A Complicated Obsession

Unwanted Work

Adeline POV

As I sit on the chair opposite of my father waiting for an explanation, I can’t help but recreate everything that just happened in my head. I feel as if I was steam rolled into something I am not quite prepared for. 

“Adeline,” his words pull me away from my thoughts. “As you know it was always my dream for you to eventually inherit the company. It’s time for me to bring you in so when the time comes the transition will go smoothly. You will be working alongside Mr. Moretti until you can handle the work on your own.”

I have been preparing for that eventuality, but I was hoping to work for another company for a while before I confronted this huge undertaking. “I am honored that you would entrust me with this much Dad, but I was hoping for more experience in the field before coming here.” I admitted in an embarrassed tone. I honestly just came to leave an initial impression and come back with more experience.

“Why waste your time and ours? You have been overseas for too long and It’s time you took a more proactive role in the company your Mother and I funded.” He had a way of breaking me, that was just not fair.

“If I must father, can I have a second to notify the recruiter that I have accepted employment elsewhere?” I looked at him while trying to read his expression.

“Take the time you need and don’t forget to make your way to Mr. Moretti’s office when you are done.” not sure why but that last part sounded almost like a defeated plea.

After I called the recruiter I went to the ladies room to freshen up. I don’t know why, but I was anxious. Sure I was going to be in the same room as that insanely handsome man, but I feel uneasiness creeping in. Will he live upto the image I’ve created and nurtured all these years? He is definitely more attractive than I remember, but I never really spent time with him. Will I be able to find my footing and keep myself from making a fool of myself? As all these thoughts are going through my head. Two, a redhead and a brunette, women in business attire walk in chatting it up.

“Oh my, he is so dreamy. I wish I could spend just one night in those arms.” she said with a feverish grin.

“You know, I’ve heard he’s a real animal in bed. He slept with an ex colleague of mine. She was let go because she became so obsessed with him. He’s not the relationship type.” the redhead admitted sheepishly to her friend.

“Well, I am not sure where you get your information, but I heard he’s actually making plans to propose to his girlfriend.” The blonde whispered to her friend, “his secretary told me he was carrying a bag from an exclusive ring designer the other day.”

“Did anyone know he was in a relationship?” Questioned the redhead.  I held my breath for the answer and just as she was going to dish out the goods. Suddenly, my phone rings out louder than it should due to the echo in the bathroom. The two threw inquisitive looks at me as they had come to the realization that I was there. 

Startled, I answer my phone, “Hello?”

“Where are you? I thought I told you to come by my office after your father showed you around, and I know you two finished the tour.” He sounded annoyed but his husky voice was so sexy over the phone. 

“I am on my way.” I assured him and hung up the phone. On my way out, I could faintly hear the two women trying to figure out who I was.

I made my way through the maze of corridors leading up to his office. I sighed heavily, collected my thoughts and made my way in. “Mr. Moretti, you wanted to see me?” I stood there waiting for a reply.

He was on the phone looking impatient. He pointed to the seat in front of me. Okay, so I guess I should sit down. It took another five uncomfortable minutes until he was finally done with the phone call.

As he hung up the phone we made eye contact. My legs became jelly as I was again lost in his beautiful eyes. Thank god I was already sitting down, my bravado act can’t hold on much longer. I studied his face, his long eyelashes, perfectly kept eyebrows, manly jawline and then I noticed a devilish smile.

“Are you done Miss. Heart?” his question startled me out of my daydream. He looked a bit more amused than angry. 

“Sorry, I was just thinking… about all the files I have waiting for me and which one I should do first.” A lie, a bold faced lie, but I needed him to believe it.

“Sure,” he wasn’t convinced. “I need you to bring over those files on your desk, so I can show you the proper way to deal with them. Remember you are to shadow me until we are confident that you can do it on your own. Your degrees are theoretical in your preparation without real world application; they are worthless.” He took all the wind out of my overconfident sails.

I walked out of the office with a straight dignified posture to not let on how humiliated and overwhelmed I felt. I was naive in thinking that a 23 year old recent graduate would ever impress a 30 year old CEO. I was not prepared for this situation today in any way. I am so deep in my thoughts, that I fail to notice the person I creamed into. 

