Hit Me With Your Best Shot
‘Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
You come on with it, come on
You don't fight fair
That's okay, see if I care
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I get right back on my feet again’
Picking at her chow mein, nothing seemed to make her smile. There was something disturbing about this buyer. Why had all of sudden this woman came out of nowhere and want to take her business? No one has that kind of money to hand out. It had been a week since the opening with no further pursuits made at her business yet something did not settle right in her stomach.
Octavia seemed to notice the lack of joy on Clarke's face. “What's wrong Clarke? Chow mein is your favorite.”
“I don't know.” Stabbing her food she lifted the fork with noodles to shove it back in as she aimlessly watched.
“Your art gallery was a hit!” Raven picked up the newspaper reading the reviews. “Scoot aside New York and make way for up and coming artist Clarke Griffin. Her recent and first exhibition struck a chord in the heart of the city. Artwork that featured other upcoming artists including Griffin's, shed light on the importance of different focuses of the art.”
“It's just a review.” Clarke hummed.
“Is it this that business chick?” Octavia inquired. She knew Clarke could have everything perfect but if one thing was wrong she would dwell on it forever.
“I don't know. I just don't have a good feeling. Like what kind of person has that kind of money and wants this small place?” Running her hands through her hair, worries took over again.
“Let's look up who Mr.Billionaire is.” Raven suggested quickly jumping from her chair to grab her laptop.
Running across their squeaky floor, Raven landed in the couch.
“What’s the card say?”
“Her name is Anya Trigeda.” Octavia read off the card. “Woods Inc.”
“What if it's like Bill Gates or Bloomberg! Oh or Zuckerberg isn't he like single?” Octavia pursuing her lips started to throw out all the billionaires’ names she knew.
“Nah it's probably like Ingvar Kamprad.”
Both Clarke and Octavia turned their heads to the side confused as to who he was.
“He owns IKEA! He's iconic in the engineering world.” Raven explained clearly as if it were common language.
The possibility that one of these guys wanted Clarke's studio made her anxious and more nervous. If it was someone like them then she would have no chance in keeping the building. They'd probably manage to afford her soul too.
“Stop.” Both girls turned to Clarke whose hands were covering her face. “Stop looking for who this person is. I'm going to go their building tomorrow confronting them and not worry about who they are and how much money they have. Nothing will stop me from losing this building.”
Frustration consumed the girl as she stormed out of their living room. She slammed the door shut wanting nothing to do with the world.
Her family's’ legacy was laced in the building. There was no amount of money in the world that could make the girl give up the prize possession. She would be a disgrace to her family and that was the last thing she wanted.
------
Bank of America Tower, 1 Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036. That was the address of the building written on the card. It was the fourth tallest building in New York City and the sixth in the United States. Knowing nothing about buildings she could only acknowledge the glass building with a large spire on top. This could totally be like a cult or something and she was falling into their trap.After much worrying about this Octavia reluctantly agreed to come as “back-up”.
Looking into the sky, the building seemed so much larger to Clarke than other buildings in New York. Without a doubt there was something special about the buildings that towered over the city but this one seemed like it was ripped out of the script of a horror movie.
“Oh it’s not that bad.” Octavia suggested as if she had read her mind. Clearly she was scared shitless and if Octavia could tell then she was screwed. She had a goal to squash any threats to her art business, she just had to keep reminding herself that.
Walking into the building there was a desk surrounded by marble tile. The receptionist sat on the stool that stood in the middle of the circular desk. Inside the building seemed more tiny than she had imagined. She was overreacting but that surely had to be better than under reacting.
“How can I help you?” The women turned towards the man sitting in the middle. As he stood up, they noticed the security outfit that suited him very well. The cut short sleeves tightened around his muscular arms that partially hid his tattoo. Though the baseball cap covered his face, his chiseled jaw was covered by his sexy scruffy facial hair. His dark skin tone made him the perfect eye-candy which meant he could totally help her. At least that's what Octavia could only think about.
“I need to see the owner of Woods Inc.” Clarke spoke up feeling confident now. The man did not smile but looked down at a book.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No.”
“Then I can’t help you.”
“Please, Anya knows who I am. She’ll let me up.”
“No.” Still no smiling, what was up with people at Woods Inc without smiling?
Biting the bottom of her lips, Octavia knew she could handle this obstacle.
“We need to see her immediately.”
“I can’t help you.” Looking down at his name tag she read his name and slurred out. “Lincoln, you can help your boss and us by allowing us to see Anya. Give her a call and if she says no then what do you got to lose?” One hand rested on the table while the other on her chin. Arching one eyebrow, she knew she had this man cornered as she could see him take a large gulp. Clarke watched as the two stare downed. The two waited for the other to cave only missing intense music to top off the dramatic moment. Lincoln was starting to slip and so Octavia licked her lips to bring him crashing down.
