Lily’s POV

“He could have quit his job or maybe decided to go off the grid,” I argued, my brain coming up with multiple scenarios other than death.

“No one decides to go off the grid just like that,” she asserted. “Besides nothing seems impossible when you have money and power. In this case, Mr Roman .J. Steele has both.”

“I get your point though,” I began. “However with the buzz the blurred photo created, there would have been news of the photographer’s death if ever it happened.”

“Do you mean official or non official news?” She interrogated. “Because what I’ve been trying to tell you is the news going on.”

“There has not been any statement published in regards to that though, not even the blogs have posted anything about him,” I tried to explain.

“And that doesn't smell fishy to you?” She queried while I stared pointedly at her. “Sometimes Lily, I wonder if you live in the same messed up world like everyone else does.”

“What do you mean by—” my question got slashed halfway as knocks sounded on my window.

“Oh my Jesus Christ!” Daisy and I both yelled in panic at the unexpected sound and whirled around, our eyes moving frantically till it stopped at a man putting his face to the glass. I exhaled a breath in relief while she asked, “who’s that?”

“I think it's security,” I said. “We’ve been parked out here for a few minutes, so I guess it looked suspicious.”

“Where— oh wow,” Daisy almost asked but caught herself as she peered outside. “When did we arrive?”

“While you were engrossed in your tale,” I relayed, and set a smile on my lips as I turned off the engine and pushed my door open, my eyes instantly meeting a bald and gigantic looking man dressed in all black and a scowl. “Good morning.”

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” He queried, gazing into the car. “Not everyone is welcome at the Steele Corp premises. If you have no business here, I advise you leave before things get ugly.”

Still smiling, I took it as my cue to alight from the vehicle, but not before sliding the visitors card from the cup holder and lift it for his vision to access. “I’m a data analyst who is here to work and nothing more.”

He didn't hesitate to take the card from me, his eyes scanning them like some machine. I heard a door bang and noticed Daisy had come down from the passenger side. “That’s my assistant.”

“Top of the morning to you,” Daisy waved in an overly cheerful voice as she walked round the black car to stand beside me. The security man simply offered her a glance, scowl still in place as he returned my card.

“That's the entrance.” He pointed at revolving glass doors, people strolling in and out of the building. “Once you get in, that’d be the lobby. You are free to ask the receptionist any questions, after which you’d be directed to the elevators on your left.”

“I appreciate it,” I beamed. His response was a simple nod and next thing, his back was turned to us as he walked away.

“Are all the security men here that scary?” Daisy asked, her voice breathless and eyes wide. “I almost wet myself from how intense his gaze was.”

“He didn't even stare at you for as long as he did me,” I chuckled and gave her a tap on the back.

“It doesn't matter,” she breathed, causing me to laugh further. “If that man ever threatened me, I swear I’d disappear.”

“You’ve made your point Daisy,” I said and began to stroll towards the entrance of the building. “It's time to get some work done.”

“I’d be lying if I said I’m not scared to get in there after him,” she mumbled as she walked behind me.

“You’ll live,” I threw over my shoulder as we entered through the revolving doors as stated.

“Where are the receptionists, oh there,” I let out after I spotted the well dressed ladies in navy blue to my right, all with hair sleeked back in a tight bun. “Go over there Daisy and state our business.”

“What?” She asked, my statement seeming to catch her off guard. I didn't speak, instead I shot daggers at her through my eyes to which she forced a smile. “Okay.”

“I’ll be looking for the elevators on the left,” I told as I began to walk in that direction. “Find me there when you are done.”

She nodded in response and went to do my bid. I took slow steps, my red heels clicking on the reflective marble tiles as I took my time to observe my environment.

A few people walked to and fro around me, all dressed in corporate attire, the interior was painted a simple cream color and aside from the few plants I noted in different corners, it was not any different from other establishments I had been to.

I had always liked the business and corporate world. My parents had wanted me to follow in their footsteps, unfortunately for them I didn't. All the men I had dated were in business or finance, except for Caden my most recent, who was an actor.

At the start of our relationship I had thought it would be awkward, nonetheless, we were a good fit for each other, even if I didn't expect him to hurt me the way he did. It was heartbreaking and ruthl—

“I was told it was the 15th floor,” Daisy said, interrupting my trail of bad memories.

“Noted,” I declared and directed my steps to the elevators. “Shall we?”

We scanned our visitors card and strode with others to the elevator and got in. Daisy was fast enough to press the number 15. I used the time while the elevator moved to fish out the few documents we’d be using during the scheduled meeting.

Daisy took the lead once we arrived and soon we were in front of a door that read “Meeting Room.”

“The data analyst?” A man suddenly appeared to ask and I only nodded in response. “They are all seated and waiting.”

“Thank you,” Daisy answered and pushed the door for us to walk in. The first thing my eyes noted was a long table before I noticed about 30 people seated around it. “Good day.”

“Please proceed,” a handsome looking man with green eyes and blonde hair who was seated at the head of the table declared and I offered a smile while Daisy set things up to show on the large screen behind me. There was no projector but luckily we knew how to get things done.

I proceeded to give them a briefing on what I had accessed with the initial data provided. I pointed out patterns that needed to be looked into and insights about possible solutions.

The meeting took about 30 minutes and as usual Daisy and I were in sync as she made the display match with my words. It was concluded I would need more data in order to come up with charts and graphs to visualize my findings and prospective solutions.

“Good work,” the handsome man nodded in my path as he was the last to walk out and I smiled sincerely.

“Now I can go use the restroom,” Daisy sighed.

“How long have you been holding it in?” I questioned.

“20 minutes,” she said and picked up her bag. “Meet you at the car.”

“Go on,” I said as I made my way to the elevator while she moved to ask the closest friendly looking person about how she could get to the restroom.

I pressed the button and seconds later the metal doors slid open, however I was suddenly hesitant to walk in, why? Because the man standing there looked completely out of place.