“Is it true you are about to become a father?”
“Is it true the mother is an employee?”
“Is that employee your assistant?”
“What does Human Resources think about this?”
“Or does that not apply when you’re the CEO?”
“How does your relationship play out in office politics?”
“Did you pay her to have sex with you?”
The last question had me whirling around to face her. Her recorder was held high just inches from my face, eager to capture anything I had to say. I could feel the anger begin to creep up my neck as I stared at the small, platinum blonde woman before me who had every intention of ruining my life, but pushed it down. I knew better than to make a scene when press was involved. Plus, everyone in the lobby was looking at the scene playing out before them.
“I have no comment at this time,” I said calmly.
I pushed through the large glass doors of the building and walked toward my waiting town car. My saving grace. The reporter followed me right up to the car door, badgering me with more questions. She was relentless. It wasn’t until I closed the door in her face that her voice faded out as the car pulled away from the curb. My driver eyed me warily from the rearview mirror.
“Where to, sir?” he asked.
“Home. And quickly. Before she has a chance to follow.”
He nodded, stepping on the gas.
I knew the press would get hold of the story eventually. I just didn’t realize how soon. Someone had gone to them with the story and probably for a hefty sum. I scowled, looking out the window as the city that passed by in a blur. How could this have happened? It had to have been Sadie who accidentally let it slip and couldn’t remember. I read there was such a thing as pregnancy brain. Or maybe her friends weren’t as trustworthy as she had made them out to be.
However it happened, there was no stopping it now. It was like a wildfire that was only going to spread. I had to get ahead of this story, spin it in a positive light. It was the only way to make sure my company didn’t tank, and my reputation along with it.
When the town car pulled up to the entrance of my apartment building, I asked the driver to check our surroundings before opening my car door. When he deemed it safe from the pixie-haired reporter, he opened my door and I hurried inside the already open door. It was as if the doorman knew I needed to escape. I gave him a thankful nod as I walked into the lobby. There was no sign of the reporter here. I would have to talk to the front desk about updating security measures.
I was about to head there when I spotted a familiar face a few feet away at the bar. I would recognize those soulless eyes anywhere, and they looked at me now over a tumbler of whiskey that was surely hiding a devious smile.
Anderson.
This wastheworst timing, and I knew it wasn’t a coincidence. I didn’t believe in coincidences, especially when it came to him. I strode over, noting his eyes watching me with delight, like a cat playing with a dead mouse. Too bad they didn’t capture this devious side when photographing him for his book. No one would pick it up.
“Anderson,” I said with a nod as I approached him at the small, circular table he sat at. “Funny running into you here.”
“Isn’t it?” he asked, taking a sip of whiskey. When he lowered his glass, that familiar snake-like smile slithered across his lips, sending a chill up my spine. His slick black hair matched the emptiness of his eyes, as if I were talking to the devil himself.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, getting straight to the point.
He leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms, clearly enjoying my impatience in wanting to know why the hell he was walking back into my life now.
“I thought my old friend would be happier to see me after all this time,” he drawled. “How have you been, buddy?”
“Fine,” I muttered.
“Word on the street is you got one of your employees knocked up. Jeremiah Mason, a father?” He chuckled. “Poor kid.” He shook his head before taking another sip of whiskey.
“Watch it, Anderson,” I growled, clenching my fists at my sides.
“Touchy subject, is it?” he asked innocently, eyeing my fists.
He was enjoying this. It was one thing to have the office know, or even to have the press hounding me. But Anderson knowing. That was far more terrifying than anything else.
“Look, I’ve had a shit day and the last thing I need is you making it worse.”
