Chapter 4: Mischievous Hunter

People at the office always took things slower around Friday, it was like they already started their weekend in their minds. Valerie took that opportunity to get a head start on her upcoming week. She was setting up appointments with possible partners, hoping to land something big. When Daniel got fired she hadn't been motivated to aim for the position as sales manager, but after her talk with Starr she figured it wasn't that weird that she wanted to get that promotion like everybody else. They all did the same job, it was about getting the best deals. So she was giving it her all, hoping she'd be considered for the position as well. She didn't want to go there, but she figured being friendly with Starr gave her a head start.

"How many cups of coffee did you have today?"

She glanced away from her laptop screen and met Andrew's amused gaze, "None actually." She gestured to her untouched travel mug.

"Jeez, I wish I could breeze through my work without needing a little push." He sighed, his eyes got a playful gleam to them as he continued, "Excited about tonight? I seriously need to get out, have a few drinks and dance with a beautiful lady." His smirk got more sinister, "Or a cute guy."

She laughed, "Not if I get to him first."

Andrew chuckled, "A challenge? I like it."

She grinned at him and then focused back on her laptop screen, "So what's up?" She asked while she started to organize her planner, checking all appointments she had scheduled in to make sure she didn't make a mistake, "You want to have lunch?"

"You've read my mind."

"Just give me a second, I'll pen everything down in my planner and then meet you at your desk."

"Sure, see you in a sec."

Andrew left her cubicle while she grabbed her planner out of her bag and started to write down all her appointments. She owned one of those fancy planners, a gift from her father for Christmas. It was beautiful, but not something she considered buying herself. She was grateful her father bought her that though, she made use of it almost every single day. It made her look professional, but also she just loved the feel of the pages and the leather cover.

Once she finished writing up her appointments she pocketed her planner, logged off and grabbed her bag. She met Andrew at his desk, flashing a smile at the middle aged women who surrounded his desk. Andrew was a popular guy. She figured it was because he was so easy to talk to. She recognized one of those women as the administration lady from the floor below them. She figured the other two were her friends, tagging along to meet the kind Andrew.

"Ladies it was lovely catching up with you, my lunch date has arrived so I need to wrap this up." He smiled at them, "I'll be sure to bring you something sweet from the bistro."

"He's lovely." The woman with her blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail told her, "You guys make a lovely couple."

Valerie laughed, shaking her head at that, "Andrew is lovely." She agreed, "But we're not dating."

Andrew placed a hand against her lower back and smiled down at her when she met his gaze, "We're just friends." Andrew confirmed, glancing back at the ladies who looked at them with curious eyes, "Bye ladies."

They were about to head out of the office when Hunter suddenly burst through the doors, causing them both to jump. The man didn't apologize as he walked past them, heading to the center of the floor once again. It reminded her of when he spoke to them right after he fired Daniel. He had the same pissed off look in his eyes. He wasn't pleased and he showed it. He told everyone to drop everything and listen to his announcement. She shared a look with Andrew and then headed closer to Hunter, curious about what he had to say and why Starr wasn't the one to do it.

Andrew told her that Hunter mostly travelled across the world, landing them international deals. His presence confused her, but as she glanced around the room she could tell everyone else was as confused as she was. Ever since Daniel got fired they were confused and unsure about their jobs. That would change in about a week though. One of them would lead the team and she was confident enough to say none of them would become a second Daniel.

"We've been invited to Boston this weekend to pitch our idea to one of our biggest clients. Considering that Daniel isn't around anymore we need one of you to tag along with me. I'm the one who is going to do the pitch, but I need some assistance in setting things up." She glanced at Andrew who looked excited about this, she figured this job was what would put them in favor with Hunter and Starr for the sales position, she wasn't sure about traveling alone with Hunter though. He seemed intimidating. She wasn't sure if she could function properly around him.

"Starr and I have evaluated your work and decided on who is going to accompany me this weekend." She froze when his eyes landed on her, he knew exactly who she was by the looks of it, "We're leaving tomorrow morning at seven-thirty, I'll send a car to pick you up."

He didn't give her time to respond as he waltzed out the room, leaving their office the same way he came into it. He was like a tornado, also leaving quite a mess whenever he was out of sight. She let out a shaky breath as she processed what just happened to her. Beside her Andrew placed his hands upon her shoulders and gave her a light shake, only because he looked exited for her. At least someone was happy about this, because she couldn't help but to think that she'd ruin her career this weekend.

"That's huge, Val. That position might as well be yours now."

"I'm freaking out." She whispered, "And not in a good way."

Andrew released her, confused by her reluctance, "Why? It's a huge opportunity."

