Chapter Two

Chapter 2

Xena Remington

“Umm none of that is true.” I murmur but somehow he could still hear me.

I know Jerold asked me to keep it short and just agree with him but I can’t. I have never been a person who could just agree with someone to keep them happy. Which is why I hate how Jerold will speak up against me but won’t dare to ever challenge his boss.

“Sure, sweetheart. Now, are we done?” He says sarcastically before asking, almost like he is making a statement and ending this meeting. He gets up from his seat, ready to lead me out of the cabin.

“No no, I am not done.” I say quickly, making him lean against the desk right in front of me.

Oh no. he so close to me.

He smells soo good.

“Why not?” He says tiredly and stares right in my eyes making me conscious.

How’s my hair looking?

“I need to brief you, like your answers to the questions-“

“You think I require a briefing?” He asks as I gulp a little, “You think I am not smart enough to answer a few easy questions?”

“No, it’s not like that. I just think you need to be prepared to answer any kind of questions that might be thrown at you.” I say as I stand up and I see that he still taller to me even though he is leaning against the desk.

“Sweetheart listen, people who lie need to be prepared. Lies need to be memorized, right?” He asks me making me nod my head.

“Ms. Potts-“

“Ms. Scott.” I correct him.

“Yes, Ms. Scott might need to make up a whole story and memorize it by heart so it comes across as the truth. I don’t think I am going to face any problems when it comes to answering questions best to my recollection.” He says as he stands up and I look up to meet his eye level.

Why is this so attractive? Honesty is attractive, he is also very intelligent.

“Okay, I’ll be there right next to you tomorrow. If you need any help, please let me know.” I say as I extend my hand.

I feel his warm hand completely envelope mine making me feel giddy inside my stomach. I haven’t felt this in a long time. Even with Jerold, I have always loved him but I always thought sparks and butterflies don’t exist.

Maybe I was wrong.

Xena, concentrate.

“Thank you Ms. Remington.” He says as I realize how close our bodies are, I look down to see his huge hand around mine.

Fuck.

“Umm you are w-welcome.” I rasp, my chest kept rising and falling as I tried to catch my breath.

Jeez, what’s wrong with me?

“Okay I am going to go now.” I say as I quickly snatch my hand away and head towards the door. I turn around as I reach the door to see him standing there with an amused small smile on his face.

“It was nice meeting you, Ms. Remington.”

“Likewise, Mr. Lancaster.” I say as I awkwardly wave my hand before storming out in embarrassment.

What the hell was that?

In Her Office

“What the hell happened in there? I hope you didn’t anger him, I don’t want to face any heat for your actions. I will not throw myself under the bus for you.” Jerold starts rambling as soon as I enter my office.

I knew he was angry about being asked to leave and that his fragile ego was injured. Now he is trying to come up with a reason to be upset with me because he wants to let out his frustration.

It’s nothing new.

He does this all the time.

Somehow no one in this office has any respect for him even though he is at such an upper management position.

He hates how he has no control.

So he tries to make my and people who are under him feel as bad as he does.

“Nothing happened-“

“Oh please, I know you and your smart mouth. You must have said something to him. Do you know who he is? You could be dead tomorrow and no one will ever find out what happened.”

What’s with him today? He is worse than usual.

“I did exactly what you asked me to do and then walked out.” I lied through my teeth not wanting to get into a fight like always.

“Sure. Let’s see. Remember I got you this job. Otherwise you would still be working minimum wage.”

“Jerold that was 8 years ago. I started out as an intern, yes you got me that job. But after that, everything that I’ve achieved here is on my own merit.” I said as I remembered how Jerold used to be when he was my friend.

“Please, it’s all because of me and my references they gave you the job.”

LIES LIES LIES.

I thought in my mind as I remembered how he refused to write a letter of recommendation for me but thankfully Zara wrote it.

Zara is my best friend, we are working in the same office for years now. She has always been there for me. When I am overloaded with work, she has stayed back multiple times to help me out. Zara has a huge crush on Axel Lancaster’s younger brother Asher because of which she thinks very highly of the Lancasters and refuses to hear anything bad about them.

I guess it’s true, love makes you blind, deaf and dumb.

“I have to get back to work now. Can you leave?” I say irritated, instantly regretting it.

I hear my office door slam loudly as Jerold storms out of my office.

I rub my face as I realize how difficult the next few days are going to be for me. Jerold is going to go out of his way to my life a living hell.

I hear a knock on my door and before I could answer, Zara walks in with an excited look on her face, “OH MY GOD. Tell me everything. Also what’s up with Pouty Potato?”

She calls Jerold pouty potato and I am sure as anyone can tell. She hates him.

“He is upset because Axel asked him to leave because he kept interrupting me. So he felt disrespected and he is taking it out on me.”

“Yeah but it’s okay when he disrespects you by interrupting you in front of people again and again.”

“Can we pleas-“

“Sorry sorry. Please tell me what happened with Axel Lancaster.” She says as she makes puppy eyes which makes me laugh.

“Okay I have to admit something and you can never tell anyone about it ever.” I say as her eye widens and she nods her head, “you know how I told you how I don’t understand the hype, like why people find him so attractive?”

“Yessss?”

“Well he is ridiculously attractive. So attractive that my mouth dried up and I couldn’t speak, hear and everything around me became blurry. My hands and my face was twitching. He was that attractive.” I breathed out as I got everything off my chest.

“OH MY GOD.” She shrieked loudly making me flinch and then laugh.

“And he is very intimidating but in a more genuine sense, I think he is a good man.”

“I was right. I told you they were good people and you kept telling but Zara they are in the mafia, they have probably murdered people. Ha I win.” she jumps around the office as I stare at her.

“Well he is still bad like that. He was nice to me. I am intimidated by him but I don’t fear for my life like I don’t think he will cause any harm to me.” I said but I see that she has trailed off in her own dream world, “Hey!” I snap my fingers in front of her face making her eyes widen, “just because the older brother is nice, doesn’t mean that the younger brother is nice too.”

“Xena, my Asher is a good man.”

“Your Asher?”

“Yes, my Asher.” She says as she holds her hand to her chest, “Anyway, are you prepared for tomorrow? I can’t Natalie actually has the balls to go against the Lancasters. It’s crazy. Like it would have been commendable if she was actually wronged.”

“I agree but all the evidence is against her. I feel like Axel is too calm for someone who is being deposed tomorrow. I think he has some proof that will guarantee his win.”

“Or maybe he is just overconfident?” she says but I shake my head.

“No, I don’t think he is someone who can be overconfident. He very grounded and intelligent. He thinks everything through. What surprised me is that a man of his stature has less ego then Jerold.”

“Well empty vessels make more noise.” Zara says making me laugh, “Also don’t you think you should dump him now. I refuse to believe that you love that sorry excuse of a human being.”

“He has changed, Zara. He wasn’t like this always. He was loving, sweet and-“

“Xena, HE WAS. Past tense. He isn’t anymore and he is not going to return. Whatever he might be going through is not an excuse to treat you like shit, okay?” Zara says but I can’t seem to agree with her.

After Jerold lost his father, his attitude completely changed. I can’t leave him at his worst right?

I don’t know. I feel so much pressure when it comes to him. He has done so much for me and he keeps reminding me which wrecks me with guilt.

I just can’t walk away.

But I don’t think Zara will understand that.