Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

*Calista*

An alarm started to sound, filling the once silent room with obnoxious noises. Slightly lifting my head, I peeked over the body that was next to me and saw it was half past six in the morning. Half asleep, I rested my head on the soft tattooed chest below me. Until it dawned on me where I was and who I was sleeping next to. I jerked away and stared into the gorgeous eyes of Adrian Brockwell, who was staring back with a crooked smirk.

"I'm sorry..." I muttered, crawling out of his bed with an outrageous blush.

"For what?" Adrian chuckled, throwing his legs over the side of the bed.

"Nothing... I, uh-- I'll see you soon." I stammered out of his room, down the hallway and toward my bedroom.

I couldn't believe I woke up snuggled against him! I've crossed the line in so many ways, he probably just thinks I'm a horny little teenager. Although, he didn't appear too bothered... Whatever, this can't happen again. If Quinn stays another night, she gets her own bedroom!

I shuffle through my drawers, trying to keep quiet, so I don't wake Quinn up. I knew she had today off, and I wanted to let her sleep in. She already knew Adrian and I had to work, but now she'll have company from the boys while we're gone.

I showered and styled my hair straight, as it met the middle of my back. I still had some bruising on my neck, so I dressed it up with a little makeup. Once I was finished in the bathroom, I stepped out into my bedroom wearing my towel, heading for the closet.

It was cold outside, and I decided on a black sweater dress with cream leggings. Slipping on my knee-high black boots and zipping the zipper up the side. I stood in front of my mirror and judged the outfit, turning in every direction. Was it professional enough? I thought it was cute, but maybe it's not dressy enough?

"You look like a little snow bunny!" Quinn exclaimed, causing me to jump a foot in the air and turn to look at her in horror.

"How long have you been watching me?!" I shrieked, clutching my chest to settle my startled heart.

"Long enough to know you're overthinking your adorable outfit." She winked.

"It's not too casual?" I asked, still unsure.

"I don't think so." She shrugged.

"Alright, thanks Quinn. I'll see you later. Try not to get into trouble around here." I joked, smiling at her, as I walked toward my bedroom door.

"No guarantees' girl, there are four totally gorgeous men in this house. Who knows what I'll get into." She teased, winking, and I exploded with laughter.

I shook my head and walked out into the hallway, still giggling, while I shut the door behind me. I walked down the stairs and found Adrian walking out of the living room, with two cups of coffee in hand. He smiled and handed me a cup, which I graciously accepted. With that, we went out the door and in his car. He even opened my door for me to hop inside, such a gentleman.

I was a little concerned about how it might look when we show up together, but not enough to say something out loud. The ride didn't take long, and soon we were parking in the covered garage next to the mirrored building of Brockwell Investments. We exited the car together, and I discreetly took a deep breath, readying myself for the next battle ahead.

I had barely even started my job, before Ivan landed my ass in the hospital, and I had to take an early leave of absence. No one knew the reason for my leaving, all they knew was I was given a courtesy that not many others were fortunate enough to receive. I knew that would stir up trouble, favoritism always does.

I followed Adrian through the entrance and towards Tara at her front desk. Her eyes grew wide when her sight landed on me, she clearly wasn't expecting to see me, especially arriving with the boss. I attempted to conceal the snicker that was desperate to escape my lips in front of her, as we neared her desk.

"Good morning, Mr. Brockwell." Tara said, avoiding my existence.

I was surprised when Adrian didn't respond, but kept striding towards the elevators, and I followed his lead. I didn't miss the glare that Tara shot my way, noticing her flared nostrils out of the corner of my eye, but that was a problem for another day. I was still recovering from my biggest problem, Ivan, and something deep in my gut told me it wasn't over yet.

Adrian walked out of the elevator and glanced at me over his shoulder, with his usual seductive smirk that makes me melt every time I see it. He held open his office door for me and I walked through, stunned by the second desk near the bookshelf. I stop dead in my tracks, muddled and unsure of what to say.

"What do you think?" Adrian asked in a hopeful voice, standing beside me with a broad grin.

"Why are there two desks?" I asked, stupidly.

"It's for you, Calista." Adrian chuckled and walked me toward the beautiful white wooden desk.

