Surrender to My Prodigal Billionaire

Chapter 6 - Weekend From Hell

Nicolette

That man is beyond infuriating! Who the hell does he think he is? I'm supposed to drop everything and go out of town on my second day because he expects me to? Well, he can f**k all the way off! This was never mentioned. Yes, Ellen told me I may have to attend an event or go to his house occasionally, but there were no weekend getaways involved!

Trying to compose my anger, I come to a stop in front of Ellen's office and take a few breaths to quell the rage pumping through my veins. She is reasonable enough. All I have to do is tell her what the asshole told me and she will make sure I don't have to go. She is well aware of my mom. There is no way I can leave her a full weekend by herself. Not to mention, I wouldn't last a full two days with Drake and his cocky attitude. I would be no use to mom if I'm sitting behind bars.

One look at my face as I come back in the door and Ellen is on her feet. "What's wrong? What did he do?"

The scowl on her face, added to the fact that she already knows Drake was the cause of whatever she saw written on my face, has me relieved that she has my back. The one ally that I can count on here. Only having been here a day, I haven't had a chance to meet any of the other women here, but they don't seem like my type of people anyway. Too self-involved. I could be wrong, but I rarely am when it comes to that type of thing.

"Is it anywhere in my job description to go on vacation with him?" I question and her face pales.

"He will never learn," she sighs, shaking her head sadly. "I will talk to his father. We will get you reassigned to his replacement."

Replacement? Drake? He is the son of the owner. How can he get fired?

Ellen must see the shock on my face as she waves a hand at me. "I'm getting ahead of myself. Why don't you tell me what happened?"

Walking over to the couch, my emotions are suddenly all over the place. Drake is a complete douche and I hate working for him so far, but I don't want to get him exiled from the family business. Ellen may have tried to play it off, but I have a feeling there is more here than what she is telling me.

Once I'm seated, I figure the best choice is to tell her what happened and go from there. Maybe he is really some deviant that preys on women around here and I would be helping them? Even that doesn't seem right to me. He may be a manwhore in sheep's clothing, but none of the women he was photographed with ever looked forced. More like they had finally climbed Mount Everest.

"Drake told me that we were having a working weekend. He and Jordan are going to some cabin this weekend and he said I was expected to be there. I know you mentioned the occasional function or getting him from his apartment, but this wasn't even glossed over. I have my mom to take care of. I can't leave her home all weekend by herself."

Ellen worries her lips a little while in deep thought. It makes me wonder what happened before I started working here. They are definitely hiding something. But do I want to know what it is?

Standing abruptly, Ellen grabs a stack of papers from the corner of her desk. "Can you run to the copy room and get me ten of each?"

Well, that is off topic. But not wanting to risk my job, I nod and head down the hall to get the task done. She was acting strangely but that apparently was a theme around here. Jordan was about the most stable one I had run into. There was no way I was looking forward to dealing with Mr. Calloway if this is how he runs his business.

"Finally! I found where they keep all the beautiful women here." a voice says behind me, causing me to jump.

Spinning around, there is a gorgeous man, about my age, leaning against the threshold.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you." His voice is smooth as silk and he is hot as hell to boot.

Feeling the blood rush to my face, I turn back to the copy machine so that he won't notice.

"It is fine. I wasn't expecting anyone to come in here." I rush out and almost face palm when I hear how high pitch my voice comes out. If this isn't a glowing example of why I'm single, I don't know what is.

A low rumble of a laugh has my inside melting but I do my best to seem unfazed. There is no way I'm starting an office affair. That is rule number one. Or maybe it isn't. OK, it is my rule number one. The last thing I need on top of everything else is to be at the center of the rumor mill. Hell, I have only been here a little over a day and already know that Sara, in accounting, is sleeping with Kyle in IT but he is also messing around with Jordan's assistant, Hillary.

"Attractive and funny. If you tell me you can cook, I may propose on the spot."

We have got ourselves a smooth talker here. Most of the time, I can easily brush someone like him off. But he is different. Maybe it is because I'm at work and not at some bar.

