Fighting for her Life

Chapter 9 - Jess

"Good morning, nice of you to join me this fine morning after you bailed on me last night, which must have been s**t by the way you look."

"Hey Jess, did you order already?  I can really use a coffee."

"Some female, keep you company last night and wore you out or something?  And yes, I ordered us breakfast and here comes your coffee now." I ask because I can see the stress in my brother's eyes, and that worries me since he is the most laid-back guy I know, when he doesn't respond I push him a little.

"What's going on Johnny you seriously look like s**t, you know you can talk to me right?" I suggest, looking into his eyes so he notices he can trust me.

"I wish I could but you know that my clients are not on the table for discussion, but man I wish I could because this is definitely something I need to talk about."

I can hear the defeat in his voice and that is not something I like to hear.

"Listen Johnny in my profession I know all about NDA's but I also know there are loopholes in every agreement.  I can talk about a client in the general sense as long as names are not revealed or any information that would help someone figure out who I am speaking of.  Do you think you can talk about it that way?"  I can see him working in out in his head and that means he really wants to talk about it, so once again I push a little harder.

"I don't follow the world of fighting, so the odds of me knowing who you would be talking about are slim to none. The only people I know at your gym are regular people there for a workout   not for training, and if you can't trust your brother who can you trust?  I'll always have your back." I don’t know what I just suggested but something in his eyes change and I see determination in them.

"Okay, but I can only give you Coles notes and you can't push for more, I just need someone to listen OKAY?"

"Yeah man whatever you need."

Once I discover the story about this female, my brother is training and her mission to get herself hurt in underground matches, I'm taken back since he hates the underground world of fighting. Then he tells be about the dream he watched and heard (overheard)?her have last night, and even though I have no idea who this woman is, I'm pissed that her brother turned on her when she obviously need him.

"Wow man that is f****d up, does she know you overheard her whole dream?"

"No, I told her that I overheard her talking but couldn't make it out, but I realized it wasn't the match last night that spooked her."

"Do you have feelings for the woman?" The expression he is giving me right now would and should have killed me on the spot, so I raise both of my hands in surrender.

"I care for her more than I probably should since she is a client, but for some reason from the first day I met her, it was like I need to protect her like I would as if she was family.  Trust me, I know it sounds crazy but there was a vulnerability to her. He tries to hide it with these walls she puts up around her.  I think that she fights because she needs to feel like she can protect herself and needs no one there to protect her and I feel that I need to be that person.  The crazy thing is I told her last night if she continues down this path, I need to walk away from training her and then I overheard that dream, I'm such an asshole."

"First, you are the furthest thing from an asshole, and I would know since I am told by my assistant that I have that corner marked. Secondly dream or not you are not the type of person to watch someone try and get themselves killed in the underground that is on her not you.  Now if we are done with this sharing s**t, and we have held hands and braided each other's hair like little girls, do you want to hit the gym and work s**t out like the men we are?"

"Yeah let's go, and if you have no plans tonight, we can go celebrate that new client you won over yesterday.  So proud of you big brother and this also means you are making even more money now so you're picking up the tab."

"Had plans, but she had to cancel so tonight it's boys night, and I honestly can't remember a time when you pick up the tab little brother," I call over as we each head to our cars and head for the gym.

Jess

Monday morning I head to the office early.  Skye and I have plenty to discuss today, some things will need to wait till tonight over drinks.  I want nothing more than to make Skye understand that I want more from her than the professional relationship we currently have.  I know that she feels the same way although, if I’m being honest, I had no idea until I overheard her talking to her friend Kim. Once I had that confirmation the game was on and she will be mine.  Whatever issues she is going to have with it she is going to have to get over it, no other woman has affected me this way and I will break down all her walls. She will be mine, but since it is the workplace, I know she is going to fight me on the personal stuff.  I decide to focus on the new account I handed to her Friday night before she left, she needs to be briefed and up to speed before the meeting we have with the client Friday morning. 