"Me?" I asked, dumbfounded, again.

"Yes." He chuckled, "I thought it would be useful if you had a desk of your own."

"It's beautiful..." I murmured, running my fingers along the smooth edges.

"Hmm." Adrian's warm hum vibrated through the room and I wanted nothing more than to throw my arms around him with a big hug.

"Thank you, Adrian." I said, my voice was that of a whisper.

"You're welcome, Miss. Bonetti." Adrian winked, and I remembered I couldn't call him Adrian at work!

"Sorry... Mr. Brockwell." I murmured, unable to help the little smirk that stretched across my face.

He took a deep breath and clenched his jaw tightly, before letting his eyes roam my outfit. Clearing his throat, he sat at his own desk and shuffled through paperwork. I began to wonder if I was right earlier. Was it not professional? I could feel my body starting to sweat, my brain starting to panic and my muscles starting to twitch. I took a deep breath and opened the giant planner, flipping to today's page.

There weren't too many meetings, only four, one of which was with Dominic Decarlo again. I remembered him from last time. The guy was a total creep! The other names I wasn't familiar with, so I began looking through the files and educating myself. The room fell silent, with both of us working, but it was a comfortable silence. That is, until I stumbled across Dominic's file. All it took was looking at his picture and my gut twisted deep inside, as a wave of nausea passed through me.

I stood in my chair and sprinted out of the office with my hand covering my mouth. Rushing into the bathroom and into a stall, I hurled the second my face hovered above the toilet. My body trembled as I clung to the cold porcelain, waiting for my stomach to finish flushing out its contents.

Once my muscles relaxed, and I stopped vomiting, I heard a giggle behind me. I turned around to find Tara and another woman I hadn't met, but she was beautiful with blonde hair. They snickered together, pointing at me, and I felt like I was in high school again.

"I guess sleeping with your boss has its advantages and disadvantages." Tara shrugged, still giggling.

"Hmm, already sleeping your way to the top, are we?" The blonde woman added, causing both of them to laugh even harder.

"I'm not sleeping with Mr. Brockwell... If walking in together this morning gave you that impression, you're more stupid than I thought." I grunted, wiping my mouth with toilet paper.

"Well, it would explain you puking. That means you're pregnant with his baby." The blonde retorted.

"Who are you, again? I don't even think we've met." I scoffed, glaring at her.

"I'm Tiffany Beckett, it's a name you'll become super familiar with." She condescendingly smirked, popping her hip out.

"I doubt it." I said, shrugging, and walking towards the sink to clean up.

"She's Adrian's ex--" Tara started to inform me, until she was interrupted by Tiffany.

"We're on a break, but not for long." Tiffany smiled wide, a sinister grin at that.

"Good for you." I dried my hands and pushed between the two of them, "Thanks for this little powwow, we'll have to do it again sometime."

I let the door shut while they were responding, and I started to walk away with my head down. Before I could think about what just happened in the girl's bathroom, I ran straight into what felt like a brick wall. Instead, I looked up to find Adrian standing in front of me with a worried look on his face. His hands were resting on my shoulders, and he removed one to lift my chin up towards his face. When our eyes met, I bit my lip. Does he know what just happened?

"Are you okay?" He asked, concern coating his voice.

"Yeah..." I pursed my lips, knowing he'd see straight through my lie.

"What happened, you just ran out of the office?" He asked, feeling my forehead.

"I... I don't know what happened, just nerves, I guess..." I shrugged and avoided his heavy stare.

"Calista--" Adrian started to talk, until the bathroom door swung open, and the two blondes exited together.

Their eyes were glued to us, seeing Adrian's hands grope my shoulders and our proximity, didn't help my cause. I pulled away from him, instantly, and they giggled. Adrian glanced between them and me, putting the pieces of the puzzle together. I looked away, embarrassed and uncertain of how to handle the situation.

Adrian removed his hands and I felt an instant longing for his touch again. I finally forced myself to look into his gorgeous light gray eyes, and I found something I wasn't expecting. Sympathy and understanding. Did he know what I was going through? I sighed and pulled myself together, straightening my posture and nodding at him. I'm ready, I can face those bitches, they're not the problem. The problem is Dominic, he makes my gut stir, even more so than Ivan did.