“Good morning,” he says.
“Is it?” I reply.
“Oh, Gemma,” Louise calls out, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. “I barely recognized you without blood on your face.”
Theo snickers beside her.
Henry arches a brow, but I exhale slowly before acknowledging her.
“If you’re here, Louise, then who’s running hell?”
She crosses her arms, popping her hip. “Funny, coming from someone who’s about to have their arse handed to them by the CEO.”
I narrow my eyes. How the hell did she find out?
“You do realize Henry and I still got the job over you, right?” I say, tilting my head.
“For now,” she quips, lifting her chin.
I flip her the bird before grabbing Henry by the elbow and hauling him into my office.
Once inside, I slam the door, drop my bag onto the nearest chair, and let out a sharp huff.
“God, she’s a bitch. I’m half-tempted to march back out there and shove my stiletto up her arse.”
“Ignore her,” he shrugs. “She’s got nothing better to do than piss you off.”
I drag a hand through my hair. “Well, it’s bloody working.”
“Relax. Focus on the meeting.”
He’s right. I have no idea what the CEO is going to say, but I need to center myself.
I keep referring to him asThe CEObecause, honestly, calling someone with enough money to buy a small countryChadwick Cashmanfeels like an insult to my intelligence.
He sounds like a 1970s porn star, but the man couldn’t be further from it.
I sigh. “All right, let’s get this over with.”
I take a deep breath and feign all the confidence in the world as Henry knocks on The CEO’s door.
“Come in.”
I steal a glance at Henry, who gives me a brisk nod.
We’ve got this.
We’re settled in the armchairs across from his desk while he leans back in his computer chair, hands resting on his rotund belly. The fluorescent office lights catch the shine of his bald spot.
“Gemma,” he says.
I straighten. “Yes, sir.”
He lunges forward, slamming his palms onto the mahogany desk. The sharp slap echoes around the room, making Henry and me jolt.
“His fucking EYE!” he roars, his face turning an alarming shade of red. “Do you realize how embarrassing this is?”
“Sir, I-I didn’t mean to,” I stammer, my pulse accelerating. “It was an accident. I was just taking off my coat, and the button—just popped off. I swear, I’m sorry.”