Opening my emails I notice one from Skye that must have come in a while I was in the elevator this morning, opening it up I read her very short and professional email.

Mr. Royal,

Sorry for the inconvenience but I am feeling slightly under the weather and will not be in today.

I have spoken to Kim and she will be there for anything you need taken care of immediately.

Regards,

Skye Anderson

I stare at the email as if is the biggest lie I have ever read.  Skye has never missed a day of work since she has started, there were even days I had to send her home because she was so sick. Now she is slightly under the weather and cannot come in? Please, she is avoiding me, and I know it is the kiss I gave her Friday, come to think of it I'm sure of it because she also cancelled on me on Saturday.  She is going to have to get over it, I pull up my calendar make sure there is nothing pressing that I cannot cancel.  Once the calendar checked,  I email Kim asking her to come see me as soon as she's in the office.

20 minutes later there is a knock on my door and I realize that I'm pissed at Skye and need to get my issues under control, until I come face to face with the woman that has me so pissed.

"Come in" I yell at the door and notice it is Kim and she is looking a little nervous.

"Good Morning Mr. Royal."

"Did you happen to speak with my assistant this morning regarding her absence?"

"Yes Mr. Royal, Skye–I mean Ms. Anderson called me and said, she will not be able to make it in today and if I can make myself available for you, if you should require it."  As I listen to the woman who is now not so nervous and is now leaning over my desk with her cleavage in my face, I notice she didn't say Skye was ill.

"Tell me Kim did she let you know why she wouldn't be in today be any chance so I can let the HR team know to either use a personal day or a sick day?" I notice that this was not a question I should be asking especially since I should already know.

"Um... No, she didn't Mr. Royal, just that she wasn't going to be in.  Did you want me to call her and find out if she is taking a personal day? I'm sure it's not a sick day she sounded fine when we spoke."  Just what I thought, she is avoiding me but not for long.

"Kim can you be a dear and cancel everything after my 10 o'clock meeting?  I need to step out for the remainder of the day."

"Yes of course Mr. Royal, is there anything else I can do for you?" Is this woman serious right now?  I can tell she is not talking about anything work related and I swear her eyes just dilated with lust.  What kind of boss does she take me for and as the owner of the company I am about to put her in her place!

"Kim, have you read our policy booklet and the section pertaining to s****l harassment by any chance?" She straightens up right away.

"Yes I have Mr. Royal when I first started."

"Amazing, do you think you can do me a favor and give it another read this morning and let me know if it may be unclear or needing any revisions?" I know my tone is speaking louder than the words coming out of my mouth and as I stare directly at her, I raise an eyebrow in question, she takes a note on what I just asked and looks up, her manner and professionalism where it needs to be.

"Absolutely Mr. Royal, once I clear your calendar, I will check the policy and let you know.  Is there anything else you require?"

"No thank you for your help Kim."

Once she is gone, I prepare for the quarterly meeting and thanks to Skye being on top of everything all the spreadsheets are on the side of my desk and a note that states the presentation is in my u: drive and I am good to go.

The meeting went way too long, the projection for the quarter looked amazing, the Senior Management team is pleased with the new business we just landed, but not too pleased with the fact I handed it over to Skye.  This is something they will need to get over since she was the mastermind behind our presentation, plus I already told the CEO that Skye would be handling the account if we were awarded their business. Now I need to go and confront the most frustrating woman I have ever met.

Skye

As I come out of the shower, I take a peek at my face and ribs.my My face is looking better, nothing some make up can’t fix tomorrow and my ribs are healing and as long as they’re taped up the pain isn't so bad.  Johnny was so angry this morning when he showed up and saw that I was attempting to do my makeup for work.  After a heated argument and noticing the makeup was not going to work, I told him he won, and I would take it easy today.  He also forbids me to enter the gym until next Monday which is because when his doctor friend came over yesterday to check on me, he told me to take it easy this week, and according to Johnny that means no training for the week.  Just as I finish taping up my ribs there is a knock at my door, Johnny must have forgot something since he left just before I hopped in the shower.  I throw on a robe and head for the door this man should have his own key and save me the trip–yeah like that is ever going to happen ha.

