Chapter 20
Nothing Stays Hidden Forever
Here it is. And I've also made a faux pas. It'll be chapter 23 when we get to the serious talk. I had to break this chapter in half. It was way too long. And if I can get it completely edited after I get off of work tonight, I will post the second half of this chapter.
And I'd also like to thank each of you for what you've done for me. This story makes it easier for me to be able to handle my job. The encouraging reviews help me to get past stories of my clients and there are days when I so desperately need that. Thank y'all very much.
Thank you for your reviews, favorites, and alerts. I appreciate each of you.
For all past, present and future chapters, the main characters belong to Charlaine Harris. The story idea and side characters belong to me.
I was not a happy camper when I got to the office the next morning. The argument that Eric and I had last night, kept me awake for most of the night. I was having a perfectly quiet dinner alone. I was enjoying reading about the problems of the world and how they were getting better. And then he showed up. At first he was great company; great conversation, great feelings, just great to be with him. Then he ruined it. How dare he question me about my sexual relationship with Alcide! How dare he ask me for his name! Knowing Eric as I do, he would have hunted Alcide down and caused major problems. He is fucking that No Town background actress Freyda Madden and he had the NERVE to be upset about me seeing someone else. He's probably been with tons of other women. I've only been with two men my entire life and he has the gall to question me?
"Men!" I screamed.
When I walked through the lobby of my apartment building this morning, I wasn't as pleasant or as friendly to the staff as I usually am and they noticed. Some of them even turned and went the other way when they saw me coming. I was grumpy and barely said good morning. There was no one to blame but Eric Northman. I'll apologize with a big batch of peanut butter cookies next weekend. If I made them tonight, I'd probably ruin them. Eric even caused me to suffer from severe road rage. It was sheer luck that I'd made it to work without maiming or killing anyone. He always gets to me and I always let him.
When I got off of the elevator, I heard talking and laughter coming from the conference room; great, just great. Am I the only one that's in a bitchy mood? When I entered the room and looked at their faces, I could see that I was. What a great way to start a Saturday morning!
Everyone from my team was here and they were on time. That pleased me but what really kept my attention was the conversation that was going on in the front of the room. Eric and Selah Pumphrey were standing at the podium talking to each other. Selah, a member of my research team was leaning on the podium and twisting her bottled blonde hair around her finger. She was grinning and blushing at every little thing that Eric said and I know Eric Northman. He's really not that funny. His jokes are really kind of weak if you ask me.
"Good morning," I said as I walked into the room
"Oh, good morning, Sookie," Selah said as she looked me up and down. "You look nice this morning. I love that jacket."
"Thank you," I said. I wish I could've complimented her on her attire as well.
I was dressed in a white cotton poplin blouse under a black blazer with white piping and a black knee length pencil skirt that fit me perfectly. My strappy black sandals were the finishing touch. Selah was wearing a shirt that left nothing to the imagination. She kept leaning forward so that Eric could look down her shirt. And I have to admit, he was doing a fine job of not staring.
I thought to myself, that he may as well look. Everyone else has. Anyhow, her skirt was so short that if she bent over, I could've seen what she had for dinner three nights ago. And I could've sworn that I'd seen a nipple through her blouse. Even though it's Saturday, the dress code still stands.
"Good morning everyone," I said as placed my things on the table.
"Good morning, Sookie … Hey, Ms. Stackhouse," were the greetings that I heard. Eric didn't speak. He only stared. While he was staring at me, Selah was desperately trying to keep his attention on her.
"Good morning, Mr. Northman," I said as I returned his stare. "I see that you're meeting everyone."
He smirked but ignored the comment. "Good morning, Ms. Stackhouse. It's good to see you looking so well. You look very beautiful this morning."
"Thank you. You look very nice yourself, Mr. Northman."
As I laid out my things, I couldn't help but notice how Selah was hanging all over him. Hmpf … after I go over the presentation, I think that I'll throw in a little information on fraternization and sexual harassment. Don't get me wrong, I'm not jealous. I just think that we need a refresher course; to keep everyone up to par on company etiquette. It's more than apparent that some of us lack decorum.
