Mia Cara

7

I screeched as the water flew everywhere, the glass jug breaking into a million pieces. I felt my cheeks heat up, I was drenched in water. I looked up to see Mr. Rossi standing above me, a disapproving look on his stone cold face.

"Miss Salvatore, how much more incompetent can you be?" He asked, making my cheeks heat up even further, "Well get up, stop being so useless."

I pushed myself up, shrieking in pain when I realized that glass had lodged itself into my hand. I guess through all the embarrassment of the moment, I hadn't even realized that I had cut myself.

I felt a cold hand grab me by my arm, pulling me up off of the floor in one swift moment. I stumbled slightly, but Rossi secured me with his other hand. Gazing over me once, he turned on his heel and kept one hand on me, dragging me behind him. I caught June's gaze before he pulled me out of the room, and it was definitely a look of pity that her blue eyes were shooting me.

"Look, Mr. Rossi, I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean to." I said as he pulled me through a hallway that I hadn't been into yet. He opened the door to a room at the end of the hall, I quickly realized it was a bathroom.

"I know." His words surprised me, I was expecting him to shout at me or tell my how incompetent I am. He tugged me into the bathroom, making me sit down on the edge of the tub.

I huffed, annoyed as I thought about the immature move Charlotte made. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have this huge gash in my hand. I also wouldn't be completely soaked in ice water.

I jumped when I felt his calloused hand grab mine, he already had tweezers in his hand. I cringed, knowing very well what he was about to do with those tweezers. He plunged the tweezers into my hand, making me scrunch my face up in pain. I resisted the urge to scream as he grabbed the shard of glass, pulling it out in one swift motion.

"Stop being such a wuss." He scoffed, dropping the glass into the trashcan that was near the sink. I shot a glare in his direction, annoyed with how he thought he could treat everyone around him. I get he was my boss, but I was a human, not an emotionless robot that could just be treated so inhumanely.

"Stop being such an ass." I shot back, immediately regretting it as soon as it left my mouth. I hadn't exactly meant to call him an ass but this man just got me so worked up. How could he be so incredibly rude when I'd done nothing to him?!

"Excuse me, tesoro?" He raised his gaze from my hand that he was disinfecting to meet my eyes, I felt my heart sink at his gaze, "I believe you should remember who you're talking to. I could ruin your life." His voice was low, his threat sent shivers down my spine.

He was only my employer, how could he ruin my life? Sure, he could fire me but that wouldn't ruin my life, I'd just go find another job.

I ignored his comment, looking back down to my hand in order to avoid his burning gaze. He soon stood up, towering over my sitting frame. He looked down at me, tossing the used gauze into the trash bin. I took this moment, of all the moments that I could've, to fully take him in. He was wearing a black suit, his dark brown hair was slicked back today in comparison to his messy hair that he wore yesterday.

I looked back up to find his harsh gaze on me, the edge of his lip seemed to flicker up in amusement but it was gone as quick as it came, "Get washed up, I'll have one of the maids bring in fresh clothes when you're done and bandage your hand." He motioned carelessly at my hand, his tone was one of boredom.

I nodded meekly, quickly standing up. I closed the door, turning to catch my reflection in the mirror. I nearly laughed at the sight. My brown hair was ruffled, partially stuck to my face, my light blue dress was partially dark due to the water I'd fallen in. My cheeks were alarmingly red in contrast to my dark brown hair.

I sighed at the sight of myself, slipping my dress off. I turned on the water, adjusting the temperature first before slipping under the ongoing stream. I quickly washed myself up using some strawberry shampoo and conditioner that I'd found.

I finished up before shutting the water off and grabbing a towel off of the rack beside the shower. I dried myself off before wrapping myself up in the towel. I tiptoed over to the door, opening it slowly. I looked around, hoping to find a new dress.

I huffed in annoyance, walking out to the foyer. I was too busy cursing Charlotte and her annoying attitude when I bumped into someone's hard chest. My grip on the towel tightened as I glanced up to find a smug Jackson. I glared at him as he trailed his eyes over my towel-clad body.

"My eyes are up here."

"Ooh, feisty, are we, Miss Salvatore?" He chuckled, shaking his head slightly at me."Quite a show you put on back there." He chucked.

"Don't remind me." I sighed, feeling my cheeks already beginning to heat up again. My palm stinging in remembrance of the moment, reminding me to get it cleaned up. Thankfully it had stopped bleeding after my shower.

"Why are you out here in nothing but a towel anyway, not very professional if you ask me." He joked, his eyes held a teasing tone. I was grateful he changed the topic instead of tormenting me about my great fall.

"I'm looking for a clean dress, or a maid to help me find one of those." I huffed, raking a hand through my short, damp hair.

"Down that hall, to your left is a little room with employee uniforms." He raised his hand to a hallway behind us. I cursed myself, remembering Ginger bringing me to the room yesterday to give me my uniform.

"Thank you, Mr. De Angelis." I smiled warmly, turning on my heel.

"You can call me Jackson." He called out after me, I turned to see him taking off in the opposite direction, headed for the stairs. "Especially now that I've seen you in less clothes than Rossi would deem professional." He jabbed, causing my cheeks to immediately heat up.

"Whatever you say, Jackson."

I felt relief pump through my veins when I found a clean uniform. I shut the door and slipped it on before tossing my towel into the laundry hamper. I quickly exited the room, heading back to the bathroom to grab my shoes. After I was fully dressed, I made my way back to the dining area.

I was expected to be met with the mess from the earlier events but instead I saw June, Ginger, and Cecelia cleaning up. Mostly everything was gone except the puddle of water that June was currently mopping up. Ginger and Cecelia were cleaning up the dishes from the table.

"Rose, are you alright?" Ginger dropped the plate back onto the table as she neared me, I smiled sweetly at her, waving her off.

"Don't worry about me."

"Honey, your hand is bleeding." She said, grabbing my hand. I mentally face palmed at the fact that I nearly forgot about my hand all over again.

"Oh, I just need a bandage for it." I waved dismissively, "Mr. Rossi said someone would come bandage it but I left the bathroom before anyone had the chance."

"I'll go grab you one from the first aid kit, you hold right on."

I nodded, turning back around to see June already staring at me as Cecelia exited the dining area. She headed into the kitchen with the dirty dishes.

"Where's Charlotte?" I asked, grabbing the damp rag on the table and cleaning the surface.

"You didn't hear Mr. Rossi?" She looked suddenly surprised, "He fired her.”