“Ughh, I am so sorry.” I say looking down as I gather myself and straighten my skirt.

“It’s ok, Miss?” asks a tall handsome guy.

Wow, Okay. “Miss. Adeline Heart.” as I reached in for a handshake.

“Miss. Heart? As in H & M enterprise Heart?” He asked, astonished.

“Yes, sorry I haven’t had much time to introduce myself. It is my first day as of 45 minutes ago.” I answered sincerely, hoping he wouldn’t barrage me with questions. 

He looked at me as if measuring me up. “ I am Sebastian Myer, The CFO, nice to finally meet you.”

I haven’t had much experience with men in the past. I was focused on my goals, so  the thought never occurred; that not knowing how to interact with men would be a handicap. He is a dirty blonde with beautiful hazel colored eyes and a tall stature. I am not so short myself being 5’6’’, but he was easily 8 inches taller than me. He wore the five oclock shadow well, and his perfectly tailored suit left a lot to the imagination. 

He lightly chuckled and let my hand go, which I forgot I had given to him. I was caught ogling this guy and immediately started turning a shade of pink.

“Hey, you look a bit flushed. I didn’t hit you too hard did I?’” He was waiting patiently for a reply with a smile that could melt icebergs. 

“No, sorry. I was just doing a mental checklist on the important people I need to meet today. Sorry it’s just hard on your first day. I admitted with a smile.

“Listen, I am not busy at the moment. It would be an honor if you’d allow me to introduce you to the rest of the team we will be working with.” His kind gesture was one I hadn’t received since I arrived, so I accepted.

We walked around going from office to office greeting everyone I’m going to have first hand dealings with. I was so grateful to have Sebastian’s help. When we finally reached my office I was exhausted. 

“Well, here we are.” He said in a light manner. “ If you’d like? It will be lunchtime soon and I can show you the best restaurants around here.”

“I would love...” I was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Myers.” Josh’s tone was firm but there was a hint of something else I could not quite make out. “I will show Miss. Heart to the nearest restaurants since we have a lot of work to do. Thank you for taking her around for the introductions, but now we have business to take care of and I am sure you do too.” His words were professional but flung at Sebastian like insults. 

Sebastian nodded his head in agreement. I extended my hand to shake his in appreciation for what he had done for me, when he suddenly took my hand with both of his. Holding my gaze , “It was a pleasure Miss. Heart, if there’s ever anything you need please don’t hesitate to come look for me.” My heart skipped a beat at this promise and the warmth from his hands. He took one more look at Josh, let  my hands go and walked out.

“I thought I told you to bring the files to my office. I didn’t instruct you to go make friends and meaningless introductions. This is a business and it’s run like a well oiled machine with all of its cogs doing what they are made to do.” he was annoyed and I can tell, but why?

“If I may be so bold Mr. Moretti.” I continued on without waiting for approval, “it may be my mistake, but I thought I was being groomed to take over for my father. That would require me to meet, how you put it, “The Cogs” that make this well oiled machine run. If you’ll excuse me, I am going to take my lunch break now, and maybe we can start over. Don’t forget I will be your future partner.” I turned and walked out of the office without looking back. I was not running but I was walking at a brisk pace. I hope I can meet up with Sebastian, he was so kind to me in comparison to Mr. Josh Moretti. 

I finally catch sight of him as he is heading to the elevator. “ Mr. Myers.” I spoke out loud enough to catch his attention but not as loud as a yell. 

He stopped right where he was and waited for me to catch up. “ Please Miss. Heart no need to be so formal you can call me Sebastian. I am sorry if I got you in trouble back there .” he made a head gesture towards my office. 

“Please no,” I tried to assure him, “ there is no trouble. I honestly needed help, thank you. Now about those restaurants.”

He raised an eyebrow at me, I might have caught him off guard, but he held open the elevator door as we made our way in. Once the doors closed, “Are you sure everything is okay? Mr. Moretti is, pardon my wording, a ball buster, but he was in the worst mood I’ve seen him in.”