Though it was never my intention, because I would never do that, I innocently listened in on their conversation. Selah was running her finger over his tie and telling him how a well-dressed man always makes the best impression. "You never see very many men dressed in perfectly tailored suits anymore. It's very becoming of a powerful man." She batted her false lashes at him and giggled.
Really? Did she really just say that? We're in lawyers' office. Most of the men here wear tailor made suits. I shook my head at the sheer stupidity of her comment … which was stupid.
Eric gave her a devastatingly, handsome smile and thanked her. "I always appreciate a compliment from a beautiful lady," he said.
"Ha," I said at the idea of Selah being called a lady. Anyone that knows her knows that she is far from being a lady. They both looked at me and I started to clear my throat.
"Ahem; I need a Halls." I pointed at my throat and said, "Itches."
Eric tried to hide his smile.
Selah looked at me and rolled her eyes. She heard me and she didn't like it. "Well, Mr. Northman …"
"Yes, Ms. Pumphrey," he said.
"Puh-lease," I mumbled.
"Mr. Northman," she said intentionally in my direction. "Since you're new in town, would you like to go out sometime? I could show you the many sights that New York has to offer. I know that you'll love it."
I'm definitely reiterating the sexual harassment clauses in our contract. She shouldn't be asking my boy ... the CEO of our company out for a date. I am not having it. Again, it has nothing to do with jealousy. Company protocol is my only concern.
I shook my head and snorted. Under my breath I said, "I know what sights she wants to show you."
She stepped in closer to him and said, "I can show you a lot of things."
"I do apologize but I'm not ...," he started.
I may be mad at him but he is so much better than she deserves. She looked at me as she continued to twist her hair around her bony finger. Was she taunting me? Does she realize that she's my underling? Well, I've got something for her.
Well, taunt on bitch! I've got a surprise for you come Monday morning. I'm writing her bony ass up.
Let's see how she likes that. She's been here long enough to know the rules. It will be her first and final warning. I'm definitely not jealous. Protocol is protocol. And I am a stickler for the rules. I have always prided myself on following the rules.
What the...!
Did she just touch his face?
"Bitch," I said. I can't wait to write her up.
"Excuse me?" Selah asked as her voice went up an octave.
"I said 'which'. I was trying to decide on which PowerPoint presentation to use." I gave them a fake smile and went back to going through today's agenda. "You two go ahead. I didn't mean to interrupt."
Eric kept watching me and smiling. He was doing this on purpose. If I had the authority to write him up, I would.
"So, is it a date, Mr. Northman?" Selah asked him. She was batting those false lashes 100 miles a second as she flirted with him.
"I hate to disappoint such a beautiful young lady but I am already with someone," he said. "It has been a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Pumphrey but I need to speak with Ms. Stackhouse before the meeting starts. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Selah stared at Eric as he left her standing in front the podium. She looked as if she was about to start crying. She couldn't believe it. She has never had one man in this firm turn away from her; especially not for me. And it's true. No man ever tried the things with me that they tried with Selah. For one, I wasn't one to be toyed with and secondly, I wasn't a sure thing. The guys knew that they didn't stand a chance in hell with me. I've only had two lovers my entire life and one of my lovers is in this room.
"Good morning," he said. Resting the palms of his hands on the table, he leaned down close to my ear and said, "I'm sorry about last night. I was wrong and out of line. I was jealous. Don't be mad at me, Sookie."
"You're damned right you were out of line," I said. "You had not right to say what you said to me. And I should be mad at you. What you said to me was just plain rude. Did you really expect me to be celibate while you were gone?"
A smirk appeared on his face. "I'd hoped it."
I didn't want to laugh at him but I did. "A-hole," I said.
I then looked to my right and Selah was watching as Eric leaned in closer to me. I instantly put my serious face back on.
