She released her body from her grip and panted until she relaxed again. She sighed deeply and suddenly felt dirty. She had masturbated again. She promised herself last week she wouldn’t. But she had needs. When the ache was that strong, she couldn’t stop herself. It was all Julian’s, whoever-he-was, fault. How dare he flirt with her and then vanish. She was angry, but not because he disappeared. She was furious that she cared.
Chapter 3
Eva arrived in the office early the following morning. The glow of last night’s pleasure hung to her cheeks like a gentle slap. She was glad she had a busy morning ahead. She wouldn’t dare check her personal emails until the afternoon. She looked at her hand. No traces of Julian’s phone number remained. She’d accidently washed it off. Not that she cared, she decided. She wouldn’t have called him anyway. Not even when she pulled her skin in all sort of directions in the hopes of catching a faint glimmer of the digits.
Mia passed Eva’s desk and although Eva looked up and tried to make eye contact, Mia marched ahead, ignoring her. She carried a takeaway coffee from the posh barista place across the road. The smell teased Eva. She walked past the window every morning but never had the nerve to go inside. It was always full of impressive business types. Tall, handsome men in smart suits and pretty women in classy, work-wear. Eva didn’t feel she fitted in. She had enough people stare at her daily at work. She didn’t need it when ordering a simple cup of coffee too.
Mia glided on her impressive, black-patent, high heels. They were so shiny, they caught the light, and their red sole clashed with her cerise camisole. Eva could never understand why people would pay outrageous amounts for designer shoes. She had the same pair of brown, leather slip-on’s for months, and she wasn’t in any hurry to exchange them for something that made her walk like a chicken on stilts. Even if that chicken caught the eye of every man in a ten mile radius. Oh hell, who was she kidding? She’d love a pair of seriously uncomfortable shoes.
Mia raced from desk to desk, gathering up all the important people in the office. The popular people. There were so many cliques in the office, it was worse than Eva’s old high school. When Mia had herded about five or six of the usual suspects into the boardroom, she slammed the door behind her and pulled the blinds. Eva wondered what was happening. Something important, no doubt, and she was as in the dark as always.
That was it. Mia’s office politics were driving Eva crazy. No matter how much Eva tried to tell herself she didn’t care. She did, of course she bloody did. It pushed her buttons, and in that moment, her trip switch blew. She typed up a strongly worded email and sent it to Mia. He finger hovered over the recall button for so long, she almost got a cramp, but fuck it, she was an independent woman. And she wasn’t going to be bullied any longer. She powered down her PC and stormed out of the office.
Lunch came and went in a blur as usual. Eva added an extra lap into her jog in the Phoenix Park. She was hot and sticky returning to the office and didn’t have time to grab a shower. She threw her work clothes back on in the down stairs toilet, leaving her bright pink sports bra on underneath. She sprayed some perfume, even in her hair and reluctantly headed back to her desk.
The lift doors opened to reveal Mia sitting behind Eva’s desk, swinging from side to side on Eva’s swivel chair. She looked super pissed off. Ah shit, the email. Eva panicked, her hands becoming uncontrollably shaky. She was suddenly far sweatier than her run had made her.
‘He wants to see you,’ Mia said through gritted teeth while Eva was still half way down the hall.
‘Who?’
An audible hiss rippled across the office and Eva felt the eyes of the entire floor burn into her back.
‘Mr Doe, Eva. ‘
Eva wobbled a little, her legs suddenly objecting to holding the weight of her body.
‘He wants you in his office in five minutes.’
Eva ran her hand over her over-sleeked ponytail, and straightened her skirt. Mia didn’t acknowledge her dishevelled appearance.
‘Go, Eva. Did you hear what I said yesterday? He’s not someone you keep waiting…okay?’
Eva nodded so hard her neck cracked. She raced back to the lift. It was only when she was standing alone, behind the closed lift doors that she realised she wasn’t breathing. Fuck, shit, fuck…she wasn’t ready for this. She was a good girl. She didn’t fuck up.
