4. Tossing cards

"Is there a reason you had to step into the same elevator that I am in? I'm sure one later would have done just fine, especially seeing as this one is going to the park deck." Her eyes close, and she pinches the bridge of her nose. "This was a fucking waste of time." I hear her mumble quietly underneath her breath, probably didn't think I was catching on.

Why did I run after her? I've never done this before, and for sure, I have never done what I am about to do now. After clearing my throat, I look at her and start speaking. "You have one day to prove to me you are worth having this job before I fire you."

"Excuse me, you can't fire me. If you haven't caught on, I just quit." She laughs out loud. She definitely has an awesome laugh, even if it's at my cost right now.

"Fine, well then I've just hired you again," which only makes her laugh even harder.

"You do know I would have to accept being hired. Why the hell should I do that right after quitting? I gave you the choice in your office, you made your decision and I made mine."

Reaching her park deck, we both step off the elevator. This girl is driving me insane, but sure, as hell I am not letting her just quit like that, that means she's in control. Nope, not having that, no matter how much she drives me insane. If anything, I'm the one to fire her.

"Look, perhaps we both had a bad start to the day. What do you think about giving it another try for one day? Show me you are worthwhile working for my company, and I will try and treat you with a little more respect."

"A little more?"

Once more, why the hell am I here? What does she expect me to do, kiss her ass? Who does she think she is?

"That's my offer, and believe me when I say this is way out of my normal range, so take it or leave it." If she doesn't budge now, that's up to her. She's got more than anyone else has ever gotten from me.

"Fine, one day. And you better work hard the rest of the day, as I've lost enough time already today. I never fall behind my scheduled plan."

Funny to hear that out of her mouth, this would be something I'd usually say to my employees.

"I always work hard, so don't worry about that."

"Yeah, I could see that earlier on. Although let me rephrase that, there wasn't anything really hard about that one." I can see she is trying to hide a smirk.

"You are making me regret this already." With that continuous smirk on her face, I can't say it as serious as it was meant to come across.

Entering the top floor again, I offer her to show her office, which is situated right across from mine.

"Thanks, but we badly need to get the work done, no more wasting time. I know where it's situated and I will sure find my way there once needed. For the rest of today, the two of us are to work out this new campaign together, so I'll be in your office anyway."

Anyone else I know in this company would have taken the first day to get their office set up the way they want it and take their time until getting down to the actual work. Either she is different from the others, or it's because she thinks she needs to prove to me within a short time, she's worth having this job. The way she came storming into my office earlier tells me it is more likely the first option, which takes me a little by surprise.

"At least grab your laptop. You will need it."

For once, she does as she is told and quickly enters her office, grabing the laptop from her desk and comes over to me. Watching her, I notice she doesn't even take a glance at her office. Only the quick look around to find the laptop on her desk.

Her office has an amazing view over the city, with a wide window screen just as mine has. "Are you afraid of heights?" I burst out as soon as she enters my office.

This question seems to catch her off guard, as a confused look takes over her face. "No. Why? Should I? Is this important for this job?"

Catching this never speechless girl off guard amuses me a little. "No." I chuckle slightly. "It's just, I couldn't help but realize you didn't even take a glance out of your office window, while everyone else gets stunned at that sight."

Shrugging, she replies. "I might do that once my work is done for today, but I've already lost too much time, I'm not wasting more just to take a look out the window." I don't know what I expected, but for sure, not an answer like that, most of my employees would kill for an office like hers.

I pull over a chair for her to sit by my side while we start talking about the current project I need her for. We do some brainstorming together. I tell her what I expect, and she explains to me why my ideas aren't the ideal way to use it for marketing and suggests how to do it better.

Until now, our old creative director would simply organize everything I told him what I had as ideas. No one has ever corrected me. But to be honest, the way she is doing it, it doesn't bother me one bit. No, it fascinates me instead. She is very professional about it, and her explanations are great and inspiring. Listening to her soft voice full of enthusiasm is nice and very refreshing. Slowly but surely I do see why my dad decided to offer her this job, she is good at it.

She is so wrapped up in the whole project that she doesn't even give Trish a second glance anytime I order her in to bring something to drink. As she didn't even take a lunch break, I insist on us at least ordering something to eat in the late afternoon.

"I really don't need anything. It only distracts me while working."

"Well, I am hungry, and as your boss, it's in my interest, that you don't collapse here due to not eating. So I insist."

"I wouldn't but fine, as long as I can work while eating."

"You've not taken any break, so chill for a moment to eat." I can't believe I'm saying this to an employee.

"I did take breaks every time I went for a pee. And if it hadn't been for you acting a jerk this morning, I might have had the time to take a break."

I can't help but chuckle about her answer. "A pee is a break? Serious? Guess I need to bring this across to all my other employees, which would save me a lot of wages. Only they would probably hate me even more than you did this morning."

"Hey, I went for four pees, let's say with washing hands that's about five to six minutes per pee, adds up to between twenty and twenty-four minutes. Plus, the time wasted this morning adds up to more than enough for a break."

One minute, this girl drives me insane and the next, she amuses me or even surprises me.

Although we should have been way behind in time, she has managed to nearly completely catch up in time and even make things better than I had in mind.

As soon as our chinese noodles arrive, I insist we take a seat at the other table in my office as I have the feeling she would be working instead of really eating. The room falls silent while we are both devouring our food. I can't help but realize and stare at how she keeps on closing her eyes in between while enjoying her food. It nearly makes me forget to eat my own.

"What?" She asks, when she catches me.

"Uhmmm... nothing, it's just... well...I-I kind of have never seen anyone enjoying chinese noodles that much. Good thing I ordered them, I guess." Was I fucking stuttering to the beginning of that sentence? Well, I guess being caught staring at someone can be embarrassing. Yes, that must be the reason why.

"Well, these are the best chinese noodles I've ever had. Perhaps you could give me the address so I can order some in future myself," she pleads.

"I'll think about that one," I tease her.

"Yeah, I'm quite sure you are thinking about a way for me to repay you. Thanks, but no thanks, I'd rather keep to my own chinese take away then instead. As I sure as hell, I am not going to end up on my knees in front of you like this Trish this morning."

My eyes automatically dart to her full pink lips, and an image of her on her knees in front of me flashes through my head.

What the fuck?

No, I don't mix work with private, and I sure don't want this girl, who has me on the verge of losing my sanity. Even if my fucking dick twitches at the thought of it. Huffing to myself I get up, dart around my desk, pull out the card from the restaurant and throw it on to the table in front of her.

"Here, no need to wreck your knees in front of me. Asking polite would have done it." I grit out between clenched teeth.

She throws the card right back at me. "I did ask polite you..." she stops herself.

"You what? Cunt? Piece of shit? Jerk? Any other word?" My voice comes out louder than intended.

"Yes, kind of all of it would make it just fine."

Well, that escalated fast. From eating in peace to yelling at each other within minutes. Just as I thought we were starting to get along, she had to put her attitude back on. Perhaps I could have been a little friendlier and given her the card instead of throwing it in front of her. But she started this shit, with that repayment shit.