3. Chapter Three #2
I clear my throat and suddenly beam. “I’m equally honored to play such a pivotal role in our company.
While collaboration will be key to the success of this project, I look forward to demonstrating my own ability to lead and deliver results under pressure.
I see this as a challenge and I’m more than ready to do whatever it takes to ensure our work exceeds expectations. ”
I can feel Matthew’s hot gaze drilling a hole into my head, but I barely acknowledge him. I hear him scoff silently once I’m done speaking, but I pay him no heed.
There’s a proud smile on Evelyn’s face that she conceals quickly.
“Well then,” she clasps her fingers together.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page. To ensure seamless collaboration and efficient communication throughout this project, a team has been selectively picked out for you both.
You’ll also both be sharing an office space.
It has been equipped with equal amenities and you’ll have a shared secretary to support you in managing schedules, meetings, and logistics.
“This setup will help foster teamwork and keep focus on delivering exceptional results for this initiative. I trust you’ll make the most of this arrangement and work closely to achieve success.
Please, don’t hesitate to let us know what you’ll need.
We’re ready to contribute to the success of this project. ”
Oh, hell no. Working with Matthew already sounds like a nightmare. Sharing an office with him? I think not.
I’m shaking my head already, about to strongly object this arrangement. But Matthew is faster than me.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Miss Chang. Thank you for making this easier for us.”
I’m surprised my teeth don’t shatter from how hard I grit them. Now that he’s said shit like that, opposing the idea won’t work.
“Of course. We’ll do anything to help smoothen the process.”
For the rest of the meeting, I sit there silently as anger stirs in my loins. It rises gradually and gradually and by the time the meeting is over, I’m surprised I don’t have steam coming out of my ears.
My grip on my binder is as hard as steel as I make my way out of the boardroom. Matthew is long gone and Evelyn is having some kind of intense conversation with a former Fluxxie executive.
“Relax, Hailey,” I say to myself as I press the button on the elevator to the fourth floor. I’m the only one here, so I have a bit of time to get myself together before I meet the devil in my office.
Or rather ‘our office.’ The term makes me want to lose my mind.
“Forget about the sex. Forget that you both met in the bar. Remember you hate this guy, but you’re at work. So, you have to put your pride and animosity for him aside in order for you both to work together. That’s right. The position of Brand Director is more important. Work is more important.”
I repeatedly chant ‘Work is more important’ as I make a beeline for the office at the end of the hallway.
I take a deep breath before opening the door.
I meet the devil leaning against the table, which clearly has a plaque inscribed ‘Hailey Donovan.’ His arms are folded across his chest, and he has a pleased expression on his face.
But that’s not all, because he’s not alone.
A blonde stands in front of him, gushing and blushing like she’s standing in front of a god. Matthew, who of course, thrives in being praised, smiles too widely at her (or maybe it’s just me).
They’re so consumed in whatever stupid conversation they’re having that they don’t even notice my arrival.
“The whole thing feels completely surreal,” the lady rushes out. “My family and I are such huge fans. It used to be a dream of mine to meet the star quarterback of the Wildcats, our favorite college football team. My father says you’re a legend. I know you’re retired now but oh my god.
Matthew smirks with a shrug of his shoulder. “I’m honored your family keeps me in such a high regard. It does feel like centuries ago since I caught a ball, even if it was only last year. I just like to keep it simple now, you know?”
She nods enthusiastically. “I completely understand. I’m so happy I’ll be working with you. Can I get an autograph? My dad would be happy for the rest of his life.”
I scoff in disbelief and slam the door so hard it vibrates on its hinges.
Okay, so maybe Matthew was a star athlete. But I could care less, not just because I’m not a fan of sports (even though I work at a literal sportswear company) but because I don’t like the guy.
The bang successfully announces my arrival. The lady flinches as she turns to look at me, but Matthew is unfazed. It’s like he knows it’s me even without looking.
“Miss Donovan,” she says, glancing between me, the notepad in her hands and the owner of the unwritten autograph like she’s trying to choose a priority.
Then she chooses common sense and tucks the note away. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Stephanie Perkins and I’ve been assigned to you both as a secretary.”
“You should learn to knock, you know?” Matthew sighs.
If looks could kill, Matthew Pierce would be six feet under by now.
“I’ll have to knock to enter my own goddammed office? Is that a joke? And get your butt off my desk. Would you?”
Stephanie awkwardly glances between two of us.
“Right,” he frowns, glancing at the plaque before leaning away. “I keep forgetting it’s not fully mine yet.”
A derisive chuckle leaves my throat. “Yet? What makes you think it will ever be yours?”
“What makes you think it won’t?”
“Um – ” Stephanie croaks, not sure of what to do or say. Anyone who walks in right now will no doubt feel the heated tension between us, so I can’t imagine what she thinks.
Also, I’m filled with too much pent-up anger to act professional around this man. So that’s Stephanie’s cross to carry.
Without tearing his eyes off mine, Matthew gestures towards the door. “If you’ll excuse us, Stephanie.”
An embarrassed blush covers her cheeks. “Of course. I’ll leave you both to it.” Then she exits the office as quickly as possible.
As soon as she’s gone, I point a finger at Matthew’s face. “Did you know about this?”
He walks past me and heads to his desk. “About what?”
“You know damn well what I’m talking about. Did you know it’d be me you would be up against?”
Matthew slides his jacket off his shoulders and I force myself not to stare at how the muscles of his arms flex in response. He drapes it over the back of his swivel chair and glances at me.
“And what if I did?” He asks. “You think I’d say no just because it’s you?”
My eye twitches a little. “Of course not.”
“Great,” he smiles that annoying smile of his. “I look forward to the magic we’ll make together. We seem to be doing a lot of that lately.”
It takes me one full minute to understand the meaning behind his coded words.
I shoot him an embarrassed glare but he’s already clicking away on his laptop. I part my lips to speak, but nothing comes out.
So, I just ball my hands into fists and stare at him ominously. I can’t believe I let this asshole sleep with me.
But the sex was good and you know it. My subconscious bites back.
He flicks his hand back and forth and without looking up, he says, “Would you mind moving away? You’re obstructing the air conditioning. It’s getting a little difficult to breathe with all that poisonous energy oozing out of you.”
That makes me snap.
I walk towards his desk, the clicking of my heels echoing in the tiny office, and then I slam my binder down on his desk.
He looks up at me, mischief swirling in his green eyes. It’s only then that I realize just how much his suit complements his eyes. He had dressed up fancy for today. I had just been too blind to realize why.
“Listen to me and listen good, Matthew,” I say. “It’s unfortunate that I have to work with you out of the billions of people in the entire world, but it has happened and there’s nothing either of us can do about it.
“Just because we’ll be working together doesn’t mean we’ll become friends. All we have to do is stay professional around each other and then once we’re out of the four walls of this building, we become strangers again.”
“We were never strangers, Hailey,” Matthew tells me. He leans towards me and the tiny space between our faces causes a temporary chaos in my brain. “And no matter how badly you want it, we will never be strangers.”
“That’s what you think.”
“It’s a fact,” he smirks. “As long as my sister remains your best friend, I’ll always be in your life.”
The mention of Jasmine makes me cringe when I think about last night. “Jasmine should never find out about last night.”
He raises a perfectly groomed brow. “I’m confused. What happened last night?
Before I can get a good response out, he leans even further and when he speaks, his lips brush my earlobe.
“Get a grip Hailey. Don’t break your own rules.”