"Is that so?" Ryan's voice was soft, so low Sam had to strain to hear the words. His expression was closed off, so she couldn't really tell what he was thinking.
A flash of remorse went through Sam, and she wished she could take her last words back. No matter how much he'd screwed up, he didn't deserve to be told his job was on the line like that, especially on the same day he'd been demoted.
She cursed her need to always win. Growing up with two older brothers who loved bossing her around had cultivated a need to be the one to get in the last word in any argument, and that instinct had risen to the surface with Ryan.
She took a deep breath, knowing she needed to do something to ease the tension in the room.
"I shouldn't have said it that way," she replied, her tone placating. "Look, Mr. Silverton, I'm not here to..."
"How else should you have put it?" he broke in, eyes glittering dangerously.
Sam stared at him, a chill racing up her spine at the dangerous light in his eyes.
"What?"
He turned fully to face her now, taking slow measured steps in her direction. "How else would you have told me my fucking job was on the line?"
"I..." she stopped and bit her lip, knowing any reply would make things worse. If she told him she'd planned to break the news to him gently, he would assume she pitied him and a guy like Ryan Silverton would hate being pitied.
If only she could take the damn words back.
"I was wrong to use it as a threat," she continued, choosing her words with caution. "It was unprofessional, and I apologize."
His lips twisted in a bitter smile. "No, you're not sorry, are you Sameera? Admit it felt good to put the lazy rich kid in his place."
"Now, you're trying to put words in my mouth." she struggled to keep her tone even, hating how a part of his statement rang true.
She had assumed him to be a trust fund baby, playing at getting his hands dirty with common work and leaving when things got too tedious. The fact that the first time she'd met Ryan, he'd been passed out drunk in a pool of his own vomit had solidified that impression.
Ryan's eyebrows rose. "I'm only calling it as I see it. You sit there, in that tight little outfit, with your nose in the air and judge me based on what you think you know. Well, I hope you're satisfied now you've managed to show me who has the bigger stick up their ass. Now, if you don't mind, I have an office to run."
He spun round and marched out, leaving her staring after him, mouth agape.
The sound of the door closing drew Sam from her shock and she let out a breath she hadn't been aware of holding.
How did this get so out of hand?
Her mind kept reliving the hurt that had flashed across his face so quickly, she'd almost missed it. Her conscience twisted in her gut at the memory and she wondered why she'd let things get out of hand. Yes, he'd come at her, guns blazing, but anyone, including Sam would have done the same if they'd found themselves face to face with a rival. She should have taken the high road and let him have the last word, but as usual she'd gone overboard. Sam propped her elbows on the desk, and rested her head in her palms. She let out a frustrated groan and wished she could have a do over. Antagonizing the man she was supposed to work with for the next six months, was not how she'd meant to begin her first day here. A tentative knock sounded on the door, and her assistant peeked in.
"The guys over at security called and asked if you could drop by to pick up your passes."
Glad to have something to take her away from the tension still swirling in the office, Sam sprang to her feet. "Thanks, I'll head down now. While I'm gone, could you please email me comprehensive info on each staff?" Smoothing down the skirt with palms that had gone sweaty, she remembered Ryan's description of her outfit. From his tone, she couldn't decide if he'd meant it as a compliment or an insult.
"Why should I care what he thinks?" She admonished silently, making her way to the bank of elevators. It's not like I dressed for him. Bad enough the guy didn't even remember meeting her...that still kind of did things to her ego that she was unwilling to acknowledge. Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, she stepped into the main workspace, the rows of glass-partitioned cubicles filled with employees, engaged in their tasks for the day. A hush fell as she navigated her way through, two dozen pairs of eyes fixed on her. Sam pasted what she hoped was a warm smile on her face, slowing her steps so she could acknowledge the looks.
"Good morning." She called out to no one in particular. A few answered her with greetings of their own with a smattering of welcoming smiles, while most simply nodded and turned back to their desks, though the hush had now given way to loud whispering. She made a mental note to call for a meeting later, so she could formally meet the staff and gauge first impressions. It would also help to give insight when she began a more thorough assessment of each member of staff.
Her meeting in Security took all of thirty minutes, but Sam finally made her way back to P&D with her new access cards and codes. As she stepped into the elevator, a slender, dark-haired beauty was already inside, a cup holder with two disposable cups clutched in one hand, phone in the other. The woman looked up from her screen as Sam stepped in, blue eyes sweeping over her form in a way that missed nothing. Full, ruby-red lips thinned, eyes narrowed.
"You must be Ms. Bhatt." Her voice sounded husky, bringing to mind a blues singer, belting out songs in a smoky voice. Sam gave the woman a once-over of her own and nodded. "I am. And you are?"
"Lola." She didn't elaborate further, merely stepped forward to hit the button for the twelfth floor.