Chapter Three

Izzy looked at the paper in front of her again. Someone was trying to pin the blame on her that’s for sure but who? With a sigh, she switched on her laptop to organize their client list when Claude walked in. His mouth was in a hard line and he did not so much as acknowledge the greetings that were sent his way “I wonder what crawled up his butt?” Izzy wondered watching him, when his eyes moved to her, she quickly buried her face in her desktop screen 

“Miss Campbell?” He called and she cured internally. Why, oh why couldn’t he ignore her as he had ignored everyone else? 

“Yes sir?” She pasted on her most polite fuck you smile as she stood up 

“Get me a coffee stat. Black, 2 sugars. Nothing else” He stated and started to walk off 

“I’m sorry sir but I am not doing that , making your coffee is not part of my job description” 

“I am your boss. You will do what I tell you to do or you will quit” He said and stormed into his office 

Center of attention once again, Izzy stood up stiffly and went to the break room. He wanted coffee did he? She would give him coffee. She grabbed a plastic cup and poured 4 Nescafe in then added 2 sugars and very hot water. After mixing properly, she smiled to herself. “Come in” He answered and she strolled in. Carefully, she removed the cup from the tray making sure to touch the part without liquid in it. “Your coffee”  

“Take a sip” He ordered 

“Excuse me?” 

“How do I know you’re not trying to poison me? Take a sip” 

“If I seemed like the type to poison your coffee then why did you send me and not your secretary in the first place?” She asked and at his glare she added “Sir” 

“My secretary got fired” no

“You fired George?!” Her eyes bulged. It seemed like his special ability was shocking her 

“Yes. Now sip” She took the cup carefully and took a sip. Then forced herself to swallow. So bitter “There. I didn’t try to poison you” She wanted to put it back on his table but he stopped her 

“I suddenly don’t feel like drinking coffee anymore” He sighed dramatically “Take it and leave” 

“You lunatic” It slipped out before she could stop it 

“You will talk respectfully to me and you will address me with the proper term when we are at work” 

“You are a lunatic sir” She stated again with a polite smile 

“You are walking on thin ice here Miss Campbell” 

“What did I do to you huh?” She asked “Why are you being so mean to me?” 

“Good question. Now let me ask you on too. What did you get for helping Richard siphon company funds?” 

“I did no such thing” 

“I have the evidence right here” He brought out the paper she had seen the night before. You wrote this didn’t you?” 

“I did not. I don’t even have access to the company accounts. I am an administrative junior staff” 

“Say I believe you, then why is your name here?” 

“Exactly. I know you don’t think much of me sir but believe me I am smarter than to put my name on an illegal paper” 

“There were also soft copies linked to your company account” 

“I swear I didn’t do it. Either I’ve been framed or…” She met his eyes “…you are just looking for any excuse to fire me because you have a personal prejudice against me” 

“Please, you are not worth my prejudice. I won’t fire you yet because I have not confirmed my information. But the moment it’s confirmed or you make one mistake, even if it’s as insignificant as a wrong page number, you’re out” 

“You can’t…” She started slamming her hands on the desk and she felt like she was watching a tape, the coffee cup shook, then as she made to grab it so it didn’t spill much, she pushed it and it overturned. All over the laptop on the desk and on a pile of files and some books. It flowed to Claude’s leg soaking his pants before the dark liquid ended up on the floor. They both just stared at the mess for a long second before their eyes met. 

“I am so sorry, I didn’t…” She couldn’t complete her sentence as the laptop chose that moment to spark. I…she grabbed a napkin from the tray and started dabbing moving from the laptop to the table. He held her hand as she was about to touch him “That is an original collectors copy” He stated and she followed his gaze to where he was staring at a book “It costs more than your salary in an entire year and there is only 6 of it in the world” His eyes met hers “Get out” He stated calmly 

“I’ll clean up the mess” She started to dab at his trousers but he pushed her away “Get out right now!” He screamed and she stood up 

“I am so sorry sir, I didn’t mean to” 

“Get out Miss Campbell before I throw you out myself” 

“I am so sorry sir” She apologized backing out 

“Just get out and don’t you ever,  even think about coming to my company ever again” He said and she paused 

“You’re firing me? Over a book?” She asked and he walked up to her and held her arm pulling her the out the door 

“Yes I am” He shut his office door on her face and she flinched 

“What happened?” Out of everyone watching, Kate was the one brave enough to ask as she packed her desk 

“That monster fired me,” She answered, fighting to keep her voice steady. “That crazy, son of a bitch. That scoundrel of no end that mother effing asshole” She went on and on until she was breathing hard 

“I am so sorry. What exactly happened? I thought you just went there to give him coffee” 

“Well I gave him the coffee and he wouldn’t drink it and then we started arguing about something and everything happened so fast. The coffee spilled and got on his laptop and some crazy rare book” 

