Eight

“What fuck Scar, what are you trying to pull?!”

I pull the phone away from my ear, caught unawares by Ryan’s loud voice. My eyes go to my driver in front, looking at him through the rare view mirror before putting the phone on loudspeaker.

“Don’t call me up cussing,” I warn in a low tone.

“Having meetings with Jeremy, what’s that?!” He still maintains his tone.

This is because he knows only he can do this and I will still be on call, answering him.

“Exactly what you think it is,” I say, not trying to explain myself. He should know when he comes with that tone that he’s not getting anything from me.

“Poaching our clients for your company, that’s really low.”  

“I am not pouching any clients that I didn’t initially bring into that company, accounts that I didn’t oversee. I’m just taking what’s mine.”

“What’s yours is our family’s company, which will die if you keep doing what you are doing.”

“That company isn’t ours. It. It's mum's company. She made it abundantly clear when she gave that position to a stranger. She wanted to prove to me she was in charge and I get it. Message received.”

“Oh, don’t be a hypocrite. We both know you are still doing this to get her approval.”

I laugh bitterly. “Says the guy who’s playing the role of her puppet,”

“You know they don’t fucking know you're worth there. Briggs just gave you the job to piss mum off. So yeah, I am the puppet, but you are the pawn.”

“Oh, fuck off!”

“You fuck off,” he cusses.

We both go quiet. This is something we usually do when we know our fight is about to escalate. The one good thing our dad taught us growing up.

“You don’t want to go down this road with Mum and you know this. So please stop this and come home.” Ryan finally speaks in a much lower tone.

“Come stay with me. I don’t buy that big house to live alone.” I counter-offer.

He says nothing for a while. I can feel hope rising in my chest just because he’s thinking about it.

“I can’t stay in New York. It doesn’t fit my aesthetic.” He finally says.

I sigh in defeat. “Do whatever you want. And by the way, tell mum the next time she wants to threaten me, she should do it herself.” I hang up.

My eyes move to the window, making me realize we have stopped in front of the building of the company for a while now.

I look up at the tall building, one among the hundreds of other tall buildings that contribute to the city’s beautiful architecture. But this tall building is unique. It has her in it.

The thought of her already lightens the mood that Ryan tried to spoil.

Audrey, a name that has gotten stuck in my head since the first day I heard it. I want to know her, really know her.

I unlock my phone and, after a few clicks, I make a phone call before I can stop myself.

“Hello, madam?” I hear her soft voice, which sends a nervous wave through my body.

Oh, Audrey,

Madam? I don’t like that. I want to hear my name in that angelic voice. It will sound like pure sin to me.

But then I need to maintain professionalism because I am her boss.

Earlier this week, I wanted to blur that line when I saw her in that tiny black dress. I had to maintain my cool, which I did by being distant and focusing on work.

“Come downstairs, we got somewhere to be.” I try to sound authoritative but my words are butter.

Audrey, what are you doing to me?

~~~~   

“Four shots,” I signal to the server from the corner of the bar.

“This is not a work meeting, is it?” She asks, adjusting herself on the barstool, with an amused look on her face.

I like her amused look.

“It’s better than a work meeting.” I smile.

The server drops the shots in front of me. “Here you go madam,”

“Keep them coming,” I say.

I turn to Audrey and her eyes are elsewhere, scanning the place in awe.

I like when she’s in awe.

“This place is amazing.” She says in appreciation.

The place is alright -it’s unlike the place I hang out in Chicago- but she somehow makes it look splendid.

She finally looks at the shots before us. “Isn’t it too early to drink?”

Her eyes move up to me, with worry clear on her face.

I like her concern for me.

“It’s the best time to drink.” I tuck my hair behind my ears with a big smile to show her I am alright. This is just a lame attempt to get to know her.

When they are drunk, people talk.

She sighs. “I need a drink or two as well.” She says, taking the glass and with one swift move she empties the alcohol in the glass.

Damn, Audrey.

Now I am the one in awe. Thought I would have to convince her to loosen up, but I was wrong.

I like that she’s getting comfortable with me.

“Your turn,” she smiles sheepishly, trying to hide her face in her beautiful curls.

Our eyes lock, and my lips curve into a smile. I maintain eye contact as I take the glass of alcohol and gulp, then I take another one.

“Your turn,” I tease.

~~~~~

“Why are we drinking?” She laughs.

I love it when she’s free with me.

“Well, my brother is an ass. They have hired me to piss my mother off, so technically, I need to prove myself. Thought the days of proving myself were over.”

“I don’t think you need to prove yourself. I mean, you have been here for less than a week and you’ve done more than Mr Briggs ever did, and believe me, I would know.”

I love she said that.

“Thank you,” I say in a low voice. “So why are we drinking?” I ask her.

“Well, my sister hates me.” She smiles sadly, taking another shot swiftly.

“How could anyone hate you?”  

She smiles, “Well, she does. And she has every right to.”

She pushes her hair out of her face. I have been studying those curly strands of hair for a while and I have been wanting to tuck them behind her ears slowly and stare in her pretty brown eyes. 

“Well, she does, and it’s within reason.” She sighs. “I left home after high school-ran away actually and left her with my parents. It cannot be easy being left with them.”

I never imagined Audrey as a risk taker.

I love it.  

“I am sure you had your reasons.”

She shakes her head slowly. “I still shouldn’t have left her. And she’s coming this weekend and everything is to be perfect and hopefully, I get the chance to apologize.”

“She is your sister. She will come around.” I say with an assuring smile on my face.

She smiles back. “You say your brother is an ass?”

I love that she’s curious about me too.

“Yeah, my twin. He’s usually not an ass to me. He is to everyone else, the same goes for me but my mum is getting to his head.” I breathe out angrily, just at the thought of her judgmental face and questioning look. “She wants to be back in the company. Guess she’s not done fucking me over yet.”

“Maybe she needs you,” Audrey says innocently.

Oh, Audrey.

If we ever get together, I will keep you as far away from her manipulation as possible.

“Mum doesn’t need anyone. She has made that abundantly clear over the years.” I reply bitterly.

~~~~~

“So tell me, Audrey, what will you be doing if you weren’t here as my assistant?” I ask, sipping my water from a straw.

We moved to water to avoid getting tipsy. I don’t want us drunk. I want to remember every moment of this, our conversation.

I am already too stingy with our memories.

She seems taken aback by my question as she is silent for a while now, deep thoughts written in the lines on the forehead of her fragile face.

No, no. I didn’t mean to change her mood. I want our light-hearted conversation back.

“I have always wanted to become a writer.” She starts. “Funny enough, I haven’t written a word.” She laughs bitterly. “I haven’t written a word.” She says again, lost in thought.

I want to touch her and tell her it’s perfectly normal not to be doing what you thought you will be doing.  

“You just need inspiration. Lucky for you, I am a walking inspiration.” I say light-heartedly.

Her eyes meet mine, and my breath seizes. “I don’t doubt.” She says.