The Billionaire's Intern

Chapter 2

I made my way to the manager’s office and as soon as the door clicked shut behind me, Greg’s attitude shifted completely, the slimy grin returning to his face. He leaned against his desk and crossed his arms, looking me up and down with that familiar glint in his eyes.

“Listen, that guy,” Greg started, rubbing his hands together like he was plotting something, “total prick, right? Some people think they can just walk in here and treat us like crap. But you handled it...well, you handled it like a pro, I’ll give you that.”

His smile grew wider, and he pushed off the desk, taking a step closer to me. The air in the room felt suddenly heavier, like I could already sense where this conversation was heading.

“Still, a little more finesse wouldn’t hurt,” he continued, his voice dropping low. “But hey, it’s not the worst thing you’ve done, right?”

I felt my skin crawl. There was something off about the way he was looking at me and I didn't like it one bit.

Before I could react, he moved closer to me and lowered his voice even further “But hey, I’m a reasonable guy. You know, if you want to keep your job, there are… ways we can work things out. You and me.”

“Work things out how?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.

“Listen, Faye, here’s the deal. You’re a great worker, but maybe...just maybe...you should start showing a little more appreciation for what I’ve done for you. Maybe you could... show me some appreciation in other ways.”

I recoiled, disgust crawling up my spine. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

He leaned in even closer, his hot breath making my skin crawl. “I can make sure this little... incident goes away if you just play along. Keep your job, get a little extra... attention.”

I felt my fists clench at my sides, but I refused to back down. I shoved him so he wasn’t standing so close to me. “I don’t need your help, Greg. And I sure as hell don’t need your ‘attention.’"

“If you don’t cooperate, I have no choice but to take action. You could be let go. And you don’t want that, do you?”

I clenched my fists even tighter, trying to keep my anger in check. “Let me get this straight. You think I’m going to sleep with you to keep my job? You’ve got to be out of your mind.”

Greg’s smile faltered slightly, but he didn’t back down. He lowered his voice, trying to be persuasive. “Come on, Faye. I’m just saying, we can work something out. You want to keep your job, right? I can make this whole thing disappear. Think about it.”

The audacity of this man was beyond words. Shock, embarrassment, and anger all hit me at once and before I knew it, the words spilled out.

“Work something out? You’re not a boss, Greg. You’re a pathetic, sleazy little man who uses his position to prey on people and it's disgusting. You’re disgusting.”

His eyes darkened, and he took a step back, clearly not expecting such a response. But instead of backing off, he snapped, his face turning red with anger. “Fine. You’re fired.”

I didn’t flinch, my anger now rising to match his. “Good luck finding someone else who'll put up with your disgusting, slimy behavior,”

I grabbed my apron and threw it down onto the desk with all the force I could muster. “Have a nice life, Greg.” I muttered, storming out of the office.

As I angrily made my way back into the busy space, I caught sight of the man who had just caused me to lose my job. He sat there like he owned the place, his attention fixed entirely on his phone, seemingly oblivious to everything happening around him. As if sensing someone staring at him, he looked up and caught my glare.

Instead of looking away, I flipped him off without hesitation. My hands shook with fury as I grabbed my belongings and stormed out of the cafe, not sparing him another glance.

I walked down the busy street of New York, barely seeing where I was going. My heart was pounding, my hands were shaking and every step just made me angrier.

I didn’t stop until I hit the small park a few blocks down. I found a bench, dropped onto it, and pulled out my phone. I already knew who I needed to call.

For a second, I just sat there, staring at the screen, feeling the kind of exhaustion that crawls all the way into your bones.

I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or punch something.

I just lost my job…over spilled coffee. And it wasn’t even my damn fault.

I leaned back against the bench, looking up at the sky like it could give me answers. Of course it didn’t. It never did.

I thought about that guy, that smug, spoiled jerk who walked around like the world owed him something. I hated people like him. Always stepping on everyone else like it was nothing. Like we were nothing.

Maybe I should’ve just smiled, swallowed my pride and apologized again. But screw that.

I was tired of swallowing everything just to keep the peace. I was tired, period.

The phone finally rang in my hand. I pressed it to my ear, chewing the inside of my cheek while I waited.

"Hello?"

"Hey...it’s me," I said, my voice rougher than I meant it to be.

"I need to talk."

I stabbed my straw through the plastic lid of my iced coffee like it had personally offended me.

“I swear, if I hear the word ‘networking' one more time, I’m going to scream,” I grumbled, slumping further into the patio chair outside Leah’s favorite coffee shop.

“You already did that last week,” Leah said brightly, popping a fry into her mouth. “Twice. Once in the middle of my Con Law lecture.”

I gave her a look. “Your professor said it made a valid point.”

“He also said, and I quote, ‘Whoever screamed about capitalism in the hallway has a point, but please never do that again.’”

I groaned, dropping my head on the table. “I’ve applied to twenty-seven jobs in three weeks and nothing. Not even a ‘we regret to inform you.’ I’m like a ghost. A ghost with very real bills.”

“Okay, one, rude of them. Two…” Leah leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. “I think it’s time.”

“Time for what?”

She wiggled her brows. “For me to pull the Dad Card.”

My head snapped up. “Absolutely not.”

“Absolutely yes.” Leah grinned like she was about to start a fight. “You need a job, and my dad literally owes me three favors, one of which includes bailing him out after the t****k incident. Besides, he loves you and would be glad to help.”

I frowned. “He’s only met me like twice and what t****k incident?”

She waved me off. “Irrelevant. What matters is that my dad knows people. Lawyers. Businessmen. CEOs who don't think firing someone for being in the wrong place at the wrong time is a personality trait.”

I shook my head. “Leah, no. I’m not a charity case.”

Her smile dropped, brows knitting together. “Excuse you?”

“I mean…” I flinched. “I appreciate it, but I can’t just take handouts. I need to figure this out myself.”

Leah leaned back, crossed her arms, and looked at me like I’d grown three heads. “You think I’m offering you a pity job?”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Yes, you did and I’m hurt. Personally, spiritually, emotionally offended. This is betrayal. Like Romeo and Juliet betrayal, except I’m both the Montagues and Capulets and you? You’re the poison.”

I blinked. “That’s…not how that play goes.”

“Don’t care,” she snapped. “I’m trying to help you, Faye. Because I love you. Because you’re my best friend. Because you’ve been eating cup noodles for three days and I can’t let that continue as a woman of principle.”

I sighed, my shoulders sagging. “Fine. You can talk to your dad. But no promises.”

“Yes!” Leah fist pumped. “Victory tastes like salt and trans fats.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I know. You’re welcome.”

We sipped our drinks in peace for a moment before Leah leaned in with a wicked grin.

“So…this mystery man who got you fired. Was he hot?”

I slowly turned to her, unimpressed. “Seriously?”

“I mean, if you’re gonna get your life ruined, it better be by a man who looks like sin in a suit.”

I gave her a flat stare.

Leah threw her head back and laughed. “Okay, okay! I get it. He’s a walking red flag dipped in entitlement. Probably uses three in one shampoo. Ugh, I hope he steps on a Lego.”

Despite myself, I smiled. “Thanks.”

Leah beamed. “Always. Now drink your coffee and let me figure out how to weaponize nepotism for good.”