SEXY SCANDAL

TEN

The silence that followed was suffocating. I forced a smile, gathering my tolerance, feeling the sting of her insult. With a deep breath, I said, “I have a very important matter to discuss with Mr. Murray. Is there any way you could at least pass along my request?” My eyes met her brown ones, hoping she’ll process my request.

Then all of a sudden, her eyes lit up, “Yes, of course, have a seat at a corner,” she said, her tone shifting to feigned sweetness that felt more like a trap. I looked at her unsure whether to ask any questions but to prevent further embarrassment, I walked up to some waiting chairs and sat. I should have known better, I waited for two f*****g hours and she didn’t even spare me a glance. So much for a high class receptionist.

Soon enough, I felt the pressing need to use the toilet, a discomfort that has been building over the past hour as I sat in the reception area. I tried holding it in for a few minutes, but then, growing increasingly concerned about my health, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer. I got up and walked over to her again, “Please where can I find a restroom around here?” I asked my tone polite but filled with urgency, hoping for a straightforward answer after what happened earlier.

She smirked, looking up from the computer, her fingers pausing over the keyboard. Then she gave me directions to the restroom upstairs, her tone clipped and dismissive as she gestured vaguely towards the elevators at the far end of the reception area.

I stepped into the sleek, mirrored elevator, my reflection staring back at me as the doors slid shut with a soft hiss. My mind was still reeling from the two grueling hours of being ignored. I wrapped my arms around myself watching the numbers increase on the elevator’s display. Soon enough, the elevators opened and I stepped out. Then I followed her directions and walked into the room.

Pushing the door open, I froze. The room was a sleek, modern meeting space with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. A long glossy mahogany table dominated the center, surrounded by sharply dressed executives in tailored suits, their voices halting mid-discussion as their heads turned towards me in unison.

My stomach dropped as I realized the receptionist’s cruel intent. My eyes met Ellis’s piercing gaze, and before I could say anything, the receptionist came hurrying inside, “I’m so sorry Sir. I asked her not to come in, that you were busy but she didn’t listen”

My eyes widened as I stared at her. f**k. This scheming b***h. She set me up. The thoughts I had at the moment was destructive. I just wanted to mess her perfect hair but I won’t.

“Leave,” Ellis said coldly. This is so embarrassing. I turned around rethinking every decision I’d made in my life but the same cold voice pierced through my ears. “Not you. Everyone, leave,” He said and I turned around holding in the gasp. I made the right choice.

I’d give anything to see the look on his receptionist’s face again. I looked at him, my gaze focused as everyone else left the room, their polished shoes clicking softly against the hardwood floor. The heavy door closed with a definitive thud, leaving just the two of us in the expensive meeting room.

The air was filled with the lingering sharpness of Ellis’s cologne— a woody, musky scent that seemed to fill the space with his commanding presence. I slowly walked towards him. “I hope this is so urgent that you felt the need to barge into my board meeting,” he said, his voice a low growl that rumbled through the space as he glanced up from his phone, his eyes briefly meeting mine before returning to the screen.

“I…” I started, my voice trembling as I tried to steady it, “It’s important” I managed to say, my words sounding small. He stood up abruptly, and I was momentarily taken aback by how tall he was—easily over six feet four, his broad shoulders filling out his charcoal suit with an imposing elegance. I gulped catching my breath as I looked up at him, the sharp scent of his cologne hitting my sense again, now mixed with a faint trace of cedar wood that made my head swim.

His tall frame loomed over me, exuding an effortless confidence that made the space feel smaller, more intimate. His eyes, steely gray and unyielding scanned me then smirked, “Follow me.” I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as I fell into step behind him, hurrying my steps to keep up with his long, confident strides. We got to a private office, its double doors parting to reveal a space as luxurious as it was intimidating.

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, while a massive desk dominated the room, its surface a pristine expanse of dark wood. Framed accolades and certificates hung between the shelves, each one a testament to his successes. Ellis gestured for me to sit in one of his plush leather chairs opposite him, and as I sank into its cushioned depths, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what I was about to say.

He leaned back in his own chair, his fingers interlocked as those unyielding eyes locked onto mine once more. “I assume you’ve made your decision,” he said, his tone tightly controlled. I nodded, my hands clasped tightly in my lap to steady the tremor I felt. “Yes. I’ve thought about it, the contract marriage and I agree. I do need your resources if I really want to discover who… who the killer is.”