Hi guys, the steamy parts are starting this chapter.
I shut the wooden door behind me. Careful to not cause any noise. I walk past the dark living room and dirty kitchen and head straight to my room. I hang my jacket carefully on the hook beside my door. Lining up my shoes under it, I rearrange the order. Place some stray shoes in their proper place. Mom must have borrowed a pair. I take my socks and carefully place them in my clothes hamper. I take my jeans and blouse off and fold them, piling them on top of my dirty clothes from the other day. I need to do laundry soon. I plop down my old chair. Grab a pen and add soap to my list of things to buy at the grocery store. Hand washing everything is time-consuming but I honestly don’t have a choice. I’m counting down the days until I receive my first pay from Cane Industries but I doubt buying a new washing machine is on top of my priority list. Maybe a repair? I added it to the list. I’m getting lightheaded. The food I bring for lunch at the office just isn’t enough. I’ve finally set as
I was wrong. The fight last night didn’t end with just Augustus walking away. Of course, just when you think you’re safe, that’s when shit really happens. Round 2 wasn’t just shouting and threats, by the end of it Mom managed to barricade herself inside her room and we were both sporting fresh bruises. Make-up is expensive so I’m being stingy about the amount of foundation I can put in order to cover up my face. This single tube I found at a gas station nearby is a godsend but it’s running out. I quickly chuck it inside my drawers when the elevator dings. A bruise on the cheek is easy enough to mask but a split lip is harder to hide. I bow my head when Mr. Cane walks down the corridor. In the corner of my eye, I could see him sauntering over. He really is meant to be on a runway or at least in a studio making commercials or a film. Maybe he can be a leading man type? Hmm.. maybe an action star? He looks like he works out. He’s got this lean but muscular figure. No, no.. he’s more
Austin I am fuming. Who the fuck does Tommy think he is? He can't just do shit like that. I should have fired him right then and there. He's lucky that he's so valuable in the company and punching him would mean there's a possibility I'd damage my hands. These babies are my money-makers. Engineers don't craft everything with just our minds. I don't care if he's the resident Lothario in Cane Industries but he does not step a toe out of line where I'm concerned. He's one of the few that I can tolerate in the company and yes, he's like a friend to me but my assistants are off-limits. Well, I didn't care when he would hit up the ones before, but that's because they weren't important. I mean, they weren't in the middle of a task. He wasn't interrupting their work. They weren't on the clock. And I rarely saw him talking to the new ones, or rather I just didn't give a fuck. But this time it's different. I don't know when I noticed that particular dark wavy hair standing there in that
Austin “...so glad to be your partner. Congratulations to us all and thank you.” Althea finishes her speech. I extend my hand as she steps off the stage, helping her navigate through the crowd. She loops her hand through my arm as I guide her. She whispers in my ear, “Are you sure it’s just business?” I look at her face, trying to decipher what she means. “She’s looking at you as much as you’re looking at her,” she leans over once more. I don’t play coy. I zoom in on the marketing table. Sure enough, new girl’s eyes are on us. Althea grips my arm closer to her body. She takes a peak at the table. “With the amount of attention we’re giving them over there, I’m sure she means more to you than what you’re telling me.” “No.” She laughs at my immaturity. “You don’t realize it yet, I see.” “Don’t make assumptions.” I pulled up her seat for her. “Thanks. I’m sure she’ll love how gentlemanly you are to another girl.” She smirks. “I’m sure she’s also loving the man-child hanging all
I am not having a great night. The panic started yesterday at lunch. First of all, I wasn’t aware that the launch party required formal attire. Second, I did not have anything of the sort. Do I look like someone who can whip up a gown out of their closet? When and in what capacity would I ever need something like that? Third, I cannot ever, even in my wildest dreams, afford a formal dress. I can barely afford my own lunch. “Girl, it’s a launch party. Of course, you’d need to look fabulous!” Charlie exclaims. “Even I would be forcing my body into something more decent than what I’m wearing now.” Rosie presents her plaid shirt. “They’re messing with you. It’s fine, you can just wear whatever.” Andrea slaps Rosie’s shoulder earning her a laugh. “Just your casual everyday business attire is alright, hon.” “Really? This is okay?” I point down to my jeans, vans, and long-sleeve blouse. “Well, I mean not that one, I guess.” Andrea backtracks. Tries her best not to insult my clothes.
The second helping of tiramisu, cream puffs, and cheesecake in front of me has finally lost its appeal. I will admit that gorging myself with sweets temporarily took my mind off my boss and his pretty companion. The arrays of cakes and pastries kept me in a sugar haze. I barely understood what Tommy and the girls were chatting about. I was in heaven. There was even a time I let Tommy feed me a piece of sugared apple. Which admittedly, no one has ever done. I don’t like people hand-feeding me, it’s creepy how an inanimate object is just thrust to your face like that without your control. I soon as I leaned back in my seat and let my food coma subside though, my eyes automatically shifted toward the happy couple up on the platform. Little Mermaid keeps on fixing Mr. Cane’s bow tie. Is it that messy? How can a piece of fabric barely two inches in height be so disheveled? I’ve never seen one piece of unruly hair on that man, let alone a crooked tie. Can she have a more valid excuse to
Austin It’s a good day. A really fantastic day, actually. Normally, I would have a love-hate relationship with Mondays but this time, I’m pretty okay with it. I stare at my reflection in my bathroom mirror. My arms don’t make me wince. I’m in such a good mood that I barely pay them any attention. I button up my long sleeves. No suit jacket today, I feel so light and calm. I make my way over to my massive granite kitchen. The coffee has finished brewing and I make myself a cup. I even try to add some milk to it. Just for a change. That was a mistake. I drain the liquid down the sink and make my usual black and strong cup. When all is right with the world once more, I take my liquid gold and head to my office downstairs. It’s fairly early but I’m still hyped up. Spending the weekend at your childhood crush’s place having a sex marathon can do that to you. I just feel like this is going to be a great week. I pass by my assistant’s little corner outside my door. She isn’t here yet
He's horrible. Mr. Cane is simply an awful man. There's no other way to say it. His mood started quite early in the morning and it didn't let up. I thought he was going to have a fistfight with Tommy. I don't know what crawled up his butt, but Tommy was just being nice. I saw him in the lobby on the way up and he wanted to chat. It's sweet of him to walk me over. The long corridor leading to Mr. Cane’s office can be creepy sometimes. I think there’s some tension between the two, they keep on butting heads every time they talk. I haven’t seen them get along. The others say Tommy’s one of the few friends Mr. Cane has in the office, but it doesn’t seem like he’s being a good friend whenever they see each other. I think it confirms that he really must be an unpleasant guy. With the way he snipes and sometimes outright threatens his friend, it’s kinda hard to believe there’s something good left in him. From that encounter, it just got worse. He was so damn moody in the car, I didn’t w