"You had no right to be angry because I'm seeing someone else. I had no idea that you were coming back. If I'd known that there was even a chance of you coming back, I … never mind. But when you do come back, you bring someone named 'Freyda' with you?" I finally inhale. "And then you kiss me and touch me like you have no girlfriend when you have one. I may have liked it but I'm not playing second to anyone. Don't get all excited either. I'm not saying that I'm taking you back. You were a jerk to me last night."
When he sat down beside me, he brushed my hair from shoulder before kissing my earlobe. "Forgive me," he said. "I was jealous." He traced his finger over my arm.
I shivered.
Selah watched.
I can't write her up Monday.
"I cannot stand the thought of another man touching you. You are mine. You will always be mine." He licked his lips as he admired me. "I'm coming to your home tonight. We will to talk. I want what is mine and I will have you."
Why did my body have to respond to anything that he had to say? It was so much worse when he was smirking at me. It was like he knew what he made me feel. The feel of his breath in my ear made me think of him as he pressed me against the door last night. I could feel him nibbling on my ear.
When I looked at him, my body was flushed. I licked my lips as I stared at his. "We can't do this, Eric."
"Yes, we can and we will," he said. "I will have you, Sookie. Tonight."
"Eric, you don't understand," I started. Before I could finish my sentence, the others started filing into the conference room.
"We'll talk later," he said as he walked away to greet the others. Everyone had already taken their seats at the conference table when Einin and Niall entered the room together. I stayed seated behind the podium and waited my turn.
When everyone was present, Eric and Niall went to the back of the conference room and watched from there. Einin started the meeting. She has always been very shy but when it comes to conducting a board meeting, no one can do it like she can. She is the best at what she does. I aspire to be as great as she is. She spoke with such conviction and authority. She commanded respect and respect is what she always received.
"We are a branch off company of the exclusive and very successful franchise, E&E Enterprises. That means that we are the first law firm that Mr. Northman has acquired. Everything … most everything will remain the same except for the name of the company. As you all know, we are no longer CAPRA but E&S & Associates. You've all met Mr. Brigant," she said as she pointed at Niall.
He nodded at everyone and said good morning in a smooth and beautiful voice.
Einin then continued. "He is the head of the legal department for E&E Enterprises and I'm sure that he'll a great addition to E&S & Associates. Those of you that didn't get to meet him yesterday, make sure to stay behind and speak with him today. Also, you will be meeting our new CEO. Please, show them your best by giving them your best." As she was ending her speech, she began to introduce Eric. "Give your undivided attention to Mr. Eric Northman, the new CEO of our company."
Einin took the seat next to Niall. I noticed that their legs touched but neither of them shifted the touching limbs. Go on, Einin! I remained seated behind Eric so that when the introduction of the new CEO was done, I could begin discussing the project that we're working on.
Eric was smiling and his eyes looked pleasing. He almost looked approachable. "Good morning, everyone," he announced. "My appearance has been misleading to quite a few businessmen and women. My age has always been a factor. Don't let my looks mislead you." The smile was suddenly gone. The friendly persona was now put on the shelf. "Let me educate you on whom and what I am." He told of how he taken over his mother's companies. He told them of how at twenty-eight years old, he'd purchased two of his mother's rival companies and sold them off, piece by piece. "Their mistake was that they tried to manipulate and intimidate me. Some of them still are but we are getting a handle on that."
He looked at Niall and Niall nodded his head in agreement.
Eric then returned his icy gaze back to his audience. "I've made E&E Enterprises larger than my mother could have ever imagined. I've made things happen because I'm determined and I'm ruthless when I have to be."
He walked from behind the podium and continued to tell them all that at twenty-eight, he made the companies even more powerful than his father had in the thirty years he was president. "I have worked hard to maintain what my mother's family built from the ground up. With or without your help, I will do the same for this company. If you fail, then I fail and I don't believe in failure. I've had this same meeting with some of your other co-workers earlier this week. As you know, some of them are no longer under my employment. I don't take kindly to failure and I don't tolerate deceit, dishonesty, and irresponsibility. Your jobs are based on your character. If you are filled with any of the aforementioned qualities, there is no place for you here."
Huh?
