It’s Complicated But It Doesn’t Have To Be

13

Later that day.

Melissa got home taking her shoes off at the entrance.

Today had been a good day at work, the board had given the okay to get rid of McAdam photography and instead listened to and looked at Brock’s business plan and portfolio respectively.

She hadn’t heard from Blake all day, and didn’t really want to text him and bother him.

Getting out her personal mobile she checked the screen

“No messages. I’m in demand.” Melissa said to the dogs who were fighting to get closer to her as she laid their food out.

After putting the food on the floor, Melissa went upstairs and got undressed and put on her oversized bed shirt. Climbing on the bed Melissa took her phones out of her bag.

Using her business mobile she brought up Brock’s number. This called for a call.

RING RING. RING RING

“Hello?” Came the baritone voice down the phone

“Brock? It’s Melissa. I was wondering if you’re free for a lunch date Friday? To discuss the next phase of Featherlite.” Melissa.

“Can I assume that means what I think it does.” Brock’s voice came out happy on the other end of the line.

“Yes. We’d like to accept your application to join Featherlite. We look forward to working with you.”

Brock’s voice ring out “Yes of course. Where and when Friday?”

“If you could come to my office, I will get my secretary to confirm a time and the address. I always call myself with the good news. It gives it a personal touch.” What Melissa said is partially true, however she also wanted news of Blake but was too afraid to ask.

Hanging up the phone after saying goodbye Melissa climbed into bed and tried to sleep.

FRIDAY

Melissa woke up. Feeling dreadful she dragged her sore aching body into the bathroom. She hadn’t heard from Blake since Monday morning when he left, she also hadn’t slept properly.

Dragging her heavy body into the shower she stood and cried. Melissa knew she had been used. And felt dirty. She tried to scrub at her skin. But no matter how much she scrubbed or how hard she had scrubbed she couldn’t stop feeling used.

Yes she had agreed to do it, yes she hadn’t been coerced, forced or anything. That didn’t stop her from feeling uncomfortable.

Tuesday had been the day Melissa sent a casual message, it had just been “Hey Blake, Hope everything is okay with the bar. If I can do anything let me know. M x”

He read it but ghosted her.

She was so stupid. After reflecting in the shower, she got out.

Doing her hair and grabbing jeans. She had implemented jeans for genes Friday. Everyone paid $2 dollars and they could wear their jeans to work. If they didn’t want to take part or couldn’t afford to Melissa had put out a memo to come drop a note under her office door and she would put the money in for them.

Getting out her skinny black jeans, she put them on, they clung to her long legs making them look even longer. She teamed them up with a navy blue vest top and sweater. On her feet she wore black heels.

She got her winged eyeliner out and put on make up to try to cover up how grey she looked.

She hadn’t eaten, she had barely slept and she didn’t visit the coffee shop since Monday as it hurt too much and truth be told she both did and didn’t want to run into Blake.

Popping downstairs with her things she fed the dogs, leaving them outside. As she left via the front door locking up as she went, she noticed a chill in the air, it was the beginning of December still, and she hadn’t even begun to think about the Christmas shutdown. Which was unusual as by now she would have emailed all her suppliers and receivers making them aware. ‘God what am I doing I need to pull myself together’ she thought as she sat in the drivers seat.

In the car she went through the motions, plugging her phone into the incar Jack. She started her car and went to work pulling off the drive.

What Melissa hadn’t seen was she was being stalked. Further down the road a man got into a car, tailing her. He climbed the tree that overlooked her bedroom window.

He had heard on the grapevine that Melissa’s family were out of town, he also heard that she’d been staying at her parents place.

Their place was a lot easier to stalk than her own place with all its high security locks and doors. Even a concierge at the front door downstairs.

This way was easy. He didn’t have to lie much about where he was going. He drove right by the Hartford place on his way to his mundane office job.

He watched Brock and Blake both come to Melissa’s house, he wondered what went on between Brock and her but it was only a business meeting by the look of it.

Then he saw Blake with wine, and he knew that they were having a stay at home date.

He hadn’t expected to see them f*****g. He had jerked off that night. Up a tree. It was like porn but somehow sexier. He had pumped his seed all over the massive tree he had been sat on. He smiled at the this as a way of staking his claim.

Today was different. Melissa went out at her usual time, but she was wearing jeans. He thought about how she looked in those jeans, her long shapely legs, her firm high ass. God what he’d show her. He was better than Blake Milligan. If only he had a chance to prove it.

The guy was 2 cars behind Melissa’s at the traffic lights. She pulled off and drove to work. He drove past her car as she was locking it. Briefcase in hand bag in the other. She looked conflicted. He wondered what about. Not giving it too much thought he drove past to his salaryman job.

Gripping the wheel tighter he vowed that he would do whatever it took to make Melissa notice him in the same way she noticed Blake.

Getting into the office Melissa sat down exhausted. Sam wasn’t in in the morning as he had to go to the dentist’s but would be in at lunchtime to greet Brock.

Getting all the files ready Melissa switched on her laptop and got ready to start the day.

The morning passed by quickly, before Melissa knew it Sam had returned from the dentists and it was nearly lunchtime.

Melissa reminded herself to increase Sam’s salary because his system for dealing with the work Melissa gave him was flawless.

A knock came at the door “Come in.” Melissa replied.

“Hi Melissa, a Mr Brock Milligan is here to see you.” Sam said cheerfully.

“Thank you Sam, oh after I’ve had my meeting with Mr Milligan, I would like to have a chat with you.” Melissa said quite nicely, but then added “Don’t worry you’ve done nothing wrong.” After seeing the look of horror on the young guy’s face.

