Scandal

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

When I said that I loved working at Jacobs Empire, I wasn't kidding. The job was insanely amazing. If that was even possible. Well, of course it was possible. I got to work on rather large and important projects with high-profile people. Sometimes there was travel involved, and the best part about it is I wasn't always just doing secretarial tasks like answering the phone and fetching coffee. The atmosphere was much more laid-back and luxurious than other jobs I’d had for the 'working man.' There were times when Sol genuinely asked for my opinion on things. He didn't do it just to humor me–he really wanted to know what I thought about a certain project or idea, often picking my brain and really listening to the ideas I had. I greatly appreciated that as it made me feel like I was part of the team and not just the person who provided the coffee. Not to mention, my salary was triple what it had been when I worked at the dealership. I just couldn't ask for anything more.

Well, I guess that wasn't exactly true. I wouldn't mind a different boss, and that was putting it lightly. Never mind the fact that we’d once shared a steamy moment in a bathroom, but the guy was insufferable. He was very difficult to work with. When he’d told me things had to be his way and only his way, he meant it. He was often rude, impatient, and demanding. His calling himself strict was the understatement of the century. He always complimented me on a job well done, but there were times that I felt I could never do anything right, so I continued to try harder. I was sure he thought I was just taking everything in stride and refusing to show my true feelings about things in the office because I loved my job.

In reality, the only reason I hadn't lost it like I had the other day was because of what he had said about his father. That situation made me feel bad. I certainly knew what it was like to try desperately to gain your parents approval while always feeling like you fell short. I knew all about those feelings, so I understood why he behaved the way he did. Although he had lightened up a bit since my explosion, I could hardly call him a changed man.

I was responding to emails when Sol came out of his office. It was after lunch, but I had yet to see him that day because he’d been in one meeting after another. He had a tired smile on his face, and he came over and sat on the corner of my desk.

“Hey, how are you?”

“I'm peachy, Sol, how are you?”

“Peachy? That's a new one.”

I smiled.

“You know, you have a really beautiful smile. You should use it more often.”

I smiled again, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

“Don't worry, I'm not hitting on you. Just stating the obvious. I've had a long day so far, and you're a sight for sore eyes.”

“Yeah, well keep it in your pants, mister. I don't want a repeat of the wedding.”

“And what exactly happened at the wedding?”

We both turned around to find Roger Jacobs standing behind us, and he wasn't smiling. I gasped before I could stop myself, and Sol slowly removed himself from my desk.

“Just a spilled drink, Father. That’s all we were talking about.”

“Sol, I'm going to need you in France next week.”

“Sure, not a problem. I’ll have Sasha clear my schedule. She been invaluable here at the company dad. She’s a good fit.”

Roger eyed me in a way that made me feel like I was being assessed. It was really weird. I felt like I should try to be a bit accepting of him because he was, after all, my stepfather, but he had the manners of a corpse.

“Well, she’ll need to clear her own schedule as well because you’ll need some help. Do the two of you think you can handle being alone for a period of time without making a mockery out of my company?”

My mouth dropped open, and I couldn't utter a word. The implication of his words were mortifying.

“Father, that's not really fair. You don’t know Sasha. She's highly prof—”

Roger cut off Sol's sentence with a great amount of disregard. “But I do know you, don't I, Sol? So it doesn't really matter if I know Sasha or not. Make your trip arrangements and get back to me.” He started to walk away but then turned to look at me. “Sasha, I think I would like to speak with you in my office.”

“Certainly, sir.” I cast Sol a glance that promised bodily harm when I returned.

I followed Roger to his office and took a seat across from him as he sat behind his desk.

“So Sasha, I hear you found Sol by accident when you came looking for a job.”

“Yes, sir, a temp agency placed me. I had no idea who my boss was until I set foot in the office.”

“You do realize that I have set up a trust fund for all my children—even you. That trust fund is considerable, Sasha, and it never goes away, even in the event of a divorce.”

“Yes, I understand that.”

“Fabulous, so explain to me then why you would rather bring coffee for my son every morning rather than host parties and fund-raising events? You’re totally ignoring the gift I’ve bestowed upon you.”