Uh-oh
In my mind, I raised my hand and thought, 'What about Flynn; your daughter? I wrote you letters telling you that I was pregnant but you didn't write back. Oh, and what about your father? He didn't want me around and said that it was best that I went on my way. What would he think? Does that count as being deceitful, dishonest, and irresponsible?'
He named off a million other character flaws that he would not tolerate. Everyone was looking at their co-workers but they knew not to say anything. "Does anyone have any comments or questions thus far?"
There were no comments.
There were no questions.
He went on to tell how we, as a team, can work together to make the company grow. "If we don't work as one, we cannot succeed. We can't stop at good enough. It has to be the best. Every company has the potential to succeed. There is potential and success in every company. You have to want to do it. You have to do whatever is necessary to get it."
He looked around the room and I loved how he looked. He spoke with pride about what he does. I loved it and I was proud of him. "Questions?" he asked.
A member of my team, John Quinn, stated that he had a question. "I read in Business Weekly that the companies that you claimed as your own were not at their most successful when you took over. There was immeasurable potential for these companies before you took over but the effort was never put into making these businesses prosper. Many said that because of those companies in general and their history, there was no chance for success. They said that it wasn't possible to bring them back from the dead. And when you took over, you made the impossible possible.
"I say this because during that time, your father was in charge of your mother's businesses and they were barely above sea level. He could have had the successes that you have now. My question goes to your father's frame of thinking. Was he trying to make the businesses go under? I ask that because in the January 2001 issue of the Fortune 500, he talked as if E&E Enterprises had no chance of success; especially if he had to step down to let his 'inexperienced son' take over. Well, he had to eat those words when you made possible what he said couldn't be done. Was your father intimidated by your strength and your determination? "
"Since he's no longer a concern of mine and no longer under my employment, it doesn't matter. But I will answer your question. I've never taken the time to ask him about his feelings of failure or inadequacies," Eric said. "I have always believed that Appius saw me as a threat. I believe that I've always intimidated him … made him feel inadequate. To be honest, he had every reason to feel that way. I am everything that he wanted to be but could never achieve. He was in his sixties and his twenty-nine-year-old son had out done him in only three years." He began to smile. "He'd had the company under his rule for over thirty years and he'd never been at my level when I was an intern."
My God, I wanted him.
He moved on from the subject of his father and onto more important things. He continued speaking of what he expected from all of us and he expected no less from himself. "It's my company but it's ours. We will work together to make it grow. We have to …"
I'd never wanted a man more than I wanted him right now. As he walked back and forth, my mind traveled to this morning when I woke up.
I was still mad at him, don't get me wrong but it felt right being with him again. When I went to the sink to wash my face, I saw it. I took a deep breath and sighed. For the first time in ten years when I looked into the mirror, I looked different. I looked like I did when I was in love and with him ten years ago. I looked happy. Not the 'mommy kind' of happy but the 'I finally got my man back' kind of happy. I looked like 16-year-old Sookie.
When I saw her staring back at me, I couldn't help but wave at her and say, "Hi." I hadn't seen her in years. It was nice to see her again.
"Sookie," Eric said.
"Yes," I said to him.
"Do you have any questions for me? Is there anything that you want to know?"
"No," I said. I jumped up from my seat and said no again. "If you're done, I'm ready to proceed with the case that we've been working on."
He smiled at me and said, "The floor is yours." Eric took the seat that I'd vacated as he watched me.
"Well, let's get started," I said to my team.
When I said that, everyone started talking at once. They stated that the client was difficult. They stated that he didn't like anything that we'd presented to him thus far. Selah asked, "What do we have to do to make this man happy? It's almost like he's going to turn away any and everything that we bring to the table. No offer is good enough for him. His only goal is to bankrupt the guy."
Everyone agreed with her. They were right but he is still our client.
"We have to talk about how we need to change our plans for Sam Merlotte. Merlotte's hired us to save his business from being copied by an ex-associate. This former employee has opened a restaurant that mimics Mr. Merlotte's down to the letter and because of it, Sam's losing business and most of all, he's losing money. And he's looking to us to help him. We have the investigators and the money to help him and that's what we're going to do." With my clicker in hand, I walked to the back of the room and I started the PowerPoint.
