by Iona Rose
“No, but I don’t want to owe him. That’s unprofessional. He already pays me a salary at work and now, he also has to pay for my sister’s personal bills?”
She sighs as she settles a hard look at me. “From what I’ve heard so far, he doesn’t seem like the kind to act so kindly. Is there something else going on between you two?
I try to feign surprise at her mere mention of our possible underlying relationship, but she doesn’t fall for my drama. Her gaze narrows until I’m forced to turn away, almost amused.
“Blair.”
I immediately get up from her bed, but she catches my wrist. I struggle to break her hold but at the slight wince of pain she releases, I turn around in alarm. “Are you all right?”
Her eyes are shut as she recovers, but then what follows is a slow and mischievous reveal of her perfect pearly whites. “You can’t refuse me, especially when I’m in this state.”
“Wow!” This antic, I’m most definitely not falling for, so I pry her hold open as gently as I can. “Layne!”
“C’mon,” she coaxes, and pulls me back.
I plop down beside her on the bed to reluctantly meet her gaze, but then the warmth seeping out from it encourages me to discuss the situation between Grady and me with her. “He asked for a casual relationship.”
And just like that, all of the light from her eyes vanishes. It would have been thoroughly amusing if it didn’t feel so tragic.
“He just wants to sleep with you?”
“Well, hearing it like that doesn’t make me feel very valuable.”
“Fuck him,” she erupts, her voice still a little breathy and strained.
I can’t resist making a joke out of her choice of words. “Uh, I don’t think that’s what you actually want me to do.”
It takes a moment for her to realize what I’m saying, and when she does her frown only deepens. “What was your response?” At my silence, her eyes widen in alarm. “You didn’t agree to it did you?”
“Of course not. But, what would be wrong if I did though?”
She is dumbfounded as she stares at me. “So you mean you’re okay with him using your body but not committing to you?”
I shrug. “I’d be doing the same to him.”
“But you have feelings for him. And that’s what's going to end up giving you the short end of the stick.”
“What?” I exclaim. “Feelings?”
The look she gives me is almost sympathetic. “You haven’t even realized it, have you?”
“I don’t have feelings for him,” I argue.
“Sure,” she says sarcastically, and resettles her earlier agitated frame back onto the mattress.
“I’m serious,” I insist. “Why do you think that I do?”
“Because you speak and act like you do.”
“How?” I ask.
She begins to shut her eyes.
I lean forward to grab her shoulders. I shake her lightly and it forces her to open her eyes.
“You just do,” she groans. “Don’t you want him to feel the same way?”
“Stop saying that,” I complain. “You’re going to make things complicated.”
“They already are, Blair,” she says.
I glare at her and she glares back. Then I rise to my feet. “Isn’t it time for them to send you back home?”
“I need a final checkup from Doctor Kelly to be sure that everything is okay,” she reminds me.
“Right.”
“Blair,” she calls softly. “Don’t you think that things can work out between the two of you?”
My nerves tighten. “Layne, we work together and if you keep hammering on this, it’s going to affect my performance.”
“Because you like him.”
“No,” I almost scream out. “Layne! Stop!”
“My bad,” she concedes.
I give her a harsh look and head out to inquire on the details of her discharge.
However as I go along, I can’t help thinking about her words concerning Grady. I would be lying to myself if I say that I have never thought along these lines, but occasionally having a thought about something and voicing it out loud are two very different things.
Now that it’s been plainly stated, things feel a little more established and it agitates the hell out of me.
With a sigh, I focus on requesting for updated details of Layne’s condition and discharge, then try my best to push him out of my mind.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Grady
“How about we have lunch at the cafeteria today?” I ask over the phone.
The other end of the line goes completely silent.
I tap a pen on the table and at his continued lack of a response, the tapping pace goes even faster. “Hello?” I call. “Why aren’t you speaking?”
Allen clears his throat. “Um, I always get my lunch from the cafeteria. That’s nothing out of the ordinary but you... have you even been there before? If you just show up, you'll give people quite the scare and unless you’re going there to fire someone or for some administrative meeting then please just head outside to eat your usually overpriced lunch or get Blair to handle a delivery for you.
My sigh is heavy at his teasing. “There’s only thirty minutes left for lunch. I’ll be in your office in five minutes.” I rise to my feet and consider putting on my suit jacket. But I wonder if perhaps the extremely formal look will further make me seem unapproachable. So after a bit more consideration, I let it go and also leave my folded sleeves as they are. Soon, I step through my door, and just as I expect, she’s not at her desk but it also stops me for a moment to reconsider my intention to have my lunch in the cafeteria today. I eventually decide against it but just as I turn to return to my office, the door to my reception is pushed open.
Allen appears in his fully suited attire, with a bright smile on his face. “You said you’d be at my office in five minutes. This is ten minutes after.”
“I changed my mind,” I reply. “I think I’ll just order something in.”