Is he for real? Fund-raising events? Like I would know the first thing about hosting something like that. He really didn't know me at all.

“With all due respect, sir, I'm not turning your gift away. The trust will always be there, as you say, but I was raised to work for the things I want—just as your son is doing. Our jobs are considerably different, of course, but I want something I can call my own. Something I worked for myself.”

“So it has nothing to do with a relationship developing between you and my son?”

I wanted to die right then, at that very moment.

“There is no relationship developing between Sol and me.”

“Well, that's certainly what I like to hear. I may not run things around here anymore, but I sit on the board of the Empire. I do not approve of office relationships, not under any circumstances. They’re nothing but trouble, and the workplace is not the place for them.”

I visibly gulped. I was having a hard time pulling in air. How had I not known that this guy was so terrifying to speak to?

“Now Sasha, I was pleased to hear that you started working with us, but I did encourage your mother to help you find something more fun to do. We do have a house in the Hamptons, you know.”

If he had spoken to my mother, I’d heard nothing about it. She hadn’t tried to encourage me to host parties or anything else so mundane. Probably because she knew I would have a complete fit if she even suggested it. Although I was all for doing some traveling and spending some time in the Hamptons, I wasn't a complete fool. I knew I would grow bored of wandering around my home with nothing to do all day.

“Yes, sir, I’m aware of your assets. But like I said, I enjoy working, and there are many successful women who are wealthy and work as well.”

“Yes, but they’re not working as assistants, either.”

It was like I had been slapped in the face. I took a deep breath and decided to stay silent. I wasn't about to get into a fight with my stepfather, and I clearly wasn't going to be able to make him understand. He thought my job was a joke and probably didn't like having to tell his friends that one of his children was working as an assistant. Well, that was too bad. I wasn't about to be getting bullied into staying at home to be a boring socialite.

“I'm going to try to say this with as much tact as possible here, Sasha. I don't want there to be anything going on between my son and you, especially in this building. I do not tolerate it with any of my employees, and I can't even begin to imagine something going on between two of my children.”

I blushed furiously, and tears welled up in my eyes, but I’d die before I would let them run down my cheeks.

“When I say it's intolerable, I mean that anyone engaging in that behavior in the workplace will be fired immediately. There will be no question about it. Am I making myself clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Fabulous. It was nice having this little chat with you, Sasha. Your mother speaks very highly of you. She’s very proud.”

“Thank you.”

He slid a file folder over to me. “Take this with you. I think you’ll find it an interesting read.”

I grabbed the folder quickly and headed for the door. I didn't say anything more, and I didn't look back at him. The man was scary and intimidating, and I was beginning to wonder why my mother had married him.

I went back to my desk and took a seat, running my hands through my hair and closing my eyes. I considered taking the rest of the day off, but I didn't want to appear weak or look like I couldn't handle Roger. Opening my eyes, I eyed the folder. I just knew there was something inside it I wasn't going to like. Looking inside, I found a memo along with a picture of two people holding hands at what appeared to be an office desk. As I read through the memo, I suddenly got the gist of what Roger had been telling me. The memo was in regards to a relationship the two in the photo had begun while working together at Jacobs Empire. They were caught holding hands in the office, and both were fired immediately. As I continued reading the memo, it was apparent that they had both been model employees, but because of Roger's decision, that hadn’t mattered at all—they were let go anyway.

Sol came out of his office just then. “Hey, how did it go with my father? I thought I might have to go in there to be sure he hadn’t eaten you.”

“He a bit terrifying, isn't he?”

“What did he have to say to you?”

“Basically the same thing he said when he was here, but meaner. And he sent me a message.”

I handed the folder over to him and watched him read it. “This is unacceptable. Especially with you—you're family now. I'll go talk to him and straighten this out.”

“Please don't. I can handle it. Besides, it's not like anything will ever happen between us anyway, so it doesn't really matter.”

“Yeah . . . I guess that's true.” He turned away from me abruptly, and I had to wonder what I had said.

*