Sam left out of the door leaving it open, and in he walked, all tall, dark and handsome.

“Hello again Miss Hart.” Brock opened his mouth but was cut off by Melissa’s response “Please we are becoming business partners, and I hate formalities. Call me Melissa.”

“Ok Melissa.” Brock liked the way that her name sounded on his lips.

“Please take a seat. Would you like some coffee, or some tea?” Melissa offered getting up to the coffee machine across from her desk.

“Coffee, milk no sugar.” Brock replied

“Take a seat on the armchairs by the window and we can sort out your contract.”

Putting on the coffee machine it would take a few minutes to grind and brew the coffee, Melissa went back to her desk and grabbed the blue file from out of her top drawer.

Handing it to Brock as she sat down, he opened it up.

It had all been neatly arranged and inside was the contract.

“Take your time to look through. If you have any questions, please tell me and I will answer them for you.” Melissa said her business smile in place.

Reading through the contract it swung very much in Brock’s favour. There seemed to be no hidden clauses, no underhand methods to try to take over his business. He had 100% control, gaining advice and money opportunities. If the business were to fail, Melissa’s legal team had a handle on what happened.

Taking his pen out of his jacket, he signed with a loopy signature.

“There was one question I need to ask.” Brock said quietly

At that moment Nancy Kettleman walked into Melissa’s office with a selection of sandwiches and fruit on a trolley. She never knocked no matter how many times Melissa asked her to. To be truthful Nancy wanted Melissa to fire her, that’s why she was being that way, however Melissa had heard on the staff grapevine that this was the case and therefore refused to fire her.

She did however report to Nancy’s father who berated her, because of her he was not fulfilling his end of the contract, in a clause was Mr Kettleman’s business, a takeover that if he was lucky would see him as a manager. Mr Kettleman had not informed Nancy of this. But felt he would soon have to.

“I’ve brought you a selection of....” was all Nancy could get out before her eyes settled on the handsome man now drinking coffee in the armchair.

Tidying her hair up and straightening her black dress Nancy stuck her hand out to shake Brock’s. Melissa rolled her eyes. Berating Nancy is something she would not stoop to.

“Thank you so much Nancy. I tell you what. For getting better at doing your job you can have the rest of the day off.” Melissa looked at Nancy with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Nancy eyed Melissa in hesitation. Not knowing whether to do as she said or not. Brock only nodded once at Nancy and couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off Melissa.

Nancy thought ‘I am perfect so why isn’t he looking at me? I have a very large chest, okay they’re fake, I have regular cosmetic surgery, I don’t eat carbs after 3pm, my nails are always tip top and I love to shop. Why wouldn’t this handsome guy want me?’

With that thought rolling round in her head Nancy turned on her heel leaving the trolley and left the office.

“Would you like something to eat?” Melissa offered.

Brock eyed the trolley hungrily, he grabbed a meatball sub, and a napkin and began to devour the sandwich.

Melissa sipped her tea, she drank coffee less and less at the minute. And she specially imported tea from the United Kingdom.

Having finished the sub in super quick time, Brock wiped his hands and placed the napkin back upon the trolley.

“So that question you wanted to ask.” Melissa said smiling not quite meeting Brock’s eyes.

“Well it’s a couple of questions. Forgive me for speaking out of turn but somethings bothering me.” Brock responded keeping his expression neutral.

“Go ahead. I don’t mind.” Melissa said still not meeting his eyes.

“Why won’t you meet my eyes?” Brock asked. It was a simple question,

Melissa could feel her face heat up. She had not expected that.

“Is it because I look like Blake?” His question was simple enough.

“I-I” Melissa stuttered to get her words out. She never normally was like this, but then she wasn’t used to the whole being ghosted thing after she’d slept with someone either. Mainly because she didn’t just sleep with anyone.

“Let me guess. Blake promised you the moon but left you here on Earth?” Brock said evenly.

“How did you know?” Melissa squeezed the words out after clearing her throat.

“Because I know what my brother is like. I honestly thought he’d be different with you. He doesn’t deserve you.” Brock said sitting back in the chair.

Shocked by this admission Melissa could feel the burning sting of tears in her eyes, she didn’t cry especially in the office. This wasn’t who she was.

Brock continued “Look we’re going to be partners. Surely we can be friends as well?”

Melissa looked unsure, but Brock continued “Look I’m not trying to be a “nice guy” then get in your panties.” He framed the nice guy with air quotes. “I just want us to be friends. We have to work together and friends is so much better than enemies like Nancy. If it helps I will wear a brown paper bag on my head when you see me.” Brock chuckled as he got a laugh from Melissa.

“Ok. We can be friends. I prefer it anyway.” Melissa responded and for the first time in nearly a week she smiled a genuine smile.

“Ok. So let’s go out for some drinks tonight. To celebrate.” Brock said getting up from the leather chair.

“Sure. What time?” Melissa asked

“Say 8:00? I’ll pick you up?” Brock asked testing the waters.

“Ok. I will see you later. Oh here is my personal mobile you already have my business one.” Melissa said drawing a card from the pocket of her jeans.

“It’s a cell, you little Brit.” Brock said mocking her accent.

Giving him a fake angry glare, she sassed back “Well at least I don’t butcher a language.”

Putting a hand over his heart and pretending he was really hurt by her words he laughed and went out of the door.

As the door closed Melissa did a little victory dance over the fact the nothing she’d said to Blake was her fault and it was his problem, Melissa congratulated herself on being so astute as to what Brock was saying, unaware that she was being watched on hidden camera and listened to on a hidden listening device.