The Determining (12 page)

Passing the numerous government buildings, Charlie noted how every structure looked like a replica of the last. All the buildings in the City Center were made of blinding white marble. Statues lined the roofs and tall pillars stood along the entrances like sentries guarding a gate. It reminded her of the paintings of ancient Greece she’d seen in history class. But unlike the old paintings, these modern buildings were impeccably clean, almost sterile. She felt uneasy looking at the carefully constructed uniformity.

“I know you’re nervous, but your grip is killing my hand.” Drew broke into her thoughts.

“Sorry.” Charlie loosed her hold.

“What are you thinking?” He glanced sideways at her before looking back to City Hall looming ahead.

“The future. Being here makes me think of the life waiting for me after University.” Charlie expected him to make a disapproving comment, but he didn’t.

“At least I’ll be there to face the future with you.” He stopped. They stood in front of City Hall.

Charlie looked away from the building, capturing Drew’s eyes. “I’m counting on that.” They shared a smile before climbing the steps.

Despite her father’s position on the Council, Charlie had never visited one of the government buildings. Or perhaps she’s avoided visiting due to his involvement. Either way, it didn’t surprise her to see that the interior reflected the sterile, controlled exterior. White walls and cold furnishings gave the building a clinical look. Like the crowd outside, the people milling about the atrium appeared solemn and hopeless.

A sign bolted to the wall across from the entrance listed the different offices in the building. Charlie scanned the sign for a minute before her eyes landed on the words
Office of Interpersonal Determination- Level Three.
She turned, searching the large, open foyer for the elevator. She spotted it and tugged Drew in that direction.

Pushing the call button, she whispered as they waited, “I feel like I’m inside a hospital.” The elevator doors slid open with a ding. They stepped inside, followed by a group of businessmen and women. The doors were inches from closing when a familiar voice called out.

“Hold the elevator!”

Charlie felt the blood drain from her face as Mason Novack slid between the doors. She gripped Drew’s hand, pressing herself as far away from Mason as she could. Drew looked at her with confusion until she mouthed Mason’s name. Understanding dawned on his face. As discreetly as possible, Drew guided her so that she stood in the corner of the car. He stepped in front of her. His tall frame blocked her from Mason’s view and gave her a small sense of safety. But, as the elevator ascended, her heart began to pound.

“It that you, Mason?”

Charlie peaked around Drew’s arm, careful to remain hidden. The man who spoke stood in the center of the car. Mason turned around at the sound of his name. She saw his gaze land on Drew. For one terrifying second, she thought he recognized him from her party, but his gaze moved on.

“Brooks, how are you?” A broad grin spread across Mason’s face. He pushed through the small space, coming to stand beside the man.

“Not bad, not bad. I’m surprised to see you here in the City Center. I didn’t think you left the company offices,” Brooks joked.

“The view from here is much better than the one at the office.” Mason glanced at a busty blonde standing across the elevator. She ignored the comment and his blatant stare, but Charlie noted a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Brooks chuckled. “From what I hear, you’ll soon be expected to enjoy the view a little closer to home.”

Mason’s relaxed expression turned hard. “I wasn’t aware that the company ‘merger’ had become public knowledge.” His tone held a challenge.

Brooks didn’t seem to notice Mason’s tone or expression. “It’s only common knowledge to those of us with friends in high places.” He lowered his voice, a useless endeavor in the confined space. “There were a few broken hearts when Grey decided to let you be the one to pluck his precious flower.”

“And a beautiful flower it is.” Lust darkened Mason’s face.

The elevator stopped on the second floor. Both men, along with Drew, Charlie and two other businessmen, remained inside. The pretty blonde slid past Mason, brushing her breasts across his arm as she did.

Brooks eyed Mason enviously. “Seems you have all the luck.”

“And I plan to continue my lucky streak.” Mason flashed a licentious grin.

Charlie’s jaw clenched. The only thing that kept her from reveling herself and slapping both men was Drew standing in her way. From where she stood, Charlie could see a vein bulging in his neck. He obviously didn’t care for the conversation either.

“Congratulations, you’re a very lucky man. When will the ‘merger’ be announced publically?” Brooks asked.

