“Umm… No, Mr. Fears,” I said.
“Why? Haven’t I told you multiple times that I want coffee whenever I come into my office?” he said.
“You have, Mr. Fears, but—” I said.
“Then why? Why do you fail to follow the simplest of instructions? Why do you fail to do what you are told? Why are you so incompetent?” he said, glaring at me.
“Maybe because I have a boss like you!” I said, snapping at him. I knew I shouldn’t lose my temper. I knew I should keep my cool. But he infuriated me. Whenever I thought he was becoming better, he went back to showing what a jerk he was. Whenever I started feeling anything for him, he veered around and started acting like a complete asshole.
It wasn't just that. It was the fact that he made me feel all those things for him, and then he pushed me away. Why did I feel like this? I hated myself. It felt too similar to how he had made me feel. And every time he pushed me away, I rememberedhim. My ex. I rememberedhiswords. Perhaps it was better if Gale pushed me away. I didn’t want to suffer again.
“Maybe if I had a more competent boss, I would be a better secretary,” I continued. “Maybe if you weren’t such an arrogant asshole, I could get better work done. Don’t forget a bad workman quarrels with his tools.”
With that last bit of highly unnecessary comment, I marched out of his office. The moment I stepped out, all my bravery faded, and I found myself cursing out loud.
“Why the fuck do I keep doing that?” I whispered.
Mrs. Payne, who had overheard me, threw me a disapproving look, and I sighed.
Chapter 8
Dangerous Woman
Gale Fears
Isighed silently as she left the office. I couldn’t help smiling inwardly at the thought of what she had said. I was fascinated with her bluntness, even though I knew she was intimidated by my presence. I was known to be a petrifying boss, but that didn’t seem to bother her at all. But I had been right about one thing; that woman was dangerous.
Being so close to her earlier had made me feel things that I had never felt with anyone else.Not even with Stella. At that moment, when I held her, I wanted her with such desperation that it had hurt. I had wanted to press her against the wall, tear her clothes off, and just take her. Make her completely and utterly mine. And I hated her for it. I hated her for how she made me feel. I hated how she made me crave her and want her.
I needed to push her away. I had to be as rude and cruel as I could be. Anything to keep her away. I couldn’t start feeling like this. Not again. Not after the pain with Stella.
“Congratulations on your case, Gale,” Daniel said, walking into the office.
“I wonder if it’s truly a celebratory moment,” I said, opening some scotch.
“Is it not?” he asked.
“Mrs. Durrick, a cold-hearted criminal, is now free to roam the streets, seduce another rich man, and perhaps, kill him too,” I said.
“That’s one way to look at it,” he said. “It was quite a genius play on your part.”
“I was just the messenger,” I said. “If she hadn’t noticed it, I would never have managed to figure it all out and go after the evidence I needed.”
“She?” he asked.
I walked over to the curtains and parted them, giving us a glimpse of Hillary sitting at her desk, typing. I gestured towards her, and Daniel raised an eyebrow. I was still impressed by her quick wit and her intelligence. She intrigued and fascinated me. My mind once again replayed the scene that had just happened, and I felt filled with desire. No. I couldn’t. It wasn’t worth the suffering afterward.
“Let’s go to the cigar club later,” Daniel said. “I think a celebration is in order, regardless.”
“I will meet you there,” I said, downing my drink. Maybe it was too early for me to start drinking, but I didn’t care. She reminded me of Stella, and drinking was the only thing that helped. I rubbed my eyes and sighed, once again regretting the day I’d met her. The day I fell for Stella.
*
I was decidedly drunk. I knew I shouldn’t be driving, but I hadn’t taken my driver with me to the cigar club. It had been a fun night with Daniel and the rest of the gang, having drinks and smoking as we discussed each other’s lives. I veered to the right and continued accelerating down the dark street. I passed by the firm and thought of her working there. I had given her extra work and asked her to stay late. A shitty move, I had to admit, but I was too infuriated at her for reminding me of Stella. The same, but sodifferent.
I drove past the offices, ignoring the traffic signal. I just wanted to get home to sleep, and hoped the thoughts of Stella would just stop invading my mind. All of a sudden, a shadow flitted in front of me, and I slammed on brakes. I heard a thud as the car hit someone, and then a pain-filled cry rang out.
I leaped out of the car, running towards the front to see who I’d hit, horror filling me.