“Sure, what harm could it do.” He finally caved in, tightening his baseball cap.
Then God said, let there be Octavia Blake, because Clarke was about to kiss this woman’s feet. She knew she was persuasive but not this good.
Dialing the number and clearing his throat, he answered. “Sorry for bothering you Ms. Trigeda, but there is a woman at the front desk named,”
“Clarke Griffin.” Clarke whispered as he paused.
“Clarke Griffin. I told her no, without an appo-”
“Yes. Okay. Sorry. Yes, okay.” He hung up the phone and began to write something.
“These are your passes, make sure to wear them at all times when you are here. You’ll be able to get in and leave as you please.” He handed the girls the ids, lingering slightly longer at Octavia. “Take the elevator to floor 32.”
When Clarke turned around to enter through the turnstile, Octavia flashed Lincoln a wink. The girl swore she saw a hint of smile come from the eye candy.
Awaiting them as the elevator door opened was the once again unsmiling Anya.
“I want to talk to your boss.” Clarke immediately spoke as her foot hit the floor.
“I cannot do that.” Uncrossing her arms she reached to poke at the elevator button but Clarke stepped in the way.
“Then I can’t get you that building.” Grinning and crossing her arms, she knew she had Anya’s hands tied. Reluctantly the woman sighed signaling them to wait here.
“Damn girl, you didn’t even need me.” Octavia nudged Clarke who smiled wide feeling much more confident. She handed her some gum and taking one herself reading somewhere chewing gum can relax yourself.
Anya returned with the same unsmiling face, gesturing for them to enter the elevator. With every ding, Clarke watched as the numbers kept going up. What was she going to say to this guy? A billionaire is used to getting what they want and if Clarke denies this from them who knows what they’ll do to her.
Finally arriving at the top floor they all stepped out of the elevator with a desk sitting in the middle of the floor and door behind it. They followed Anya who nodded at the woman sitting down and led us past her through the door.
Without another word or motion she left the women to gawk at the room. There was nothing exceptional about the room with only a small desk and a backwards chair in the center of the unnecessarily large room. It was the view that left both girls mouth dropping. Stepping forward, where the wall was supposed to be were large glass windows that allowed one to see the entire city.
“This is some fifty greys shit.” Octavia whispered as she nudged Clarke. “I can totally make that security guy my Anastasia.” Clarke turned her hips towards Octavia who looked somewhat embarrassed. “Sorry, I’m lacking in that department.”
Laughing it off she stared back out to the city where both girls took a step forward to get a better look. “I’ve never seen the city like this.”
“Too bad you didn’t bring your canvas.” Octavia smirked.
“Don’t worry, I am totally engraving it in my head.”
“Like that girl you met?” Clarke this time whipped her whole body towards Octavia who still held her grin.
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh come on Clarke. I’ve known you since high school, that painting you did was not something you pulled out of your ass. You met a girl.”
“So.” Clarke felt herself blush. This was so embarrassing but she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret forever. She was kind of glad it was offer her shoulders now as she wanted to gush about that moment. So many artist dream for an experience like that and it was so unexpected but she still wanted to keep this woman a secret.
“That’s not what's important now. We got to figure out a way to beat this person, they aren’t going to give up.”
“Whatever you say Clarke.”
“I’m serious, I was thinking we could call Bell-”
Suddenly the chair that was facing the windows turned to now face the girls. Octavia let out a loud yelp punching Clarke in the arm at the process. Meanwhile, Clarke herself let out a yell, grasping at her heart again as it tried to runaway.
“What the fuck!” Octavia let out extremely pissed the person had scared them. Upon noticing the person in the chair Clarke immediately straightened up. Not only was it a woman in the chair but a woman who was probably her age.
“You're so young.”
The woman only nodded her head in response. Clarke could see now why anyone who worked for Woods Inc didn't smile. She sat there twirling a pen looking angry at the world as if the world owed her and not the other way around.
“You wanted to see me. Here I am, now speak.” Looking towards Octavia, the younger one nodded at her to step forward. Clearly Clarke was expecting an older cranky man but a very young and surprisingly stunning woman was the last person on her mind.
“We uh came to uh tell you.” Clarke cleared her throat knowing this already was starting off rocky with the woman having already heard some of their conversation. She was throwing her off her game. “You have to leave our business alone. I will not give up my building to some corporate shark or money enthusiast. I came here to demand that you leave me alone. My mind won't change no matter how much money you offer.”