“The lawyers are in the final stages of reviewing the contract right now. I don’t anticipating it taking more than a week.”

“So soon?” Brooks raised an eyebrow.

“I see no reason to delay, and neither does Grey.” The elevator paused on the third floor. “This is my stop.” Mason nodded to Brooks before he disembarked.

When the elevator doors slid shut Charlie took a deep breath. She leaned her forehead against Drew’s back, taking a moment to let her nerves calm. They rode the elevator until Brooks and the businessmen exited. Alone, Drew stepped away from her and pressed the button for the third floor.

Overhearing Mason’s conversation only strengthened her resolve. Marrying Drew was the right choice. She glanced at Drew to see how he was fairing. A red hue colored his face, and the vein in his neck still stood out. “Are you okay?”

“I’d say I’m about as fine as you are.” She traced the vein on his neck with a fingertip. Under her gentle caress, the fury in Drew’s face slowly abated.

“I can’t believe your father wants you to marry that guy.”

“Richard doesn’t care about anything other than his company,” she said with a bitter edge in her voice. “This marriage is the surest way for him to form a necessary business connection. He won’t change his mind, but he might be surprised to learn that Mason has such a loose tongue.”

“Would your father call off the marriage if he knew Mason shared private information with that Brooks guy?” he asked hopefully.

Charlie felt a twinge in her gut.
Is he having second thoughts?
Her brows creased and she shook her head. “No. The deal is too good. If something like this comes up in the future, he’ll just find a way to shut Mason up.” Charlie imagined her father cutting out Mason’s tongue or sewing his lips shut. The mental images would have disgusted her, but in the case of Mason Novak, they gave her a sick sense of satisfaction.

“I guess we should get a move on,” Drew said with resolve. Charlie thought she saw disappointment in his face, but when she looked again, whatever she’d seen was gone.
Did I imagine it?

She grabbed Drew’s hand, pulling him out of the elevator. The two followed the signs to a door labeled
Office of Interpersonal Determination.

Charlie took a deep breath. “Here we go.”

Hand in hand, they stepped inside. Charlie wasn’t surprised to see that the office looked as uninviting as the rest of the building. A few fake plants strategically placed around the room broke up of monotony of white and gray that seemed to drown the building.

“Welcome to the Office of Interpersonal Determination, how can I help you?” A young woman behind a desk asked, her boredom obvious. She didn’t look up from the tablet sitting on the desk in front of her.

Charlie stepped closer, glancing at the screen. The woman was reading a trashy tabloid. She fought to keep from rolling her eyes.

“We’re here to have our Compatibility tested.”

The woman pointed to a scanner on the desk without looking up. “Scan in. Someone will be with you shortly.”

The pair scanned their chips and took a seat in the waiting area. Two other couples occupied the hard, plastic chairs, each nervously anticipating their turn. The couples huddled together holding hands, looking too anxious to speak. Charlie leaned her head against Drew’s shoulder, staring off into space.

A minute later, a door behind the secretary’s desk opened, and a couple emerged. Love-struck smiles split their faces, giving them an ethereal glow that Charlie envied. A woman in business attire followed them out. The smile on her face was less than sincere, but the couple didn’t notice.

“Congratulations.” She sounded as bored as the woman behind the desk. Grabbing a tablet on the desk, she scanned the screen. “Marie and Henry, you can follow me.”

The pair stood on shaky legs, clinging to one another as they stumbled through the doorway. Charlie watched, waiting for them to reemerge. It took a few minutes before they exited. Tears filled Marie’s eyes and Henry’s face looked blank; their hands no longer twined together. Charlie felt a stab of pity for them as they left the office.

“Sandy and Michael.” The last couple entered the other room. Charlie waited. Another man and woman entered the office. The receptionist gave them the same instructions she’d given Charlie and Drew. As they sat to wait, Sandy and Michael walked out. They both looked dazed but happy. Charlie smiled at them as they passed.

“Charlotte and Drew.” Charlie jumped to her feet, pulling Drew up with her. She nearly sprinted back into the quiet room. Two empty chairs faced the desk where the woman had settled in. Charlie and Drew sat down, the chairs squeaked under their weight. Two identical scanners stood waiting on the desk. Between them sat a blank tablet.

