Chapter 13

Ilana stared at the messenger for a lot longer than was acceptable.

“Miss?” 

She blinked, her mind drifting back to the present.

“Sorry. I… I completely zoned out. What were you saying?”

He looked offended but quickly shrugged it off.

“Mr. Meyer has asked for you.”

“Mr. Adam?” she asked even though she already knew the answer, biting on her lower lip to stop the smile from spreading.

“Mr. Calix Meyer.”

She wondered why she wasn;t paying attention the first time. This was the kind of thing she’d been waiting for.

She nodded, getting up from her desk and following the messenger towards Calix’s office.

He dropped her off at the door before disappearing into the crowd. She pulled in a breath and knocked. She had to be careful of her words in front of Calix. The sooner the job got done, the better.

She wasn't here to enjoy his company.

“Come in,” his gruff voice replied.

She walked in and he looked up, that breathtaking smile on his face. She felt her heartbeat pick up the pace. 

“You called?” She asked innocently.

“I did. Close the door.”

She glanced over her shoulder unsurely and swallowed back a wince as pain shot through her arm. She’d rested only a day after the last job before coming back here and the wound hasn’t healed properly. 

Vincent had forbade her from going back so soon but Helene had insisted that it was positive she completed the Meyers job as soon as possible so here she was, back in the office with a bandage wrapped around her shoulder under her shirt.

She closed the door quickly and rearranged her features back into the partially intrigued look.

“Are you sure this is okay?” She asked, lingering on the spot.

She didn't want to sit. It would put too much distance between them. And if she wanted him to talk, she would have to keep the distance to a minimum.

“I've just called an employee in for a private meeting. There's nothing wrong with that.”

She hummed in response, allowing her a moment to observe him. His office look wasn't professional in any way. 

His hair was a mess, falling over his forehead haphazardly and he wore something unique and very un-businessmen like every day.

Today he wore a little blue chino with a white collared shirt peeking from underneath it.

“Sit down, Mirage,” he said, making no effort to reduce the distance between them.

“If your father finds out about this, I can get fired,” she stated, sitting down anyways.

He smirked. “Nothing is happening here. Why would he fire you?”

“He’s the boss,” she began in a soft whisper, her elbows on his desk and her face resting in her palms as she leaned forward. “And something can happen.”

He mirrored her actions. “He doesn't need to know anything that might or might not happen here.”

“Might or might not,” she repeated his words softly, a thrill passing through her nerves.

“Do you want something to happen?” he asked.

“You called me in. You answer that. What do you want, boss?” She asked and he got up from his chair and walked towards her.

She held her breath as he placed his hands on either side of her chair, trapping her in.

“Everything you have to offer,” he breathed and he was close enough that she tasted his words as they brushed over her lips.

“You wanted to see how long before I came back here,” she whispered, moving closer, their lips just inches apart. “But you gave up before me. You lost.”

His thumb caressed her jaw, drawing soft circles against her skin. “What can I say, I'm not very patient. Yes or no?”

“Yes,” she breathed and then his lips were on hers.

He was soft and welcoming and he tasted of coffee and caramel and their lips moved together with a desperate need.

He grabbed the back of her neck, pushing her further into him and she allowed her fingers to weave through the curls at the nape of his neck.

The kiss lasted seconds before a knock interrupted them. Ilana pulled back, looking at him with wide horrified eyes.

He smirked back, calm and composed as if he hadn't almost been sitting on her lap a second ago.

He turned her chair so that it was back in its original position, with her back to the door.

She ran her fingers through her hair and straightened her shirt. She licked her lips,  pressing them together and tried not to look guilty as he opened the door.

“Daniel, hi. Can I help you?” He asked but she didn't turn around.

“You're still here? I thought you would have left by now,” Daniel replied, walking into the office and she glanced at him.

He was already staring with a crease between his eyebrows 

“I had some work to wrap up,” Calix replied.

“What's she doing here?” He asked in an exaggerated whisper.

Ilana rolled her eyes.

“I had a meeting with her.”

“She's a newbie. What can you possibly want with her?” Daniel shot back, pretending to keep his voice down but she knew he wanted her to hear.

Calix didn't look the least bit bothered by his lie being caught.

“Not a work meeting. She and I have a mutual friend so I called her in for a chat. Are you done interrogating now?” He asked and Ilana noticed how his voice turned harder and harsher.

It reminded her of that meeting with his father.

Daniel blinked, looking flustered. “Yes, of course. I was just curious. Sorry.”

Calix turned to her and she suddenly realized that he didn't know her name.

“Hi, Daniel. I've heard about you a lot from Calix,” she began and her eyes drifted to Calix, standing a little behind Daniel. “I'm Rosie. Rosie Mason.”

Calix smirked at her. Daniel nodded solemnly.

“Nice to meet you, Rosie.”

“Okay, then. I'll leave you both to it,” she said, walking towards the door.

“Hey, Rosie,” Daniel called, stopping her midway. “What are you doing on Saturday?”

“Err… nothing?”

“Great. We're having a party. Just some colleagues. Newtown bar. Nine p.m. You can bring a plus one if you like.”

She blinked, not at all expecting that. 

“Yeah, sure. I mean, why not?” She shrugged. Calix raised an eyebrow at her, now back in his seat, Daniel's back to him.

Ilana ignored him.

“Great. See you there,” Daniel said and Ilana nodded before walking out.