“No,” he says and turns around to head out. “You need to eat with the peasants that you milk daily for your company’s progress. And that includes me.”
I frown at his use of the word ‘peasants.’ “Do you usually eat at the cafeteria?”
“Of course. They make the best pecan dumplings I’ve ever had. Even Meredith forces me to bring some over to the house for her.”
We soon arrive at the elevator to wait for its arrival, but when I look over at him, there’s a massive smile on his face that makes me uncomfortable. “What are you so happy about?”
“It’s been about two years since we last had lunch together.”
I’m a bit taken aback by the statement. “Didn’t we have a lunch meeting with CMNDi two months ago?”
“That’s a business meeting,” he says. “This is different, and I want to know what’s prompting it.”
I turn away from his excited face because there is no way in hell that I’m going to admit anything to him. I don’t even dare admit it to myself so the moment the elevator arrives, I step into it without a word.
“It’s a good thing we’re having lunch together. I was going to come over to notify you of something.”
“What is it?” I ask.
“Meredith,” he begins. “She’s having twins.”
I turn to him in surprise. It wasn't that long ago that he was adamant about not wanting anymore kids but now, he’s expecting twins?! The almost cruel turn of events is incredibly amusing to me, so much so that I laugh out loud at how forlorn he looks. “Why do you look like that?” I ask. “Isn’t this celebratory news?”
“You know why my face is like this. She won. Women control everything, man. From now on, I won’t even bother voicing an opinion because I’ve realized that there is a noose around my neck and that she is the one that decides where we should go and what should happen.”
“You’re happy about this,” I say. “Sure, you weren’t necessarily ex
pecting it right now, but even your dad has mentioned how much you love kids and wanted a big family, especially since you were an only child.”
“You’re right.” He smiles. “I’m just a bit edgy because when I asked her how all of this even happened, she acted like she didn't know what I was talking about. The woman is more meticulous than even you are and if she didn’t want a baby, she wouldn't have gotten pregnant.”
“True, but it’s definitely not her fault that she’s now pregnant with twins. That’s on you.”
“No arguments there,” he agrees.
I shake my head in amusement at the interesting but yet endearing relationship that he has with his wife.
Our elevator soon arrives on the ground floor and as it pulls open, we meet a handful of employees waiting for it. They immediately recognize Allen but it takes a few more seconds for my face to register and when it does, I don’t miss the shock in their eyes. Resonant and excitable greetings immediately follow and I don’t blame them. Except in company gatherings, it is usually rare that they come into contact with me. Their bosses report directly to me and I come in earlier than most of them. I also probably leave later than most of them too, so there are very few chances to run into me.
“Wow,” Allen exclaims as we walk away from the surprised group. “You're like a celebrity. One would think that you didn’t even work in this building.”
He’s amused at this but I’m now all the more worried about going to the cafeteria because if I show up there, wouldn’t it make Blair uncomfortable?
“Anyway,” Allen says. “I want to give you a heads up that I’ll be taking about a week off at the end of next week.
Rest assured that I’ll still be productive enough at home. I’ll handle my workload and ensure that my presence is not missed.”
“Aren’t you meant to be helping Meredith?” I ask. “She’s going to give me a call if she finds that you’re still working when you’re meant to be helping her.”
“Well if she does, then tell her that I need work to keep me sane.”
“Alright, that is exactly what I’m going to say.”
We arrive at the cafeteria then and walk into the massive air conditioned space.
“I’m kidding,” he says. “If she calls you to complain, don’t ever tell her I said that.”
“I’m going to,” I remain adamant as my gaze takes in the room. Employees are sitting together in clusters at different tables and in the middle of the hall is the huge buffet.
The heads that turn towards us gradually begin to increase and maybe, it’s just my imagination but it also seems as though the room has become significantly quieter.
Allen leads the way to a pile of clean plates.
I walk with him. “How are the meals in general?” I ask. “You’ve only spoken about the dumplings.”
“The meals are great and it better be given the millions I release to Culinary at the end of each month.”
I turn to him with a frown. “Millions?”
“I’m exaggerating.” He grins. “It’s thousands. Mere thousands.”
I give him a suspicious look as he hands me a tray and I proceed to fill it up with a flat plate and bowl. Then we join the line but those who have recognized us immediately step out of it, so that we can go right ahead to the buffet. It brings it all to attention, especially as about a dozen people are now displaced and standing out of what was a straight and civil line mere seconds earlier.
“Thank you,” Allen accepts the gesture.
I have no choice but to walk with him as we head straight up to the buffet.
I receive countless greetings from the serving staff which I am quite happy to respond to. I even begin to strike up a conversation with one of the bubbly ladies that I recall personally interviewing for the position almost a decade earlier when we were just starting out.
But then in no time, the executives come running out with an entourage of about four suited staff with them. I recognize the leader Aaron and his deputy Marisa who are the duo that run the department.