“My name is Mrs. Watson. I’ll be administrating your test today.” She spoke in a monotone, all business. Sliding two tablets across her desk, she looked at them. “Before we begin, you need to read these over and sign.”

Charlie took the worn tablet closest to her and read,

Being of sound mind, I do confirm that I am submitting to this Interpersonal Determining of my own free will. I have not and will not attempt to alter my results in any way. I vow to abide by the outcome of my Interpersonal Determining.

Charlie didn’t finish reading the paper. She knew what it meant. She thought of her Determining and the contract she’d signed that day. Now, she faced another legally binding contract. Unsure, she differed to Drew. He shot her an encouraging smile before picking up a stylus and signing his name at the bottom of the document. After a deep breath, Charlie signed and dated her own tablet before handing it back.

“Thank you. When the test is complete, the results will be displayed on the tablet. Please place your wrists above the scanners.” Mrs. Watson instructed.

Charlie extended her hand, lining her wrist up with the scanner. In seconds, a familiar red light flashed, illuminating her skin. The red light pulsed as it read her chip. Within moments, the light disappeared and the scanner beeped. It was over. The next minute would change the rest of her life. Sweat dampened Charlie’s palms and her pulse raced, doing double-time in her chest.

A minute passed, but nothing happened. Charlie’s unease grew until she began wringing her hands. “Does it usually take this long?”

For the first time since entering the office, Mrs. Watson’s faced showed emotion. Confusion furrowed her brows. “The results should have come through by now. I’m not sure what’s happening.” Turning to her computer, she began typing furiously.

“Will this change the test results?” Drew asked quietly.

Mrs. Watson examined the screen before answering. “No. The computer is showing that your test went through and the results were calculated. Our system seems to be having an issue receiving those results.”

Charlie fidgeted in her seat. The waiting felt like torture. “Does this happen often?”

“I’ve never encountered an issue like this, but I’ve heard of it happening.” As Mrs. Watson spoke, realization crossed her face. She turned to Charlie and really examined her for the first time.

A light flashed on the computer, drawing Mrs. Watson’s attention back to the screen. A relieved smile broke out across her face. “Here we are. The results should be displayed on the tablet any second now.”

When the screen lit up, Charlie’s heart skipped a beat. Everything fell away as if the world had paused. The only sound she could hear was the whoosh of air leaving her lungs. Her vision grew fuzzy around the edges. Her eyes zeroed in on the word displayed there in bold, dark letters.

Incompatible.

“Why?” she whispered to herself.

“Legally, I’m not allowed to release the reasons behind your results. All I can tell you is that your chips have determined that you are not Compatible. I am very sorry.” Mrs. Watson’s said softly, attempting to relay a sympathy she clearly didn’t feel.

Charlie looked at Drew with desperation. His shoulders slumped, a defeated look covering his face.

“Stop that,” she snapped at him. “This isn’t over. It can’t be!”

Mrs. Watson spoke using an understanding tone. “I’m afraid the contract you signed—”

“To hell with the contract!” Charlie shrieked, unable to control herself.

“We knew this was a long shot.” Drew shook his head sadly. “Let’s go.” He stood, moving has if his body weighed a thousand pounds.

Mrs. Watson watched with wide eyes as Charlie jumped out of her chair and grabbed Drew, keeping him from walking through the now open office door. “No. No, Drew! I can’t marry him, I won’t. You are my last chance! Without this I’ll be sold off. We have to fight this! Please …” Frustrated tears gathered in her eyes until they overflowed, falling down her cheeks.

Drew’s eyes raked over her. “Is that all I am to you, your last resort?” He pulled away from her, anger replacing his resignation. “The chip was right,” he scoffed, “we
aren’t
Compatible.”

Charlie flinched, as if he’d struck her. Without even a glance over the shoulder, he walked through the door and out of the office.

This couldn’t be happening. Drew was the only man she ever considered marrying. Now he’d been ripped from her. Nothing stood between her and a life with Mason.

By the time she stumbled out of the office, Drew was long gone. He’d left her. She reached for the ring hidden beneath her shirt, her sweaty palm holding it in a death grip. Tears continued flowing from her eyes as she staggered to the elevators and pressed the call button.