Hello Mr. Arrogant

Chapter 16

[Not edited]

Chapter 16: {Meet Mrs. Octavia Bennett}

It was hard living with my mom. Some days it was comfortable and others it was like two bulls ramming heads. 

She's only been staying with me for a few days now, but it felt like it had been longer. When I get home at night, time just starts slowing down. My eyes always glance at the clock when I'm at home, alone or not. It was like I was waiting for something the happen. Something other than my mother.

Because of her, I've been distant at the office. I take power naps whenever I can and when I'm working I focus only on that. I don't talk with anyone, and if they try speaking with me I usually end the conversation. My only friend right now is my Hershey Kisses bag that I have shoved in my desk drawer. They give me hope for a sweeter, cavity filled future.

A random email appeared in my inbox as I was doing my usual work.

                                                                                                                                                                Miss Bennett,

                                                                                                                                                Come down to my office.

                                                                                                                                                                        Now.

                                                                                                                                                        Mr. Ashton Hadley

                                                                                                                            Co-Founder of Hadley Enterprises.

He could have just called me from the intercom. I mean, that's why we have it for goodness' sake!

I blinked trying to shake away the sleep before trudging my way down to his office. There seemed to be a heavyweight on my shoulders as I knocked. 

"Come," He spoke. I walked in carrying a stack of blank papers to restock his printer. Even in my tired state, I remembered some of my responsibilities.

"You wanted me?" I asked walking over to the mini printer on his desk. It was just behind his computer monitor so I couldn't see his eyes, but I felt them as I avoided him.

"Did my social anxiety rub off on you?" he questioned in a playful tone. I sighed trying to bring a smile to my face when I talked.

"No, sir., Just trying to get work done." When the machine was well stocked and ready to be used again, I walked over to the slightly ajar door. "Anything else?" It was like I was in a trance. Just going through the adjectives of the day and going home, then repeating everything over and over again. It felt numbing.

"I didn't ask for anything, Lydia." he sounded worried. I tried very hard not to look at him, but I couldn't help myself a small glance. He was exactly what I thought he sounded like. Everything about him pointed at worry or nervousness. 

"Oh," I let the small word escape my mouth, and for a short second, I thought he was going to get up from his desk. He was about to, but something looked off. He relaxed in his office chair and just stared at me.

The sweet smell of lilies danced around me and I noticed the burning candle by the window. "Did you-"

"Jenn got it for me. Said 'It smells too much like work in here.'" He smiled again and this time I smiled along with him. I couldn't help myself.  

"I'm glad you're smiling," he said after a short pause.

"Thank you for making me smile." 

I thought coming down here would be awkward. I would just walk in and out and move on with my day, but instead, we had a moment. A moment that would continue to make me smile throughout the day, and tonight it will bring me joy when I'm by myself. When I thanked him, I meant every word because he deserved to be thanked not only for this moment but for all the good he does everyone else. 

I frowned. I hadn't realized all the good he does until now. He's a provider of hundreds of jobs, he donates to charities, he even makes time in his day to make employees like me happy when he notices we're upset. And I'm only thanking him for making me smile?

So I did what I thought I'd never do. I confessed. "Thank you so much, Mr. Hadley. You're one of the greatest people I know, and I'm not just saying that because you're my boss. I know you don't get told how much people actually appreciate and look up to you, but from this day onward, that's exactly what I'm going to do." All the tension from earlier today vanished. It felt as though I had just drunk four energy drinks and took some happy pills. I felt like a new person.

"You don't have to," He started, but I cut him off when I worked out what he was going to say back to me.

"You're right, I don't have to, but I want to. Speaking of which, I have something for you that I'll send in a minute. Wait for my email, okay?" He didn't say anything, but I knew he understood, so I walked out and almost ran back to my office.

Almost as soon as I sat my butt in the chair I scrolled through the computer files. There was a lot of junk, but I put the situation of cleaning on the back burner while I searched for the photo. 

My eyes scanned up and down for it. I knew it had to be on this computer somewhere, but where exactly I couldn't say. I basically gave myself a headache trying to look for the damn thing.

"Lydia," Belle's voice hummed from the intercom. 

Feeling in a much better mood, I answered, "Yes?" humming back with a smile.

"You're mother's here to see you." And just like that, my mood was instantly changed. 

I grabbed my purse from under my desk and made my way down to the floor receptionists. I wondered why all the floors had their own receptionist's desk. It also bothered me that all the main workers were women, but that was an issue I couldn't handle right now.

"Where is she?" I grumbled to Belle when I saw her. She pointed to a couch a few paces away and I saw her. The woman who's been staying in my bedroom and eating all my food for the past few days. 

She turned her head and our eyes locked. "Look at you!" She squealed, engulfing me in her boney arms. "You look so beautiful." I had to forcefully unwrap her arms from around my shoulders so I could breathe.

"Why are you here?" It's not that I hated my mother, now that we talk, but she invaded my home and now she was invading my work. She was slowly pushing her welcome with me to its limit, and my patience.

"I've told you a million times, dear. I'm here-"

"You're here to see me. I know, but why are you here?" Just when I thought life couldn't get any worse, Mr. Appears-At-Any-Moment walked out of his office looking like he was ready to leave. That was until his eyes met mine and he smiled evilly. 

"Um, Mom, this is Mr. Ashton Hadley, Co-founder of Hadley Enterprises," I introduced her to him. God, he looked so handsome in his suit.

"Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Bennett." He took my mother's hand and shook it tenderly. She swooned and blushed and did all the young girly things, while I just stood back and watched.

"Please, call me Octavia." I gagged when I heard her voice. My mom was the biggest flirt I'd ever met. And when she brought out that tone in her voice she was ready to flirt till she died. She just never could take no for an answer, just like a lot of people in my life.

"You know, you look very familiar." 

I wondered what she was talking about. I don't remember her ever meeting Ashton. Heck, I didn't remember meeting Ashton for the first time.

"I don't recall that, but you might be mistaking me for my brother, Greyson. Being twins confuses people sometimes," he laughed at himself.

My mouth hung open. Why had I never known this guy had a twin? 

So there were two identical Hadleys' in this building? 

An evil thought crossed my mind. If I can't get one, maybe I could get the other?

"Mother, are you going to answer my question?" I nagged her. Ashton stayed firmly in his place while she turned back to face me.

"I thought I'd come and see where my daughter worked. Is that a crime, Lydia?"

It is when you're invading my privacy and my life.

"No, Mother," I mumbled, not wanting to argue.

"Good."

"Great."

"Amazing."

"Wonderful!"

"Fantastic!"

Ashton stepped in, forcing my mother and me apart. "How about I show you around the city?"

Mom and I looked at each other, and simultaneously asked, "Me?" and then we both rolled our eyes. I guess I was more like her than I thought.

"I was more speaking to your mother, Miss Bennett, but you are more than welcome to join," he grinned. 

Mr. Ashton Hadley was asking my mom on a date! Granted, not a romantic one, but he was still taking her out places. I wanted to scream at him, "What are you thinking? What's wrong with you?" but I couldn't bring myself to do it. 

That should be me.

But instead, Mrs. Octavia Bennett, wife to a millionaire and ultimate flirt, was accepting Mr. Ashton Hadley, millionaire, co-founder, and my boss, as her guide around the city. Not her own daughter, not even a taxi driver, but my boss.

She took his extended hand and they both walked past me. He winked as he passed before walking into the elevator and watching me as it closed.

He was a jerk. A big-time, triple scheming, lowlife, jerk. And to think, I was about to send him our picture. Ha!