She shakily pressed the button for the top floor and waited. She pulled the scrunchie from her hair, turned her head upside down and shook so hard she almost fell over. She pulled her cardigan tight across her chest, yesterday’s coffee stain didn’t seems so bad now in contrast to her luminous, pink bra shining through the thin, white silk of her blouse. ‘Not today,’ she said, ‘…not today’.
The décor was different on the top floor. It didn’t look like an office, more an elegant foyer in a boutique hotel. It was intimidating and inviting, all at the same time. The floor was highly polished, cream porcelain and Eva’s loafers squeaked as she walked. The high overhead ceiling housed recessed lighting and the walls were splashed with hand painted murals that Eva could only imagine cost a small fortune. A large, teak reception desk sat alone at the end of the long corridor. There was no one there.
A pretty chaise longue sat opposite the desk, and two beige leather chairs called invitingly to her. She sat down for a moment but quickly hopped back up when she heard laughter. It came from behind the huge, floor-to-ceiling, double-doors.
Eva jumped as one of the doors creaked open. A tall, striking, strawberry-blonde appeared through a gap so narrow, Eva couldn’t see inside the room behind her. Eva instinctively looked her up and down. The top buttons of her blouse were undone and her long hair was tossed and fell loosely around her face. Suddenly, Eva understood the laughter. It was stereotypical, she knew. The stuff of magazines and movies. ‘High powered business giants with bodies like boulders shag stunning secretaries regularly to make themselves feel good. The secretaries go with the motions, thinking they’ll tame him, they’ll be the one. But he’s using them, until the next younger model comes along.’ Eva wished so much that someone wanted to use her like that. Of course, her feminist side instantly rebelled against the fantasy, and she scolded herself for entertaining the thought, even for a moment.
‘He’ll see you now,’ the secretary said walking around to stand behind the desk.
Eva didn’t reply. She just nodded shyly.
‘Oh don’t do that,’ the secretary warned.
‘Do what?’
‘He hates people who don’t talk, you know, unsure types. Just be confident. Be yourself.’
Eva felt a little vomit burn its way up her throat.
‘What am I saying? You don’t need my advice,’ the secretary said. ‘He wouldn’t have called you up here if he didn’t already know how good you are.’
‘Good?’
‘At your job. He doesn’t see people. He never sees people. ‘
He sees you, Eva thought.
‘It’s okay, go on in. He won’t bite, unless you want him to.’ The secretary winked.
Eva shuffled awkwardly on the spot for a moment before pulling her cardigan across her chest and walking slowly toward the door.
She knocked three times. She wasn’t sure why she felt the need to knock so many times. Once just didn’t feel enough. No one answered. She looked back at the secretary, but she was on the phone and Eva couldn’t catch her attention. She knocked again. The door slowly creaked open. It was unnervingly dark inside. Almost pitch, hard-to-see-your-hand-in-front-of-your-face dark. Eva struggled with her instinct telling her to turn back, but she counted slowly backwards from five and walked inside.
‘Close the door,’ a deep voice said, so softly, Eva had to strain to hear.
She did as she was told. The slam of the heavy door echoed in the still room. She squinted and tried to adjust to the dim lighting. Bookshelves lined all four walls. The carpet was soft beneath her feet, and she sank a little as she stood on the spot without moving.
‘Are you going to stand there all day?’ the voice said.
Eva’s eyes were gradually adjusting to the darkness. She could see shadows and shapes in the distance. A desk at the back of the room, perhaps. Someone was sitting there. Their back was turned. She wondered if he would stand up any moment and turn on the lights. She prepared herself.
Nothing happened.
‘So you are going to stay there, then?’
‘Hmm?’ Eva replied instantly, gritting her teeth at her pathetic response. She remembered the secretary’s advice. Speak up, she begged herself.
‘I…I…I.’
