Protected By Her Controlling Boss

Chapter 3

The gentle clink of glassware on the table would make an onlooker think this gathering was a happy family dinner. Jameson and Robert discussed investments and retirement plans. Janice was in her element as a gracious host and beaming every time Jameson directed a question or comment to her. The only person in the room who looked uncomfortable was Angela. After the first two courses had been finished and the salad had been served, some needlessly complicated chopped something or other made famous by some popular celebrity, everyone's attention was again on Angela.

"Angela, " Jameson began, "what have you been told about the situation?" Placing her fork down and putting her arms in her lap, Angela looked back at him before explaining, "Well, since dad lost his job after the company went bankrupt, he and mom have decided to move to a smaller home. Also, with the state of their finances, they need me to pay for Angelica's final year of college." Angela saw a brief shadow of annoyance pass over Jameson's face when she mentioned her sister. Continuing, Angela spoke to the entire table, "It was then explained to me that you stepped in to offer me a job in exchange for paying my family's expenses." On the surface, Angela looked calm, but if one were to glance below the table, one would see the napkin she'd twisted up in her lap as she tried to cover her anxiety about the situation.

"Well, that's mostly correct." Jameson looked at the Grantham parents but didn't say more about the misunderstanding they'd left out.

"The truth is, Angela, that my brother Christian has been dating Angelica for some time now, " Jameson revealed. "He and your sister have explained to our families that they want to get married, but the financial problems your family is in puts Angelica in a bad situation. The Roses don't want to allow the two to get married only to have several people they're required to support." Angela could sense the frustration and indignation rolling off her mother in waves. No one had ever spoken about her like this in front of her, but for precious Angelica, Janice was willing to do whatever it took to make her baby girl happy. "I have no intention of getting married myself, but Christian seems determined to be with your sister. He came to me begging for help since his assets are currently tied up in the new business he's starting this month." Jameson stopped speaking for a moment to let Angela take in this new information.

"Angela, be a dear and help Angelica out. You know she'd be so happy," Janice began trying to convince Angela to go along with the plan, but Angela's frustrations with the day had reached a breaking point.

"Help, how!? No one has told me why I'm here or what you all want from me," She yelled to the room at large. She pushed her chair back and stood up, dropping her napkin on her plate to leave the formal dining room.

"Stop, right there, and sit back down," Jameson hit his hand against the table and demanded of her. "No one told you that you had permission to speak that way or leave. Now, sit." Angela was at a loss for words. Was this the Jimmy she knew as a kid? He had never raised his voice to her back then, and she couldn't understand what she had done to make him so mad. Even though she wanted to scream, cry, throw a fit, or do whatever was necessary to get rid of her overwhelming emotions, Angela felt compelled to do as Jameson told her. She quietly sat back down, minding to cross her legs at her ankles like she was taught, and looked at the handsome man that had once been her friend. Her father had yet to speak since the topic had turned to her. Robert was looking at his scotch glass as though it was the most fascinating piece of glass art he had ever seen. Seeing that Angela was beginning to behave, Jameson's rage at her actions had quelled somewhat.

"Now, Angela, as I was saying before your mother interrupted, " Janice looked down at her plate, clearly biting her tongue, "I have no intentions of getting married as I said but I do have use for a woman in my life. Officially, you'd be hired as my office manager and personal assistant." The implications of his words were not completely lost on Angela, but she was going to make him say exactly what he meant. Refusing to pay her parents any mind, she continued to look at Jameson as if to say, "Okay... annndddd?"

"You will be responsible for managing the other non-attorneys, handling payroll and office expenses, making sure the office stays clean and tidy to accept clients visiting unannounced, and organizing company events. I understand that you have a degree in business management, so none of these things should sound foreign to you. Additionally, at your last three jobs, you were underemployed and had not gotten the chance to do any real work related to your degree. What I'm offering here is fairly straightforward and would benefit your career with real experience." Begrudgingly, Angela nodded in agreement but said nothing. Jameson continued, "As for your role as my personal assistant, well, that's a bit more complicated."

"In exchange for paying off your parent's debt entirely, including paying off the house so they don't have to move, giving them a monthly allowance, providing your room and board, and paying you a reasonable wage based on your role and experience at my company, you will work for me for five years." Angela could hear that the offer from Jameson was more than fair, but she had a nagging doubt that not everything had been said. Timidly, Angela asked him outright, "Then please explain my role as a personal assistant. You've explained what you want to hire me for officially, but that's not all is it, Jameson?"

"I will ask that you call me Mr. Rose, Angela, from now on. I do not take kindly to any form of disrespect. I do not care how long you and I have known each other or what our friendship was like as kids, I have not permitted you to call me by my name. As your employer, you will call me Mr. Rose in public. Do I make myself clear?" Angela felt her breath catch at Jameson's piercing gaze and instructions. Her heart rate seemed to lower as heat pooled between her thighs. Something about his insistence that a clear boundary be drawn between the two of them was making Angela feel things she wasn't familiar with.

"Answer me, Angela, " Jameson demanded.

"Yes, Mr. Rose. I will address you as instructed." A small smile tugged at his face. Molding her into what he wanted, no, what he needed, would be fun in and of itself.

"Good, girl. Now, the complication in your role as my personal assistant coincides with my offer to house you. You will be living with me and responsible for carrying out my instructions at any time." He almost laughed out loud when he saw the look of horror pass over Angela's features. He'd never gotten tired of watching her after all these years. "Whatever you're thinking right now, Angela, stop. I'm not the kind of man to take advantage of my employees." Robert let out a breath as though he'd been holding it all night, worried about what his daughter would think of the arrangement. Surely, now that she understood there was no danger or inappropriate intent, she wouldn't hate him for this. Janice simply kept eating her salad while keeping an eye on the time before serving the main course.

"So, Mr. Rose, if I'm understanding you correctly, in exchange for saving my family, you want to hire me to be at your beck and call for the next five years. Is that correct? Forgive me, then what about Angelica's tuition?" Angela had calmed down now and was able to think much more rationally now that she understood what was going on. Janice had tricked her into coming home on the pretense of helping them pack just to get her here without much fuss.

"I'm glad to see you're coming to terms with things. Angelica's fees will be paid by Christian. So long as you agree to this arrangement, then they will be engaged, after all. Her needs will be his responsibility." Angela desperately wanted to argue back and say that she hasn't agreed to anything, but she knew it would be a useless endeavor. Jameson's eyes sparkled when he saw the defiance leave Angela's face. He knew he had her now and that she'd agree to his proposal. Just a few more weeks, and he'd have her trained to behave properly. He couldn't wait to begin, but he held himself back. If he was to properly and completely possess her, he'd have to take his time. Jameson knew brute force wouldn't make Angela bend, not in the way he wanted her to. No, every step forward until reaching his goal would be her decision. It had to be.

A timer rang out from the kitchen, prompting Janice to stand up from the table and explain that the main course was about to be served. It was as if a trance had broken between Jameson and Angela, causing the latter to jump from the shock of her mother's voice and stand to help her in the kitchen. Robert moved to the bar area to pour himself another drink. The only person who was comfortable in the charged atmosphere was Jameson. Well, as comfortable as a man could be trying to control his body from responding to the thoughts he was having about Angela.