I tried to sound reassuring, but I have never shared a conversation with Josh until today and all I know about him is in the third person. “Yeah, it’s just new to us, since I am being groomed to eventually take my fa.. Mr. Heart’s place in the company. I am sure he’s just anxious to get the ball rolling.” 

A long pause followed. He looked at me once over again, “Well, let’s get you fed then. You will need all the energy available for the work ahead.” He grabbed my hand to lead me out of the elevator. Not sure why but this felt so comfortable. It wasn’t professional so I let my hand slide gently out of his the moment we entered the lobby.

Josh POV

What is taking her so long? I checked the clock on the wall one last time and an hour has passed since I sent her to her office to get the files. What an incompitant child. Yeah she has the body of a goddess, the face of the woman my father was obsessed with but apparently she was still too green.  I pick up my phone to buzz my secretary, “Mary, Have you seen Miss. Heart?” 

“She is with Mr. Myers sir,” the voice on the line replied. “He is introducing her to the staff.”

I hung up the phone and immediately my legs responded and I left my office in search of Mrs. Heart. Why is she so infuriating? I gave her one job.  What I overheard stopped me in my tracks. Mr. Myer’s actually trying to make a move on what is mine. I can see them standing there as he is asking her to go to lunch and she is smiling. Smiling like a schoolgirl at him. I clear my throat to alert them to the fact that I am there, watching this flirtatious exchange.

Their eyes widened in surprise to my displeasure of their interaction. I made sure he understood in my tone that making advances on her is unacceptable. In what I could only describe as defiant, he grabbed her hand with both of his and offered help if she would ever require it.  That Jackass actually believes he stands a chance against me. 

As I explain to her the importance of doing the job you are told to, I can see a change in her mood. She was such a meek person that I never expected her to tell me off. She delivered her rebuttal to my statement like a real woman, not some recent graduate. She actually has some grit and I am impressed and angered at the same time. My plan is going to be a bit tougher to put into action than I initially thought. I thought after this morning's introduction that she would be eating out of the palm of my hand, like every woman before her. Why should she be any different?

I had my secretary order lunch, while I looked over the portfolios of my pending projects. It must have been three hours after she said that she would go to lunch. I am starting to lose my patience with this girl. I am about to ask my secretary to call her to my office, when I see her carting in the files I had previously asked for. She has a smile on her face that I can’t decipher. 

She takes the chair in front of my desk and without saying another word; she positions it a long side of mine and sits. “I’ve been looking through these files and I see places where we are in need of a new approach and strategy,” she had a triumphant look on her face as if that’s why I asked her to fetch them. 

“I am aware of that fact,” hitting her with humility, “your job is to watch how I restructure in order to make things more efficient and profitable.” I need to make her submit, she needs to see that I am in control. She is smiling at me definitely. Why is she still smiling?

 “ I have already typed up a course of action, awaiting your approval. I think you will find that when the cogs are used and placed efficiently the machine will never need repairs.” Wow that was a professional low blow. She is unpredictable, but I need the upper hand. 

My mind is not where it should be. She’s so close that I can smell her scent. It's so distracting and I am taking longer than I should to read over her work. I would love to take her right here and now. Grab her by her hair, stick my hand up her skirt to feel her squirm with my touch. Her breasts are calling to me from the corner of my eye and if I don’t finish this proposal I am going to lose my composure. Or eyes meet for just a second and I can tell she’s a bit uncomfortable waiting for me to finish looking over her new strategy. It’s actually good, not at all what I expected from her. 

“Everything seems to be in order, but I require more time to analyze the risks involved with this new direction.” I was finally able to give her an answer and immediately she sighed. I had no idea she was so tense. If she only knew the way she just derailed my thoughts. “You can go now Miss. Heart, we will take the next steps tomorrow.” I tried to dismiss her as quickly as I could so she wouldn’t notice my hardened c**k. She looked puzzled but left my office with a wave and a “good night.”  When did it get dark? I need to come at her in a different direction. I thought I would intimidate her, but it only worked for a while. Heck maybe she was stringing me along, I chuckled at the thought.