Shopping?
1124 Words
“It’s over. I’m out.”
He stared at the message— for the sixth time.
What did she mean, she’s out? Who the hell gave her that right?
He stepped onto the balcony for air.
But... What the f**k had he done?
He’d taken another woman. No less, a girl he’d watched grow—on his bed. Their bed.
He had stood up and walked into the bathroom out of guilt. Seeing her spread on the bed had suddenly hit him like a gut punch.
Fuck, Adrian.
Blinded by lust, he brought her here—here—and did all that…
When he came back, she was gone.
And that photo—up again. She must’ve seen it.
He closed his eyes.
What would Megan say?
It's been just two years since her death—and now this?
His picked his phone from his pocket,
"Lieutenant Darnell"
"Yes. I'm sorry for calling this late"
“My head of finance, Charles Harts, has been held—wrongly. I can’t afford to have someone that crucial in custody, especially not over embezzlement.”
"Alright. Thank you" he cut the call.
This wasn’t for the brat.
He just couldn’t risk word getting out that his head of Finance cooked his books.
He swirled the whiskey.
Hah. What a f*****g mess.
_________
She'd planned to not come to work today, but what was that message?
"You'd better be at work tomorrow"?
Does he think he can just control her?
The only reason she was here is because her dad came back home that day. Speaking of which— why wasn't he at home this morning?
"Hey, bitch.." Lisa called out, wrapping her arms around her waist.
“Off to see our Daddy CEO again? You're lucky, stuck with that eye candy all day.” she sighed.
Lucky? Yeah, right... More like cursed.
"You work for him then" Isabelle replied, releasing her grip.
"I wish I could.. this Mama bear will give him all the care and love he needs" Lisa replied, moving her waist slowly.
Ugh. What a fan girl.
"You don't look good. What's going on?" She asks, grabbing Isabelle's face.
"It's nothing. I think I have a fever. I'll catch up with you later" Isabelle replies, breaking free as she walked off.
_________
Before she could open the door, somebody did. Very angrily.
Her Father came out, grazing her on her shoulder hardly as he stormed off.
What was that about?
"Come in and close the door" Adrian ordered from inside.
She shut the door behind her, fingers locking it without thinking. Her eyes never left him.
"Our head of Finance has decided to voluntarily retire"
"How's that?" He says, walking towards her.
Voluntarily? That didn't look voluntary at all... Did he drive him off? Well, it's better than jail.
"Your text. What gave you such rights?"
She flinched, tightening her grip on her handbag. Now's not the time to be scared.
He stood at her front. She could suddenly feel his heat fill up the room... and his scent.
He grabbed her face.
"Now that I've kept the end of my bargain, you ought to keep yours too"
“So you can just wave this over my head forever? What’s stopping you from locking him up again?” She replies, trying to break his grip from her face.
He gazed at her. She could feel his gaze piercing daggers into her.
He stretched his hand to raise her skirt but before he could
"Grinch" she shouted in Russian.
He flinched at the word.
"That's the safe word, no?" She asked breaking free from his grasp.
"And according to your contract, I get to say that only twice a week"
She brushed past him, not missing the surprise on his face.
Well, he'd written that clause in tinier words and in Russian at the bottom of the page. She only saw it when she read the contract again.
The cunning bastard.
"You seem to have grown wings since the last time" he said in a low tone.
A knock came in, breaking the tension.
He walked to the door since he was closer to it and opened it.
"What is it, Martha" he asked.
"Good morning, Sir. It's Greta" she replied, walking in beside him.
"I thought she was on tour" he replies, as he walked to his seat.
Martha and Isabelle exchanged greetings as she walked past.
"It's... There's a scandal going on about her" she stuttered..
"What's happening? Why is there a scandal about one of our A-listers?"
"Someone claimed to have nude photos of her before she became famous.. it's been trending"
"Must be some nonsense" he replies.
"She says it might be true. She suspects it's someone she's dated before"
He stares up at her and thinks for a moment.
"Take care of it"
"Use any means possible to get it off their hands and have them post an apology" he ordered.
"Yes, Sir. I'll be on it" she replies, bowing to take her leave.
He exhaled sharply as she closed the door. He glances at Isabelle, who was working on some files.
She really had to use the safe word, huh? She must hate him so much right now.
He used to get her ice cream when she was little if she got angry or sad. What was that flavor she liked? He tried to recall, but he'd forgotten.
Why was he worried about her?
His phone buzzed.
"Hey, John. What's up?" He greeted the person, putting it on speaker as he dropped it on his table
"Adrian... How's life been going?"
"Well, I can't say. How's the Business and Family?" he replies.
"The Family's alright and business is booming"
“Heard a rumor your finance chief got arrested for cooking the books?”
Fuck. Has it circulated that far? He looked at Isabelle, she was staring at him listening to the call.
"Well, that was a misunderstanding. How would Charles cook my books? I've known him for a long time" he replies.
"Well.. that's what they've been saying. You available later in the day?" John asks.
"Uh... No. I've got plans" Adrian answered.
"Plans? Me and the guys thought we'd meet you for some drinks, since you've practically shut yourself in since what happened"
"I've got plans, Man.. some other time" he answered.
"Alright. Take care of yourself" John says, cutting the call.
Isabelle quickly turned her head to her work back as the call dropped.
Adrian watched her for some time.
"Hey. You'd be going shopping with me later"
What? Shopping? Out of nowhere?
She looked at him surprised.
"You'll need some new things anyway" he mumbled, tossing the pants she'd given him in the hotel to her.
- Writer
