Part 9: Sold to the Highest Bidder

She told herself she could still negotiate. Then Beatriz leaned close, and Natalie’s traitorous body remembered exactly how this always ends.

Part 9: Sold to the Highest Bidder

by Mia Sumner

“Ms. Chavez is in the conference room.” Jackie’s icy voice came from the doorway, breaking Natalie’s concentration. She had been pouring over the budgets, looking for ways out. It was going to take some creative accounting, but there was a way, and nobody had to know about this mess. She just had to stay clear-headed and negotiate!

But even as she rose to her feet, she felt her palms begin to sweat. Her body was eager to see Beatriz again. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, she must keep that in check. When she opened them again, Jackie was looking directly at her with an expression that seemed almost like contempt. It was gone in a second, returning to her familiar pinch lipped look, making Natalie wonder if she had imagined it. She didn’t have time for Jackie’s attitude right now, she had to deal with Beatriz.

Steeling herself, she walked towards the conference room, keeping her pace steady, trying to ignore the way her heart seemed to be beating faster. Trying not to think about Beatriz perfume and how the room would smell as she entered it.

Natalie paused when she reached the door to the conference room, her hand trembling slightly as she reached out to grasp the handle and pull it open. Fighting back the momentary panic, she yanked it open and walked in with the most confident expression she could muster on her face.