16. Sal
Sixteen
Sal
Slowly, the employees filter into the office one by one.
Anthony is one of the first, as usual, perky and ready to get shit done. He’d be the model employee if only he didn’t talk so fucking much.
It’s a quarter past nine when I look at Cole’s empty desk. Everyone’s in their seats except him. I hate thinking he’s late because he was with Danny. That broad shouldered man who had him before me, and now after. He must be good in bed.
I check my emails and the program where they can request time off. Maybe he and Danny are tangled in the sheets right now. Or Danny’s got Cole flat on his back, knees spread, back arching from a good sucking…
There’s nothing.
I pick up my phone. Maybe he thinks he gets to text me and use special privileges since I fucked and sucked him.
The thought makes my chest twinge. It was more than that… I cringe because that’s just as bad. He’s my employee. There’s no room for anything else.
I push away my turbulent thoughts. This guy has my brain muddied.
Cole may be a slacker here and there, but overall he’s up there with Anthony. He wouldn’t no call no show except for an absolute emergency.
Shit.
Somehow my thoughts can race faster than before and drum up the most horrific, heart lurching mental images.
A knock at the door makes me jump.
It’s Tony. He stands in the door frame.
“Do you have a minute?”
I nod.
Tony does as he always does and closes the door and waits for me to speak first. Only this time he doesn’t sit and make himself comfortable like he’s ready to have a heart to heart.
This time, he stands by the door with worry on full display with how he bites his bottom lip and pushes up his glasses on his face.
“What’s up?”
“I’m kinda worried because Cole isn’t here yet and he’s not texting me.”
Does the panic display on my face? It doesn’t matter. I stand and contemplate my next move.
“I’ll go check on him,” I offer.
Anthony doesn’t scowl at me like I expect. Rather he breaks out in a smile. “Wow, glad you care so much about us, boss. Will you find his house okay?”
I nod. “Phone maps.”
Anthony stands there looking relieved and completely blocking my way.
“I’ll update you,” I say.
“Oh! Thanks.”
“Let’s keep where I’m going between the two of us.”
Anthony does a thumbs up then finally moves so I can escape.
Once he’s out of my office I shut off the light, close the door and lock it.
The other employees peek from their cubes and I take the opportunity to make an announcement to them all.
“I’ll be out and about. Feel free to message me if you need anything.”
They all kindly murmur as they do.
Leaving the office I try to tell myself that I would do this for any of my employees. Not just because I’m super invested in Cole. Sure, I’ve heard his moans and been deep inside him, but that’s all…
The streets feel deserted compared to what the morning traffic looks like from the big windows from the office.
We’ve come close to outgrowing our office space, however, I love the view and have found ways to stay here as comfortable as possible over the last ten years.
Anxiety eats away at me but I manage to tap my fingers to whatever song fills my car. I manage to maintain my composure as I stroll through the lobby, ride up the elevator with a mom and her baby and as I get to his apartment.
But as soon as my knuckles wrap the door, something I can’t explain course through my veins. It reaches my heart and damn near punctures it and seeps into my eyes as I knock repeatedly with no success.
The only relief I get is trying the door handle and it twists with ease.
“Cole!” I shout barging in.