Chapter 33

Shirley

So I smile, a real smile as I feel warmth dance through my middle. And then I nod.

“Of course.”

I’ve come to Keith’s for a meeting and now find myself right in the midst of his inner circle as I stand just inside the doorway as I’ve just arrived. There’s at least ten other wolves filling the room - all of them men aside from Lily. I see her standing off to the side, unaware of my presence as she talks to a wolf I don’t recognize. In fact, there’s few faces I have seen before besides one man’s whose name I don’t know and Ron. Thankfully, Ralph doesn’t seem to be here, which saves me some face.

However, as I continue to quietly scan the room, Ralph isn’t really my concern, especially as my gaze eventually lands on a particular man.

Keith stands beside his desk, not saying anything as he wears a slight smile in response to the man talking his ear off. He looks so different from the way I’d seen him the day before and it makes me incapable of looking away.

But after a few moments, I discover I’ve been caught as Keith’s eyes flick away from the man and land right on me. In a flash, I see his open disposition morph to something more taut and it’s no question that I’m the cause.

“Alright, everyone,” his loud and dazzling voice cuts through the room, instantly silencing everyone. “Let’s get started.”

His eyes are no longer on mine and I blink a few times to achieve the same. Instead, I wait as everyone sits before I make my way to the only empty chair left so I can do the same. Finally, Keith is the only one standing and all the attention is on him.

“As we’re all aware, the company is getting closer to going live and we’re in the process of tying up some loose ends,” he states. “As a result, we have been searching for an auditor to come and make sure we’re within compliance and there are not any inconsistencies.”

A few people begin to nod at his words, though no one says a word so Keith can continue.

“Considering we’re aiming for perfection within this company, we have brought in someone with a great reputation,” he says. “With that said, I’d like you all to meet Shirley Creed.”

Finally, Keith’s eyes officially fall on me, causing a spark to reach my stomach before everyone else’s gaze follows. He then gives me a nod as if encouraging me to say something.

“Hello,” I say, tearing my eyes from his as I look out at the others. Some meet me with smiles, others blank stares, but Ron and Lily are left acutely gaping at me as they take in my features. “As Keith mentioned I’m Shirley and I come from the Westfield Auditing Agency. I look forward to working with you all.”

“Shirley was recommended with high praise and she’s already been brought up to speed on a lot of our specifics,” Keith takes over again, causing all eyes to quickly snap away. Except his own as he chooses to glance my way again. “I understand you already have some information to bring to our attention?”

That’s right. Alana and I had spent the day before I left discussing a few matters that she said I would present. So I give Keith a nod back, already reaching for my briefcase. And as if encouraging me, he officially takes a seat behind his desk.

Taking over, I stand and give everyone a smile as I begin to talk over the main points I’d typed out. Everyone is attentive, including Lily - but I suspect her interest isn’t directed at my work. She’s still studying me, her head jerking all over as if trying to get a better look at me. I do my best to keep my back mainly turned on her.

Only, that leaves me mainly facing Keith. Although he’s the picture of professionalism, I can still sense his forceful gaze as if he’s determined to watch my every move - and not just because of what I’m presenting.

When I’m finally done, I’m able to take my seat again and the room is quiet as people turn to Keith for what seems like approval. And at first, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to give it as he rubs at his sharp jaw and looks thoughtfully toward his desk.

Maybe he’s thinking I’m just an amateur and not cut out for this job. It’s so hard to tell as he continues to address whatever is going on in his mind. So we all just wait.

But finally, Keith lifts his head, his serious stare jumping to a few faces as he scans them. And then he leans back in his chair, lifting his chin.

“Well, you heard her,” he eases out. “We have a lot of work to do.”

~

The meeting lasts another two hours, finally ending as Keith announces we’re done for the day. Preparing to leave like everyone else, I just repack my briefcase and take a few steps toward the door, but I’m stopped when I hear a voice from behind me.

“Shirley, hold on a second,” Keith says, causing me to turn back. It’s only then that I’m aware that everyone else has already cleared out, leaving us alone.

Gradually, I turn back to Keith, now finding him standing beside his desk with his hands slid into his pockets.

