Big Boss man

The wrong end of the stick

Blinking my eyes open I finally wake to see that I’m in a strange room and in a bed I don’t know.

Realisation hits me like a ton of bricks when I see the Grand hotel menu sitting in the nightstand next to my bed.

What the hell happened to me last night? Why and I in a bed I don’t know?

Why am I in a strange room? And more importantly, how did I get here?

Suddenly there is a soft knock on the door and in walks Henry fully dressed and looking sexy as hell.

“Good morning Rebel” he breaths walking over to me and placing a glass of orange juice next to my bed.

“What the hell happened” I snap sitting up and covering my near naked body.

I am only in my bra and knickers.

“Good morning to you too Henry” he mocks while sitting on the end of my bed.

I look at him with wide eyed as if to say really.

“Ok,,ok” he grins holding up his hands to me.

“I brought you here last night when you passed out drunk” he smiles.

His smile gives me the creeps.

“And then what” I ask waiting for an explanation.

“And then,,, nothing” he replies getting up and walking to the window to open the blinds.

Light floods in and I blink rapidly.

“What time is it” I ask looking for my bag and phone.

“Just after 9”

“Oh my god, I’m late” I cry.

I swing my legs out of bed and search for my clothes.

I see them hanging over one of the chairs tucked under the vanity.

Without caring for Henrys eyes on me, I climb out of bed and start to get dressed.

I feel his eyes wondering my body like a panther lurking in the dark watching over its prey.

I grab my phone from my bag and of course its dead.

“Why did you bring me here” I ask turning to face him.

“You were passed out and I didn’t feel like carrying you to a cab and leaving you in the hands of a man you didn’t know” he shrugs.

“I don’t know you Henry” I yell maybe a little too loud.

He holds his hand to his heart as if I hurt his feelings.

“Now thats not entirely true now is it” he replies walking over to me.

“What is that supposed to mean”I ask backing away from him.

He proceeds forward until he is inches from my face and my back is resting against the wall.

He places his hands either side of my head trapping me in place.

“Try to remember” he breaths close to my face.

Oh god what did I do last night? He said I passed out, did I?.

“Let me jog your memory”

He leans closer until his lips touch mine.

In a split second I register whats happening and I push him hard with my hands against his chest.

Slap.

I hit his cheek and wait for his response.

“How dare you try to kiss me, how dare you bring me here and undress me” I am so mad I feel my face turn to fire.

He looks stunned, like he can’t actually believe somebody has turned him down.

“I didn’t hear you complain last night” he smirks.

This is too much, I can’t listen to him, I cant be here.

“So your telling me we has s*x last night” I ask pushing him back further.

“Your telling me you too advantage of a drunk woman” I add poking his chest.

“We had s*x without my consent” I yell feeling my tear sting my eyes.

He clenches his jaw at the words I am speaking, like he has to either admit what he done or tell the truth.

“Well” I scream at him hitting his chest.

He places his hands in his pockets and steps back away from me.

“No,,, we didn’t have s*x”

He said it almost inaudible.

But I heard him alright.

“No.....I didn’t think so” I reply looking him up and down.

“Your a lying sack of s**t” I spit at him.

I grab my things and walk to the bedroom door not looking back.

“I’ll See you real soon Rebel” he breaths.

This makes me stop but only for a second Turning my head ever so slightly towards him.

“You stay the f**k say from me”

I slam the door behind me and leave the room.

I’m so stupid for trusting him, for seeing the good in people when Shane warned me to stay away, he warned me and I didn’t listen.

I leave the hotel after reception called me a cab to take me home.

Walking into my house I sigh in relief, but Henrys words still ring around my head like a bad smell.

“See you soon”

Like what does that even mean?, why can’t he just leave me alone? And what will Shane say?, oh god what will Shane do?.

“Ok no,, we don’t tell Shane, he does not need to know” I mumble.

I take a shower and charge my phone.

after an hour I finally call work and tell Penny that Ive been up all night sick.

She tells me to rest and that she will see me Monday morning bright and early.

I hate lying to her but I really cant face work and now I have the whole weekend to gather my thoughts about what happened last night.

Sitting in my kitchen and drinking some tea my mind drifts towards Shane and where he is, why hasn’t he called me or been to see me?, where even is he?

Climbing into bed that night I feel more exhausted than ever and I’m soon fast asleep.

Dillion calls in to see me Sunday afternoon and tells me all about his plan for moving abroad to be with his girlfriend, well the girl he met and fell for in one week.

I cant say much, I fell for Shane within the first few days, so maybe he gets it from me.

“When do you go” I ask sitting across from him on my black leather sofa.

“Next month” he smiles

I nod my head but stay quiet.

“What is it mum” he asks tilting his head downwards.

I shake my head again and let a single tear fall down my cheek.

“Oh mum” he says coming to sit next to me and wraps an arm over my shoulder.

“Don’t cry” he adds

“I’m happy for you son, really I am”, “I’m just gonna miss you heaps and....” I pause.

“And what” he asks giving me a little squeeze.

I can’t tell him I will be lonely, I cant tell him I fell so lonely it kills me, he does not need to hear it.

“And nothing” I smile

“I’m just being an old silly woman and I wish you all the happiness in the world”

I hug him back and rest my head on his strong shoulder.

Back at work Monday we all gather in the meeting room for a catch up on whats been done so far for Daniella’s raunchy new line.

Ivan stands and speaks first.

“We have the website all updated and all the promotion video’s are ready to rock”

He sits down and winks towards Hans who is munching on an apple.

