Chapter 4

I didn’t even bother knocking.

I slammed open the glass door to Julian Salvatore’s office with the fury of a goddess, the folder clenched in my hand .

He was standing by the bar in the corner of his office, pouring something that looked far too strong for ten a.m. probably whiskey. The man turned his head lazily, that same infuriatingly calm expression on his face.

“Miss Eva,” he said, as if he’d been expecting me. “To what do I owe this abrupt appearance?”

I marched in, slamming the folder on the bar in front of his face“I read your contract.”

“Ah,” he said, taking a sip from his glass. “And?”

“And?” I echoed, throwing the folder onto the nearest table. “And what the actual hell, Salvatore? ‘No red pens’? Weekend breaks? A drive of thirtyminutes for a lukewarm Americano?”

He raised an eyebrow, walked over to his desk, and leaned against it, watching me like I was the most amusing thing he’d seen all day.

“First of all its Mr Salvatore and are you saying you find the terms unreasonable?”

“I’m saying I find them insane!” I said, breathing hard. “You want an assistant or a barista-slash-emotional support dog?!”

Julian took another calm sip of his drink. “You forgot ‘efficient.’”

I blinked at him. Once. Twice. “Are you being serious right now”

He smiled, slow and maddening. “Just making sure you’re as ‘competent’ as your file claims.”

“Oh, I’m competent,” I snapped. “And I WILL show you.”I said glaring 

He tilted his head his eyes darkening 

“Let’s get one thing straight Eva “he stood looking at me straight in the eyes I had to crane my head up to match his fierce gaze 

“I can just cancel this contract with your company because of this attitude,you are forgetting one thing “he said his dark eyes flashing 

“I’m the boss and I CAN make you do anything I want “

I didn’t back down, not even when the air thickened with tension.

“You can make me do my job, Salvatore,” I said, voice low and even. “But you can’t make me respect you.”

For a split second, something flickered in his eyes surprise? Annoyance? Amusement? I didn’t care.

I turned on my heel and walked toward the door, pausing only once.

“Oh, and next time you want an emotional support dog, try the shelter cause I bite back.”

*

*

“I hate him,” I grumbled, biting into my chicken. Kam and Matt had dragged me out to dinner some cozy Chinese place not too far from the office and the food, admittedly, was amazing.

Matt laughed. “You’ll survive. As always.”

“But seriously who removes ice from an iced Americano?” Kam said, appalled. “That’s psychopathic behavior. Good thing he’s handsome, though. At least you’ve got eye candy at your disposal.”

“Don’t forget the car and the house,” Matt added.

“That’s not the point, guys! He’s annoying, rude, and he’s got that bitchy secretary who hates my guts. I think she likes Mr. Salvatore. You need to hear her voice whenever he calls her it goes all high-pitched and squeaky,l. And don’t get me started on how she nearly puts her boobs in his face.”

“Don’t worry about it, Eva,” Matt said, patting my shoulder. “Maybe he’s just like that with new people. I’m sure he’ll warm up to you.”

I snorted. “Warm up? Unlikely.”

Kam clapped her hands suddenly. “Okay! Now that that’s out of the way rock, paper, scissors to see who pays for dinner?”

“Hey! No fair, I didn’t even want to come—” I started, but Kam was already calling it.

“Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!”

“Nooooooo!” Kam whined as Matt and I high-fived we’d both gone rock while she threw out scissors.

“Pay up, Kammy,” Matt mocked .

I laughed as Kam grumbled, pulling out her card and trudging to the counter to pay.

After hugging them both goodbye, I slipped into a cab headed home. My new apartment wouldn’t be ready until the weekend . I sighed and leaned back, pulling out my tablet.

After checking Mr Salvatore’s schedule and noting the time I opened the document I’d drafted earlier, already narrowing down potential marketing firms for the campaign. I’d spoken to a few reps during the day and promised to follow up tonight. 

“It’s going to be a long night,” I muttered, already dialing in to schedule the first meeting.