Someone Like You by Andrea Carmen Read Free Book Online

chauffeur opened the door for her and Alex reluctantly slid into the car, saying thank you. Alice sat beside her.
    “You’ll love the Conrad building. It’s been recently renovated, well more like six months ago. We have cafeterias on the second and fourth floors. A gym, too. You can actually work out there. It’s part of the perks of working for Conrad Retail.”
    Alex bit her lower lip to suppress a smile. No Vicious Vicky, she thought in triumph.
    They spent the rest of the ride in silence, with Alice occasionally telling her about the Conrad Group, its different sections and the owners. By the end of the trip, Alex already had a mental image of Charles and Michael and a scope of the company. They arrived in front of a beautiful contemporary building; its glass glittered in the morning light.
    “Miss Alice, Ma’am,” the guard greeted.
    “Hi,” Alex said.
    Alice led her to one of the six elevators.
    “Mr. Charles Conrad likes a mix of old and new. He’s also a huge fan of art deco so the elevators look vintage but they’re not.”
    Alex nodded.
    “Eighth floor.”
    “Come on,” Alice said. The floor had large reinforced windows, light filtered everywhere. The office was spacious, with different shaped cubicles all in colourful, neat fashion. There was about twenty staff. They all looked at her as she came in. Some smiled at her, others looked, wide-eyed.
    “Hey Alice,” a young man said. “Who’s the lady?”
    “Trekker’s newest model,” Alice quickly said, steering Alex into another direction protectively. They arrived at the end of the office with wood panelled doors and silver handles. Alice knocked and they heard a muffled voice.
    Alex took a deep breath. Confidence, she told herself.
    “Ms. Forbes is here, sir.”
    “Hello, Miss Forbes,” he genially said.
    “Good morning, sir,” she said in a small voice. He was dressed casually, in Chuck Taylors and a slim fit collared shirt and dark jeans. His light hair glinted in the sunlight.
    “Call me Luke.” Ugh, did that sound too smooth or what?
    Alice’s brow rose. “I’ll excuse myself, sir. “ Alice left the room and closed the doors slowly. She smiled as she did and Lucas saw it. He smiled a small smile.
    “Take a seat, Alex.”
    Alex immediately sat down on a couch. He stood up from his chair.
    “Do you want anything? Water? Tea? Coffee?”
    “Uhm...water will do fine, sir—I mean Luke.” Man, I gotta get my nerves down .
    Lucas went to a cabinet and slid a door revealing an all glass refrigerator. He took out two bottles of Perrier and then two glasses.
    He opened a bottle for Alex and Alex murmured her thanks.
    “You’ll get to know the Trekker brand today. The whole day actually.”
    Alex nodded. “I’d be honoured.”
    “Are you hungry?”
    “I just ate.”
    “What did you have?” he asked.
    “A protein bar.” Better than nothing, really. This gig will have me anorexic in the end…
    “We’ll be having lunch shortly at Chez Louis. Have you tried it there? The roasted duck is amazing.”
    She shook her head. “Not yet. And I’m semi-vegetarian,” she said this in a small voice, looking at the carpet.
    “Well,” he said looking a bit flustered, “They have really good salads too. They have their own farm in upstate New York. Did Alice tell you we’re a green building? We’ve cut down our energy by thirty percent, it’s a good feat for buildings in Manhattan. We even have an organic greenhouse at the roof top. I’m sorry am I blabbering too much?” he laughed. Damn oh damn, Lucas scolded himself.
    Alex shook her head.
    “So tell me about yourself.”
    “I’m…an only child. My mom’s a marine biologist based in Florida.”
    “Your father?”
    “Marine oceanographer. He passed away when I was ten.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied. That was a terrible question to ask, he thought. “Margo tells me you’ve worked for her for around two years now. How do you like it at