Chapter 7
1634 Words
Is my tongue out? Almost.
Johnny had been sulky and hot-headed all morning until noon, and now he’s letting out steam—on me.
I still can't believe he managed to keep his ass inside the office and actually work. It’s a rare event. And somehow, it's making my nose wrinkle. I haven't even taken a breather and my stomach is already crying for food.
For the past hour, I’ve gone down and back to my desk more than a dozen times. He’s even asking me to do tasks that aren't mine.
“Looks like Sir Johnny’s giving you a workout, huh, Cassidy?” Miss Thessaloniki, the fat redheaded HR manager—aka Miss T—comments while munching on her donut by the shredder.
Every minute is snack time for her.
I'm still amazed she hasn’t developed type 2 diabetes. She’s been gaining weight every day—I can tell by how the buttons on her blouse are struggling to contain her stomach.
Even her stilettos look like they’re begging for help, barely holding her feet in.
I’m not fatphobic—it’s just that she’s a total b***h to me, all the time, and so full of herself. She thinks she’s better than everyone here and that she and Johnny have a shot—even for one night.
Delusional. Sure, delusions work sometimes, but they do have their limits. Unfortunately, Miss T crossed the line long ago.
“Just chasing some dead ends, that’s all,” I reply kindly, trying not to fidget while she bathes me with her judgy eyes.
“Nice choice of colors today, Cassidy. What’s your theme?” she giggles, her lipstick cracking as she stretches her lips. Her eyes disappear beneath her choppy bangs and massive cheeks.
I force a smile, silently begging for her to vanish and let me breathe. This is why I hate going three floors down. It’s either Miss T bugging the crap out of me or—
“Hello, Cassidy North, whose life is being dumped south!” Speak of a witch.
I turn toward the irritating voice and find a tall blondie dressed in straight-cut formals and three-inch heels, trying to look even taller.
McKenna Hag. Fitting surname.
I secretly groan. The negativity around here is suffocating.
“Hi...” I lift a limp hand and wiggle it half-heartedly. She responds with a disgusted look.
“You are such a weirdo,” she snorts, glancing at Miss T before bursting into loud laughter, turning heads on the floor.
Just a few strings left before I start breathing fire like a colorful dragon.
But before I snap, a familiar face suddenly pops up.
From the far end of the hallway, I spot the cute architect, looking a little lost. He’s so tall his head sticks out from behind the cubicles.
What’s he doing here?
“Oh my god, I think I found the love of my life!” McKenna gasps, clutching Miss T’s arm like she’s fainting.
Dramatic.
Finally placing the last stack into the shredder, I feel free from this madness. Whatever Miss T and McKenna are, they’re definitely not part of my peace. The high maintenance crew rather than someone working who holds high position in this building.
“He’s coming this way!” Miss T squeals, fixing her clothes and straightening her stance.
I follow their gaze and, sure enough, Stefano is walking straight toward us. When our eyes meet, his face lights up and he waves.
“Wait, what?” McKenna mutters in disbelief.
“Hi,” Stefano greets once he’s close. “I’ve been looking for you,” he says—to me.
“Me?” I blink, totally lost.
“Yeah, why would you look for her? I’m the marketing head, I can help you with anything, darling,” McKenna purrs, stepping in front of me.
“And I’m the head of HR. Remember me? Miss T? We met before,” she adds with a flirty giggle.
Stefano chuckles, peeking past McKenna to find me. “Thanks, ladies, but it’s Miss North’s help I need. I appreciate the offer.”
“Why Cassidy?” McKenna blurts. “I can do anything for you. Just tell me, and I’ll give it my best.”
She’s practically drooling, leaning on Miss T like she’s in a trance.
Stefano chuckles again, his eyes darting to me like he’s waving an SOS sign.
“And me?” Miss T chimes in. “All my curves are capable of everything. Tell me what to do, daddy.”
Are they for real?
The shredder beeps. Time to go. I grab Stefano’s arm and drag him toward the elevator.
I hear them calling after us, but the doors close before they can follow.
