Filthy Boss: An Office Romance

by Nicole Elliot

  That's not possible.

  I pressed send and didn't expect a response, but just a couple minutes later, I had another new e-mail.

  Did you get the flowers?

  I typed back, yes.

  But you still don't accept my apology?

  You can’t apologize for who you are. I expected too much.

  No, you expect exactly what you should.

  I sighed and closed my laptop, even though there was still twenty minutes left of class. I just couldn't focus anymore, and I didn't know what to say back to him. He clearly didn't understand what it meant to hurt someone the way that he had hurt me. As soon as the professor dismissed us, I grabbed my things, and was the first one out the door. I ran through the campus to get to the library on time.

  I logged in and went up to the second floor to find a quiet place to work. I had the library pager; if someone needed help, I would get a buzz. I opened my physics book, and realized I still had no idea what I was doing. Apparently, I should have listened during the acceleration speech. I looked at my phone instead of opening my notes on my laptop. I didn’t want to give myself the opportunity to check my email. Alexis had texted me.

  When are you coming home?

  My shift ends at six.

  You are right about Hudson. Cops were here. You're getting a subpoena.

  Shit.

  I couldn’t focus during the rest of the shift, and hardly got any work done. I rushed home to find out everything Alexis knew. She was eating some dinner and sitting on the couch watching reality TV. But as soon as I walked in, she shut it off. “I'm so sorry. You were totally right about Hudson. The cops came here and were looking for you; they had a warrant. They went through stuff in your room.”

  Luckily, I knew there was nothing that could incriminate me. I mean I had nothing to do with the judge's death. How could anyone think that I would do something like that?

  “They were in my room?” Regardless of the fact that I knew they wouldn’t find anything, I still felt violated.

  She just nodded. “I'm so sorry, Calla. What are you going to do?”

  I thought about Monique's business card sitting in my bedside table. I wondered if they had taken it. I walked into my room, expecting a mess, and found it in the same condition that I left it. It didn't look like they'd gone through anything. I opened the drawer, and looked inside the journal that I'd been keeping the business card and my cash in. It was still there, right in the front. “I guess I call my lawyer.”

  Alexis chewed on her lower lip while standing in the doorway. “What do you think is going to happen?”

  “I don't really know. But I sure as hell hope Monique has some sort of plan.”

  Alexis sat on the edge of my bed as I dialed Monique's number. She wasn't trying to be nosey, she was there for support. I sighed as I sat down next to her.

  “I heard you're getting a subpoena.”

  I closed my eyes. “I figured someone would've told you. What the hell? I thought I was in the clear!”

  She paused and then said, “Somebody tipped them off. There's definitely some shady shit going on here. But you're expected to be in court on Wednesday morning.”

  “But I haven't even received the paperwork yet. And how am I supposed to get out of class?”

  “Hopefully, it'll only be one day. And I wouldn't tell your professors unless you want to say that you're sick. You don't want them or the college sniffing around, too.”

  She was right about that.

  “So, what do we do now? What's the game plan?”

  “I have a prior commitment that I can't get out of today, but we’ll meet tomorrow night before you give your statement, and we’ll go over what you're going to say. Hopefully, it won't be that big of a deal.”

  She and I both knew that she was lying. “What about the media? How do I avoid all the questions about why I was with the judge that night?”

  “I can't really answer that. But you know the rules. Try to find a way around it, or you'll be in a lot worse trouble than you are right now.”

  The rules.

  Boston Buyer’s Club Rule #1

  Never talk about the club.

  “Understood.”

  “Perfect. Dress in something professional, but show a little leg on Wednesday. I’ll meet you outside the courthouse. Tomorrow, show up at the club at six o’clock. The Madame and I will go over your statement with you then.”

  And then she hung up. The color drained from my face. There was no real plan. I was fucked.

  Alexis looked at me, eager for information. “So what did she say? What's your plan of attack?”

  I shrugged because I still wasn't really sure. “I don't really know that she has one. Alexis, I think I'm totally screwed.”

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  “Yeah, go into my closet and find something professional for me to wear to court on Wednesday. And Monique said I should show a little leg.”

  She laughed. “That girl, she's always trying to get it in. No matter where she is.”

  I smiled for what felt like the first time in days. “Yeah, she's definitely got that badass, superhot, confident woman thing down.”

  Alexis looked back at me from across the room as she walked into my closet. “So do you, Calla. You can beat this, I’m sure of it.”

  I was just glad that one of us was.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Monique called me the next afternoon. “Make sure you’re on time tonight.”

  “Am I going to keep working?”

  “There's a chance. Also there’s a private party tonight at the club, so we won’t be alone. Calla you're going to have legal fees to help cover. The club will cover most of it, but you're going to have to work to repay some of your debt.”

  “Yeah, I kind of figured that was coming. Monique, I have to tell you something.”

  “Tell me tonight. I have other clients to see.”

  She hung up, and I sat on the edge of my bed looking at the phone. I had been thinking since I talked to her the day before that I had to tell her about Hudson, and how I knew that he spoke with the detective. I was being set up. And, also, whatever favor he owed the detective, I had to find out what his big secret was. Why didn’t he ever talk about his business? What did he really do for a living?

