Siobhan had woken up that morning in a foul mood. This is what not enough sleep did to her. The text from Joel was enough to set the fire in her blood roaring back to life that she had just managed to get down to a simmer. It had taken everything she had to keep her head level and not call Joel and take it out on him.
Don't know what happened my ass. But Joel wasn't the reason she was ticked off.
Bradley had tried to make sure that they were on for that stupid race and claim in changing the wager. Luckily there had been some cooler heads that had opted for a delay with the weather being what it was. Stupid frat boys. Siobhan decided that she'd appeal to one of the brighter crayons in the box and was here at the university since the guy worked here. Opening the door that said in gold lettering Head of Business Marketing James Harrison.
She wasn't dressed up per say but the black fleece lined leggings under the bright red calf length tartan skirt paired with a white Peter Pan collared long sleeved shirt a black loose bow and chunky black boots that disappeared under the skirt gave the impression. Siobhan had tossed on a black aram tam and as a statement she wore Joel's jacket he had given her.
Sitting behind a desk is a young man with a smile on his face. His light brown hair has a bit of a curl to it and it's is a touch too long so looks tousled carelessly. He is dressed as if he walked out of a Norman Rockwell painting. He rose coming around the desk and gestured to a pair of chairs across from the desk; that upon closer inspection is littered with papers strewn across it.
“Good morning Miss Murphy. I trust you found the office easily?”“Yes quite. Your directions last night were impeccable...Mr...?” “Ah yes. My mistake introductions must be made. Bernard. Bernard Gatlin.” He looked her over as they shook hands.
“Remarkable how you change so effortlessly from one facade to another. Last night your attitude and outward appearance just screamed ‘tough' and it's almost a 180 this morning.” She was amazing with her mass of curling Titan hair looking like she stepped out of a story from Scottish history. Like some avenging angel. He covered his attraction quickly but the absolute chameleon she was stunning.
Siobhan nodded and smiled sitting in the plush leather chair; not missing the tongue and cheek statement nor the appreciative flash in his eyes.
“Siobhan, please. I can say the same for you Bernard, but this atmosphere suits you better. So I'm a to the point girl so let's get to it. Small talk is overrated.”Bernard smiled and nodded pleasantly surprised by her unflinching forthright nature and ability to verbally fence. Unlike most of her sex. Impressive. His mother taught him to comply with a ladies wishes, especially a pretty one; and inclined his head to her sitting in the leather chair adjacent to her.
“So not all of us in Bradley’s circle agree with the change in winnings. See we share the winnings and frankly none of us want seconds and Bradley doesn't share his girls. So we can be persuaded to intercede on your behalf if you double the amount.”Siobhan crossed her ankles and tilted her head.
“Meaning you'll postpone the race and talk him out of this harebrained idea. So double the amount or play sacrificial lamb? You really leave me no choice Bernard. Done, 10,000 in cash if he wins.” Siobhan reached out and shook his hand smiling. She checked her watch and saw that it was only just after 9:40 am.
“Well then I guess we're done here.”“Yes I suppose we are Siobhan. Nice doing business with you. Let me know when you're ready. Best of luck, we're actually pulling for you. Bradley needs to be taken down a peg or two.”“Likewise and thank you Bernard. Have a good day.” Siobhan rose and smiled feeling much better. Bernard rose and walked her to the door. He shook her hand at the door and lingered a bit watching her covertly. He turned back to the desk glaring at it realizing the highlight of his day just walked out the door.
Siobhan texted Joel back knowing he was probably asleep.
Must be the evidence that we've needed for years to prove that there is an alien invasion happening. Don't touch anything!!!! We need to contact Bill Moore so he can corroborate the story. Let him chew on that for a while. She'd call him later. No doubt that he'd be working on Karen and she wouldn't mind the view. Besides she wanted to know what he was doing with the offers she had skimmed about his racing career.
She went down to the library and decided that it was providence that made her bring her camera with her. Architecturally the library was one of the best to photograph hands down. It had a blend of old and new. Arriving at the library she smiled at the shelves of books just wandering through to the windows that overlooked the courtyard between the Arts Building and the Sciences Building.
The university was laid out with the library, food court and administrative offices in the center of a wheel. The dorms on the outside and the spokes wings that were alternately open air hallways or closed hallways. All leading to the center. It was a marvelous design and Siobhan pondered how to get a bird's-eye view of it.
Off in artist la la land she squeaked as she practically tripped over something hard. Bracing herself as the object rolled back and solidly hit a table. Unfortunately this left her balanced precariously leaning back her arms on armrests and rocked back on her heels. Siobhan tried to look over her shoulder to no avail since she couldn't really see past her hair because she'd left it down. Looking down it seemed like she'd basically fallen on someone in a wheelchair.
“Sorry can I get a little help here? I'm not going to be able to hold this position for long.”
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