"That's why I'm freaking out." She covered her mouth with her hands, still not quite believing she had to get up at an ungodly hour to catch a plane together with Hunter, "If I mess this up I'm done for."

Andrew's smile dropped when he realized she was probably right about that. Hunter didn't seem like a nice guy, he seemed all business and no play. She made that joke when she had a few drinks with Starr, but unlike his co-founder, Starr actually looked like a nice guy and behaved like it too.

"You're not going to mess this up." Andrew told her, actually sounding very confident about that, "You're going to Boston tomorrow and you're going to nail this project. Then you're going to be our new awesome sales manager." He grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face the office which used to belong to Daniel, "That office is going to be yours. I can feel it."

She smiled at that, feeling less tense and anxious. She felt Andrew's grip on her shoulders tighten and glanced aside to meet his gaze. He grinned down at her, his smile genuine while his eyes were gleaming with excitement once again.

"Let's go grab lunch now, I'm actually starving."

"Yeah me too."

They left the office, heading to their new favorite bistro. Andrew made sure to keep things positive. They rescheduled their night out since she had to wake up at five to get her hair and make-up done. If they were leaving at seven-thirty, she had to be at the airport at least a little before seven. She was already planning what to bring with her and what to wear, liking to keep things organized. An organized mind would surely help her to stay calm around the intimidating looking Hunter.

***

The next morning Valerie got picked up by a car just like Hunter had told her. He had emailed her everything she needed to know about this pitch. Lucky for him she had read up on it before, considering it was one of those projects Daniel had shoved onto his subordinates. She knew enough about this project not to make an utter fool out of herself. If she could talk to Hunter without looking like she wanted to run for the hills and if she kept her voice from suddenly breaking she'd be alright. At the airport she was led to a private jet, which Hunter had not mentioned before. It surprised her which meant trouble for her. On shaky legs she boarded that jet and took a seat across Hunter who was engrossed in his reading.

"Morning." She told him quietly, her breathing hitching in her throat when she actually got his attention, "Valerie King." She held her hand out to him.

Hunter took it without hesitation and shook hands with her, "Ethan Hunter, it's nice to meet you, Valerie."

She shyly smiled, straightening in her seat which caused the leather to creak. Her static behavior caused Hunter to laugh, his laugh sounding very childish which she didn't expect. His eyes softened while his whole face lit up with that grin spread across his face.

"No need to be that anxious around me, I won't bite, I promise."

"It's just nerve wrecking." She admitted to him, "Everyone is making a big deal out of it. So I'm making a big deal out of it."

"I'll be doing all the talking, all you need to do is hand out the reports and make sure to keep the slides going. Also don't forget to politely smile, it helps."

"Why me?" She asked, that question catching him off guard.

He narrowed his eyes on her, those chocolate brown eyes looking less kind and more intimidating with every second that passed. It caused her to put her guard back up.

"Why you indeed." He muttered, "Is it Gabe's infatuation with you or could it be that you're actually good at your job?" The playful gleam in his eyes told her he thought it was the latter, "Who knows, really?"

"You know!" She blushed realizing she didn't have to raise her voice like that, "You're just messing with me, aren't you?"

He chuckled, "Yes, I am. It got you to loosen up a bit though." He focused back on the document which he had been reading, "Don't worry, Gabe might be impressed by you as a woman. Our choice to have you tag along was based on our professional opinion."

Starr was impressed by her, she couldn't believe that. Surely they had a great time together the other day, but she doubted she caught his interest. He didn't make a move, he talked to her like she was his friend. She looked up when she realized how Hunter referred to Starr. They were definitely close. Hunter knew a thing or two about them. She couldn't ask them though, they barely knew each other.

"Instead of worrying about Gabe and his intentions, I'd suggest to have breakfast. Something warm in your belly will help with the nerves."

The minute he mentioned that a flight attendant came in to take their order. She could have anything she wanted from the carefully prepared menu. She asked for some pancakes and a fruit salad. Instead of coffee she asked for a cup of tea.

Hunter ordered a croissant, some yoghurt and an orange juice. It wasn't the kind of breakfast she figured a man like him would have. Then again she was wrong about all her assumptions about him. At the office he behaved straightforward, always addressing them with a cold look in his eyes. Now that she was alone with him he surprised her with his warm personality. She was once again reminded not to judge people without getting to know them.

While they were having breakfast Hunter told her about his pitch. He talked her through it so she knew what to do when they were actually having this pitch in front of their client. Hunter was confident about landing this deal, his confidence also affected her positively. She was sure that Hunter would be fine, she'd give it her all and help him land that deal. Maybe afterwards they could discuss what he had been suggesting about Starr. She was intrigued and the mischievous man knew it too.