SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 357
357 Meeting Astrid
357 Meeting Astrid
(Winona)
"Ready for the meeting?" Jayden asks, his voice warm and reassuring.
I force a smile. "Of course."
We head down the hall, past rows of glass-walled offices where people work silently behind screens. Everyone is dressed to perfection, every detall immaculate.
It's a far cry from the life I had back in the States, where chaos was the order of the day, juggling kids, work, and everything in between.
I'm trying to adjust, I really am, but this place is so different. So... emotionally cold,
"Astrid is in the meeting room. She isn't friendly but she keeps this place running like clockwork. Don't let her bother you. She's all about Nexus Global and she hates change."
As we approach the meeting room, the tension in my stomach tightens. I wonder if Sofia will be in there? Jayden opens the door, and I step inside, my eyes immediately landing on her. Astrid Koenig. Wow, I think even her short, sharp hair is too scared to fall out of place.
She's sitting at the head of the table, looking up from her tablet, and I instantly feel like a mouse under the gaze of a hawk. She stands to greet Jayden.
Her movements precise, calculated, every inch of her screaming authority. She's tall and incredibly slim.
"Astrid, this is my wife, Winona," Jayden says, smiling as though this is just a normal introduction. He clearly doesn't sense the frost in the air.
Astrid's eyes sweep over me.
I know this look, the one where people pretend they're being polite but really can't stand you breathing the same oxygen as them.
Judy has mastered it. And now, here's Astrid, younger, sharper, and every bit as good at it. Maybe Judy has taught her all she knows.... "Hi." I say extending my hand.
She just looks at it and continues talking. "A pleasure," Astrid says, her voice smooth. "Welcome to Nexus
Global."
"Thank you," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. But my palms are sweating, and I don't know what to do with my hands now.
Astrid's gaze shifts back to Jayden as if I've already ceased to exist. "We have a lot to cover today. I've.
pared the briefing notes, and we're set to meet with the key stakeholders at 11."
Jayden nods. "Great. Let's get started."
"Fine. The coffee room is down the hall, I've had some pastries brought in." Astrid directs this at me.
"I've just had breakfast thanks."
+25 BONUS
357 Meeting Astrid
"I'll have someone come and show you around."
I think I'm getting the short shift here.
"Winona is here to get to know how Nexus Global runs. I'll be bringing her in on the transitions. She'll join us in all our dealings today as well as meet the rest of the upper management team." Yeah, suck on that, Astrid.
I give her a satisfied, close-lipped smile.
I'm not sure her face knows what a smile is.
This is going to be a long-ass day.
"I see." She says stiffly and then proceeds to speak like I'm not even there about things I have no clue about. Clearly, I'll need to do my research.
She commands Jayden's attention effortlessly, her voice cool and clear as she outlines the outcomes for Nexus Global commitment to renewable energy sources. She's impressive.
She barely looks in my direction, and when she does, it's with an air of thinly veiled condescension. She doesn't want me here and certainly doesn't want my opinion.
As the briefing wraps up, Jayden says, "Okay, great. This is a fantastic start to shaping the future for this company. Working to leave a smaller footprint on the environment is very much in line with the family matters approach I'm wanting to build." Astrid looks satisfied at Jayden's support. She doesn't smile but her rigid face softens a little. So even this iceberg isn't immune to wanting the boss's approval. I wonder if that's all she wants from him?
"I need to go grab some stuff Sofia should have leftist the front desk. You okay to wait here?" Jayden interrupts my thoughts.
"Sure," I say, even though the last thing I want is to be left alone in this icy palace. But I'm not showing any sign of weakness.
Jayden leaves, and the second the door clicks shut behind him, Astrid turns her full attention on me. I feel the change instantly. The polite façade drops, and I'm left facing a woman who isn't trying to hide her disapproval of me being here anymore. "Sorry if that was a little over your head," she says, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I wasn't aware I'd need to bring any background information to this meeting."
I bristle at the comment, but I force myself to stay calm. 1 managed to follow along." I say, trying to keep it neutral.
Astrid raises an eyebrow. "Nexus Global is a lot to take in for someone... unused to this kind of environment."
There it is. The backhanded slap, dressed up as a compliment.
I meet her gaze, refusing to let her intimidate me. "I may not be used to Nexus Global, but I've built my own million-dollar company more than once. I learn fast." 357 Meeting Astrid
+25 BONUS
She smirks, clearly amused. "Ah million-dollar companies, yes." As if she's talking about a ten-dollar bill. "I remember those."
I clench my hands in my lap, feeling the anger bubbling beneath the surface. She's so much like Judy-passive-aggressive, snide, making every comment sting just enough without being outright rude.
"I'll be here often with Jayden. Supporting his vision for this company." So you better get used to it, lady. "Mr. Brennan," she continues, her eyes devoid of emotion, "will find it a lot harder than he thinks to make these changes. I'm not sure personal distractions in the office space are wise."
Her words hang in the air, and I know what she's implying. I know she's testing me, pushing to see if I'll crack.
I straighten my shoulders, meeting her gaze head-on. "Regardless of what you think is wise, it's happening. I'm not here to ask for your permission. I'm here to support Jayden. Astrid's steely look says it all. "Of course."
She leaves the room without another word, her stiletto heels barely clicking against the floor. The door shuts behind her. I'm not even a worm at her feet, in her eyes.
I feel rattled, but I'm not about to let her get the better of me.
This isn't my life. This isn't my world. And people like Astrid are going to make sure I feel that at every
turn.
I survived the first meeting. I wonder if Astrid and Judy get along or if they are so much alike, they clash? I can't trust that Astrid isn't in cohorts with Judy. can't trust that anyone here isn't.