Rachel walked quickly down the street towards the building, squirming a bit, feeling the wool of her skirt scratch against her thighs. She wanted to look as professional as possible. Her blazer was a dark blue and underneath was a light blue silk blouse. Matching blue heels completed her outfit. She was happy to finally reach the proper building.
She entered the grand foyer and immediately felt a rush of nervousness. Her palms were already clammy and even though the air-conditioning in the building cooled her down, she felt a trickle of sweat run between her breasts. She bit her lip nervously and looked around, trying not to look out of place. Men and women rushed past her towards the bank of elevators. She followed quickly. Glancing down at the crumpled piece of paper in her left hand, she reread the suite number and company name.
Rachel entered the elevator and sighed with relief. She hit the button for the fortieth floor. No one was talking to anyone else and that helped Rachel think about her plan without distraction.
She was going to visit John Matthews, president of the Maylor Corporation. Her goal was to convince him not to develop Brookdale. She, along with the group she represented, wanted the village to remain small and quaint. If the Maylor Corporation had its way, there would be a thousand new homes in the next three years along with a two-lane highway going straight through Main Street.
Rachel was so deep in thought that she didn't notice the elevator open at her floor. As Rachel stepped out of the elevator, her eyes scanned the area until she was face to face with a cute bubbly blonde secretary sitting at a large oak desk.
Her heart was beating fast. She gulped and tried to calm down her breathing. She felt her legs shaking, which didn't help considering she wasn't used to wearing heels. Taking a deep breath, she took three steps forward.
"I have an appointment with John Matthews. My name is Rachel Wilson."
Blurting out her statement, Rachel felt even more self-conscious then before. She straightened her back and adjusted her skirt and blazer.
"Please take a seat."
She looked around and saw a waiting area with black leather couches. Rachel felt out of place in such a fancy waiting area and her nervousness just increased when finally someone came to see her.
"Are you sure you have an appointment with Mr. Matthews?"
Rachel looked up and saw that the deep voice belonged to a man who looked to be about her age. Knowing that Mr. Matthews was in his sixties, she knew that this was not who she wanted to talk to.
"I made the appointment almost three weeks ago. I am representing the Brookdale Environmental Group. I need to speak to him regarding the new development and the consequences of such actions on the environment."
Rachel smiled proudly to herself. If nothing else, she needed to represent her organization effectively. She thought back to her mother's stories when she first began as an environmental activist. Rachel would not be tying herself to trees or standing in front of bulldozers while wearing recycled clothing and chanting about carbon footprints. She was the next generation of Wilson activists and she would do her mother proud.
"Mr. Matthews is on extended leave. I can meet with you now if you want Ms. Wilson."
She stood up and tilted her head slightly to look into his eyes. He was very familiar to her but couldn't quite place him.
"Do I know you?"
Rachel's voice was soft with a hint of seductiveness. She didn't mean to flirt with him but she couldn't help it.
"Come to my office."
Rachel followed him down the hallway, past a few offices. They reached a door at the end of the hallway and she followed him in.
"Wow. I guess you worked a lot of hours to get a corner office."
Rachel turned crimson the moment she blurted out those words.
"I mean... Never mind."
Without asking, she sat down on one of the leather couches. It didn't occur to her to wait for permission.
"I'm Ryan Matthews, John Matthews's son. I've been helping the staff work through things while he's on leave."
"Ryan Matthews!"
Rachel gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth. Of course, this is why she remembered him. They had gone to school together.
"Has it been that long?"
Rachel blushed, knowing she wasn't making sense. She was blurting out the first thing that came to her mind.
"Sorry. I mean I totally didn't recognize you."
"Based on how you treated me in high school I would have rather you not recognize me."
Ryan's voice was quiet and reserved as he walked around his desk and sat down in his chair.
"So please explain why you are here. The only notes my father gave me regarding this meeting was that someone from a community organization was coming to try to convince him not to develop his land and make millions. Talk."
Rachel pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind and began her explanation.
"Brookdale is a small village outside of Richmond. The population is under two hundred. It is a quiet village with shops and community events happening every weekend. We cannot have such a large housing development. The environmental destruction would be devastating. The effect on the water and sewer system would cause damage to the already delicate vegetation. You need to choose a different area. If not we will take legal action."
Rachel regretted adding the last part. She could see Ryan tense his shoulders. Their eyes met and suddenly Rachel remembered what she had done to him in high school.