“Sirs, Mr Abbott. Mr Canter.” They welcome us excitedly.
I had held the small hope that we would be left alone but I can see now that until we take our seats, it will probably be impossible.
“Sir,” Aaron speaks. “We have a private room for you and Mr. Canter. You also don’t need to get your food from here. Just come with me and I’ll ensure that you’re properly served.”
“This is fine,” I reply but when I see that he’s about to argue and insist, I immediately give a clear directive, “Please leave. Mr. Canter and I just want to have a quick meal together before our next meeting. And there’s no need to treat us with something special since I’ve heard that the meals in general are great. So if it’s good enough for the staff, it should be good enough for me too, right?”
“Y-yes sir,” he replies.
I turn my attention away.
They soon retreat but then Aaron refuses to leave our side, choosing instead to remain by us with a nervous smile on his face.
“It sure is great to own and run a company,” Allen says. “I come here several times a week and they don’t give me half as much attention.”
“You’re familiar to them,” I say and pick up my tray of served dishes. A plate of squid ink rice, diver scallop and maitake mushrooms, some chicken salad and a bowl of leek soup. It does look quite appetizing so I am eager to get into it.
We pick up our trays and, for the first time, I allow my eyes to scan the room for a table. Her table.
I soon spot her, but her back is facing us.
“Sir, we’ve readied a table for you,” Aaron says, his hand gesturing towards my right.
“No, thank you,” I respond. “We already have a place to sit.” I then turn to Allen to see the surprise on his face
“We do?”
“Over there,” I say.
His eyes follow the direction I’m nudging towards. “Oh,” he says. “Blair.” And then he sighs. “She’s still sitting by herself.”
“She always sits alone?” I ask.
“That’s how I always meet her. She doesn’t have many opportunities to interact with other staff anyway. Her position only puts her in contact with you and senior management.”
We begin to walk over as I listen to Allen, and I know that she doesn't realize we’re approaching. Her back is to us so when we arrive and Allen pulls out the chair by her side, she is startled. And then her eyes nearly pop out of her socket as I take the seat right in front of her, and focus on arranging my tray on the table while Allen is already chatting her up.
“Hello, sir,” she greets me.
My gaze finally meets hers. I haven’t had the chance to speak to her since the start of the day as early meetings outside the office kept me away till 11 AM. Upon my return, it had been with a guest, so all of those had kept me preoccupied until now. “How are you?” I ask and she nods shyly in response.
Allen is watching us, so the moment she lowers her gaze from mine, I do the same.
“Sir?” Allen asks. “I expected that you both would be a bit more casual with each other by now. Mark calls me by my name.”
“He’s two decades older than you,” I point out but then my nerves tighten. My words imply that because Blair is younger then she shouldn’t address me so informally but this is not my reasoning at all.
“Fair point,” Allen says.
“And besides, I’ve told Blair to call me by my first name but she still refuses to. There’s not much I can do about that.”
* * *
Allen smiles. “I suspected as much.” He’s dabbing some hot sauce into his Pho broth when he realizes that he’s forgotten to bring a pair of chopsticks with him. “Damn it,” he says and rises to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Blair
I have become quite intimately acquainted with Grady for a little while now, but in this moment I can feel the beads of sweat beginning t
o gather across my forehead. I can also feel the gazes of certainly everyone in the cafeteria on us. For one, I have heard that it’s rare for the CEO to visit the cafeteria and since I’ve been working with him I’ve rarely seen him even eat lunch.
I have offered to handle this for him, but he has always refused with his reason being his lack of preference for eating lunch except when he has lunch meetings with his clients outside the office.
But now, he’s right before me and although I realize that no one will think too deeply about why the two topmost executives of the company are sitting with me since I am one’s secretary, it does nothing to dispel the self-consciousness and anxiety that I feel.
“How’s your sister?” he asks as he slides his fork into his squid ink rice.
“She’s doing great,” is my response. “I spent yesterday taking care of her, so she has fully recovered. Thank you again, for being so lenient with me.”
He isn’t looking at me as he eats and I’m perfectly okay with it. Although, I’m unable to stop my heart from melting in my chest as I watch him. His motions are unhurried and calm, his lashes fluttering softly and his shoulders encased in a crisp white shirt that brings memories to mind of just how appealing his skin looks without the clothes.
Sometimes it’s almost impossible to believe how far that I have gone with this man.
He suddenly looks up and before I can move my gaze away, he catches me staring. I freeze for a moment but then thankfully, a comment comes to mind. “Thank you for getting us a private room. I wanted to say this to you in the office but you haven’t been available all morning.”
“It’s okay,” he says and returns his attention to his food.
I look at his crisp dark hair, neat and swept away from his face, then at his clean shaven face and sharp jawline. Then I take in his familiar addictive scent. I want him, right now and so badly that it’s almost too painful to breathe or to sit comfortably for that matter, given the pulsing bud between my legs. “I’ll pay you back,” I say.