“You make a mistake Ms.Griffin. Why do you choose to make such a rush decision?”
“I don’t trust people like you.”
The woman stood up now and gave Clarke a better look at her. She wore a skin tight black dress with long sleeves. Curving at her hips and cutting right above her knees, it showed off her muscular shoulders. However her long brown curly hair fell down on her shoulder all pushed to one side. The CEO of Woods Inc was...hot.
“I get my way Ms.Griffin.” Walking around the desk, her heels clicked against the floor until she was three feet away from Clarke.
“Well, Ms..”
“Alexandria Woods.”
“Woods, let me tell you something. You better get used to the idea of not getting what you want now because that building is mine and I’ll fight for it.”
“You won’t have the power to defeat me.”
“Hit me with your best shot Woods.” Keeping her head held high she turned towards the door and confidently strode out with Octavia on her heels.
Alexandria Woods was in for a real treat.
------
A silent three weeks passed as no threats or movements were made by either side. Clarke safely resumed her painting feeling more confident about her work. She wanted to do more with her art than just make money off it. Artists like Frida Kahlo and Cindy Sherman all had a vision that inspired others, made them question, and sparked discussion. No, she didn’t want to reach the world but she wanted to reach a few people to help them discover who they are. The problem was Clarke did not know who she was.
She was stuck on this woman she met in the rain that day. Clarke had painted her face because her hair was all in the way it was like the woman was in a mask. So every time she painted her she used her hair as a mask letting streaks of black paint fall down her face to represent the tears she knew the girl cried that night. She used as much imagination as she can to fill out the rest but of course she highlighted the woman’s eyes. As a child her father used to take her hiking where Clarke became enamored with the earth. All its beauties the greens offered and not once did it falter in her eyes. When the leaves fell it didn’t make them ugly, it just made room for the trees to try a new look.
There was just something about these eyes that reminded her of the forest. She could look at them and see a memory of her childhood.
“You know we can find her.” Clarke reached for the hand on her shoulder. Octavia stood behind her admiring the work.
“She is just a fantasy.”
“What if she was real?” Clarke had chalked the woman to a fantasy because the next day she was stuck in bed with a terrible cold. Assuming she was a hallucinations, there was no reason to look for her.
Octavia placed a kiss on the side of her cheek and left the studio for the day having cleaned up. It was still pretty early but Octavia wasn't feeling great either. As she left however, a man entered through the doors.
Clarke immediately stood up as the man looked very important dressed in a suit carrying a briefcase.
“Hello my name is Gustus.” The man reached out his hand and Clarke happily obliged.
“Clarke-”
“ Griffin. Yes I know.”
“How can I help you?”
“I recently had a friend attend your exhibition and fell in love with your artwork and the vision of other art you had. Clearly the other art work you had chosen from other artist was meticulous and well thought out.”
“Thank you.”
“I am currently looking for an Art Commissioner. I would like to hire you.”
Clarke's eyes widened in surprise. She never imagined buying art for other people but only making it. It was something she never considered assuming people would be the ones to buy from her. Noticing Clarke's struggling thinking Gustus continued,
“We can hash out details later I just would to like to know if you are interested.”
Without hesitation Clarke jumped at the opportunity. Many times she has heard stories of people traveling the world and seeing art and getting paid for it. She wasn't sure how much it paid but she knew this had to be better than a struggling artist.
“Absolutely.”
“Perfect, I just need you to sign a paper saying you are interested. That way no one else tries to steal you from us.”
Nodding her head Clarke picked up the paper being handed to her. Skimming it over she blindly reached for her pen. When she didn't feel it she glanced up for a second noticing the man's briefcase. An expensive leather wrapped the box with a symbol Clarke was all to one familiar with it. Gustus had not noticed what Clarke had and waited patiently. He didn't smile either and that was Clarke’s tipping point as she left a wonderful signature on the paper.
She handed the paper back to Gustus who without checking shoved it in his briefcase.
“Thank you so much. I can't wait to work with you.”
“Can't wait to see you around.” Clarke smiled back watching the man walk out the studio clueless.
----
“She did it without even reading through the contract. What a child.” Gustus responded as he grasped the paper out of his bag to hand it to his boss.
Taking the paper out of his hand and immediately turning to the back page they read the signature out loud, “Screw you Alexandria Woods. Love always, Clarke xoxo.”
Ripping the paper into multiple shreds, Alexandria let the pieces fall to the ground and raised her hand. Gustus’ face went pale in embarrassment. He couldn't even form the words to explain what had happen. She turned around as Gustus was escorted out of the room unemployed now. Sometimes she had forgotten how stupid her employees were. If was going to defeat Clarke she needed to do this more strategically.
