from me. "Sophia and Clara will suffice for the ball later."
"Sir… please…" I blinked furiously, trying to stop tears from falling but Damien didn't pause to listen to me.
He strode away, leaving me with my heart in my hands, bruised.