Chapter 7

With each passing day, the tension brewed between Samantha and Greg. However, much to the apprehension, Samantha was very professional regarding the project and hoped that it turned out to be a success by keeping her personal life at bay.

That morning, while she was getting ready for one more meeting, Samantha received one of those very unwelcome calls from Greg's office. "Ms. Reynolds, Mr. Thornton would like to see you this afternoon in his office. He has a new request."

Samantha felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. What now? She agreed to meet him, her stomach furling into an anxious knot.

When she arrived at Greg's office, the receptionist ushered her straight into the conference room. Greg was already there, studying some documents. He raised his head up and smiled at her

It's nice seeing you again, Ms. Reynolds," he said, telling her to sit . "I wanted to Tell you something Necessary with you."

She sat down and tried to keep her cool. "Of course, Mr. Thornton. What is it?"

Greg coughed. "We're getting towards the end of the project now, and I've been kicking around a couple of other ideas. I'd like your input on some changes.".

As he spoke about new ideas, Greg came across easier, more personable than she had thus far experienced. As much as Samantha wanted to stay professional and focused on the job, an undercurrent of tension was hard to shake.

Just then, as they were finishing up, Greg's phone buzzed again. He looked at it and shifted a bit in expression. "I need to take this call. Please feel free to go through the changes and let me know your thoughts on them."

Samantha nodded and started to plough her way through the ideas that he had deviated onto. She was deep in thought when the door opened and Alex strode in with a file.

"Hi, Samantha," Alex said with a casual nod as he went past her. "Just bringing in some extra information for Greg."

She nodded in return, and a small feeling of unease worked its way through Samantha's gut. Alex had been coming by the condo more and more often. Did that signify anything?

With Alex's departure, Samantha heard Greg's voice rise from across the room. He was on his phone, his voice Loud. She couldn't hear what he was saying well. but she had the feeling that whatever it could be .it was important

Greg returned, more somber than before. "I apologize about the wait," he said as he sat down. "Our schedule has changed. We need to finalize everything at the end of the week."

The deadline just kept getting closer and closer, ratcheting up the pressure. Samantha felt her heart sink at this. "Got it. I'll get everything ready."

Greg's eyes softened a little. "I appreciate your flexibility. I know this is a lot to handle."

As the meeting concluded, Greg walked Samantha to the door. "I just wanted to appreciate you for all your efforts. Your will be rewarded for your hardwork soon

Samantha smiled, faking it. "Thank you, I'm glad to be a part of this project.".

Something didn't feel right to Samantha as she emerged from the office. Greg's urgency in the voice, his changes in the schedule, made her feel that this was an omen for something bigger.

Back home, wandering thoughts running within her head made it hard to focus on the girls. Lily and Emma's giggles and chatty voice did work to uplift her heart, but that nearing deadline and Greg's behavior remained alert within her.

She tucked the girls in and then sat down with her laptop, trying to sort her mind out. She opened up the details of the project and went through the changes that Greg proposed. He had some pretty ambitious ideas for the new deadline, but she wanted to do it.

Her phone buzzed with an incoming message. It was from Rachel: "Mr. Thornton wants to schedule a final review meeting for tomorrow morning. Please be prepared."

Samantha let out a deep sigh, then laid her phone down. She knew by the speed this project was going she had to remain focused. She would double-check her work and make a plan for the following day.

Really tired but at the same time quite determined, Samantha went to bed. Pressure is raising; stakes are getting higher. She was very keenly forced to sidetrack some problems related to the project, the tension with Greg, and the secret she kept.

Next morning, as Samantha walked in to Greg's office for the final review, she was ready to give it her best. The project was closing out; at least that is what everybody else believed, but deep inside, Samantha felt that the real battle was about to start.