Her Arrogant Demon Next Door

Chapter 4 Chelsea POV

A low humming wakes me up. My sleep-disorientated brain doesn’t connect the dots right away. But when it finally does, I jolt up my phone vibrating at the side of my bed on the night stand. Leaning over, I grab at my phone, not recognizing the number. I fall back against the bed answering it. “ Hello“ my voice sounds deep with sleep. It's almost sultry, the lines are quiet for a second, then I hear a voice I definitely wasn’t expecting.

“ Hi Chelsea. It’s me. I need to come to your house. The court date for the files you have. Well, it’s been moved up to today. Well, it’s a hearing, and I’m not prepared. I know it’s early, but I don’t have time to wait for you at the office, so I’m on my way to yours now “.

Bolting up in bed and sounding like a complete moron the only word to come out of my mouth is“ frank ?” Like a question, like he hadn’t just explained everything only he would know. He’s silent again and then a low sigh “yes I’ll be five minutes “ the line goes dead, and I’m left sitting mostly naked in my bed, the robe not covering anything, dumbfounded. “ How’s he got my number or my address ? “ I say out loud to my bedroom like it was going to give me the answer.

Quickly scrambling up, I rush to get ready, noticing it’s only 6am. Why would he need the files this early? He must have remembered my address from yesterday when I said the street name, I think, whilst slipping on some trousers. Finishing getting dressed, I grabbed all the files off of the nightstand along with my notes and ran to go downstairs. Catching my reflection in the mirror at the top of the stairs that had been left, I stared wide-eyed. My hair was sticking up in all directions. I wasn’t trying to impress Frank, but I still had to work with the man. So I put all the files on the floor and quickly ran my fingers through my hair as I heard a knocking on the door downstairs.

“ s**t “ I muttered, sighing at my own reflection. It would have to do. He would come here at ass crack of dawn. My alarm wasn’t set for another hour, and I was still always the first to the office. What would any court be doing at this time? The knock sounded again, and I ran downstairs grabbing the files, nearly dropping them all over as I unlocked and pulled the door open. Frank was standing there in a long coat and a suit with black leather gloves, his hair slicked back in his usual style. “ Hi sorry I wasn’t even awake yet when you called, and I was just getting dressed when you knocked “ I was rambling.

When I finally shut up, I looked at him to see he was running his gaze up and down my body. When I clear my throat, he looks up and clears his throat, then looks away. “ Yes sorry it’s so early, but I had a call at literally 5am this morning , I got dressed and had to come get those “ he points at the files in my hands. Then he ran his hand down his coat. “ But they have then just called and delayed the hearing just as I pulled up here, so I guess there wasn’t such a rush and I hadn’t even had my morning coffee. So I thought, what place better to be than at Chelsea's house ? Who knows just how I like my coffee “ he grins.

He takes a step forward, and it makes me stumble back, opening the door wider. “ Ermmm well I don’t have a fancy coffee machine here. We could just go to the office. I’ll make you one there. The house isn’t really up to visitors right now “ . He laughs again already stepping into the house. “ Whatever coffee you have is fine Chelsea. They moved it at 10 am now, so I’m in no rush “ he was in the house now. Looking around the living room, his hands now shoved into his pockets, I felt confused. My still sleep-filled mind struggled to comprehend what was happening.

Closing the door, I placed the files down on a side board that was near the door and made my way into the kitchen and boiled the kettle, getting two cups out. I’m scooping the coffee granules into the cups when I hear him enter the kitchen. “It’s a nice little home you have here. I see the potential you saw when buying it “ he comments, and for some reason his comments irk me. But I bit it back and smiled, handing him the cup once I’d finished making it. He removes his gloves, taking the cup. “Yes, it needs lots of work, but I’ll get there eventually “ I say blowing the steam on my cup before taking a sip.

He looks out the back windows towards the garden. “ You could always get yourself a man to help you out around here I’m sure financially it would be less of a burden too, one that had an agreement with you that it was your house. I know your type. You like to be independent and live alone, maybe find yourself a man where that would suit him too “ his words had meaning. I knew what he was hinting in his own hidden words he was basically saying“ be my mistress, and I’ll pay for your house”. Of course, he was more political, he was smart and did it so he could deny it if I pulled him on it. He was a good manipulator you had to be for his job, placing my coffee cup on the side and turning away from him.