  I went over to my laptop and opened it up slowly, sitting down at my desk. My fingers rested on the keys, but I didn't know what to say. I'd considered e-mailing him a thousand times since he had messaged me in class, but I didn't have anything to say. There is only one thing to find out. What is the truth behind Hudson James?

  I opened up my e-mail, and found his last response. I typed back. I'm going to be at the club tonight. I need to see you. There are things I need to know.

  I pressed send and waited for a response. I closed my eyes, and put my hand over my forehead, leaning back in my desk chair. I waited for the ping to signify a new e-mail, but I didn't hear anything. I waited for what felt like hours but I got nothing. Hudson had already moved on. I closed my laptop, and left the apartment to walk around campus to clear my head. I didn't really know where I was going until I had walked the whole campus, and was back at my apartment, staring at my car. I found my keys in my hoodie pocket, and I drove over to the club. It was time to face the music. Even though it was an hour before Monique requested my appearance, I had to get it over with. I had to see the Madame.

  When I got there, the bouncer let me in right away, so I knew she didn't have any other appointments. I could tell she was surprised to see me without Monique from the look on her face.

  “Calla, you’re early. And not in your best attire.”

  I was in jeans, typical college clothes but not really an outfit suitable for the club.

  “Go up to the dressing room and find an appropriate outfit. Monique should be here shortly. We’ll discuss your situation then.”

  “Yes, ma'am.” I trudged up the staircase into the dressing room, and I found a red corset a
nd ruffled booties set sitting on my dressing table. I changed and threw my hair up into a messy bun. My face looked like hell, so I grabbed some makeup from another girl’s kit, and cleaned myself up. Her complexion was little bit darker than mine, so I looked like I got a nice tan, or maybe I really did have a little bit of color from France… France, where everything was simple. How I wished I could go back there and live in that carefree world. I found a set of matching red heels, and tightened them around my ankles before I walked back down the stairs. I could hear the music, and I noticed a few men smoking cigars at a table. They were the only ones in the club so far. I knew we would be busier later, but I still smiled, and gave them a flirtatious wave knowing there was a good chance I was going to have to go home with someone tonight.

  This time as I saw the bouncer, he looked me over once before allowing me to go in. I didn't really look like the girl that had shown up only half an hour ago. Monique was sitting in a chair at the opposite end of the room right next to the Madame's desk. She looked worried, and I didn't like it.

  “Calla, thank you for coming. We need to discuss your testimony for tomorrow.”

  I sighed. “There something else that we need to discuss first.”

  “What is that, dear?” The Madame asked, sitting down in an overstuffed chair next to Monique.

  Even though it wasn't warm in the room, I was sweating, and I stood over them, feeling smaller than they were even though I was the only person standing in the room. “Hudson James was the one who told the detective that he thought I might've killed the judge.”

  The Madame put her hand on her chest. “But, why would he do that, Calla? I mean, unless you really did kill him.” She looked at me seriously. Perhaps she had a girl who had done it before. Somehow, I wasn’t surprised.

  “No! No, I had nothing to do with it. I promise. I didn't even know anything about him.”

  Monique squinted her eyes. “Then why would he say that? I mean Mr. James has been coming here for years, and not only are you the first girl that he took home, but he took you halfway across the world. Why would he throw you under the bus?”

  “I don't know. I thought we were having a great time. I have no idea why he did what he did except that he said that he owed the detective a favor. And I don't know what any of that means, but I think it has something to do with his business.”

  The Madame looked at Monique, and gave her all-knowing eyes. Suddenly, I felt like I was the only one in the room who didn't really know what Hudson James did for a living. “I need to know what's really going on. The truth is the only thing that’s going to get me out of this mess.”

  The Madame stood up and put her hands on my shoulders. “You can't tell the truth. You know the rules.”

  I chewed on my lower lip. “I would never talk about this place. I know the rules.”

  The Madame nodded, “Then let’s get to work.”

  Monique grabbed her briefcase that was sitting on the floor next to her. “I've made some notes. Let's go over them.”

  We sat there for forty-five minutes, reading over her notes, and her quizzing me on exactly what happened that night. I explained it to her just as I had the detective. My testimony was smooth. Monique didn't think that they'd have any reason to continue questioning me after the investigation was over. She still assumed that the wife had done it, and that it would come out during the trial. “Just be careful about how you word things. And don't let them fluster you. Being calm is key.”

  I nodded. “Got it.”

  “Well, I think it's about time you two go to work. Private parties pay well ladies.” The Madame looked pointedly at me. “Don't take any dates tonight, though. You can be one of the hostesses at the bar. You need the rest for tomorrow.”

  “Yes ma'am, thank you.”

  I tried to fake a smile as I stood, and then walked out. Somehow, it had seemed so quiet and private behind the curtain, but inside, the club was hopping. I went over to the bar and grabbed a tray of shots before walking around and starting to offer them to the men in business suits.

  “Hey, honey. I'll have one of those over here.” A middle-aged man who was balding called over to me. He snapped his fingers, and I briskly walked over and bent slightly as I had been taught while holding the tray. There was a very bunny-esque feeling to the way that we delivered drinks.

