7

####Chapter 7

Aviana (Anna)

“So, she is an interesting pick,” Sabrina said. She was sitting next to Duncan, touching and caressing his hands.

The tension in the air was palpable, almost suffocating. It was clear that Sabrina and Duncan had a thing going on.

“Indeed,” Duncan replied, his eyes meeting mine for a second. I quickly looked away. He had a way of unnerving a person with just one look and I didn't like it.

I didn't like the way he was looking at me either.

“Not your usual type,” she remarked as she sipped her glass of wine, looking me up and down with disdain.

Duncan gave Sabrina a dangerous look and she immediately clamped her mouth shut like a toddler who'd been caught saying a bad word.

I felt the urge to laugh at her but didn't.

“Sorry, boss,” she cleaned her throat awkwardly.

Duncan didn't respond, simply swirling his wine glass in his hand. His expression was unreadable but the change in his demeanor made one thing clear– Sabrina had overstepped.

The air remained thick with tension as everyone continued to eat. I could sense Sabrina's glare on me but I ignored her. I was used to bitches like her and if she wanted to make me uncomfortable, she'd have to do better than glare at me like a sulking toddler

I've had girls and boys shoot at me, men try to rape me and corrupt politicians try to kill me, she was nothing but a small fry for me.

Lucas, ever the jovial Ice breaker, leaned in with a grin. “So, Anna, liking your new life so far?”

I smirked, twirling my fork in my pasta.

“The food is great and so are you,”

Lucas grinned.

“You know how to flatter a man.” He chuckled . “Got a man?” He questioned and I automatically glanced at Duncan, whose eyes were now boring into mine.

Levi who'd been silently eating his food and brooding two chairs away from the rest of us suddenly spoke up “enough chit chat, she's here to work not to grind and make careless conversations.”

I glanced at him, noting the sharpness in his tone and the irritation in his eyes. He didn't like me, that much was clear but I wondered if that was because I was an outsider or if he was one of those people that hated everything.

“Damn, easy, Levs… no need to be a party pooper. We just want to get to know our new accountant,”

“Accountant?” Sabrina asked, her eyes wide.

“Yes, accountant.” I said, a smail smirk on my face. “Something the matter?’

“But I thought…” she trailed off, looking between Duncan and me with wide eyes.

“Sabrina…” Duncan warned and she clamped her mouth shut again. She was definitely scared of Duncan and definitely hated me.

“Sorry, boss,” She muttered, looking remorseful.

Duncan gave her a nod of acknowledgement before looking back at me.

“Levi is right, we don't have time for idle chit chat. We have work pending that needs to be addressed. Anna, meet me in my office once you are done,”

“Yes, Boss,”

Duncan made his way out and Sabrina followed suit, glaring at me like some high school bully.

“Good luck on your new job,” She said, her tone sarcastic.

“Thank you,” I responded in an equally sarcastic tone.

She huffed and ran after Duncan.

I rolled my eyes at her. I was really going to enjoy the side quest of putting her in her place.

Levi stood up a minute later and walked out, leaving Lucas and I behind without a word of acknowledgement.

“Ignore them, they can be a little… hostile sometimes,”

“And Sabrina?” I asked.

“The boss’s favorite play thing. She doesn't like to share,”

I was right. No wonder she was glaring at me like I had killed her lover.

“She has nothing to worry about, I'm here for work and nothing more,”

“All work and no play makes Jack short tempered, sweet tooth. You'll learn that in time, the iron vine works hard and play harder,”

His phone rang just then and he excused himself out of the patio to take the call.

I finished my meal quickly, not wanting to give anyone more reason to scrutinize me. I had to play the innocent role to get what I wanted.

The moment I stepped out, I found Lucas in the hallway.

“Done?” He asked.

“Yes, I'm done. Thank you. That was delicious,”

“That’s thanks to margaret. Come on, I'll take you to the boss,”

“What about Levi?”

I asked falling into steps with him.

“He's busy with something. He should be back in two hours, why? You miss his cherry personality?”

I scoffed

“No, I just thought he'd be in charge of me today, he woke me up,”

“He was but in the iron vine, scheduled change and this is one of those times,”

I nodded, taking notes.

“He doesn't seem to like me very much,” I confessed, watching him..

Lucas chuckled, “Levi doesn't like anyone. Don't take it personally. He's a party pooper and only talks when it's efficient, whatever the hell that means,”

I chuckled at his snide remark. Lucas was hilarious. He was a far cry from what I met the first day at the hotel resort. I already knew I'd be getting most of my information from him.

As we stepped into Duncan's office, he looked up at me from his computer, his eye fixed on me like he was trying to break me down like a puzzle piece

I tried not to look away.

“Need anything, boss?” Lucas asked.

“No, Lucas, that will be all,”

Lucas nodded and sauntered out, leaving me alone with Duncan.

“Have a seat miss, Reed,” he gestured to one of the office seats facing his desk and I did as he said.

“Now, let's see how you follow orders, shall we?” he leaned forward, a small smirk gracing his lips.