Focusing on the task at hand, I try to push his words away. There are only four more left and I can go back to the safety of Ellen's office. That sounds weird with how she has been this morning, but it is preferable to becoming a puddle in front of the tall blonde s*x God.

A weird giggle/snort erupts from me and I now know what wishing for death really is. If I could will the ground to open and swallow me whole in this moment, I would. It may be a nervous habit of mine, but he doesn't know that. To him, I'm probably some poor soul that they hired to only do copies so they don't hurt themselves.

As the last copy comes off, I snatch it up and toss it on the pile. Keeping my eyes down, I try to hurry past him, but a gentle hand on my bicep stops me.

"Don't be shy. Can I at least get a name so I know who I'm talking to in my dreams?"

That one was a little corny, but it still does something to my insides that I'm unfamiliar with . Jesus, how long has it been since I got laid. Looks like my vibrator will be getting a thorough workout tonight.

"Nicolette." I whisper before moving my arm from his touch and rushing back down to Ellen's office. I can feel his stare bore into my ass the entire way. While I'm in shock, I won't lie and say it doesn't excite me a little.

Ellen grins widely at me as I step inside, but it doesn't reach her eyes. I can already tell I'm not going to like what she has to say.

"I talked to Mr. Calloway and Drake. Apparently, it is work-related. Jordan even vouched for him."

That's it. Jordan is now on my s**t list.

"But my mom-"

"Isn't an issue." Ellen cuts me off. "Since it is for the company, we are sending a nurse to stay with her while you are away. In fact, Mr. Callowy insisted that she goes and sits with your mother any time that you are here. All on the company dime. He wants you to be focused on work while you are here and not worry about your mom."

My mouth hangs wide open. I can't accept this. They are already paying me more than I am worth. I don't want to be indebted to them. Plus, how will mom feel about it? I'm sure she won't agree to some stranger in our home to watch over her.

"That is very generous of you, but my mom will never agree to it."

"Nonsense. Glenda is already at your house. I spoke with your mom and she thinks it is a wonderful idea."

She already talked to my mom? I wasn't gone that long. And who the hell is Glenda?

Before I can ask anything, Ellen sits at her desk and starts rambling off about what to expect this weekend and what I need to bring. We will be going to Mr. Calloway's cabin and discussing the plan for the new Sinclair merger. I will be paid time and a half for my time there as well as being given a company credit card for any expenses that may pop up during my stay.

"Any questions?" Ellen asks as she finishes up her speech.

Not being able to think of anything to say, anything at all actually, I just nod my head and we get back to work. Only a few short minutes later, the door opens and my sexy stranger lets himself in. What kind of hell have I gotten myself into? Dealing with Antonio, at least I knew what to expect. This place is like an alternate universe where the sole purpose of everyone is to make me wish I had never agreed to a wolf with a kind smile and an unbelievable job offer.

"Ashton! I didn't know you were meeting with Mr. Calloway today?" Ellen exclaims as she gets up and gives him a motherly hug.

Ashton? Suits him.

His eyes linger on me as he speaks. "Actually, I was in the area and wanted to talk to him about something. Does he have a free minute?"

"For you? Of course. Let me ring him," Ellen starts towards her desk when she finally realizes I'm still here. "Oh, Ashton, this is Nicolette Andrews - Drake's new assistant. Nicolette, this is Ashton Berg."

"Nice to meet you," I say with a tight smile as he accesses me with his emerald green eyes that sparkle with mischief.

"So you're the unfortunate soul who got stuck with Drake. How do you do it?"

"It has only been one day so just copious amounts of alcohol last night. We will see if it escalates from there."

His melodic laughter entrances me and I stare longer than intended. Thankfully, Ellen's voice breaks my trance and I focus back on the papers in front of me.

"Mr. Calloway will be right out for you. Please, can I get you water or coffee?"

"No. I won't be staying long." Ashton assures her as the second set of office doors open, showing an older, more sophisticated version of Drake. That must be the infamous Mr. Calloway.

