•8• Gerrard

I just can't believe this bullshit. 

I can't-- fire Gard.

The fucking acceptance says we've signed a fucking one year contract with her. If I still want to terminate the employment, I'm going to need a resolution to be passed by the Board. And I have honestly no idea what the fuck I'm going to tell them when they ask me why I want her gone.

The absolute, absolute fuck?

I'm honestly just holding my head in my hands at this point, because for some weird ass reason, Bru insists that I rescue Gard from the clutches of Ruben. She's been hounding me about this ever since she saw them in that room yesterday. 

But obviously, Bru being Bru, doesn't think this is about saving Gard at all. Why? Because just now, before she went to get Gard from the law department, she told me, "Priscilla was appointed to the position of the final law consultant on your team, Gerrard, not to look after everyday cases. We already have a lot of people for that."

And did she listen when I explained to her just how Gard was 'appointed'?

Of course not, because all she'd said was, "It doesn't matter who appointed her, Gerrard. The fact is-- that she works here, and she works for you."

The fuck?

When I lift my head and my eyes fall on the desktop screen in front of me, I almost groan. 

Gard's here.

And what's worse is that Bru isn't with her. 

I'm going to have to talk to her alone?

For some strange reason, whenever this girl is anywhere around me, it gives me the creeps. Literally. That's exactly one of the reasons why I wanted to get fucking rid of her.

A knock sounds on my door then, but I dare not even look her way. Instead, I push my chair back, turn my back to the door and pretend like I'm pouring myself a drink at the table behind my desk. I take a deep breath and brace myself before I call over my shoulder, "Come in."

I hear the swoosh of the air passing between my room and the corridor when the door opens. Footsteps pad in. 

I'm holding my breath.

"Good morning, sir," she begins, sounding hesitant. "Bru said you asked for me?"

Despite myself? Yes, I called for you. 

But I obviously can't say that out loud. So, with my back still facing her, I square my shoulders. "I hope you’ve read your acceptance, Ms. Gard?”

She’s silent for a beat. Then— “I have, sir. Yes.”

”What do you understand from your terms of employment?” I ask. I hate throwing it in her face that she’s going to work so close to me. 

Needless to say, she’s never going to hear those words coming out of my mouth. If she’s smart enough, she’ll get the point and know why she’s here.

I take a sip of my tea.

The fact that she’s even in my company is nothing but a fluke.

”That I am given a position on your team of law consultants,” she says softly.

I swear it’s getting harder to stay in the same room as her. Even though there’s a huge, heavy desk separating her from me, she’s still too close for my liking. I want her gone as soon as possible.

”On whose team, Gard?” I mutter impatiently.

Silence.

When she still won’t say anything, I’m sorely tempted to turn around and see if she’s still here or what. But then-

“On yours, Southerford.”

The glass I’d barely just brought to my lips freezes in my hand. Did she really just say what I think she said? A laugh almost spills out of my mouth at her answer, and despite everything I’ve said about her just now, I turn around.

I swear it was a tick, and I just couldn’t resist its urge.

She’s looking at me with disdain, as if I’ve just disappointed her or something— her eyes speak too loud.

I have no idea why, but I’m feeling a little less reluctant about working with her now— don’t ask me; I have no idea why.

I raise the glass to my lips, my eyes still on her as I hold her gaze, and what’s surprising is that although she’s still got that same look in her eyes, one of disappointment, she doesn’t back down. 

When I put the glass down and set it on the table in front of me, she’s still waiting for my response. 

I pocket my hands. 

“Then stop wasting your time with Ruben and get your stuff up here. Gard.”

I don’t think she knows it, but her eyes narrow at me. “Right away. Sir.”

She spins on her heel without waiting for me to say anything, and I see her head down the corridor, watching her in a new light I didn’t think I could imagine her in. 

The fuck is this girl? I wonder to myself.