A long night

Chapter 4

A long night

Peter

When I get home, I'm tired from work, but thoughtful and determined to find out what that girl needs that my office can't give her.

I lie down on my bed and pick up my cell phone to search the internet for Allyson Mitchell's social networks. When I do, I see normal photos, even some of her in a bikini on a beach. I don't see a boyfriend in any of the photos.

Maybe she's hiding him? Maybe she doesn't.

I stay up late watching her photos and videos, thinking that I wish she would get closer to me, after all, she is stunning.

As soon as I get to work in the morning, I know she's not there. I search my drawers for her file and find the information I need. Miss Mitchell works in the afternoons as an intern, because in the mornings she studies law at Yale. A busy life.

I find nothing more than her poor CV and a work photo.  I immediately ask that she be transferred. She'll be working for me directly, as my personal secretary. I want to get to know that girl in the pink lingerie better. I close my eyes as I take off my jacket to hang it on the chair. I remember perfectly her brown eyes, her waist-length brown hair, her slightly darker skin, like an Italian, and her curves. I wait anxiously for her to arrive, but I don't intend to explain her new position in the company.

"Lisa, can you come here?"

I ask over the phone, pressing just one button. She takes no time at all, because she knows how demanding I am.

"Yes, Mr. Fletcher?"

"Clear Miss Mitchell's desk and bring her work belongings to my office," I order.

She hesitates, looking at me confusedly. Yes, it really must be confusing not to know why your trainee coworker will have a better job than her.

"Sir, if you don't mind me asking, Miss Mitchell arrived recently and..."

"I mind you asking, Lisa"

She lowers her head. I know I'm harsh sometimes, but I prefer to keep things as they are. I don't want to take advantage of Mitchell's situation, but I do want to get to know her better. To know her character, her principles. After all, she attracted me too much and she's my chosen one, but I don't want her to know that so soon.

"Yes, sir, I'll arrange it," Lisa replies, striding out of my office.

I know she's upset, but I run my business. I don't intend to and can't justify my decision. It's not based on professionalism at the moment.

I work until lunchtime, knowing that Mitchell will arrive at any moment. I look at the clock every five minutes until lunchtime.

When she finally appears in the doorway, I huff in the back of my throat to myself and pretend not to care. Active 2: Until she receives the news of her promotion.

"Mitchell!" I shout. "Come here."

She nervously enters the room, surely thinking she's done something wrong.

"You did the right thing yesterday," I begin. "You didn't make excuses, you did your job until after hours, and that's why you've been promoted. You'll be working with me in this room. Whatever I ask you to do, you'll do it promptly, understand?"  

Her sweetness stirs the alpha in me.

"Of course, sir. Where do I sit, sir?"

I point to a table in the corner and hope she doesn't ask any more personal questions for the rest of the day. I'm no fool, I know that at some point she'll notice my disappearance for a long week, just as everyone else has. Nobody asks anything, but they obviously wonder where the boss could be. When I return to my human form, the result of that cursed curse, I just reply that I've been at a business meeting or traveling. It usually works.

She looks at me, I know she's looking at me because my senses are all heightened.

"Sir, should I finish the Denver contract?"

She's asking, knowing that she doesn't want to risk being lectured again, like yesterday. How beautiful you look... for a moment I close my eyes and see the girl from the Venus Club stage. I need to concentrate.

"You were right to ask, they haven't asked for a continuation, you should call and make an appointment" I say dryly so that she doesn't notice the tremendous desire I feel for her. "Has your sleep improved, Mitchell?" I quip.

She turns to me, embarrassed, shyly.

"Yes, sir."

"Did anything special happen from yesterday to today? Did you sleep better?"

"Of course, sir, I slept much better."

I can't ask any more questions and arouse suspicion. I have to have lunch and I do it in silence. I get up from my chair, grab my jacket and watch her turn to me, discreetly.

"Is it time for your lunch? Would you like me to take your calls?" she asks.

"Yes, take messages, I won't be long"

I leave the office hurriedly, under the judgmental gazes of the staff. I know they're wondering why her, why Mitchell... But I have no explanations to give. I'm the boss, my will is the law. If you were in the pack, you'd know that a mere glance means defying the order of the pack and the alpha. But you're not. The only thing I can do is ignore it and go to lunch.

When I return, there she is answering Lisa's questions. I rocket into my office and see them arguing.

"No, Lisa, I'm not Mr. Fletcher's mistress!" She says loudly and suddenly shuts up when she sees me.

Lisa tries to walk out the door, but I close it to tell her the truths she needs to hear.

"Do I allow that kind of behavior in my office?" I ask Lisa in a loud voice.

She rubs her arms, disgusted. Just then, Allyson walks out of the door, grabbing her bag and heading for the exit. What the hell is going on? I go after her and grab her arm. She turns to me, crying.

"I can't stay, people think I'm some kind of profiteer, that I'm your mistress," she says as she squeezes frantically.

She says as she frantically pushes the elevator button to go down.

"Allyson, Miss Mitchell, I don't owe you an apology for promoting you, and these people can't get to you with these judgments" I try to say calmly because I'm not calm at all. "Let's go back"

"I can't go back, they'll treat me badly until the end of every day while I'm promoted." She cries copiously.

The elevator finally reaches the floor.

"Miss Mitchell, if you value what others say, will you base your life on judgments?" I ask.

"What am I going to do? Be harassed?"

She's not wrong, but what can I do to contain Lisa? She's the worst of all, because she's been waiting to be promoted for years.

"I'll talk to Lisa, okay? Let's go back."

After much insistence, she decides to come back with me, but she's not happy. And neither am I. It's time to show her who's boss.

"Lisa!" I shout from my living room and see her shudder.

She quickly appears in my office.

"Yes, Mr. Fletcher, before you speak, I want to apologize because...."

I interrupt her.

"Because you treated an employee like dirt just because I decide who advises me personally?" I reply. "That's nobody else's decision in this office, only mine!"

"You're right." She replies.

"I expect you to know exactly where you belong so that you can be promoted another time. I don't tolerate fights and accusations in my office, do you understand?" My voice is slow and strong. With every syllable, I see the woman wince.

"Of course, Mr. Fletcher."

"Because this is a law firm and you know very well that you could even be accused of defamation and face a lawsuit from Miss Mitchell."

She opens her mouth and looks at Allyson.

"Do you intend to do that, Allyson?"

"Of course not, Lisa," she replies with pity for her colleague.

Her level of kindness is impressive... She's been outraged and still feels pity for the person who outraged her.

"You can go, Lisa" I say.

She leaves and returns to her chair to continue her work, but I know she's indignant and very angry. Everyone has seen everything that has happened and the shame she has suffered. I turn my attention to Mitchell.

"You're studying to be a lawyer, right?" I ask Allyson.

"Yes, sir."

"Learn that a lawyer never leaves the scene. Unless he doesn't have a chance of winning. And that wasn't your case."

"Why do you say that, Mr. Fletcher?"

"I have cameras all over this office and you could easily take her out. Never turn your back on your enemy." My eyes flash with anger at the woman outside, but for now I need to protect Allyson. If I fired Lisa, the consequences could be much worse.

"Right, I'll remember that." She replies and goes back to her work.

I know that storms are coming her way, but I want to protect her while I still can. Even from myself.