‘Oh I don’t have time for this. Goodbye.’
Eva couldn’t see but she could tell he was waving his hand to dismiss her.
‘You want me to leave?’
‘Isn’t that usually why people say Goodbye?’ the voice said.
‘S’pose.’
‘You suppose. I’ve invited you into my office, my private space, and all you can say is, suppose? Do you know how many people are begging for a moment of my time?’
Eva shook her head.
‘Do you?’
Damn it, she thought, remembering he couldn’t see her, turn on the bloody lights.
‘No, no I don’t.’
It was true, she didn’t know. How could she possibly? Yes she knew he was a multimillionaire. Some whiz-kid who made a fortune with graphics for computer games by the time he was in his late teens. A decade later and he was among the wealthiest business men in the world with an app for almost everything. Eva wouldn’t be surprised if her next marketing campaign was for an app that told you when to breathe in and out.
‘At least you’re honest. How refreshing,’ the voice said.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude…’
‘Stop.’ The voice suddenly became stern and even deeper.
‘Let’s not tarnish our first impressions of each other with a pathetic apology, that you don’t really mean, okay?’
What first impressions? Eva couldn’t see a thing. Maybe he was hideously ugly, or strangely short. Eva couldn’t see any other reason to lurk in the darkness. It was creepy.
‘Okay,’ Eva agreed, trying desperately not to sound intimidated.
‘Don’t ever apologise for you opinion. That’s weak. You’re not weak, are you?’
Eva hoped it was a rhetorical question. Any answer she gave would most definitely confirm she was exactly that. She nodded before remembering he couldn’t see her. She scanned the corners of the massive room for cameras. There didn’t seem to be any, but she couldn’t shake the feeling she was being watched.
‘Ms Andrews, are you weak?’
‘No. I am not.’ Eva rolled her eyes. Her accent was a little thicker than usual as she tried hard to be irrefutable.
‘Good girl. Come, sit.’
Eva walked toward the centre of the room where a single kitchen-style chair waited. There was a small, square table beside. A shiny, crystal glass of champagne rested on top with an inviting plate of strawberries to the side.
‘Taste it,’ he suggested.
Eva lifted the glass to her lips but stopped before she took a sip. Suddenly it felt like a test. Was he checking if she would drink on the job? If she drank it he might disapprove. And if she didn’t, she might insult him for the second time in ten minutes. Her head raced to meet the challenge. She tipped the glass a little more and then released her fingers from its slender stem. It dropped to the floor with a soft bang. A small crack ran along the side of the beautiful flute, and its contents lay spilled in a sparkling puddle around it.
The shadow at the end of the room stood up and turned towards her. ‘Are you okay?’
He sounded genuinely concerned. His voice was soft now, and inviting.
‘Yes, I’m fine. I’m so sorry about your carpet.’
‘You have to stop doing that. You can’t keep apologising for things that are out of your control, Ms Andrews. Unless, of course, it’s your way of telling me you spilled it on purpose.’
Eva realised that not much got past Mr Doe. She decided the best plan was to stay quiet. Irritating as that may be, it was probably better than apologising again, which was an instinct she couldn’t seem to control.
‘Okay, I think we’ve had enough excitement for today,’ he said dryly.
Eva felt her heart sink. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was expecting from ‘the call’ but whatever it was, this fell short.
‘Shelly has a box waiting for you in reception. I would appreciate if you brought it to the ball with you.’
‘Oh I’m sorry…’ Eva bit her lip before finishing. If she said sorry one more time, she would slap herself. ‘I am not going, sir. I sent an email to Mia earlier today explaining…’
‘I am aware of the email, Ms Andrews. Why do you think you are here?’
Eva’s jaw cracked as her mouth dropped open, and her hands flew to her face. Oh no, was he monitoring her emails? Of course; he was a computer wizard. He probably knew the personal conversations of every member of staff. Her whole body began to quiver as her conversation with Julian ran through her head. She imagined Mr Doe enjoyed a good laugh at her expense. No wonder he wouldn’t show his face. He probably couldn’t keep it straight. Christ, her discomfort had just been multiplied by a million. She eyed up the door behind her. She wanted to run.
