Taken (Dark Desires 1)

The two got on the elevator with a few other people, and Calvin pressed the button for his floor, and then hers.

“Just be sure to be calm and relaxed,” Calvin instructed her, his tone embodying neither of those traits. “Just be natural, you’re sure to get the job after my personal recommendation, and if you show him what I know you’re like.”

“I will do my best,” Veronica said, some of her annoyance becoming evident in her tone.

“Sorry,” Calvin released in a sigh. “I just really want this to go over well.”

Veronica felt a soft surge of guilt at her own impatience.

“I know,” she sighed, and gently squeezed Calvin’s free hand. “I know this means a lot to me, and I don’t want you to think I’m just going through the motions. This is important to me, too, and I am going to conduct myself in a way that will be sure to reflect very highly upon you.”

Calvin smiled and leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead.

“I’m glad to hear that,” he said.

The elevator let out a soft chime, and the doors slid open.

“Here I am,” Calvin sighed, and Veronica heard a bit of tension creep back into his voice. “You know what to do?”

Veronica nodded and gave him a smile.

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him. “Have a good day at work.”

“I will,” he said. “Give me a call when you finish the interview! I want to hear all about it.”

“I will,” Veronica nodded. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Calvin smiled, and disembarked from the elevator.

Veronica let out a soft sigh of relief that Calvin was gone. She did love him, but he certainly was a little oppressive when it came to relying on her to do just about anything. A part of her wished he would just trust her to be an adult and stop hovering over her. But another part of her recognized that he was probably only acting this way because he cared.

Still, Veronica couldn’t dwell on these thoughts, as she had to begin to mentally prepare for her interview. As the elevator headed up to the top floor, she focused her mind and went through all the possible questions he could ask her, and created a set of potential answers for them.

With another soft ding, the elevator doors opened, letting her out into a small foyer area, with a large reception desk and a row of soft chairs and a couch. Veronica felt a flutter of nerves as she approached the desk. As she drew nearer, the woman behind the desk, presumably Lynn, looked up and smiled at her.

“Go

od morning,” the woman, a brunette in her middle ages, smiled at her. “How can I help you?”

“Hello,” Veronica greeted her politely. “I’m Veronica Lawrence, I have a meeting with Mr. Davenport at nine.”

“Oh, of course,” Lynn gave her a smile. “You’re right on schedule. Mr. Davenport just got in. Let me tell him you’re here, and you can probably get started with your interview a little early. Just have a seat and I’ll be right back with you in just a moment.”

“Thank you,” Veronica smiled, a little surprised by the courtesy that the secretary had displayed. She took a seat on the edge of a nearby chair and took a breath to calm the nerves that had begun to flutter in her stomach. She wrung her hands a little on the edge of her briefcase and closed her eyes.

“Miss Lawrence?” Veronica heard Lynn’s voice, and she immediately looked up. “Mr. Davenport will see you now.”

Veronica gave her a nod and a smile, and she stood to approach the door.

She moved over to where Lynn stood, holding the door for her, a pleasant smile on her face.

“Just relax and stick to your guns,” Lynn advised her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Be yourself- if there’s one thing he can’t stand, its people trying to fake him out.”

Veronica blinked, more than a little surprised by genuineness that this complete stranger was displaying. It was altogether very comforting, and Veronica felt much more confident.

“Thank you so much,” Veronica said, her appreciation very evident in her tone.

“Of course,” Lynn smiled. “Ready?”