When my phone rings, I flinch, startled by the vibrations.I quickly grab it, see that it’s Hendrix, and answer.“Yes, Sir?”
“I forgot a file.Can you bring it down for me?I’m in the conference room.It’s blue and in the top right corner of my desk.”
I’m already on my feet.“Yes, Sir.I’ll be there in a minute.”I’m actually grateful for the distraction because I’ve been sitting for a while.I need to stretch my legs.There was no way I would have gotten up otherwise after he strictly forbade me from doing so.
I take a deep breath as the elevator doors open on the thirteenth floor.Every time I come down here, I worry about the reception I might get from my coworkers.I spent two months on this floor, and I feel like they’re all pissed at me for getting my unearned promotion.
Everyone is bustling around.The three people I end up making eye contact with act totally normally toward me.
“Hey, Kelsey.”Steve waves at me.
“How’s it going?”Lara asks me.
“Ooh, I love that skirt,” Marian says.“Oh, a bunch of us are going out for drinks after work tomorrow if you want to join.”
“Thanks.”I smile cheerfully.I’m glad she hasn’t totally snubbed me, but my heart is racing anyway.If these people ever discover I’m sleeping with the boss…
Fuck.What a mess.If they don’t hate me now, they will when they find out.I can’t handle that thought.
Two men and two women are in the conference room with Hendrix.I can see them through the glass wall as I approach, and Hendrix motions me in.
With another fortifying inhale, I push through the door, head high, and aim toward him, holding out the folder.
“Thank you, Kelsey.”
“You’re welcome, Sir.Do you need anything else?”
“No.That’s all.”
I turn and head out of the room.Why the hell am I trembling?All this sneaking around is stressing me the fuck out.I feel like there’s a sign on my back that says,slept her way to the top.
The pressure is intense.I don’t know how long I can keep this up.By the time I get back to my desk, I’ve decided I should look for a new job.If I’m really going to stay with Hendrix, I can’t work for him.It’s too risky.
There’s no good outcome to this.If we keep hiding our relationship, my anxiety will go through the roof.If we don’t tell anyone and someone finds out, the rumor mill will destroy me.If wedotell people, everyone will hate me.I can’t win.
True to his word, Hendrix sends Josephine in with a message about thirty minutes after I resume working.I bury myself in my research, not noticing the passage of time until a shadow falls over me.
Chapter16
Kelsey
When I lift my head, I’m surprised to notice that it’s later than I thought and Hendrix is back.He must have been gone longer than he expected.The sun is sitting lower in the sky.It’s late afternoon.
I straighten my spine.“I’ve emailed you my findings, Sir,” I tell him, not meeting his gaze.
He sets his hands on my desk, leaning forward so his head is a bit lower.“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”I can’t tell him that I don’t think this is going to work out.We’ve already had this discussion, plus I don’t want to hash it out again in the office.
He lowers himself onto one of the chairs opposite me and reclines, making himself comfortable.“Look at me, Kels.”
I lift my gaze.That’s what has alerted him.It’s hard to make eye contact with people when you’re withholding information.
“Did something happen while I was gone?”
“No,” I whisper.
“Did something happen in yourheadwhile I was gone, Kels?”He’s so fucking perceptive.