I grit my teeth but try my hardest to sound polite “ I’m OK on my own. You know me miss independence, and it may take time, but I’ll make the house look good. Now I need to get ready for work so you can finish your coffee. The files are over there. I’m sure your OK with seeing yourself out”. With that, I didn’t wait for him to reply, instead, I ran out of the kitchen and back up the stairs, closing my bedroom door behind me. Anger simmered in the pit of my stomach at his words because of the audacity, but I couldn’t say what I’d like to say to him. Call him the arrogant sleazy slime ball he was that was a fast track to getting the sack and I needed this job.

I just had to double my efforts in making sure he knew where the line was, taking a calming breath. I get to work fixing my hair and painting my face with make-up. At least I wouldn’t have to see him in the office. I wouldn’t normally like to leave someone I don’t know unattended in my house, but I’d had to leave. When I headed downstairs, I was feeling much calmer until I saw him sitting on my sofa reading the files on his lap and with what looked like a fresh cup of coffee in his hand.

My heart thuds in my chest with the fright of him still being there. Raising my hand to my chest, I said his name “ Frank?” . How did he not get the hint to leave? How was basically kicking him out not obvious ? He looked up almost annoyed, then smoothed out his features, making himself look innocent. “ Sorry Chelsea, I thought it better to stay. I have the feeling you took my words wrong earlier. I’d like to make it up to you with lunch. I’ll buy it, and we can sit and eat it in my office and discuss the file. Your notes you wrote are excellent. I’d like to get more of your insight “.

I was already waving my hand in a no gesture “ oh you probably won’t be back in time from court “ He places his cup on the coffee table and stands up waving it off.

“ Oh they’ve canceled all together now “. He says it so calmly, so confident , no one would question him telling the truth, but something seems off with it. I rack my brain for something else. Another excuse , “ I’m probably going to be really busy. I missed loads of filing yesterday due to being in your office all day. The others will definitely need me today “ I stuttered out.

He slowly makes his way over to me. When he’s a few steps away, he crosses his arms over his chest, his eyes boring into mine and he shrugs . “ Well, Chelsea, I was going to make you assistant on this case. It would make it so you come to all hearings and client meetings and the final court case. It would do brilliantly for your career. You would also get a bonus in your pay packet for your time. But if your not interested “ . He left the words hanging, but I knew what he meant, this was the opportunity I’d been looking for and he knew it. He was dangling the golden carrot and a good word from Frank would be exactly what I needed for other seniors to pay attention.

The words felt sour in my mouth as I spoke them. “ No, I’m interested, of course, I’d like to work with you on this “ , his expression changed. A predatory smug smile graces his lips, dread fills me to think I’ve just given him the go ahead he’s been seeking. His wife was stunning. I have no idea why he was showing so much interest in me. But without doing anything remotely wrong, I feel like I’ve already become a mistress. But how could I refuse this ? Frank could ruin me and get me sacked, and maybe all this was just my mind being crazy and conjuring up things.

“ Excellent, get your coat. I’ll follow you to work. Be in my office at twelve for lunch, and we will discuss how it will all work. I’ll order Italian from down the street. It’s delicious “ . My legs move on their own accord and do as he says, I grab my coat and my purse on autopilot, racking my brain on how all this had just happened. He scoops up all the files and gestures for me to go first in my own home, and I don’t protest, I head to the door, opening it up.

To be met with the intense gaze of Adam, his gaze flying from me to Frank, I knew what that would look like to him. I don’t know why, but I feel the need to clarify what this was. “ Adam ermm what are you doing here, this is well. It’s Frank. He’s my boss “ I cringe at the stumbling of words spewing out of my mouth and then realization hits. That what I just said makes this seem worse. “ He well he just came by to pick up some files. What are you doing here at this time ?” . His gaze snapped back at me from where he’d been glaring at Frank over my shoulder.

He cleared his throat and looked away over at his own house. “ Well, I’m going into town and I just wondered if you wanted me to pick you up a new lawn mower ?” his voice was tight, angry. Frank let’s out a huff behind me one that said bull sh*t on Adams excuse for being here. Adam glares again at frank, and I somehow know that Frank is glaring back. I had to defuse whatever it is that was going off here. “ Ermm yea sure my budget is ermm hundred and fifty that’s kind of you thank you “ . Adam looked at me. He looks annoyed. His jaw ticks “yea sure no worries see you later Chelsea”. He spins on his heel and storms off back to his own house.

I was frozen on the spot questioning if I was still asleep. Franks pissed off voice right next to my ear makes me jump. “ Let’s go Chelsea “ he says. As I get into my car, I pinch myself to see if I can wake myself up because surely everything that’s happened this morning wasn’t right. But Frank's car following me all the way to the office tells me otherwise.