Chapter 61
1027words
'Good morning, Mrs. Hollen. I'll have breakfast ready for you in one minute,' he said cheerfully with a smile.
'Thank you, Chef.' I was rather hungry.
Another maid walked past me, greeting me before making her way to the elevator to the third floor to start her cleaning the bedrooms. She had to be new also. I began wondering if Halley had quit because I couldn't find her.
I walked back upstairs.
'Emma!' I heard an excited voice call from downstairs. Halley began running up to me, dropping her mop and cleaning tools. She flung herself on me, almost knocking me over. 'You're back! You're actually back!' she hugged me tightly.
'Yes, Hal, I'm here.'
'I'm so happy to see you. I hope you don't ever leave again.'
'I'll try not to,' I said, hugging her back, knowing, in the back of my mind, what my final decision really was.
Midday, I took a shower and lie in bed with skimpy clothing on, watching television, eating popcorn and drinking soda. I felt sleepy shortly afterwards. I threw the covers over me and fell into a comfortable sleep again. I'd missed this bed so much.
I woke up to the ringing of my cellphone. Roger had already called three times.
'Hey,' I answered, rubbing my eyes.
'I know you're off on Saturdays but where are you?'
'I'm alright, Roger, if that's what you're concerned about,' I responded rudely, hoping he'll get a clue.
'Why didn't you tell me that you were Hollen's fiancee? I had to find out online.'
'I don't discuss my personal relationship.'
'It's not personal if it's all over the news and web pages. Did you know that I was dragged into it when I gave you a ride?'
I heaved a sigh.
The bedroom door opened and Ethan walked in.
He must have taken a half day.
'No, I didn't know that Roger,' I replied, looking at Ethan.
He made his way next to me and sat down on the bed.
'So, when are you coming back?'
'I don't know' was what I wanted to say, but the phone was taken from my hand.
Ethan glared at it then hung up the call, but not before saying, 'Why don't you mind your own fucking business Roger!'
Ethan's POV
I was at the office but I couldn't focus on the task at hand at the moment. My mind kept going back to what happened earlier, the way she got me to lay with her and show up late. I kept wondering if I'd see her when I got home, if she'd be there waiting for me on the bed, or if she'd be gone without a trace.
She said she would be leaving.
I raked my fingers through my hair, heaved a frustrated sigh and went back to paperwork.
Ten minutes in, my office door opened and the sound of heels hitting the tiles was heard. I glanced up and noticed Linda standing close to my desk with a smirk on her face, and she started bouncing her nails on the surface of my desk.
I closed the folder. 'Can I help you?' I asked in annoyance.
Although she was the COO, I didn't appreciate her just walking into my office and looking seductive. It was unprofessional. I had already explained to her that what happened between us was a mistake and was alcohol influenced and would never happen again, but it seemed like she wasn't getting it through her thick skull and hair extensions.
I could fire her at anytime, but I didn't want to raise a red flag, and a woman like her could ruin your image and reputation with lies, so I decided to keep her around and forgive and forget what happened with her. But, here she was, just showing up at my office unannounced.
'I want you.' She leaned over my desk, her butt sticking out, her cleavage popping through her half unbuttoned, tight shirt.
Linda had never been like this. She was loyal, trustworthy, and professional in every way. I trusted her more than anyone in the building.
'Linda, get out of my office. I already told you what happened between us was a mistake.'
'A mistake? A mistake! Like, really, Ethan? So I'm a bloody mistake?' She was furious.
'Look! I was under the influence and I was under a great deal of stress in my personal life. We made out. I didn't even penetrate you; but, here you are, acting like you own this dick or have rights to me. I'm giving you exactly thirty seconds to button up your shirt, get off my desk, and get out of my office. I'm a taken man.'
'Oh, to that little black girl or the gold digger? You really know how to pick them, Ethan. You could have had all of this but you'd rather have black trash.'
'Don't you ever open your mouth and talk about my fiancee like that to my face. Are you crazy? Matter of fact, take next week off because you're suspended!'
'Are you for real?'
'Linda, get the fuck out of my office!'
She turned on her heels and, literally, ran out of my office, slamming the door behind her.
The nerve of that damn woman! Insulting my Emma to my face and trying to seduce me with her tits. She had to be crazy.
Linda made my morning more complicated and frustrated than it had already started. I looked up at my wall clock: 11:00 am. I finished signing off on the paperwork and informed my assistant that I would be gone for the rest of the day so she should take messages if anyone important called for me.
Saturdays weren't like normal work days. I used Saturdays to catch up on things that were behind, especially my signature on paperwork, payrolls and propositions, to advance the company's work load. Only my immediate team, which consisted of my assistant, my COO, CFO, and general managers had access to the office on weekends.
