Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER NINE

*Adrian*

Before returning to work, I found Ida doing laundry in the basement. She greeted me with a pleasant smile, as she usually does when I enter a room. I smiled back and stood next to her, watching as she folded the clean lindens and placed them in a basket to her right. Ida was not only my maid, but a very close friend of mine. She basically raised me herself, because my parents were always too busy with work.

"Ida," I said and glanced back at the empty hallway, "Can you please keep an eye on Calista? She'll need a lot of assistance because of her injuries."

"Of course, sir." Ida nodded with a delicate smile and I knew she would take great care.

"Thank you, Ida. I'll be back around five." I said and turned to leave for the door.

"Sir?" Ida hollered and I turned around to listen, "This girl seems to bring out the best in ya."

I smiled and left the room, walking back up the stairs and exiting the house. Ida's comment didn't fall on deaf ears, but it wasn't something I could think about right now. Especially because I'm constantly fighting off thoughts of Calista, anyway! I can't add that comment to my plate, it would devour me and the rest of my free time. I have to focus on work.

When I arrive at the office, everyone is already in full swing. I walked past Tara and her post, she reminded me of the little ankle-biting dog that signals to the rest of the blood hounds. She says good morning and all I do is nod, which is typical for me. I enter the elevator and take it up to my office on the fifth floor, bypassing everyone else on the way.

I glanced at the calendar and sighed, because it reminded me of Calista and I wished she was with me. She's only been my assistant for two days and I already feel attached, like she somehow made my life significantly easier when she was with me..

I chuckled at myself, since when did I become clingy with a woman? They've always pursued me, not the other way around.

I grabbed my things and shuffled back into the hallway, headed for the conference room for the first meeting. Since I pushed my whole schedule back to take Calista home, I had a lot of making up to do. Especially because I want to leave by five o'clock today.

Normally I would stay late if I arrived late, but not today. No, today I wanted to spend time with Calista and see to it that she heals properly. I also know that Ivan will want to talk to her and I sure as hell won't let her go alone. That's something that's been weighing heavily on my mind lately. I don't want her to be near him ever again.

My meetings go fast and I get them all knocked out of the way, helping time pass quickly. I glance at the clock and smile to myself when I see it says four forty-five. Leaving the conference room, I headed for my office and ran into Tiffany on the way. I smiled and nodded, but refrained from speaking. Even though I knew that wouldn't detour her.

"Hello, Mr. Brockwell. I was wondering if I could go over some numbers with you this evening, maybe over dinner?" Tiffany asked and stood in front of me with a beaming smile, blocking my path.

"I'm sorry, Tiffany, but I don't go out to dinner with employees and I don't have time today. Remind me tomorrow." I muttered, stepping around her.

"But, sir-" She argued, clearly irritated, and I interrupted her.

"I said tomorrow, Miss. Beckett." I grunted and walked away from her.

I could feel her seething as I walked away, but I didn't really care. Tiffany has been trying for a long time and I've always rejected her advances. Who knows why she's still trying? I'd slowly become more and more irked by her efforts at trying to seduce me, as threatening her job didn't seem to do much. She reigned it in, but I can sense she's about to push the envelope again and that will result in permanent termination. She doesn't realize she has one last chance.

Placing the files on my desk for tomorrow, I lock up my office and leave out the front door. I waved goodbye to Tara, who was saying goodbye. I couldn't wait to leave the office and return home to Calista. I couldn't wait to hear all about her day and how she's feeling. I contemplated taking tomorrow off, but I knew that was next to impossible because of who I had to meet with at two in the afternoon.

Leaving the parking lot, I could feel my heart pick up its pace and hammer against my chest. I was excited about seeing Calista and didn't know what to make of this sensation. I liked the feeling, s**t, I loved the feeling... but there's something holding me back. Something I'm afraid to admit out loud. Something I'm especially afraid of Calista knowing, because it will change her opinion of me. I'm almost positive about that.

What the hell am I even thinking? What the hell am I doing? I've got my assistant living in my house, with me, her boss. Yes, I wanted her to have somewhere to go and get away from her abusive boyfriend. But it was more than that, it was about her living with me. Us being under the same roof and having time to get to know each other, that's what was so enticing to me. Ah, f**k. I want to be with her, I want to be with Calista... but does she want to be with me? How the hell could I make this work?

We're not allowed to date each other and work together, especially because I'm her boss. Then again, I'm the boss, all I have to do is change the rules. However, that would only create mayhem amongst the female workers. They would hate Calista and treat her differently, which isn't something I'd tolerate. The options are slim and I have no idea which to choose, because none of which are going to benefit Calista. Then it hits me, like a ton of bricks. There's only one decision that I can make to spare Calista from any pain, and it's the one decision I like least. I must leave her alone. Her life is better without me in it, other than strictly professional.

When I arrived home, with my newly founded decision in mind, I walked through the front door feeling content. That is, until I saw Ida helping Calista walk down the stairs. Calista smiled brightly, even wearing a neck brace, while she made her way down the stairs. I smiled in return and waited for her to get to the bottom.

"Good job, darlin'. The fireplace is just right over there." Ida said, steering Calista towards the living room.

"Here, I'll take over." I offered, wrapping my arm around Calista's waist and helping her towards the couch that's closest to the fireplace.

"I wanted to curl up with a book," Calista murmured softly, "It's getting cold outside and that's one of my favorite things to do during this time of the year."

"What kind of book would you like to read?" I asked her, turning towards the bookshelf.

"Anything, really, but probably romance." She responded and I felt my heart jump into my throat.

I grabbed a few books from the shelf that I knew were romance novels, handed them to her and watched her shuffle through them. She smiled and kept the book Romeo and Juliet. I put the other books away and turned to find her already reading the book, snuggled up on the couch like a tiny little peanut. I smirked at my own thought and started to walk out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Calista asked, peering over her shoulder at me with curious eyes.

"I want to freshen up, I'll see you soon." I responded and continued on my way up the stairs, to my bedroom.

I took a hot shower, clearing my head of obscene thoughts. Once I was finished, I changed into jeans and a black T-shirt. I headed back downstairs and found Calista still on the couch, reading. I approached her from behind quietly, watching as she flipped the pages after every couple minutes. I caught her attention when I passed by, but didn't stop to talk to her. Instead, I entered my personal office, which was adjacent to the living room.

I stood there for a moment, gathering my bearings and preparing myself for the hardest act of my life. I have to pretend like I'm not developing feelings for Calista, when all I want to do is kiss her. Gulping, I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. I've got this. For Calista's sake, I have to.

I walked back out into the living room and looked directly at Calista. She set the book down and was staring back at me, with the cutest confused expression I've ever seen. It was as simple as that, one tiny little expression broke my resolve within the blink of an eye. That lasted all of thirty minutes and here I am again, stumbling over my own two feet because of a woman I don't even know. What is she doing to me?