"Hey did you - " I should have checked the peephole because the man on the other side is not Johnny.

"What the f**k happened to you Skye?" It's barely a whisper, and he looks like he just got a kick in the stomach, s**t why did I open the damn door.

"Um... Mr. Royal sorry if you just give me a minute I'll get dressed and-," pushing himself in my home and closing the door behind him.

"Not now Skye we are NOT doing this right NOW!  You answer the door looking like you were used as a punching bag and I am 2 seconds away from losing my s**t, so we ARE. NOT. GOING. TO. DO. THE. MR. ROYAL. s**t!"

As I looked at him, I can see the storm in his eyes, he pulls me close and wraps his arms tightly around me and I cannot help the gasp that escapes, my ribs feel like they are being crushed and Jess notices right away.  He pulls away immediately and looks me in the eyes and suddenly to the tie to the robe, he slowly reaches out and I back away shaking my head. It is time to put him in his place, he is my boss nothing more no matter how much I would love to have Jess as more he is, MY BOSS! I scream at myself.

"Mr. Royal please have a seat and if you can give me a minute, I will get dressed and be right out." I walk away as fast as possible.

"I enter my bedroom and close the door; I know I need to be quick the look in Jess' eyes was something I have never seen on him or anyone for that matter.  I obviously was not paying attention because I didn't hear my bedroom door open until I heard his gasp, and he is to me in 3 long strides.  Looking at me through the mirror there are so many emotions happening.  One of the first things I learnt about Jess is his eyes speak more than his words, so I wait for him to speak.

"I need you to stop with this I'm your boss s**t right now please." I can hear the plea in his voice and see the pain in his eyes.  The one thing I can't deny I always give into Jess even at work there is just something between us that cannot be ignored especially since he opened the floodgates with that kiss on Friday, so I give into him.

"Okay, Jess" I whisper and I can sense some of his tension leaving him.

Jess

Thank God she gave in because seeing her like this is breaking my f*****g heart and she doesn't even know it.  How can she not know it?

"Baby, look at me please you need to tell me who did this, who could have hurt you this badly? did you call the police?"

"Jess stop please.  Why don't you go back into the living room let me finish getting dressed and I will be right out?"

"Skye the only thing you're missing is a shirt, just grab one and tell me what happened." I can tell she is trying to think of what she's comfortable telling me without telling me everything, but I have zero intention of allowing her that time. As she pulls the shirt over I hear her curse and I'm right there to make sure she's okay.

"Skye are you okay, what happened?"

"Jess it's nothing, it's just hard to pull on a shirt without stretching and the broken ribs don't particularly like that."

"Jesus Skye you have broken ribs?"

"Okay let's go to the living room since you are my boss and this is my bedroom."

Skye

Once we are seated, I take a deep breath and get ready for the wrath of Jess.

"Listen Jess, I need you to listen to what I am saying because I will not repeat myself." I wait for him to acknowledge that he is listening before I start.

"No one did this to me without my knowledge and there is no reason to call the police since I would get in just as much trouble.  This may shock you, but this is not the first time I have has a few bumps and bruises, you just never-" Jess is going into crazy mode and cuts me off.

"I swear to you Skye if you mention "noticed" I may lose my s**t and I am trying to contain my anger right now.  Why is it I am the biggest asshole when you have a banged-up face, or have you not NOTICED?" Jess is seething right now and to be honest I never did make that connection he always seemed to be seething.

