Free Lost and Found (A Novel) by Kathy Adams Page A

more pleasant looking one, causing Caelie to look on in perplex. “The clients will be here shortly. Come, take a seat first.” While Wynne was smiling as he talked, there was a slight edge to his voice as it they were forced. Caelie took small steps until she reached where Wynne was and gingerly sat on the chair beside him. A few uncomfortable minutes passed in silence as they sat quietly, each minding their own thoughts, before the intercom beeped and Chanell’s voice spoke.
     
    “The clients are here Mr. Grant. I will bring them in shortly.”
     
    Caelie gulped and fidgeted in her seat. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you if you are stuck.” His voice came barely a whisper beside her just before the door opened and Chanell ushered the clients into the room. Caelie looked questioningly towards Wynne, surprised at his sudden niceties but Wynne was already up on his feet, greeting the clients. The next minute, Caelie was also up, following the cue from Wynne as he went around introducing her to the clients and playing up his socializing skills. Gone was the grouchy, mean jerk that tormented her internship experience. In his place now was a very pleasant man who was all-suave and poise. Without the perpetual frown on his face, Caelie could see the dashing good looks that Wynne possessed. The man oozed confidence and his presence commanded attention to whatever he had to say. The clients made up of a group of three men and a woman seemed to be quite taken with him.
     
    So intrigued was Caelie on seeing this new side to Wynne that it momentarily took her focus away from her daunting task. Alas, the time could not have come soon enough and she had to start what she had came to do. Caelie could feel the nervousness seeping back into her body as all attention was now drawn towards her. Walking to the front of the room, Caelie closed her eyes for an instance and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she sought for Wynne who was now seated nearer to where she stood. He gave her a small smile and an encouraging nod of his head. The unexpected support of her team leader seemed to give Caelie the boost she needed and so began her presentation.
     
    The first few minutes went well and slowly Caelie began to gain her confidence. She remembered the various tips given to her and mentally reminded herself to follow them. She consciously tried to slow down whenever she realized that she was speeding up on her speech. To calm her nerves, she paused at regular intervals, taking a deep breath before continuing. It also helped that the clients were an amiable bunch, smiling pleasantly and nodding their heads as she went about explaining her proposal to them. Just as she thought that she would be able to finish her presentation with no hiccups, one of the clients commented on a point that she had mentioned, causing her to loose her train of thoughts. Momentarily forgetting her next sentence, Caelie gave them a wide smile, hoping that it would not be apparent that she was racking her brain to stir her memory. The clients sat patiently as though she was just pausing for effect.
     
    “Don’t worry. I’ll help you if you are stuck.” Wynne’s voice drifted through Caelie’s memory. Praying hard that she had heard him right, Caelie caught Wynne’s watchful gaze, widening her eyes slightly at him, hoping that he could catch her drift.
     
    “So, gentlemen...and lady,” Wynne smiled charmingly as he nodded slightly in the woman’s direction, earning a flattered giggle from her and drawing the attention of everyone in the room towards him. He then began to engage them in a discussion of the points that had been raised as if it was part of their plan.
     
    Letting out her bated breath, Caelie mentally thanked Wynne for coming to the rescue whether willingly or forced. With all eyes away from her, she casually flipped through her notes, looking for something that would jogged her memory for the next points in her presentation flow. Finding