Chapter 6

Marissa's POV 

I go on staring at him with my mouth still hanging open. Without sparing me a glance, Mr Kingston pushes my phone to me, and continues dictating orders, but I am too stunned to hear anything. 

“.... travel plans for the first week in July. Did you get that? Marissa? Marissa!" His impatient voice jars me back to reality.

“Yes, sir. Yes, yes." I answer, struggling to gather myself together.

“Did you hear anything I said?" He asked incredulously.

Err, was I supposed to? Did it occur to this man that he'd just played some serious knight in shining armor role for me?

“Erm…  I.. I'm sorry.” I stammered.

He shook his head, and started all over. " I said that you'd need to come with me to New Orleans for the Karl&Sons contract signing, so I would need you to clear your schedule and make travel plans for the first week in July.”

I swallowed. I'd been asked at the first stage of the interview if I minded traveling. I'd said no. The truth was, I did, but I'd simply been eager to bag the job.”

"Yes, sir.”

“Alright, then. I think we're done here for now.” He said in a dismissive tone, and I headed out of his office and into mine.

It was a small, glass-walled office down the corridor of Mr Kingston's office. The interior was beautifully furnished, and it felt a lot cozier than the large, impersonal space that was Jordan Kingston's office. Whoever had handled the interior of this place certainly knew their onions. 

I sat down in my chair, and ran a tired hand down my face. It had only been a few hours, but the pressure of work was already getting to me. Yea, that's what happened when you got a degree, and dumped it somewhere to play full housewife for 4 years.

Just as I started to relax, the stunning woman whom I'd mistaken for Mr Kingston's assistant during the interview, but had just realized was head of personnel, knocked briskly and walked into my office. 

“Hello, Miss Colton. How are you enjoying Kingston's so far?"

“Erm, I'm just settling in, really." I responded, putting on a small smile. 

She smiled and dropped a stack of files on my desk. “That's good. So these are some documents that you need to go through. They're Mr Kingston's contract documents and scheduled meetings for the month. You'll have to get acquainted with them, and discuss everything with him. He'll most likely have a few modifications. Piece of advice? Make sure to do this as soon as possible. He likes to have his schedule planned out very early.”

For the second time that day, my mouth hung open in surprise. Schedule for the month? Do this as soon as possible. For God's sake, there were at least a dozen files here!

I opened my mouth to say something, but Sally- that was her name- immediately turned around and informed me she had to leave. Work called. Boy oh boy, this was about to be one hell of a ride.

When I stepped out of Kingston Enterprise that day, it felt like I'd been working for eighty hours instead of eight. My eyes were heavy from peering nonstop at document after document.

I walked slowly down the walkway to Chloe's apartment. It was a 25-minute walk, and I could avoid it if I had a car, but I couldn't afford one for now. It was at the top of my list, though.

I'd had access to both of Anthony's cars and even though I hadn't had any of them specifically assigned to me, I hadn't seen the need to ask for one. 

By the time I stepped into the house, I was ready to just fall into bed and sleep. Something smelled good. I walked straight to the kitchen.

“Hi, beautiful!" Chloe chirped.

"Hi, girl.” 

“How'd your first day at work go?” She asked, emptying a pack of spaghetti into boiling water. I caught sight of the turkey in the oven. So that was what smelled so nice.

“Felt like I was doing a year's worth of work, really." I replied with a pout. 

She chuckled. “You'll get used to the routine soon.”

I nodded and washed my hands so I could start cutting the vegetables. "Meanwhile, guess who wouldn't stop calling me this morning.”

"Sleazy ass Anthony?” She asked, irritated.

“Got it.” I said, laughing. As I cut, I told her of what Mr Kingston had done earlier today, and saw her mouth hang open. Aha! So I wasn't the weird one. It really was a mouth-hanging-open worthy act.

“You're serious?"

“Totally am. Told him he'd break every single bone in his body if he calls again" I responded.

“Oh, I just knew it! The moment I saw him at the restaurant that day, I just knew he was that guy!" She said, and I laughed.

Any guy could be that guy to Chloe. All he needed was a hot body, and a handsome face.

As soon as I finished with the veggies, I picked up my bag, and left to freshen up. Chloe was setting the table when I came back out in red shorts and a comfy blue shirt.

“So, how was work?" I asked as we ate.

“Great. I met this new guy at the studio where Aimee had her shoot." Aimee was one of her clients.

I threw a hand over my face. “Do you ever go anywhere without meeting a new guy?”

“Ease up, mom. I didn't go to him. He came to me.”

"Yea, yea. Still, you could have said no.”

“I could have said no to one of God's finest creations? Hell no, girl. Certainly couldn't have." She said with a mouthful of pasta. 

Although it wasn't my intention, I laughed. Typical Chloe response. We were both quiet for a few minutes, and then, I spoke. 

“Chloe?"

“Yea?"

“Is it normal that I miss him even though I know that he's a bastard?” I asked almost whispering. 

She didn't need to ask who. She simply covered my hand with hers. “Yes, baby. It is absolutely normal. Starting to rethink your decision?"

I sighed deeply, and waited a few seconds before replying, “Nah. Anthony's an asshole. Nothing's ever going to change that."

“Good. Because I honestly would have whacked you on the head with this plate if you'd said otherwise." She said, and we both laughed.