"Secondly, I am not your baby we kissed on Friday nothing more, which will not happen again Jess you are my boss, and I will not cross that line.  I will not be the person in the office everyone is whispering about, which now takes us to you showing up at my home this is my personal space, and I do not invite people into it just because they show up.  Now that you can see I am fine unless you need anything that cannot wait until tomorrow when I am in the office, please let me know." I am definitely going to need to search for a new job now that Jess has seen me like this, I can't work for him and not wonder what he's thinking.

"Are you done Skye? Because if you, are I would appreciate an opportunity to speak." He is looking me in the eyes daring me to say No.

"Jess ther-"

"Are you f*****g kidding me right now Skye?  You are not getting off not listening to what I have to say so just sit there and listen to me. GOT. IT?" Jess does not wait for me to reply he just starts.

"First, please explain to me how one manages to do this much damage to themselves?" Just as I am about to answer he lifts his finger in a hold on motion.

"Secondly, I don't give a f**k about anyone else in the office or anywhere for that matter.  The only person that matters to me is you, let the whispers happen and in case you have forgotten I own the company.  If people don't like it, they can find employment elsewhere.  And yes Skye, you will cross that line because you can't honestly tell me you're not attracted to me, I know you are, and I know I have been attracted to you since the day you became my assistant. We are going to give in to each other and see where this goes." As I prepare to argue the point Jess shakes his head indicating I need to wait.

"And lastly and most importantly That. Kiss. Was. Not. Nothing!" Now he looks me in the eye and waves his hand in the motion that the floor is now open to me.

"Did you get everything out now MR. ROYAL?" I shake my head the same way he did when I tried to speak.

"I was in a fight and this is what the opponent did, but she looks worse or at least I hope she does. I blacked out after I won, and my trainer brought me home and took care of me." Jess' head snaps up and looks at me as if he’s putting a puzzle together, he jumps up and is heading for the door.

"Jess where are you going this is my time?" He turns and there is fire in those eyes and I have no idea what I said.

"Skye this conversation is far from over, I will be back to finish this but I need to go and visit someone right now." He closes the door, and I am left with a lot of confusion.  Who just jumps up in the middle of someone else speaking and leaves? Well now that Jess gone and Johnny is not allowing me in the gym the only way to clear my head is to call the one person I have become connect to, Johnny.

"Hey Johnny you have a minute to spare for me?"

"Hey Skye, is something wrong? Do you need something? I can be over in under 10." Ever since the match Johnny has been a little clingy over my health and I guess since I have never called him to just chat, I can understand why he would think something is wrong.

"I'm fine... My boss just left my place, he came over since I called in this morning and he saw my face and my taped-up ribs.  He went all caveman ready to find the person responsible for beating me, then he changed and was all.  "Are you okay baby?"  Then when I finally had enough, I put him in his place and told him this was my home, and that he is my boss nothing more and the kiss he gave me last Friday meant nothing.  When I told him no one, but me was responsible for the bruises from a fight I was in on Friday, he looked and me all wide eyed and left," I ramble on just because I need to just let it all out and poor Johnny got to listen to it all.

"Johnny are you still there?"

"Yeah Skye still here, that is a lot to deal with the first thing in the morning.  Listen I have to go someone just walked in, let me know if you need anything and I'll pass by later."

After I have hung up with Johnny, I head to the kitchen for some tea and then to bed to just relax.

Jess

I arrive at Johnny's gym and I am trying to replay everything he told me Saturday morning to what Skye just said and hope I am wrong.  I hope that my brother would have told me that the woman that I have talked to him about was his client.  I mean there are so many other gyms in the city she could be going to any other gym and Johnny has no idea.  As I open the door to the gym, I see Johnny is on the phone and looks me straight in the eyes and says,

"Yeah Skye still here, that is a lot to deal with the first thing in the morning. Listen I have to good someone just walked in let me know if you need anything and I'll pass by later." All I see is red and as soon as I reach my brother, I punch him right in the face.