"Ashton! Why didn't you tell me you would be in the area." his deep voice bellows as he also pulls him in for a hug.

"Better to show up unannounced so you can't hide from me," he chuckles as he steps back.

"And you must be Nicolette. I have heard nothing but great things from Ellen. Sounds like you are keeping my son in his place."

"As much as possible, Mr. Calloway," I reply, earning another laugh from everyone in the room.

"Call me Sterling. Mr. Calloway is my dad."

I nod in his direction as I wonder how much him and his son are alike. That is pretty much the same thing that Drake told me yesterday.

"Please, let me apologize for the impromptu meeting this weekend, but you will love the cabin. My wife and I fell in love with it the moment we laid eyes on it. You can work but still have some fun. It can get hectic around here sometimes. But, please promise, if your mother needs anything else, just know you only have to say the word."

Not wanting to discuss this in front of Ashton, I smile and give a quick thank you before scanning the files again, hoping Mr. Calloway takes it as a hint. Thankfully, he does and the two men retreat to his office without anymore mention or conversation around me.

Getting back to work, I try to push all the craziness of today away and keep on task.

When the clock finally hits noon, I have never been more relieved to get the hell out of a place than I am right now. This has been like being trapped in the twilight zone.

Getting back down to my office, I see that Drake is already gone. At least I get a little reprieve from all of this - whatever this is. Grabbing my things and making sure all the lights are off, I lock the door and turn to run face first into someone.

"Jesus, Nicolette, I'm sorry." Jordan apologizes as he tries to make sure I'm stable on my feet.

"No big deal. Did you need in here? Drake is already gone." I try to change the subject fast so the embarrassment doesn't grow.

"Nah. I just wanted to see if he had left yet. That answers that. Are you headed home to get ready?"

Nodding, he insists on walking out with me. I don't put up much of a fight, since I like Jordan. I don't feel like he is only talking to me to get into my pants or has any ill intent. It is a nice change of pace.

We make small talk, well, mostly him. He talks all about the cabin and what he has planned for the weekend. One thing I don't miss is that he doesn't bring up the merger once. Almost like it is just one huge party for him. Maybe I'm overthinking it. Ellen wouldn't have sided with Drake if it wasn't true.

Once on the ground level, Jordan promises to see me soon and I start towards home. As much as I'm dreading this weekend, I can't help the sliver of excitement that is in the back of my mind. As much as I have been working, it will be nice to just get a way for a little while. Sure, I will still be working, but it won't be more than taking notes or writing down things that need to be handled when we get back. Then I can easily sneak away and just be alone. No rush of the day to day, or worrying about what someone else may need from me. Just tranquil solitude...far away from Drake and Jordan.

Opening the door, I hear muffled raised voices coming from the living room and drop all of my things. I should have known that mom wouldn't want anyone she doesn't know here fussing over her. Ellen gave me a false sense of hope when I should have gone with my gut instinct.

"How can you say this is an open and shut case? You haven't even heard the other side!" mom shouts to a curvy red-head that sits on the couch.

"I have dealt with his kind before. I can see a snake from a mile away. He knew damn well that he was selling him a hunk of junk. Just wait and see."

Staring at them, neither have noticed my presence and I'm not sure what I should be outraged at. Even though mom sounded animated, it appears like they are having a somewhat civilized disagreement.

The red-head is the first to notice me and she hurries to stand and comes to me with her hand out. "I'm so sorry. You must be Nicolette. I'm Glenda."

Returning her smile, I shake her hand and glance over at my mom who is still enthralled by her show. "Nice to meet you. Everything OK here?"

"It would be better if your mother wasn't such a stubborn heifer and would see reason every once in a while."

"That's rich coming from a bitter old cow!" mom quips as she finally give her attention to Glenda.

"Alright," I say, trying to get in between the two, "Glenda, could you give me a minute with my mom?"

Nodding, she starts towards the kitchen. "I'll get her a drink. Wouldn't want her to choke when she has to swallow her words."

Where the hell did they get this woman from? I'd almost feel safer leaving her alone than with that psycho.