Clarke was smart, Alexandria had to admit but now she had the next shot. She had to hope now Clarke wouldn't pull an incredibly stupid move.
----
“Yas Clarke!” Octavia cheered on, proud Clarke had discovered what Alexandria was pulling off.
All the roommates were sitting on the couch planning what could hurt a huge business woman like the one they were facing. Coming with a Plan A and B Clarke felt extremely nervous and scared.
“Listen Plan A will probably do some damage as we hope but I think Plan B will solve our issues.” Raven was positive of it. Plan B was something she had experienced herself.
They planned to execute the first one tomorrow morning but Clarke secretly hopped it would help as she really did not want to fall into the second plan. Raven believed this woman’s problem was that she had nothing to love but her work. After much digging and research, Raven found that she devoted her life to the company. The woman inherited her family's company at a very young age, taking it new levels unlike previous successors. She had turned the mediocre business to a billion dollar company with extremely smart business moves. So, Raven suggested Clarke get close to her and find out her perfect person so that they could set her up. The girls did not want to break this woman’s heart as they both knew what that was like all too well.
The next morning, Clarke rallied up a few friends, some who owed her favors, and stood outside Wood’s building. Passing out posters she lined everyone on the street just off the sidewalk to avoid complaints.
This was risky as she knew from her research how many times protests have failed before. Especially not having done this before, they were going to put someone’s work under the light. Though Clarke doesn’t truly have any issues with the actual business she felt she had enough motivation from Alexandria herself. Reminded of her anger she looked towards Raven who gave her the nod of approval.
“Lack of green in Woods” Clarke started to chant as people began to follow her. Clarke then raised her own poster as everyone followed. Honestly, it had started very rough. Not many people paid much attention them as people went in and left the building without a second glance at their protest. It took them a solid fifteen minutes just to march and speak in sync. After two hours some of her friends began to question what the point of this was. Jasper had declared his hunger was going to take the best of him soon. Monty backed him up as he didn't feel motivated to continue nor did he want to as he wanted to work for the company. Others complained their feet hurt, that they were thirsty, and that they had to go to the bathroom. Clarke too felt all these things ready to give up on the stupid plan.
However things began to take a turn when media showed up. Apparently Raven had tipped off some reporters and with the cameras there more people began to notice and some strangers began to even join in their chants.
“Why the sudden protest?” The reporter inquired.
“For a company named Woods Inc, the eco-unfriendly actions they take is astonishing. The amount of pollution their factories release and the deforest of large areas is hurting this planet. They don't even try to mend their cruel actions. How can they even continue their business if there is no land to have one. Enough is enough.”
Within minutes of Clarke’s complaints there were abundance of people now sitting in front of the building. The news had spread out the article all over television. More networks came over to interview her once the local station caught on. The work day still had two more hours to go but according to Monty, their stocks were declining today. It was not much but enough damage to make a change.
“Can I speak to you Ms. Griffin.” Clarke turned around to find Anya waiting at the entrance of the door.
“Anything you have to say to me you can say to everyone here!” There was a chorus of yeahs to her response.
“Please.” Anya requested again not sure how to handle it. Clarke turned towards Raven who nodded at her to go, this what they wanted.
“We got this girl. Lack of green in Woods!” Raven yelled out. Laying her poster down Clarke followed Anya into the building where it was quite.
The entrance was cleared with not even the security guard there.
“Listen, we’ll back off if you get off our property.”
“We are on the streets for a reason. We aren’t on your property.” Rolling her eyes it was clear Anya did not want to have to deal with such childish issues, probably not being paid enough.
“Ms.Woods will no longer pursue your business if you dismantle your protest.”
“Why won’t she tell me this herself?”
“Because she is not here. She is taking care of more pressing issues in Beijing at the moment.”
Clarke nodded her head believing Anya. She was skeptical at first but Anya ensured her the true intentions of a businesswoman. As well Anya informed Clarke that Alexandria wished her to call her Lexa.
“Why?”
“I do not question my boss’ request.” Accepting the odd request, Clarke continued.
“Tell her I hope no hard feelings and that we can move on from all this.” Nodding her head to the message, Clarke left to dismantle her protest. What she did not know was that Lexa was watching the entire protest from her office all day plotting her next move.
When Anya came to tell her of Clarke’s response, Lexa walked to the window sipping her tea.
“Check Clarke.” A smiled crept on the woman’s face finally enjoying some true competition.