"f**k, Jess that hurt, you asshole!”  Can we at least speak like adults or better yet brothers in private?" All I want to do is pound on my brother, but I need to calm down and listen to him after that, if I’m still not satisfied, I will pound him.

Johnny leads us to the back of the gym and enters his office.  I lock the door because he is not leaving, and no one is interrupting this conversation.

As I study my brother, I notice that he is relaxed and waiting for me to calm down, which just pisses me off even more but now I need to stop pacing like a caged animal.  He's my brother and always has my back there needs to be a reason.

"You knew and didn't say anything.  Why the f**k did you not say anything to me?" I ask as I push my hand through my hair in frustration.

"Listen Jess, at first I had no idea and suddenly one night we went for drinks and you were telling me how your assistant showed up with makeup on to cover her bruises.   I knew Skye had done that whenever she finished at the gym before work, but I wasn't 100%. I started getting closer with Skye and she told me she worked for a marketing company and was an assistant to some asshole–her words not mine." My brother is holding out his hands like I am going strike him again and I can't honestly claim he is wrong.

"So once you found out that Skye was the one you still never mentioned anything?" I can feel the anger slowly leaving but not fully, yet I need more information.

"How many times Jess have I asked you for her name?  A few if I do recall, and have you ever given me one? NO! As for Skye, just getting her to tell me the type of company is a lot she never told me the company name.  Although when she said she worked for an asshole, I should have known." My brother is giving me that yeah that's what I thought look and I want to punch him for just being right.  I lower myself into the chair across from my brother and scrub my face because what I am about to ask my brother may kill me.

"Johnny is Skye the one you told me about on Saturday over breakfast?" The question comes out as a whisper like I am not sure I'm ready to know. Looking at my brother I see sadness in his eyes and what he adds next shouldn't surprise me, but it does.

"You know I can't tell you the client's name I was talking about with the NDA, and I realized that I shouldn't have said anything in the first place. As my brother I need you to not ask me to break the trust of a client I care about like a sister." I can tell this hurts him so I tell him what he needs.

"Okay, I won't ask, I need to head out for a drink and then back to see Skye we definitely need to work out some shit."

"Jess maybe you should give Skye some space tonight.  If there is one thing I have picked up on, she doesn't like to be pushed, take it slow with her and brother if you hurt her, I will hurt you, big brother or not." Seeing my brother so protective over Skye has me questioning his affection for her once again and he must read it on my face.

"Love her like a sister man, nothing more." He states as he rounds the desk and out the door to his office.

As I head to my car, I think about everything Johnny just said and then what I want to do, which is head straight over to her apartment, and give her s**t about the fighting and then making her see things my way and make her mine.  Knowing that my brother is right and instead of heading out for a drink I head back to the office.

As I sit at my desk, I cannot stop thinking about Skye and there is no way I can tell her what I know from Johnny or even let her know he's my brother because that will hurt their relationship.   I can tell he cares for her, which means I must wait for her to open-up to me and for that to happen I need to have her come to terms about how she feels about me in her own time.  But I will win her, and I will push her but slowly.  Going through my emails I realize that I never did have a discussion with her regarding the new account and the meeting that we have scheduled with them on Friday.  After seeing her today I highly doubt she will be in tomorrow, so I decide to send her an email.

Ms. Anderson,

Per our discussion on Friday evening you are now the lead person on the account we were awarded due to your brilliance.  We do have a meeting with them on Friday morning regarding timelines and projections for their new marketing launch. Every department is aware that you are the key person on the account as I announced the new business at the quarterly meeting this morning. 

If you need to work from home tomorrow, please let me know and we will have that arranged with IT and have access granted to your home computer.  If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask although I have total faith in you and your abilities to make this a success.

Also you still owe me a dinner so, once you're back to work you’re mine for a few hours.

Truly Yours,

Jess Royal

I hit send, turn off my computer and head home. I know that Skye is not going to respond any time soon so no point on driving myself crazy waiting.