I do have feelings for Maya, feelings she doesn’t want me to have.I’ve been able to keep things purely professional, and I will still, but if he can tell, there’s every chance she can.
That’s not what I want.Maya told me, and has made it plainly obvious that she doesn’t have those same feelings for me.She hugged me last night out of gratitude.That’s all it was.Nothing more.
Chapter 20
MAYA
Dexter Knight hasn’t changed one bit.He still has that big dick energy he always had.
He’s older, bigger, and built, and he still has the same swagger.Though he seems happier now.
I glance quickly at Zach’s office.The tension in that room is something I feel even now.I think they like one another, but Zach was clearly annoyed by this unexpected interruption.
My attention swings back to my PC, not before I catch a wave from Katherine’s office.She’s sitting at her desk, watching me, and now summons me.A prickle of fear darts through me and I brace myself, and pray that the security guard hasn’t said anything to her about me being in her office last night.
The moment I step inside her office it’s obvious that she’s annoyed about something.She sits behind her desk, arms crossed, expression razor-sharp.I take the chair opposite her, preparing to suffer her wrath.
“I need you to create a few more slides for the board presentation.I’ll email you the information.”
“B-but, I can’t.I wasn’t even supposed to do what I already did for you.”She tilts her head in disbelief.I’m shocked at what I’ve just said.I’m not supposed to do anything other than what Zach has set me, but Katherine asked me to do something quickly.Something she said Cecil had thrown at her last minute.She looked so flustered, a rarity in itself, that I did as she asked.
“I just need a few more slides.Cecil has asked and this is important.”
Zach’s work is taking so much of my time.One reason for it is that I’m making sure I double-check everything because I don’t want to make any sloppy mistakes.There’s no way I can fit anything else in.“I’m sorry, Katherine.I can’t do it.I’ve got too much else to do and I can’t fit this in.”
“What do you mean you can’t fit it in?”she seethes.“It’s just a few slides.”
“Zach said I was to work on his project as a priority,” I remind her.
She brushes it off.“I’m aware of that.However, I’m asking for four more slides.”
“I’m sorry, I … “ I hesitate, because she’s in a tight spot, and I want to help her.It’s not her fault that Zach has me working on his project.“I can stay late, for an hour after work, and get it done for you then, if that’s okay?”
“I need to present this to Cecil after lunch.I would like you to do thisnow?”
Her lack of gratitude grates on me.“I have a meeting with Zach now.I’m sorry, I can’t.I wish you’d told me sooner.”
Her face changes, and I see an expression I’ve never seen before.“Cecil only told me half an hour ago.Lately it feels like he’s doing a lot of things behind my back.”
Her phone rings, and she takes it, putting a finger up to let me know she’ll be quick.And that I’m to remain here.She’s not done with me yet.
“Oh, good morning,” she says, her voice bright and cheery, and sounding completely alien to me.I gape at a new Katherine, one who is all smiles and, dare I say it, looking joyful.“Yes, I’m free to talk now.”
I open my notepad and go through the notes I made from my last meeting with Zach.
“I absolutely enjoyed the dinner!”
I’m about to look up, but I force myself to turn deaf and blind and stay focused on my notepad.From my periphery I can see Katherine getting up and walking towards her window.
“He was intelligent, measured, not flaunting his status or his wealth.I appreciated that.”
What?
My ears are burning.I shouldn’t be here.
There’s another pause, a longer one.
“I see.”Her previously enthused tone turns flat.She still has her back to me, and I sink further into my chair.