‘The ball is mandatory. I don’t spend a considerable sum on an event that my staff may or may not turn up to depending on their mood. Do you understand?’
Eva’s body stiffened. For the first time since she entered the room, her knees stopped knocking and a flash of temper lit a fire in her belly. Of course she understood. How dare he imply she was stupid?
‘I understand.’
‘Good. I look forward to seeing you there in a couple of weeks. You may leave.’
Eva walked so quickly out of the room she almost stumbled over her own feet. She mumbled a barely audible goodbye and closed the door gently behind her. She was furious. Who the hell did he think he was? He may have more money than the national debt but that didn’t give him the right to tell her what to do. She leaned her back against the cold timber doors and shook her head. He was the boss. He had every right to tell her what to do. But this was outside her job spec. And way outside her comfort zone.
The secretary jumped up from behind her desk, almost spilling some of her tea on her pretty but impractically short skirt. ‘That was quick,’ she said.
‘Really? It seemed like ages.’
‘First time always does.’
‘It was a bit weird. He didn’t turn around the whole time,’ Eva complained.
‘Did you not know?’
‘Know what?’
‘When I said he doesn’t see people, I meant he really doesn’t see people. No one here actually knows what he looks like. I think it makes it easier. Never have to worry about whether or not I fancy him. Just get in, do it and get out. It’s just all part of the job.
Eva tried hard not to appear disgusted.
‘I’m Shelly, by the way,’ the secretary said, extending her hand.
‘Eva.’
Eva shook Shelly’s hand, hoping that she had washed it since returning from Mr Doe’s office. She felt a little grossed out thinking about where that hand may have been moments earlier.
‘I know,’ Shelly said. ‘We met yesterday in the boardroom.’
Eva’s nose twitched.
‘Yeah, I’m the weirdo who randomly told you about my grandmother.’
Eva giggled.
‘Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to get you into Mia’s bad books.’
‘Think I was already there,’ Eva sighed.
‘We’ve all been there, don’t worry. Mia doesn’t like anyone who poses a threat.’
Eva tossed an eyebrow. She couldn’t see how she was possibly a threat to the most stunning women in the company.
‘So, New Jersey then? Jesus, why would you want to leave to come to
this miserable place? Did no one warn you about the rain?’ Shelly joked.
Eva shrugged her shoulders and smiled, if only Shelly knew. She tilted her head towards the window where the sun was shinny high in the cloudless sky. ‘Seems okay to me.’
‘That’s the spirit, Jersey girl.’
Good Lord Shelly could talk, but she could also smile with her eyes, and Eva liked her for both.
‘I’m sure I’ll be seeing plenty of you up here now that Mr Doe has discovered you.’
Eva shuddered a little. She wasn’t sure she was ready to be discovered, especially when she wasn’t too sure what it meant.
‘Don’t look so worried. It’s good for your career.’
Eva wrinkled her nose.
‘He’ll get bored soon. You won’t be stuck coming up here forever.‘
‘I…I didn’t do anything. I swear,’ Eva said, suddenly becoming very concerned that Shelly might feel threatened.
‘Sure. Yeah sure.’ Shelly placed her finger over her lip and raised her eyebrows quickly. ‘Me neither.’
‘Oh I’m not judging who you make love with,’ Eva quickly explained.
Shelly laughed loudly. It wasn’t the flirty giggle Eva had heard early. It was a real hearty chuckle.
‘Making love? Seriously? What is this, nineteen sixty-three?’
Eva blushed. ‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to imply…’
‘You should see your face.’
Eva blushed so much now, her cheeks stung.
‘Course I’m fucking him. Who wouldn’t?’
Rules of Harte (Harte Series #1) Page 2