“There’s no room for her,” one of the managers said.
“Surely, there’s somewhere for her to be of assistance,” said Jeremiah insistently.
“She’s just a paper-pusher,” said the manager.
“She’s been here a long time, but hasn’t really earned anything…” another manager chimed in.
I could feel my face burn as I absorbed what they were saying about me. I didn’t want to listen anymore, but my feet felt like they were glued to the floor.
“Please, gentlemen. I need her out of the role as my PA…”
Jeremiah’s words sliced through me like a knife.
He really doesn’t think I’m good enough,I thought to myself. Tears formed in my eyes as I slowly backed away from the door, but not fast enough. The door to Jeremiah’s office swung open, and I found myself face to face with the managers who had just spoken so poorly of me. I quickly blinked back my tears as they stepped out of the room, giving me irritated glances that I had been eavesdropping. They walked past me without a word, leaving me standing in plain view of Jeremiah, whose stare was unreadable, yet I was sure the embarrassment I felt was painted plainly on my face.
“I have meetings to get to,” he said coolly. “You’ll accompany me for the day. Keep me on schedule.”
All I could do was nod, knowing if I spoke my voice would shake and the tears would fall. He walked past me, and I quickly grabbed my purse from my desk, trying to keep up with his long strides. We rode the elevator in silence, a much different experience than last night when we had been pulled together like magnets. I wondered if I had imagined it all.
I followed Jeremiah out of the lobby and out to a black town car that was waiting on the curb. The driver opened the back door and Jeremiah slipped in without so much as a thank-you. I gave the driver a polite nod and clambered in after him, careful to keep my distance on one side of the car. Soon, the car pulled away from the curb and I discreetly looked at Jeremiah from the corner of my eye.
He was typing on his phone, his brows pulled together in concentration. He wore a black suit today with a crisp, white button-down, making his golden skin look even deeper. A five o’clock shadow darkened his chiseled jawline. His scent wrapped around me in the space of the backseat, making it feel like the walls were closing in.
He cleared his throat and I quickly broke my gaze, looking straight ahead. “Did you look through the calendar?” he asked, his eyes still on his phone.
“Yes,” I said, embarrassed by my eager stammer. “Yes.” I tried again, calming my nerves.
He looked at me, his blue eyes narrowing. “You good?” he asked, and it was so condescending that I couldn’t help the words that came out sharply this time.
“Yeah. I’mgood.” I emphasized the last word, letting it drip with sarcasm. “I’m just not used to overgrown men talking about me and my worth.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t eavesdrop.” He shrugged.
I felt my face growing hot, but it wasn’t from embarrassment. It was because he was such an asshole.
“Look, I’ve only ever done my best at this job. My old boss and I got along great. I’m trying to find my footing with you, but you’re not even giving me a chance to. You’re just so…”
I stopped myself, trying to find the right word.
“I’m what?” he asked, his voice low as he leaned in closer. His eyes dipped down to my lips, waiting eagerly for my next word.
I swallowed hard. “Difficult,” I managed to say.
He laughed before pulling back.
“Is that funny?” I asked, raising a brow.
“I’ve been called worse.”
He was insufferable, but I couldn’t help but admire how little he cared about what people thought.
“Honestly, I thought you would have quit by now. It’s fine by me if you do. I can easily find someone to fill your shoes,” he said nonchalantly, but his words hurt me more than they should. How could he make me feel like I was the only one in the room one minute, and make me feel like I didn’t exist the next?
“I’m not quitting,” I said firmly, pushing my feelings aside and reminding myself how much I needed this job.
He looked at me curiously, as if seeing me for the first time this morning. His eyes ran over the cream skirt and matching blazer, stopping on the gold hoops that peeped out from the red waves of my hair, before finding my eyes that did their best to stayfirmly on his. He seemed to give a small nod of satisfaction, and I hated how good it made me feel.
“But maybe you could be a bit nicer to your employees,” I said softly.