We discussed the history of the company. We discussed what has worked and what has failed. We discussed the ideas that had been presented but weren't good enough. We compared the rip off business to what Mr. Merlotte established years ago. And no one has been able to at least get an injunction for the rip off restaurant.
When we got to the end of the presentation, there was even more mumbling and grumbling. I walked back to the front of the room and stared out at my team. I stood behind the podium and put the sweetest smile on my face as I watched my team arguing back and forth. I listened as they blamed the client for being difficult. I listened as they blamed each other for not working harder or so and so is using the best investigator on a different case. All I heard was blah, blah, blah.
I heard Einin whisper to Eric and Niall, "Here she goes. The whirlwind of the courtroom, we call her."
"What's with the grumbling? This isn't your first time seeing the history of Merlotte's and how he's about to lose everything that he's worked to have, right? We all know that he's being shafted by a former employee of his, right?"
The eight members of my team mumbled nos and yeses.
"You all have access to this information on your company iPads and computers. Am I right? The case files and other nonsensical items?"
This time I heard a few silent yeses. Others kept quiet. They saw that I was about to get riled up. Einin was smiling.
"There is no excuse for what has been prepared for this client. You each have a choice. You can do it right or you cannot do it all. The door swings both ways here. I have given you all more than enough time to submit some decent arguments but each of you have handed in less than stellar work and you're the ones that want to gripe and complain?"
How can they embarrass me in front of our new boss? They are supposed to be the best team in here and this is what they do? They had really pissed me off. I took the crap work that was submitted to me earlier this week and threw them on the table. "This is what I've been seeing on my desk this week. Shit," I said calmly.
He was already impressed with me but Eric came to attention when he heard the real Sookie take over the meeting.
"These are arguments that have NOT worked in the past and you submit it as if they are going to bowl Mr. Merlotte over because you've changed a couple of words here and there … because you've used bigger words? Is it because he's from the south and you think that he's going to fall for it? If you approached me with this shit work, I'd take my business elsewhere because one, you either think I'm stupid and can't remember that you've already shown this to me or two, you didn't bother to try."
Standing with my hands clasped in front of me, I said, "If Mr. Merlotte wanted hamburgers and onion rings, he would have stayed with the Kendall Law Firm. He doesn't want hamburgers and onions. He wants caviar and truffles. That's why he came to us. If this is the best that you can do, I can't wait to see your worst."
There were many hands that were looking through the arguments but no one wanted to take responsibility for what they'd done. They wanted to blame their teammate. I heard several 'It's not mine' and 'I didn't do it' but that didn't matter.
My Bon Temps accent was coming through as strong as ever. "We're a team so you did do it," I said. "Whatever shit work that you see on that table belongs to each of us. We all did it. I did it. Mr. Northman did it and as he said only moments ago, he doesn't fail. And you know what? Neither do I. I'm sure Eric … Mr. Northman doesn't hand in shit work because if he did, he wouldn't be where he is. And until recently, I've never handed in shit work."
Chuckling, I said, "That is until Mr. Merlotte asked us to take over the lawsuit and this is what we've given him."
Trisha raised her hand timidly and said, "We've only had the case for a week. He's not giving us enough time to work his case properly. If he'd just give us a little more time, I'm sure that we can give him what he wants." She looked around the room and smiled … as if she was looking for support. Needless to say, the poor girl was all alone.
When she said that, some of her co-workers turned away from her. Selah scooted her chair away from Trisha's. Carter began to scribble in his notepad. Jecca hid behind her hands. That's when the woman realized that she'd made a mistake.
I cocked my head to the side and smiled at Trisha. I walked to where she was sitting and said, "You're right, Trisha. We've only had the case for a week and we haven't really had enough time to work it. Most lawyers, well the ones that I know of, don't care about the length of time. They just do it but I understand your point. And it's a valid point but it's a lazy person's point. And because that's your point, you may leave. I don't need that type of attitude on my team. Maybe Charles can use you because I can't."
