Chapter 88 Woodland Creatures

Eden's POV:

Why the hell has Noah got me carving little woodland creatures? I would have thought he realised from my terrible little chair that carving isn't one of my greatest strengths. Sure, I'm getting better but I'm still not exactly a master craftsman.

Stacey says it's an important task for the spring line. She says we're actually going to be selling them. But who is she kidding... Who is going to pay for these little bunnies and deer? Then again... people buy all sorts of crazy stuff so maybe there's a market for wonky woodland animals.

I've barely seen Noah in the last few weeks. He says he's been busy with work and to be fair, I've been crazy busy trying to get the Clancy house finished in time for grandma's party. That's what I'm calling it... A party. I don't understand why she wants to make a song and dance about the house. It's not going to be as good as the one's my dad used to make and so it's hard to believe that this isn't going to just be a great big disappointment for everyone involved.

The most frustrating thing is that I can't even talk to anyone about it. I can't tell Noah or Stacey, not without causing yet another problem. It's just a fight I'm not ready to have.

Getting to my feet, I stretch my arms over my head. I feel a little claustrophobic. I don't understand why Noah is insisting that Stacey and I work in the staff kitchen. He made some cock and bull excuse about trying to keep the woodland creatures a secret. But Noah is a crummy liar and I knew immediately that he wasn't telling me something.

Tired from working on the Clancy house the night before, on that first morning I hadn't bothered to argue with him but now when my every move feels watched by Stacey, I feel a lot less willing to let it slide.

"Where are you going?" she asks in what can only be described as a panicky voice.

"Just popping to the loo," I tell her. It's a lie. I just want to get out of this little kitchen.

"I'll come with you," she says, getting to her feet.

With a sigh, I nod my head. It's not like I can tell her she's a big part of the reason why I want to get out of here. She's driving me mad. Her and this tiny little room with no window. When this is all finished, I'm going to kill Noah!

Crossing the department, we walk to the ladies toilets. All the while, I'm glancing around, searching for Noah. I have it in mind to complain. If I spot him, I'm going to insist that I will not be spending another five minutes in that dingy little room. In fact, when I inherit this company, that kitchen will be the first thing to go.

Less than five minutes later, coming out of the toilets, I don't bother to wait for Stacey. I'm not about to have a chit chat in the ladies with her. The department is quiet, everyone presumably in the conference room. I begin to make my way towards the door, planning to confront Noah but Rob puts himself between me and the door.

"Oh Eden!" he says loudly, far louder than is necessary. "What are you doing here? I thought you were making woodland creatures?"

He says it like it's the most important task in the entire company.

"I want to speak to Noah," I say between gritted teeth.

There's no way they're not all up to something. Everyone has been acting weird for several weeks and my temper is beginning to fray. I'm tempted to scream out 'I'm Eden Clancy and if you don't get out of my way, I'll fire you," but that really wouldn't be helpful. Not to mention, I actually kinda like Rob.

"He's not here," he squeaks out. "Gone to a meeting, I think."

I give him a look that hopefully says he's not fooling anyone. I manage Noah's schedule. I know for a fact he's not in a meeting.

"Try that again," I say as calmly as I can, "and perhaps this time remember that you're talking to his ASSISTANT. Just who do you think arranges the meetings he attends?"

He blanches at my words. Maybe I'm being a little too scary. I wait for him to say something and when he doesn't, I decide not to waste anymore time.

"Tell Noah that he either has to find me somewhere else to make his bloody woodland creatures... Somewhere with a window." Even I am surprised with just how much venom I'm putting into my words. "Or he has two choices."

"Choices?" A voice says from behind me.

Not only do I recognise that voice but I know that he's entertained by my little outbreak.

Turning on my heels, I look into Noah Grisham's eyes. He's smirking as if he couldn't think of anything better to do than irritate the hell out of me.

"Choices..." I repeat, my temper rising.

"I'm waiting to hear them."

"One; we go to the woods this weekend with ax," I say, keeping a straight face.

"And two?" He looks ready to crack. He's about to laugh but he's doing his best to keep the laughter in.

"Two; I give you my resignation letter right now."

"You can't..." He says, his eyes gloating at me. "I told you, the company's going paperless."

"Email! Noah! Email is a real thing!" I growl at him, pulling out my phone and typing out the words 'I QUIT'.

"I'll send it," I threaten, holding it up for him to see.

"Alright... alright... you can use my office," he says, taking a step towards me so he can take my phone and delete the email. "But first, I think you could use some coffee..."

Taking my hand, he practically pulls me from the department. I try to shrug his hand off, telling him that people are looking but he refused to let go.