  “Here you are, Sir. Is there anything else I can get you?”

  “Some peanuts at the table would be good, darlin’.”

  I nodded and smiled sweetly. “I'll get right on that for you.”

  I hauled ass back to the bar, but when I tried to reach behind the counter for the peanuts, someone grabbed my hand behind me. I turned around to shake them off, but I was met by the dark eyes that constantly reeled me in. Hudson had responded to my e-mail, just not online.

  “You're here.”

  “You asked me to come.”

  That was true. I had.

  “Can we talk? Privately?” He nodded to an alcove near the stairs. It was dark.

  “Fine.”

  I set down my tray on the bar and followed him.

  As soon as we were cloaked in darkness he pressed his body against mine.

  “I missed you.”

  I sighed, “I know.”

  He chewed on his lower lip. It turned me on. I knew I shouldn’t be here with him. I shouldn’t want him to kiss me. But I did so desperately it hurt.

  “Did you miss me?”

  “Maybe.” I knew the answer that was just beneath the surface of my skin. Every piece of me ached to be with him.

  “I missed you.” He dragged a finger along my skin and sent chills down my body. “And I know that's against the rules, and that it's not what this place is about. But I don't care about any of that, I care about you.” He put his hand on either sides of my cheeks, and pulled me in to him. Our lips met like a magnetic force was pulling us together, even though my brain was screaming to stop. I didn’t care what my head thought. For this moment it was just Hudson and I in the darkness. His hands moved down my body and onto my hips. He pushed against the wall. I turned my head and he laid sweet kisses down my neck onto my collar bone. I was worried someone would see, but part of me didn’t care. As his lips brushed against the top of my breasts I inhaled deeply.

  He had betrayed me, he had hurt me, and he could ruin my life. But, in his hands, I felt safe, content, and like I could trust him again. But, even while my brain and my heart disagreed, the logic won out. I pulled away.

  “What do you want Hudson?”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Everything. Why you told the detective I was involved in a case I have nothing to do with. What you do for a living, why you’re so secretive all the time. Everything.”

  He shook his head. “I wanted to protect you.”

  “From whom?”

  “From the people I work for.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I work in pharmaceuticals.” He looked around my shoulder like he was watching someone else. “I can’t tell you more than that.”

  “You better or this is the last time you see me Hudson. No more games. I can’t take any more stress right now. In case you forgot I have to testify in court, because of you.” I spat the last word at him like poison.

  He sighed and looked back into my eyes. “Fine. I give drugs to people who have not been approved for them medically. Is that good enough for you?”

  He was infuriating. “You’re a pharmacist and that means I’m not safe. I don’t buy that.”

  He laughed. “I didn’t totally expect you to honestly. You’re too feisty for that. You’re a liability Calla. I had to tell the detective about the judge so he wouldn’t suspect how close we are. If the people I work for knew, they’d come looking for you.”

  “Looking for me?”

  “Yes. And if they thought that you knew about what they did, they would end you.”

  I shuddered. Hudson was dangerous. It was more than my heart on the line, it was my l
ife. I pulled away from him.

  He grabbed my upper arm and pulled me back into him. “I needed to see you again. I had to explain…”

  I interrupted him. “Explain what? Explain how you sold me out to the detective?” I noticed a few sets of eyes now on us, so I lowered my voice. “What the hell were you going to explain, Hudson? How you’re a drug dealer?”

  “It isn't what you think. I had to keep you safe; I should've told you from the beginning, but I had to protect you.”

  “From what? These drug dealers? I can take care of myself thanks.”

  “Me. And my life. Everything about me screams danger. But you didn’t see it like that. I had to make you understand.”

  I yanked my arm away from him. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

  “Is that what you think?”

  I tried to take a deep breath but my chest hurt when I looked into his eyes. For the first time since I had met Hudson, he looked like a scared child. Like the best thing that ever happened to him was being ripped away, and there was nothing he could do about it. The hurt in his eyes was crushing me.

  “Hudson, it's over. It has to be.”

  He shook his head. “I won't let you go that easily.”

  “That's not your choice.”

  I turned on my heel, and walked away. I couldn't let anyone see how embarrassed I was, so I continued walking all the way to the dressing room. I curled up on one of the chaise lounges, and just let myself cry. I realized that this might be one of the only solitary moments I would have for a long time. And sometimes you just need a moment to take it all in, and everything that was going on around you. And what was going on around me, sucked. The club had chewed me up and spit me out and I was drowning in my own despair. But I only let myself wallow for a few minutes before I sat up, wiped my face, and got ready to go home. I had to get ready for court tomorrow; I had to defend my innocence.

  Chapter Eighteen

  I scrubbed my hands in the sink for what felt like the millionth time. I had never been in a courthouse before. It was kind of scary, knowing I was around real criminals. Perhaps in the bathroom with one right now. I looked around me timidly when the door swung open. In walked Mrs. Paxton, the judge’s wife. Shit. I had seen her on TV. Luckily she walked right up to the mirror and hardly noticed my presence.