The Heirs: Hate Me Like You Love Me

CHAPTER 6

DENNER THOMPSON

After my argument with Briana Morris in the elevator, I had a terrible afternoon.

Everything tested my patience and everything contributed to hearing her name every damn moment.

The preeminent financial director, my father's find, that's how everyone refers to her, but they hardly know at what cost she's here.

At the end of the day, I head to my apartment instead of my parents' mansion.

I'm not in the right frame of mind to see my father in front of me and much less to look at my mother being loving and affectionate with him.

I could explode, and she doesn't deserve that.

I'll handle everything before talking to her about it. First, I have to get rid of that snake of a woman, settle things with my father, and only then talk to my mother.

I arrive at my apartment and go straight to the bedroom.

I'm undressing when I receive a message on my phone.

“I really wanted to see you today.”

Marina, Marina...

That's not how things work.

I go to you, not the other way around.

My arrangement with her isn't getting renewed, we've been involved for too long, and she's starting to think she has some claim over me, which she doesn't.

“No chance.”

That's all I reply before finishing undressing and heading to the bathroom.

Today wasn't easy, and all I want is to throw myself on the bed and sleep.

I couldn't be bothered to go to the club today. My grandfather Fred can take care of things there because I'm not up for it today.

After taking a good shower, I wrap a towel around my waist and go to the closet. I put on only underwear, then leave the bedroom and head to the kitchen to prepare something quick to eat.

I don't like having people in my apartment.

I don't always spend the night here, but I like to keep the cupboards and fridge stocked, so only three times a week a team comes to clean and take care of everything the way I like.

After dinner, I return to the bedroom, throw the phone on the bed, and give in to exhaustion.

It doesn't take long before I finally fall asleep.

***

I get up in the morning without needing an alarm clock, I've trained myself to wake up at the same time every day, no matter what time I go to bed the night before.

I go to the bathroom, do my personal hygiene, and in half an hour I'm ready for another day of work.

I go to the kitchen, make myself a strong coffee, and then head to the Thompson Group.

I arrive at the company and park the car in the spot designated for the CEO. Right after, I take the private elevator from the parking lot that takes me straight to the executive floor.

I don't usually use it because I prefer to enter through reception and greet the employees.

But ever since I found out about my father's affair with that woman, I've been in a bad mood. So, to avoid the risk of treating anyone poorly, because the problem is mine and not theirs, I decided to use the private elevator.

As I always arrive at the company very early, when I get out of the elevator, my secretary is not yet in her place.

She arrives only later.

I go straight to my office, but when I open the door, I have a big surprise.

The woman who has become a problem for me is sitting in my chair, curled up.

And as if that weren't enough, her skirt is lifted, showing off beautiful legs, which is quite a sight.

I approach her more closely and see her sleeping serenely. I look at the table and find a folder that I pick up.

When I open it, I come across the annual balance sheet, completely detailed, so much so that even someone who is clueless about the subject would understand what is written.

What does she think I am, someone useless who can't read spreadsheets?

I look back at her, and it's impossible not to let my eyes wander over her body.

The damn woman is surprisingly beautiful, her curves are...

But what am I thinking?

This woman is the reason for all my irritation.

“Miss Morris!” I say her name, and she doesn’t even move in the chair. “Miss,” I speak a little louder, and nothing. “Briana!”

Nothing.

Then I pick up a paperweight and slam it on the table with force. She startles, adjusting herself in the chair, which doesn’t help the image I see, as the skirt she’s wearing rides up even more, revealing a small part of her white lace panties.

“For God’s sake, have some modesty, woman. Look at yourself.”

She looks at her body and widens her eyes, adjusting herself and standing up.

She looks much smaller than I remember, so I look at her body and see her barefoot, without the heels she wore yesterday.

“Denner… I mean, Mr. Thompson, I’m sorry, I... I... I…”

“What are you doing in my office, and why are you like this?”

She runs her hands over the clothes she’s wearing, adjusting them on her body.

“I must have fallen asleep. I was here late…”

“Doing what?”

She looks at me as if she’s getting irritated.

“Your damn report. I hope you’re satisfied now.”

When she says that, I realize something.

“How did you manage to do everything in such a short time?”

She clenches her jaw and takes a step toward me.

“You gave me a direct order, and I complied. You wanted the balance sheet, and there it is. I’m very good at what I do and won’t give you reasons to fire me, although you can’t do that either. I spent the entire night preparing this document; it’s so perfect that even a child would understand it. I hope you’re satisfied.” She bends down, picks up her shoes, and when she starts to walk, she loses strength in her legs, only not falling because I catch her.

“Everything’s spinning, and it feels like my head is going to explode.” She holds onto me, and I lift her up, carrying her to the sofa and laying her down.

“You stayed here all night. When was the last time you ate?”

She takes a deep breath and runs a hand through her hair.

“Yesterday at breakfast.”

No wonder she’s about to faint.

“What do you mean, yesterday at breakfast? You were on your way out for lunch yesterday when…”

“When you trapped me in the elevator and said all those absurd things? Yes, I was, but after our quick conversation, I completely lost my appetite and still had to prepare your damn financial report, so I couldn’t waste much time.”

Just as I start to feel sorry for her, I remind myself she’s a venomous snake.

“I’ll have something sent up for you to eat. Then, after you eat, leave my office and don’t come in here again without my permission.”

“You’re an i***t. I’m not going to eat anything brought on your orders. You might want to poison me, and I’m too young to die.” She stands up suddenly and only doesn’t fall again because I catch her.

“Stay put on that damn sofa, and don’t worry, I won’t have your food poisoned. I’ll find a much more effective way to get rid of you.”

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

“I’m going to my office. I don’t want anything that comes from you. I’ll say it again, I’m not Oliver’s lover, get that out of your head.”

Anger wells up inside me when I hear her call my father so intimately.

“I heard from your own mouth that you love him. You must be just another gold-digger he took to bed.”

She shakes her head and smiles awkwardly.

“Yes, I’m your father’s w***e. Isn’t that what you want to hear? Well, there you go. But don’t mix things up. Here, I’m Briana Morris, the CFO of Thompson Group, and I demand respect from you. Outside the company, my personal life is none of your business, so stay away or I’ll be forced to take measures that won’t be good for either of us.”

This time, she stands up and doesn’t feel faint. She grabs her shoes and leaves my office without looking back.

I need to find a way to get this woman out of my company and my father’s life.