-----
Once again the women were at stalemate as they both enjoyed the peace their business offered them. Clarke had officially broken it off with her job at the newspaper company and put her full efforts into her personal arts. More time was spent creating art and selling it. She was very proud of herself and to help thank her friends for everything they had done, she rented the space every Monday to Octavia who held a Pilates class at night. As well they had worked together to make the studio a public art space for other upcoming artists to work on their own art. Raven meanwhile was working as a mechanical engineer for Suneris Inc. She was really enjoying the work and especially the pay.
All the girls had been caught up in their work lives they forgot so many times about their personal lives. However, that began to change when one morning Clarke and Octavia were opening up the studio and a man dressed in chemical resistant coveralls with resistant gloves entered.
“Excuse me. I am looking for Clarke Griffin.”
“Yeah thats me?” She answered wary. She turned towards Octavia who shrugged her shoulders not sure who they were.
“We got a complaint that there were pests in this building so it is protocol to shut down this building for a few months and clear it out.”
“What!” Clarke grabbed the paper out of his hand. Reading it she saw an unknown number on the person who called it in. The person had been anonymous but Clarke knew exactly who placed the complaint.
“She has got to be fucking kidding me.” she reached for her jacket where Octavia beat her to it.
“Don't do anything too stupid.” She offered as she handed her the jacket. Of course Octavia was pissed too not just for Clarke but for her own work that was thriving in the studio. There was no doubt on who made the call and so she let her go hoping it worked for the best. Clarke stormed out of her building without another thought by immediately calling for a cab taking her straight to Lexa’s building. There were many inappropriate words popping into her mind but for some reason they were so appropriate. Fumbling with her fingers, many scenarios were running through Clarke’s mind. Her brain told her not to be an idiot but her heart was too ignited with anger, knowing she would not have the confidence to do this without it. How could Lexa be so cruel? They had a deal but clearly her words were meaningless.
Arriving at the building, Clarke threw money at her driver and slammed the door. Well Lexa was now going to get a piece that mind.
“Lincoln right?” The security guard Octavia had flirted with was sitting at the front desk. He nodded his acknowledging his head, still no smiling. One day Clarke was going to get down to the bottom of that.
“I’m here to see Lexa, what floor is she on?”
“She is in a meeting right now.”
“Oh, she is expecting me.” Nodding his head he searched the computer and gave her the floor number. Using her pass she gained entrance immediately passing the turnstile and heading to the floor. Once those elevators door opened Clarke stormed to the room with words already falling off her tongue.
“Ma’am you can’t go in there.” A man working at a nearby desk came over to stop her but she was on a mission now as her hand turned the doorknob.
“You lying bitch.” With her sturdy face, Clarke did her best to maintain composure and the look of surprise as she walked into a room full of people. Lexa was sitting at the head of the table with 20 different business people surrounding the table. All eyes were now on the painter who confidently leaned on her right leg with her arms crossed.
“We had a deal. You promised you would back off and now the building is shut down for inspection?” Anya, who happened to be in the room was on her feet now making movements towards Clarke. Noticing the movement, Clarke quickly walked around the other side of the table until she was in front of Lexa who too now was standing up.
“You don’t scare me Alexandria Woods. In fact I can’t wait to damage your empire. You are going to wish you have never met me.”
With no movement but a small nod from Lexa, Anya immediately had everyone escorted out of the room in apologies. People began to murmur and complain as they got up and left. The room had finally been cleared leaving the two women alone.
“What’s your problem?”
“That was unnecessary, Miss.Griffin. You embarrassed me in front of my people. I would have gladly met with you in private.”
“Bullshit. You send some exterminators into my building to shut it down and you don’t think I’d act on it?”
“I’d hope you would respond more respectfully.”
“Oh Lexa that went out the window when you decided to come after my building come after my building.”
“If I call correctly, you told me to hit you with my best shot.”
“You fight unfair using your powerful position but you know what? I won’t rest until I know you won’t touch my building again.” The two girls were so close now that their breathes had been brushing against the other’s skin. Lexa would never admit it to anyone but she missed to closeness of a human body. No one had stood this close to her since her parents died. As well, she never noticed Clarke until now. Her long blonde hair was kept out of her face by the side braids. Her pale complexion brightened her blue eyes on her round face. Lexa had to hold in an inner laughter as she noticed the red paint across her nose.
“I know our ways seem harsh but we must do what we do to keep our business safe.”
“I won’t understand why you do this but know we can never be at peace unless you be the leader you claim to be.”
Clarke left with her words to instill in Lexa. What she did not know as that Lexa had planned everything even up to her barging into the meeting. Clarke was just a pawn in her game and Lexa was winning in their game of chess.
“Checkmate.”