Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER FOUR

*Adrian*

It was Friday, and that's ultimately what provoked me to ask Calista to dinner. I lied when I said it was company tradition. I've never once taken anyone out to dinner, but I couldn't stop the words from pouring from my lips. I didn't want to go the entire weekend without something to remember her by, as silly as that sounds. I wanted more than just our simple work conversation. I wanted something more, something I could dwell on for the weekend.

There was something about Calista that peaked my curiosity, more so than anyone else ever has, and that's not something I can ignore. Clearly, my heart knows something I don't and I'm willing to indulge it, see for myself what the hoopla is all about.

About fifteen minutes before the clock struck eight, Calista came scurrying through my office doors with the heavy binder pressed tightly to her petite chest. Her red wool coat was covered in snow and she still had the hood up. I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped my lips.

"Welcome in, little red riding hood." I chuckled, but quickly realized how flirtatious I sounded and wiped the smirk from my face.

"Good morning, Mr. Brockwell." She huffed, keeping her hood up and stumbling over to the chair across from me.

I can tell she's frazzled, but is it just from the flurry of snow outside, or is it something more? I know I noticed a welt on her cheek yesterday, though she tried hard to disguise it. Finally, she pulls back her hood and reveals her plush cream turtleneck sweater beneath. It matched the cream stripes on her black dresspants, that I couldn't help but notice clung tightly against her legs. My eyes trailed up her long legs and stopped when they reached the small plump of flesh that sat above her thighs, she had a nice ass. Round and perky, not too big and not too small, and s**t I'm checking her out!

My eyes quickly darted to her big green eyes, but I see something different today. I'm staring into hollow eyes, harboring emptiness and sorrow, something I didn't see yesterday. She quickly sits up straight and smiles, opening the binder and pointing to the first meeting of the day.

"It looks like you have a meeting in fifteen minutes, sir." Calista reported, her voice soft and broken.

"Calista," I said in a light whisper and she looked up at me with a surprised expression, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, sir. I'm fine.. Why do you ask?" She said, keeping her gaze downward.

"Because you seem... I don't know, upset, about something.." I admitted, hoping she'd open up to me but to no avail.

"I promise, sir, nothing you need to concern yourself about." She smiles and stares at me straight on.

I know she doesn't want to communicate her problems to her boss and I understand that, but I wish there was something I could say to tell her that she's wrong. I'd listen to everything she has to say. Although, I know I can't come right out and say that. She's my assistant. After all, we work together and that's highly unethical.

We leave the office and enter the same conference room, where Calista sits in the same place as last time. This meeting won't take very long and she won't have much to note down, because this is the most secretive client I have. His name is Boston, that's all I know anyway, and he's a filthy rich man who loves investing his money. We're currently working together to open a new building, expanding Brockwell Corp.

The rest of the day goes fast and soon it's already half past four in the evening. The closer our dinner gets, the more I find myself feeling excited and nervous. I don't think I've ever felt this way about a woman before and I'm not quite sure how to handle it, but I won't lie and say that I don't enjoy it.

Calista enters my office and gathers her things, putting her adorable red wool coat back on. I stood beside her and threw on my black trench coat, admiring her small figure beneath the red jacket. She smiles, but I can tell it's forced and there's something weighing heavily on her mind.

"I'll pick you up around six." I said, opening the door for her to walk through and she paused, staring at me with her mouth slightly ajar.

"For what?" She asked, confused and clearly forgetting I asked her out to dinner.

"I'm taking you for dinner, remember?" I said with a light chuckle, as we exited my office.

"I'm so sorry, sir.. I can't believe I forgot that," She shakes her head and bites her lip, "I'm afraid I'll have to reschedule that.."

"Oh.. How come?" I asked, disappointed, but she'd never know.

"My uh, boyfriend and I have plans.." Calista grunted and I turned to stare at her in the elevator. She's lying and I know it.

"I asked you yesterday, Miss. Bonetti." I clarified with a stern voice.

"I know, I forgot about my plans with my boyfriend.." She mumbled and stared down at her feet.

"Calista," I said and turned her shoulders to face me, "I'll be there at six to pick you up."

"But-" She attempted to argue but I interrupted.

"I'll be happy to meet your boyfriend." I smiled a little too widely, before the elevator doors opened and we both exited.

She nodded and scurried out of the building, back into the falling snow. It's already dark outside and I don't feel comfortable with Calista walking in the streets alone. So, I followed her outside and watched as she hailed a cab. Afterwards, I got into my car and drove home. It was time to prepare for my date.

Though I didn't intend Calista affecting my brain the way she was, I also found myself enjoying the sensation. I felt like I was floating around on a cloud, nothing in the world could burst my bubble. A feeling I've never felt before, but I knew I didn't want to let it go.

I took a quick shower and styled my hair with some soft gel. I applied some light cologne and changed into a freshly pressed black suit. Not too shabby. It isn't long before it's time to pick her up and I find myself leaving with the cheesiest grin on my face. The minute I enter the car, though, that smile fades and I pull myself back together. Becoming the stoic, intimidating boss I know I need to be. I have to remind myself, this isn't a date, this is a business meeting... kind of..

I pulled up out front of her apartment and waited a few minutes, but she didn't come out. I send her a text on her phone, telling her that I'm waiting out front, but she doesn't respond. I waited another five minutes and concern started to eat at my stomach, enough to where I shut off the engine of my car and got out.

I have no idea what floor she lives on, but I find myself stepping inside the building anyway. Luckily, I didn't have to look far, because I heard screaming from a few floors up. Instead of taking the elevator, I started running up the stairs. Past the second level and soon the voices are louder. A man and woman are yelling at each other and I recognize that woman's voice. It's Calista!

When I reached the top of the stairs and turned into the hallway, I stopped when I saw Calista standing across from a tall man with orange-red hair. She was wearing a gorgeous black satin dress that ended at her shins, with a slit that stopped just above her knee. Her hair was curled and pinned behind her head, wearing a gawdy choker necklace. The man had her right wrist in his hand and it looked like he was squeezing hard.

"Like hell! I'm not allowing my girlfriend out on a date with another man, I don't care who he is!" The man shouts, yanking her back towards their apartment door.

"Excuse me?" I hollered, startling them and walking towards them, "Oh- There you are, Calista! This must be your boyfriend I've heard such great things about."

"Mr. Brockwell!" Calista forces a smile and clears her throat, "Ivan, this is my boss, Mr. Brockwell."

"Ivan, you say?" I said and held out my hand with a tight grin, "It's nice to meet you."

"Yeah, you too." Ivan grunts, shaking my hand and I squeeze his palm forcefully.

"Well, I promise, she won't be home too late. I take all the new employees out to dinner. In fact, the others are already waiting at the restaurant." I said, and watched as both of their expressions changed. Ivan became relieved and Calista became disappointed.

"Goodbye, Ivan." Calista said, and even I could feel the coldness in her tone of voice.

Calista shrugged from Ivan's grasp and shifted next to me. I could feel the tension between them and I knew Ivan had a lot more to say, but he wasn't going to say it while I was around. That's when I knew this man was abusing Calista. It explains the welt on her face and her timid nature. She's used to men beating on her when they become upset. I had a bitter taste in my mouth as we left her apartment, something I had to get to the bottom of.