“He fired you for spilling coffee?” Kate looked amused 

“That was my reaction too but oh well. It’s for the best” She carried the box “I can’t work with a lunatic like him anyway. Talk to you later” 

“You’re really leaving?” Kate asked watching her walk to the elevator 

“I don’t have a choice, will come around and pack my stuffs later ” She said as she entered and pressed the button for the ground floor 

She was half way down before her anger subsided and she realized the reason she was working there in the first place. She screamed into the elevator in frustration, glad she was the only one in it. Now she would never get her father’s approval. She hated Claude Lincoln more. She hated him so much she was starting to plot how to run him over with a car before she remembered she didn’t have one. “I HATE HIM” She screamed into the empty elevator but she knew one thing, she would get her job back one way or another. Claude Lincoln would not be the reason she would disappoint her father. 

Bastille laughed till him stomach hurt while Claude looked at him unamused “Is this funny to you?” He asked standing up to grab a beer from his fridge 

“Come on. I would have loved to see the look on your face when she spilled the coffee” 

“Enough chit chat. Want a beer?” 

“Nah, I’m driving”

 Claude nodded and went to sit again.

“Tell me the results of your investigation” Claude inquired while opening his beer. 

“Isabella Campbell was not involved in the embezzlement. Richard used her name as a cover because she was one of the invisible employees who worked well with clients meaning she had 2 things, the client’s trust and inconspicuousness” 

“Hmm” Claude nodded reclining on the couch as he took a gulp of beer 

“I guess this means you can’t fire Isabella. I should come work for your company. Seems like there is some good drama about to unfold” 

“I already did” 

“Did what?” Bastille asked with suspicion 

“Fired Isabella” 

“No way” Bastille laughed thinking it was a joke “Dude you’re joking. You ruined her career because she spilled coffee over a book?” 

“I didn’t ruin her career, I simply fired her. And it’s not only because of the book. She is messy. First a lipstick stain, then an ink stain, then spilling coffee? It’s too much” 

“No. What’s too much is you terrorizing her” 

“Plus she’s not good for my mental health. Something about her keeps bugging me and since you’ve known me, has my 6th sense ever lied?” 

Bastille paused to consider that. He had known Claude since they met on the first day in a boarding high school. Claude was there because both his father and step mother hated him and Bastille because his dad’s current sugar baby didn’t like him. They had hit off their friendship after they fought off a bully together and had been almost inseparable since then. And since the day they’d met, Claude had never been wrong about people. If he thought they were fishy, they usually were. 

“Fine” Bastille sighed 

“But are you serious about coming to work for me? I could really use your help” 

“Doing what?” 

“I need information on the client for this deal we’re working on. If I can get it in addition to some other, I’m sure I can get L&C up from the floor” 

“No thanks. You’re a mean boss. Plus, being a PI pays better” He reclined putting his hands behind his head and his legs on the table 

“Asshole” Claude claimed drinking more of his beer while Bastille laughed 

“You’ve got a sweet place here though. Want a roommate?” 

“You’ve got anyone with epic curves who can ride all night?” 

“I was talking about me you sex crazed lunatic. When was the last time you got laid?” 

“When was the last time I had a girlfriend?” 

“You’ve not been with anyone since Delilah?” Bastille sat upright “Are you practicing celibacy? It’s been 4 years?” He asked and Claude shrugged “Don’t tell me you’re hung up on her 

“Dude, gross no” He didn’t even like Delilah. She had just fit into his life then “I just don’t see the appeal in prostitutes” 

“This won’t do. This weekend I am taking you to the best club in town. Everyone goes there and they’ve got this really sexy strippers in cute outfits” 

“Strippers? Really? You’ve downgraded from one night stands with rich women to strippers?” 

“Rich women want commitment. Strippers don’t. It’s less messy and the sex is mind-blowing” 

“I can’t go anyway. I have a meeting this weekend” 

“Then next weekend. No excuses. I will take you to that club if I have to drag you there by your ears” Bastille threatened 

“You’re  such a bad influence” 

“And you’re a square” Bastille stood up “I have a date with a lovely executive lady tomorrow morning. I need my beauty sleep” 

“It’s only a date if you’re ending up in bed. Discussing her need for a PI is a meeting” Claude called after him and Bastille gave him the finger to which Claude laughed off “Get home safe” 

“As if you care. You aren’t even seeing me off  to the door.” 

“When you grow boobs and wear a dress I’ll escort you anywhere you want” 

“I hate you” Bastille said and shut the door 

Sighing, Claude looked around the house and agreed with his friend that it was nice. He finished his beer then went to bed with a smile on his face. He would never have to see Isabella Campbell’s too innocent to be true face again.