Everyone in the room; except for Eric, Einin and Niall, looked at Trisha with pity in their eyes. They knew to never say that they've not had the case long enough but they'd never seen me dismiss anyone so rapidly. I usually give them a little more leeway. Not today. I don't have time for slacker attitudes or weak excuses. Mr. Merlotte has been threatening to take his business elsewhere. I've never lost a case and I refuse to lose this one by default.
"But I …," she began.
"Goodbye, Trisha" I said as I returned to the front of the room.
Trisha picked up her belongings and scurried out of the room.
Looking around the room, I asked, "Anyone else have any issues with the amount of time we've had the case?"
"No," they announced simultaneously.
"Good. Now where was I?" I asked. "Oh, right. If it's got the company name on it, we ALL did it. The ideas have been completely flawed and half-assed. Don't sit there like you've done nothin' wrong. You are on this team. If you mess up, then I mess up."
With my finger aimed at my chest, I said, "And I don't mess up. You won't pin it on John or Selah or Jecca. We're all gonna own this work. We will all make this right. And if I see one more suggestion that they should go into business together, I'm going to personally see that the person that suggested it gets fired. If Sam wanted a partner, he would have one."
Each person in the room was staring at me like their very lives depended on pleasing me and they do. Eric liked it. He was watching the rise and fall of my breasts as I reprimanded my team. He watched me walk across the room; the skirt hugging every curve that he'd just had in his hands not twelve hours ago.
To tease him and make Eric see what he's going to have to work for, I leaned over the table; supporting myself with my hands. Moving my ass unnecessarily, I could feel his eyes on me as I laid down the law. I loved it. "I don't want any more finger pointing. I want it fixed. I am giving you all chance to get your names out there but if I have to, I will work this case alone." My stare was leveled and it was daring anyone in that room to defy me. "Does anyone have anything to say? Does anyone else want to deny doing this work?"
No one said a word. I could still feel Eric's eyes and they still hadn't let go of me once since I'd been standing here. I could feel his eyes taking ownership of every inch of me; my legs, my ass, my voice; every part of me he was staking claim to and I wanted him to claim me.
When I turned around to see if Eric was actually watching me, I smiled to see that he was and I could swear I heard him growl.
Facing my team once again, I said, "Now, here's what's going to happen. Next week, Mr. Merlotte will be coming here to see what we have so far. We are going to put our heads together and work until we get it right. We have until Thursday morning at 9:00 to do it." I started walking around the table as I spoke. "The ideas that lay before us were never presented. We've never seen 'em. Selah's going to go to her office and shred each slip of paper."
She rapidly nodded her head to acknowledge my order.
I smiled at her before continuing on. "We'll start Monday morning with fresh minds and we'll go from there. I'm not taking any excuses from anyone. Either you're here on time or you don't bother showing up at all. And remember, we have to dig deep. Nothing stays hidden forever. You just have to know where to look and you'll find it."
When I was in front of the room again, I was all smiles. "Any questions? No? Well, you all go on home and enjoy the rest of your weekend."
I saw Selah watching Eric watching me. She wanted him and I needed to put an end to that. "Oh and before you go, I want you all to brush up on your fraternization rules and regulations and also your sexual harassment readings. And please remember the dress code. Even though it is Saturday, we need to keep our goodies covered. I'll send out a reminder memo on Monday morning." Looking at Selah, I said, "Some of us seem to need a reminder."
Eric leaned back in his seat, with arms folded over his chest and smirked. He knew exactly who I was speaking to. Selah grabbed her briefcase and files before stomping out of the office.
Before Eric could walk over to me, Niall and Einin told him that they needed to speak with him about the vacant positions in the HR department. Since I wasn't needed, I left. I needed to get the Merlotte case file from my office. I had a lot of work that I needed to do after my date tonight with Flynn.
I also needed to prepare to meet with Eric tonight. As I said earlier, nothing stays hidden forever.