A Deal with a Windsor

4

For a week, I'd kept my face down and tried to be as quiet as possible. The news of me kissing Maxwell never made it to the news, which I was really thankful for, but the Maximilian Project seemed to be on hold, and my manager was of course taking it out on me.

I came to work each morning to see my desk started with documents I was expected to submit before the day was over. It was backbreaking, but it was better than dealing with Axel or even Maxwell Windsor.

The image of him knocking Axel out made goosebumps rise on my back. I hope I never have to bump into that man again.

I walked into the office with my practiced smile, ready to exchange my regular pleasantries, but the room seemed to die down the second everyone spotted me.

The smile on my face was the first to go as I looked around the office. They all looked so engrossed in their computers.

What the hell happened now?

My legs grew heavier, and I had to drag my feet all the way to my chair, while many thoughts rang in my head. Did my manager triple my workload? Did Axel come here to make a scene?

That thought made my heart and legs stop for a moment, but I kept walking till I got to my table, and my eyes neatly popped off my eye sockets.

A very huge bouquet of flowers was placed on my table, it was so huge I couldn't see past it. An equally huge note was placed on it.

Did you really think you could run off like that, Mirabel Black?

My heart dropped to my stomach and squeezed the second I saw the note. He found me? How?

I noticed eyes on me and when I turned, my co-workers who had been looking at all looked away and went back to their computers, while the rest muttered to each other and were showing off something on their devices.

"Where is she!" My manager's voice boomed through the room, and my eyes widened. His footsteps grew closer and closer till he stopped right in front of me.

His face was so red I could see steam coming from him.

"What have you done?" He waved a paper in front of me, "this was the most important deal for this team, and the company at large, and you messed it all up!"

"Sir, I..."

He caught sight of the bouquet of flowers on my desk, and his nostrils flared.

"You have no decorum, no work ethics, and no respect for this company! You do not deserve employment.:

This could not be happening to me right now.

"You are fired, Miss Stanford. Clear your desk before the day is over and get this trash out of..."

"Trash?" A new but very familiar voice cut in, and I wished the ground would open up that very minute and swallow me.

His hand slid over my waist and pulled me into a very solid chest, and I was instantly engulfed in the scent of his cologne. Which despite the situation was oddly calming.

"What were you referring to as trash again?"

"Mr. Windsor, I- I wasn't expecting you here. I didn't..."

"You've still not answered my question?" His voice was oddly calm but scary. It had me tensed, and I could only imagine how my manager must feel knowing it was directed at him.

"I'm sorry, sir! I was only trying to correct a colleague."

"I'll be sure to let my brother know of your excellent management skills. He'd be more than happy to hear of it."

My manager looked like he was a second away from passing out, but he couldn't get a word in, Maxwell led us out and into his car.

"How did you find me?"

"I expected a thank you,"

Heat crawled up my face, but I refused to back down. "Thank you. How did you find me?"

The faintest of smiles stretched across his lips, and he just turned on the ignition.

"Let's just say I have my ways, for now, it's time to pay back what you owe me."

"Excuse me?"

"I suggest you put on your seat belt and ask questions later."

Just as I opened my mouth to protest, he zoomed off, and I immediately latched onto the door handle for some support.

"Slow down! What the f**k!"

He ignored my words and just kept driving through the road like he had an extra life stored somewhere.

"I'm going to throw up."

"Unless you have the plans of buying me a new car, I suggest you don't."

"Then slow down or pack somewhere!"

He swerved and packed somewhere. I immediately opened the door and poked my head out for some air. For a while, I remained in that position, retching and taking deep breaths.

"If this is how you plan to drive, then just hand me the address, I'll find a can and meet you wherever you're going."

"And why do you think I would trust you after you lied to me the first time?"

Words instantly died down in my mouth and I lowered my gaze.

"I thought as much. Close the door, put on your seatbelt and I'll drive at a more tolerable speed."

My eyes narrowed suspiciously at him. "Why should I listen to you, for all I know you could be a kidnapper."

"A kidnapper, whom you owe a favour. Now, shut the door and do as I said."

I refused and crossed my arms over my chest.

"At least let me know where we are going."

He sighed and massaged his temples. "I don't reckon being this difficult when you needed my help."

I said nothing and just kept staring at him.

"We are going shopping."

"Pardon?"

"You heard me. We are going shopping, and afterwards, we are going to meet my parents for lunch."

My hands dropped from my chest and I chuckled. "You must be joking."

"I am not. We are meeting my parents for lunch, they are eager to meet my girlfriend, and last I checked, you are the one who walked up to me and kissed me before a whole crowd. Buckle up."

There was no way this was my life right now.