CHAPTER 10: Pink gown

MEREDITH:

My heart raced as Isabel prodded about the incident with Mr. Pierce. "You called him a cleaner?" Isabel asked incredulously, setting the scene for the juicy gossip.

The girls, except for Britney, were interested in knowing what happened between me and Miles. They said that he came back ranting and so angry that he fired an entire team. While she made the food, I thought of keeping them entertained. The house was so boring and deserted for crying out loud. They were lovely and we rapidly became friends. At least now I have a place to hide and pass the time whenever I am in the house.

 “I didn't mean to, though. I mean, he came out wearing a robe and looking like a cleaner instead of like Miles Pierce.” Lowering my voice, “and, he was rude,” I whispered.

Isabel burst into a belly laugh. “No wonder you've been on his bad side.”

Cutting in, “he is always on his bad side. Grumpy and moody all the time,” Lucinda added, smiling.

By the time the food was ready, I was salivating at the beautiful dish of bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast with the coffee Isabel served me.

“Thank you,” I appreciated. Getting ready to dig in. Just then, that resounding, authoritative voice boomed. Could he be any more terrible with timing than this? His presence made everyone anxious, and I forgot how to function.

Leaving his orders, he walked out. How could I use five minutes to eat? Swiftly, I began stuffing my mouth with whatever was within my reach. There was no way in hell I was letting Isabel's efforts go to waste.

“Take it easy. You'll choke on your food,” Eva reprimanded.

I nodded, breathing heavily as I tried to chew through a full mouth. I drank a mouthful of my creamy coffee to aid the food in digestion. After eating another round, the plate was emptied. I was practically standing while rushing through my food. “Thank you,” I said to no one in particular while rearranging my appearance. I tried to do the dishes, but Isabel stopped me.

“Do you want to get fired? Your five minutes are up. Go on. You already know his temperament,” she said.

“I'm sorry. I'll clean up after myself next time.” Dashing through the door, he was already seated in the car. “Brandon, do I have something on my face?” I asked him.

He shook his head a little before sliding into the car. Looking at my appearance with the help of my reflection on the tinted car, I admired my outfit. Honestly, pink did look radiant on me and this was one of the most luxurious clothing I had in my wardrobe. Alan had gotten it for me. Well, because he broke up with me didn't mean I would throw out the nice things he gifted me since I couldn't afford a replacement yet. Once I get settled, I'll give out everything.

“Damn! I need to cut my weight,” I mumbled to myself when I saw my protruding belly. If I kept going this way, I might eventually get into trouble with my health. My weight increase was getting unhealthy.

Sliding next to him, I made sure to stay as far away as possible from him. I barely breathed. Just sat like a statue until he spoke. Not surprisingly, he didn't like anything about my appearance. Well, he could get me a change of clothing if it bothered him so much.

His phone chimed, making his already rumored face fold the more. Whatever he received, did not please him at all, and it just worsened his mood, which was bad news for me.

“Mr. Pierce, I'm still in the dark over the kind of meeting we're attending and what I'm meant to do. I wouldn't want to appear ignorant of my job,” I finally mustered the courage to say as we drove out.

His glance was glued to his window, and I guess that was why he saw it. “I have told you that I neither want to see that car around my vicinity nor near the sound. What is it doing, parked over there looking like an armed robbery vehicle in a stakeout?”

My stomach twisted with anger and I almost raked. Yet, I kept myself calm. “I'll make sure you don't see it again.”

“Good.” He shifted his head to briefly look at me before picking up his tablet. “You don't have much to do anyway. Just don't let me run out of water. Take notes of people I talk to and the ones I avoid during the meeting because I won't have the time to repeat their identities to you. In the long run, they're the same people I'll be dealing with. Lastly, don't tell anyone you're my assistant. I'll do the talking if such a topic comes up.”

“Understood, sir.”

The drive was quiet and boring. Staying close to Miles, I couldn't even fiddle with my phone. It was always put off until after work. One of his silly rules again. There was something about him. The way he maneuvered between silence one minute and being harsh the next. The way he was relaxed, or the bizarre exercises he did with his hands, squeezing and stretching them. Somehow, his gestures were annoyingly attractive.

“We're here, sir,” Brandon announced, driving through multiple expensive-looking cars to find a parking space.

When we got out, it looked like an environment where the wealthy gathered to get acquainted. I wasn't mistaken. It was a function supporting a new hydro-electrical project. The wealthy always wore fake smiles while shaking hands, and you would know that the majority didn't like one another. They were only trying to look civil and accept the irritating presence of the next person. For them, everything was pretty competitive; their clothing, accessories, etiquette, and even the parking spot. Who fights over a parking spot? The rich.

Miles, after ordering Brandon to do something, began walking ahead. I had to increase my pace to catch up with his long legs that took fast strides. He didn't even bother to see how I was practically running after him. When we got to the door, he opened it for himself and slammed it shut, almost causing it to bang on my face. When I got my composure, I got in.

“Wait here. I'll let you know when I need you," he informed me.

Like an obedient kitten, I complied. In his absence, I was able to breathe properly. I could swear that I held my breathing whenever he was around. If I didn't, his presence sucked the entire oxygen in the room.

He began to snake himself through the swarm of people that approached him. I have made peace with it. This man hates everyone. The way he responded was quick and made those who walked up to him uncomfortable. It wasn't pride. He just hated everyone.

The hall was beautifully decorated, with spotlights landing on the blazing diamonds and precious stones the attendants wore. Each round table was surrounded by four seats, and the hall was filled to the brim. The stage had a live band entertaining the distracted guests. I looked out of place, and I was so aware of my environment.

To calm my nerves as Miles spoke to a group of business people, I grabbed a glass of wine from one of the servers that walked by. I was alone and fidgeting a bit. Gulping down the drink, the severity burned my throat as it trailed down my stomach. I returned the glass and grabbed another one. This must be the worst job ever. Your boss doesn't even instruct you on what to do. What am? A soothsayer? Or, should I stand around all day watching his action? Speak of watching.

Slowly swirling the drink, I took the pleasure of admiring the man I was working for. His gray suit was well-tailored, and the white shirt underneath made his skin luminous. I noticed that he had gotten a new haircut; a buzz cut with a parting to the side and minimal hair on top. It gave him a scary look but in an attractive way. For the first time, I got interested in his height. He was tall. Six feet six inches tall. No wonder I always felt so short to him. To match his suit, he wore a simple golden wristwatch that screamed money and a black Italian shoe that shone brighter than my entire future.

Man, was it just me or did the room get hot? I tried to take another gulp of my drink and that was when our eyes met. The rim of the glass was already close to my mouth, and his eyes were glaring at me as he kept talking to those men. I took that as a warning and dropped the drink on the next tray that passed. 

Averting my gaze, I noticed that an MC had taken over the stage. The audience began to applaud the MC and took their seats. The blaring lights dimmed and the major source of illumination was the crystal chandelier that hung in every corner of the room.

Unawares, my phone rang, startling me. I thought I had put it off like always, but it turned out I didn't. I reached for it and silenced the noise while gazing at the caller ID. When I saw who it was, my heart sank. I had to take it or there would be trouble.

Quickly, I glanced around and found Miles settled on a table with a couple close to the front row. He looked so displeased. With me standing behind, close to the exit. It was easy for me to slip away. There was no way he would need me in the next ten minutes while I attended to the urgent call. 

Getting outside, I picked up. “Hello, Inspector. Rahul--”

“Miss Tate, I have been trying to reach you, but it seems you have been avoiding my calls. I'm sorry, but, I can't continue handling your brother's case. You have to find someone to help you get justice for him.”