Short but sweet, same old Ivan.

Marlene stands next.

“We have the final menu with the chef, and we have a list of guests who are attending as well as those who declined and we know who has what allergies and any strange requests for replacement foods”

Penny nods in agreement.

“Fantastic work guys, Rebel and I finalised the layout for the grand hall, we discussed decor and the look of the tables”

Kathrine sits back down and looks at us all.

“Now is the time to get everything together to make sure we come through for Mr Langley, he will hopefully join us all on the night so we need this to be perfect” she smiles.

“Any questions” she asks looking at us all individually.

“What do we wear” I ask quietly making everyone look in my direction.

Penny stands up and claps her hands.

“I’m glad you asked Rebel”

She leaves the room briefly before coming back in with a rack full of designer suits and dresses.

“Mr Langley had these brought in especially for us all to look our best” she beams.

The room is filled with muffled small talk.

“Everyone have a look, pick out an outfit and we will have it shipped to the hotel the night before”

Ive never seen Penny look so happy.

I wait for everyone else to look through the rack before I spot a beautiful Black maxi dress that has a split up one side that will show off my long legs with the most beautiful diamond encrusted neckline.

“You would look killer in that dress”

Ivan speaks from behind me and makes me jump.

He’s right, I think it would look good on me, so I decide to go for it, picking some killer silver heels for my feet.

I miss Shane, I miss seeing his perfect goofy smile, the way he makes my heart flutter and his mind blowing kiss.

It’s actually not fair that he is the best kisser Ive ever had.

The next few days rolls into a blur and all we can talk about is the new line and how the night will run.

I decide to get my hair done and opt for a manicure instead of acrylics, I’m not much of a girly girl, but I can look good when I want to.

Friday morning Rasheed comes to collect our clothing as well as the clothes for the show.

“Looking good Rebel” he winks

He is such a sweet guy.

Kathrine comes to sit with me and she has a worried look on her face.

“What’s wrong” I ask

She sighs and continues to look out of the window.

“Oh nothing much” she sighs again.

“Come on,,,, spill” I ask sternly

She turns to face me.

“Well Ive had a thing for this guy for a while now and well... well I don’t think he like me back”

Oh god I’m no good at men problems.

“Have you thought about telling him” I ask screwing up my face.

“I have thought about it yes.. but I don’t think I can take rejection”

I genuinely feel bad for her.

She’s beautiful, and I mean really drop dead gorgeously beautiful.

“Look what have you got to lose” I smile

And even hearing my own words I realise how much of a Coward I am where Shane is concerned.

I should have asked a long time ago, what are we? Are we a couple?.

Of course not because that would mean him actually acting like a normal human being.

“Ok everyone” shouts Penny as the day comes to an end.

“We all meet at the hotel tomorrow no later that 1.30 so we can have a quick debrief” she adds

Everyone nods and start to walk to the door ready to leave.

I grab my things and also head for the door.

The next morning I wake with a headache.

Great of all days to be feeling unwell.

I call a cab to take me to the hotel and all the while I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Marlene is walking in just as I am dropped off and turns to give me a wave when she sees me.

I see Ivan at reception talking with everyone and Kathrine handing out everyone’s keys.

“Rebel, good timing” she beams, here is your key and you are in room forty four” she adds handing me the sleek looking swipe card.

“Now please can everyone meet in one hour in the main hall to go over the nights events”

And with that Kathrine and Penny take the lead and walk to the elevator.

We all have rooms on the same floor which is good, as I hate to think of being away from everyone, this place holds a bad experience for me.

Walking to my room I suddenly realise I have left my overnight bag sitting next to reception and I’m overcome with panic that someone will have walked away with it.

I rush back to the elevator and wait for the doors to open.

I hear the ping and when the doers open I come face to face with Shane.

He looks so handsome in his dark jeans and white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

“Good afternoon Rebel” he smiles.

But his smile does not reach his eyes and I can’t help but think he’s being off with me.

And before I can answer he walks off in the direction of his room thats away from mine.

I walk into the elevator and let it whisk me down three floors, all the while rubbing my temples that have started to pulsate, and all the while thinking I should have said something.

Why didn’t I say something? What’s wrong with me?,no, whats wrong with him?

I find my bag in exactly the same place I left it and let out a sigh of relief.

Turning towards my right I spot a very long clean and shiny bar, so heading over I ask for a large vodka and coke and down it in one.

I need courage and strength.

Before I know it the hour is up and I see everyone walking back towards the main hall.

“Shit...shit...” I mumble to myself.

Ok stay calm, walk normal and Join everyone as if nothing has happened and you totally didn’t just spend an hour sipping on vodka.

These are the words I say over and over in my head.

We all take a seat and Kathrine begins to talk, but she is only a few words in when Shane walks through the door and takes a seat two seats away from me.

He does not look at me and nor do I look at him.

Why does he even need to be here?

Kathrine talks for over fifteen minutes and everyone listens carefully to her instructions.

“Be respectful, don’t get drunk, mingle, have many conversations,,,, and have fun” she adds giving a little laugh.

When we are done everyone takes a look around the room as I see my chance to leave and get rid of my bag.

I walk out back towards the elevator when a strong hand grabs my arm and walks me towards the ladies rest room.

“Come with me miss sterling”

Shane is angry and I don’t know why.

I go with him and when we enter the bathroom he pushes me into an empty stall.

I get the feeling we have been here before, accept this time he is mad as hell.