“I was hoping we could talk for a moment,” he informs me, moving to sit on the edge of his desk before he gestures to a nearby chair. “Please - have a seat.”

Knowing I have to oblige him due to our business relationship, I thank him and walk back to the chair, promptly taking a seat. Now Keith and I are only a few feet away from one another, causing me to quietly clear my throat as his scent continues to fill my nose, as I remain under my stare.

“How are you getting along?” Keith asks, surprising me with his question. “Are you finding the house to your liking?”

“Yes, of course,” I reply. “It’s perfect. And everyone has been very accommodating.”

He nods. “Good.”

However, he doesn’t offer a smile or necessarily seem pleased. Instead, he’s as distant as ever as he takes me in just like he did yesterday. All I can do is remain silent, waiting for him to clarify what this “meeting” is all about.

And finally, Keith seems to hum as if enjoying an intriguing thought.

“You know,” he begins smoothly, his tone coated with amusement. “It’s amazing how similar you and Anya look. I almost can’t tell the difference.”

He’s mocking me, trying to get me to take some sort of bait. I feel the effect of it in my bones as a slight dryness meets my throat. Only, I try not to let it alter my outward response.

I just give a hint of a smile. “Yeah, people tell me that all the time. They even think we’re twins. Our family could only really tell us apart because of my mole.”

In return, Keith makes a noise in his throat, seeming to enjoy my words - but more as a private joke. It causes the smile I’m wearing to slowly fall.

“When’s the last time you saw your sister?” Keith asks.

“A few months ago,” I hand over the lie.

“She mentioned she attends Kirkland University,” he continues. “But she was visiting and hoping to gain some experience.”

He’s testing me, seeing how I’ll handle the added pressure. He’s certain my story isn’t adding up somehow, especially after Anya claims. I have to cover my own tracks.

“She doesn’t go to Kirkland,” I say, shaking my head. “She applied, but she was denied. I think she just tells people that to make herself feel better.”

“Makes it easier to deal with the disappointment,” Keith comments, but he doesn’t seem fully convinced.

“Exactly,” I reply anyway.

“So where do you think she went? Back to the west?” he asks, folding his arms over his chest. “Is that where she usually stays?”

I shrug. “I guess. Anya is all over the place usually and only drops in when she wants to. It’s hard to keep track of her.”

“That must be frustrating,” he tries.

And again, I shrug. “I’m used to it by now.”

“Have you managed to get a hold of her since yesterday?” he then asks. “She may not respond to wolves she barely knows, but her sister - I’d imagine she’d reach out to you.”

“No,” I say simply. “I haven’t.”

“Did you contact any relatives to see if she showed up on their doorsteps?” he asks, still adding pressure.

“No.”

“No cousins or distant aunts?”

“No,” I say again, trying to take a breath as he tries to keep me under his thumb.

“What about your parents? Any news from mom or dad?” he asks finally, and his mention of my parents makes something in me stir. I’m not sure why, but suddenly I’ve had enough.

“No, she’s gone,” I state firmly. “I don't know where she is or where she might go, but she’ll let me know when she wants to.”

My words are harsh enough to make us both momentarily grow silent, partaking in our usual staredown. Our gazes are fierce and I hope that Keith thinks my annoyance is from my own worry about my sister. But that’s when it hits me…Keith seems concerned.

Throughout all of his questioning, he not only seemed to be picking at me, but he seemed to be uneasy about Anya’s disappearance for other reasons. It makes me grow a little guilty as I know I’m the cause behind his potential worry, or because I’ve had to continue to lie to him now. It leads me to softly release a breath through my nose before my curiosities escape my lips.

“Why are you so concerned about Anya, anyway?” I ask, quieter than I expected. “Why do you care?”

In response, I watch as Keith’s jaw grows tight, even despite the rest of his body remaining loose. And yet, he doesn’t say anything in regards to my questions. No, he only allows them to sink in before he turns away.

“That’s all,” he says, dismissing me as he waves a hand. “You’re free to go.”

Taking in another gradual breath, it takes a few seconds to move. However, as he still faces away, I eventually grab my things and head for the day. With each step I take, I feel more and more deflated, trying to keep myself upright.

Especially as I feel Keith’s eyes finally meeting my back, watching me as I go.