"How was work sweetie? I talked to Ellen. She seems like a lovely woman."

Mom's abrupt change in attitude throws me for a loop. Maybe I am in an alternate universe or simulation. That is the only logical explanation for all of it at this point.

Kneeling beside mom's chair, I take her hand in mine as she peers at me like I have grown three heads. "Just relax. I will get rid of her and then call Ellen and tell her I had an emergency and can't go. There is no way I'm leaving you with that lunatic."

"Lunatic? Glenda? What are you talking about? I love her!"

Staring at her, I wonder if I have heard her right or if I have finally lost it. That would explain things better.

"It sounded pretty heated between the two of you when I came in."

Waving her hand, she laughs, "That is the best part. I will be honest that I was hesitant when I got the call, but honey, you have things to do. You can't be hanging out here with me all the time. Glenda is great! She loves these shows as much as I do. And the cherry on the top is that she doesn't treat me like glass."

Her words pierce my heart. I never meant to make her feel that way, but I was terrified that I would lose her. Even in remission, she is weak and my mind has a hard time processing that as finally being healthy.

Standing, I give her the best smile I can. "Then I'm glad she is here. I hated the thought of you being held up here all alone."

"Enough," she sighs, "It is one weekend. You can't drop everything and I'd never ask you to. You have already gone above and beyond - at my protest. Go do work, but make sure to take time for yourself and enjoy it as well. I'm sure you won't be expected to work non-stop. Now go pack."

Heading to my room, I'm not sure what to pack. It is only two nights, but it is also work-related. Deciding to be casual, but not my normal weekend attire, I toss in a pair of jean shorts as well as a pair of khaki ones. Two of my nicer looking blouses and my swimsuit - just in case. While there would be no way in hell I would be caught in it in front of Drake, I'm sure he will be too busy with some bimbo at some point. It will give me a chance to do just as mom suggested.

Being all packed, I head to the kitchen to grab something to eat. Grabbing all the fixings for my favorite sandwich, I set them out neatly on the counter as my phone buzzes. Checking the screen, I groan as I swipe the message open.

Asshole: We are leaving soon. I need an address.

That part had slipped my mind this morning. With everything that took place, the last thing I was thinking about was sending that arrogant asshat my home address. I didn't need him having access to my sanctuary away from him. Even so, it makes me feel a little lighter when I see his name on the screen. I'm sure he would love to know what I programmed him as.

Me: Are you sure you still want me to come along? You could easily just email me notes.

Asshole: You can either send me the address or I can call Ellen for it.

Jackass! He knows damn well I don't want Ellen to know I was trying to back out - again - especially with what the company did to make sure my mom was taken care of while I was gone.

Letting out a sigh, I send him the address and set the phone back down. Taking in the food in front of me, I suddenly realize I have completely lost my appetite.

Less than ten minutes later, I see a SUV pull into the driveway and the dread in my gut ramps up a few notches. With a quick goodbye to mom and Glenda, I make it outside and close the door just as Drake is halfway up the walk.

"Trying to hide something?"

"Nope," I respond, not even bothering to look at him. "Just didn't want you to stink up my home. It is bad enough at the office."

Getting to the vehicle, I notice that Jordan is in the back with another woman, leaving the passenger seat the only option. There is no way in hell I'm going to sit next to him on the way up there.

"Give me your bag. I'll put it in the back." Drake mumbles as he comes over to my side.

I almost fight him on it, but I'm too busy trying to make up an excuse to change places with Jordan to care. Handing it to him, I open the front door and shoot them both the sweetest smile I can muster.

"Would either of you mind sitting up here instead. It would mean the world to me?"

"No can do princess," Jordan says as he shakes his head. "I get car sick and Molly wants to keep me company."

Panning my sight over to the woman, I'm met with a scowl. Guess that answers that for me.

With all options exhausted, I climb in and pull my phone out. After slipping my ear buds in, I drown them all out. It won't be as bad if I can ignore them whenever possible.

It is only two days. I can manage - I hope.