“Is that normal here?” Stefano asks, letting out a chortle but clearly shaken. I can tell from the strained smile.
I groan and shake my head. “Go to any other floor—just not that one. That department was raised in the wilderness,” I mutter, realizing I should’ve filtered that.
“Thanks.” He bows a little like I’m royalty. What a gentleman.
Why am I blushing?
Pouting, I shrug. “So, what did you need from me that you had to brave the dungeon?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “It’s past lunch, and I noticed you haven’t eaten. So... I thought maybe I could ask you to eat with me.”
Did I hear that right? “Huh?” I lean in. “What did you say?”
“Lunch. With me.” He repeats, more clearly this time.
Just as I’m about to say yes, the elevator dings.
“You want me to eat lunch with you?” I confirm.
“Just a friendly invitation,” he says, awkwardly laughing.
A smile forms on my face at his sweetness, and I’m ready to say yes when the beast arrives.
“Took you long enough,” Johnny growls, crossing his arms, causing his shirt to stretch around his biceps.
“I was three floors down, sir. You asked me to shred—” I gesture the paper volume. “—this thick pile that wasn’t even mine.”
“In my office. Now.” He cuts me off and storms off.
“Brute,” I whisper, and Stefano chuckles beside me.
“Maybe dinner instead?” he asks with a hopeful grin. “I’d still like to be friends.”
“I’d like that,” I smile—until Johnny yells my name again.
“I gotta go,” I tell Stefano, hurrying after the ogre.
“I’m paying you to work, not to mingle,” Johnny scolds the second I step into his office. “Understood?”
Why is he acting so menopausal? Is it because I didn’t show up at the event? Or maybe I bruised his ego?
He’s never been the type to get this offended. Right?
“Of course, sir,” I say, standing awkwardly five feet from his desk.
“I don’t want to see you talking with that architect again. Got it?” He drops into his chair with a heavy sigh.
“But—”
“Do. You. Get. Me?” He repeats, each word like a threat.
I nod to keep him from combusting. “Yes, sir.”
“Good,” he says, suddenly smiling like he didn’t just turn into the devil. “Get your stuff. You’re coming with me.”
“What do you mean ‘coming with you,’ sir?” I ask, then mentally slap myself.
His eyes darken. “What I meant was… where are we going? The job’s not done yet, sir. We’ve got deadlines, and—”
“You’re stuttering,” he smirks, cutting me off. He grabs his phone and keys, wraps a hand around my elbow, and starts towing me like a truck. “Your nose flares when you overthink. I like it.”
I scoff but follow him anyway.
He grabs my bag from my desk and tosses it to me.
“Si—sir!” I barely contain a yelp as he presses the elevator button.
“Relax, Cassy babe. We’re going on a date,” he winks.
The doors open—and of course, it’s Miss T and McKenna.
“Sir Johnny!” they squeal in unison.
“Out,” he says simply. They scatter like roaches.
“See you around, sexy,” he salutes them before the doors close.
I stand stiff as a doll while he leans on me like I’m a body pillow.
“Ugh, I’m starving,” he moans, resting his head in the crook of my neck. My cheeks burn.
“Sir, would you mind giving me some space?”
Instead, he snuggles closer.
“You’re so unfair, Cassy babe. How numb are you, huh? I’ve been moody and you’re not even taking care of me,” he pouts.
“You could’ve just said you needed a break. I would’ve brought you a woman,” I reply, trying to escape, but he sticks to me like a gecko.
His other hand snakes around my waist. “Oh, I do need a woman,” he whispers in my ear, sending goosebumps down my spine. “Are you free?”
His hand trails over my hip, and my purring kitty starts... reacting.
Nope. Nope. Nope!
I elbow him hard in the stomach. He lets go, and I take a huge step back.
“I swear I’ll sue you, Johnny Miles!”
He throws his head back in laughter, leaning against the wall. “Please, Cassy babe. Sue me. But I’m gonna barricade you first, then we’ll go wild in bed. Let’s see if you still want to sue me.”
- Writer
