12.
All the signs pointed to the deal with Nano Associates being an emergency.
While there had been minor situations throughout the little time I was covering for Ophelia, none had caused such actions from Mr. Morrentti.
Not only did he abruptly appear at my apartment, he also drove himself which was extremely out of character.
He was dressed in what I assumed he probably categorized as business casual but what would be formal to most.
For all these reasons, I assumed it was necessary for my presence at the office. I quickly learned to never assume anything when it concerned Mason Morrentti.
I had spent the entire day sitting at Ophelia's desk, gingerly waiting on the edge of my seat for whatever was so urgent I needed to come into work for.
So far, all I had done was bring him two coffees, update emails, and waste an entire day of doing something useful.
I would rather be at home doing anything, even laundry.
I started getting extremely frustrated around 5 pm. There was no indication from him when or if we would be leaving soon; all I was doing was refreshing emails hoping new ones would come in. Seeing as it was a Saturday, I wasn't betting on it.
I walked over to his door and knocked. When I heard a hum, I opened it and made my way to stand in front of his desk.
His intense gaze was focused on his desktop screen, accompanied by a pinched expression. I could see his eyes scanning the lines of whatever document he was reading.
"Sir, may I leave?" I locked my hands behind my back, feeling extremely awkward and annoyed. I felt like a child asking permission from their teacher permission to use the washroom.
My annoyance peaked when he didn't acknowledge me. His eyes continued to scan the screen in front of him and his body did not indicate having heard me. I could feel my temper rising, making my blood hot.
Exasperated, I threw my hands up slightly in defeat and turned to make my exit. This man was impossible.
"Miss. Merile, who dismissed you?" His stern voice stopped me in my tracks. He always knew what to say to piss me off.
"I did." I reached to open the door, but as I did a thick hand slammed it shut. I remained facing the door, my hand gripping the handle tightly. With my other hand, I pulled the door forcefully in an attempt to open it. It didn't even budge under the weight of his hand.
"Turn around." His gruff command sent a shiver down my body. I tried to hide the effects of it by tugging at the door once more.
"No." His arm was stretched over my shoulder, his tattoos on display thanks to his rolled-up sleeves. I stared hard at the delicate swirls of dark ink. He stood close behind me to the point I could practically feel his body heat emanating from him.
"I won't ask again." I looked over my shoulder, tossing my curls as I trailed my gaze from my eye level of his chest up to his eyes.
"So don't." Our eyes were hard, each fighting their battle for dominance over the other. It was as if we were having a staring contest, except it was more along the lines of who could portray hatred in one look the most.
From the way his eyes flared, I knew I won. As quickly as he got up and made his way to the door, he flipped me around and pushed me until I was flat against his office door.
I gasped in surprise at the movement and the sheer fact that he performed the entire maneuver with one hand.
His hand stayed on my hip and I could feel the soft grip he was using to keep me in place.
It was gentle enough that I could get out it if I wanted to and strong enough to maintain his dominance.
"Why are you so impatient?"
"Excuse me?" I guffawed. "You claim I'm needed on my day off for this emergency concerning a deal. The only thing I've done all day is get your coffee and you're calling me impatient?"
"There was an emergency. I handled it."
The balls on this guy. Before I stood in as Ophelia, I used to envy how perfect this job seemed but knowing she had to work with this class A asshole, I pitied her.
"So, let me see if I'm understanding this correctly? You show up at my place saying there's an emergency at work and to come with you. I proceed to follow you and then you handle said emergency all by yourself while I sit right outside waiting for you, doing nothing? The. Entire. Day."
"Huh, funny how that worked out." He smirked as his eyes lit up in humor.
I was torn. All I wanted to do was slap the shit out of this domineering alpha man who thought he could do whatever he wanted without repercussions. The other part of me, the more controlled conscious one, knew that if I were to do that it would cost Ophelia her job.
So, I did what anyone in my position would do when all the cons outweighed the pros; I sucked it up.
"May I be dismissed, Mr. Morrentti?" I willed my voice to remain steady and unbothered. His head bent closer, inspecting my facial features.
"No." Our faces were close and the air, once tense with anger dissipated into something lighter, causing my chest to flutter with every inhale.
There was no doubt that I was angry about the way my entire day was spent because of him.
He always knew exactly what to say or do that could send my blood pressure skyrocketing.
Yet, there were little moments like this where my body couldn't fight its attraction to his.
There was this magnetic pull as if we were opposite forces constantly attracted toward one another.
Leave it to me to be attracted to the biggest asshole walking the planet.
"I no longer see how my services are required."
"I can see one way they are."
"Which is?"
"I need you to accompany me to a business supper."
"I'd be happy to do so during the work week." I smiled sweetly.
"Do you like getting on my nerves?"
"Very much so."
"The meeting is tonight. It's with a prospective investor. Your attendance is mandatory. If you don't come, you're fired."
"Are you threatening me, Mr. Morrentti? I never took you as someone desperate to find a date." He leaned off the wall, placing the hand that was on the door onto the other side of my waist.
"Trust me, I'm not. As for your question, consider it a promise."
His fingers squeezed my waist softly before dropping to his sides as he took a step back. He examined the time on his watch, turned and made his way back to his desk.
"We'll be leaving in five minutes. I'll meet you at your desk."
Suck it up. Easier said than done.
There were a couple of things I'd like to do and say to Mr. Morrentti. Unfortunately, for the sake of my sister's career and our ploy, I couldn't do any of them.
However, it was really hard rolling with the punches when the punches kept coming.
The ride down the elevator was strained as was the car ride to the restaurant. Besides the quiet 'thank you's' from me for opening doors, we did not speak.
I prayed that the weird energy would end when we got to the restaurant. However, that idea got quickly shut down as we were seated at our table.
After several minutes of scanning the menu in silence, I asked when his guest would be arriving.
"They won't be."
"What?"
"They cancelled."
"When?"
"As we left the office."
"Okay." I drawled. "So, why are we here?"
"It would be a waste to cancel a dinner reservation at Cheri's. I figured we might as well enjoy it." I watched as he draped the cloth napkin over his lap and continued examining the menu. His movements were less confident than usual, almost nervous.
"Shouldn't you be mad that a prospective investor canceled minutes before a meeting?" I eyed him curiously. I've seen this man loose his shit over the phone over matters less trivial than this so the fact that he didn't seem angry made me curious.
"Well, it's obviously a lack of manners to cancel last minute but under certain circumstances, I'm an understanding man."
Our eyes met across the table. The dim light flickering from the candle between us illuminated his left dimple resulting his half-smirk.
I felt my breath hitch as I caught sight of it.
This man was the human embodiment of all my weaknesses in a man.
Between the dimples, curls, and tattoos, my body could not catch a break from this guy.
Thankfully, the waiter came and I tore my gaze away as I sat patiently waiting for him to finish ordering. The waiter turned to me, offering a polite smile as a signal to say my order.
As I opened my mouth, I was rudely cut off.
"She'll have what I'm having. Thank you." My mouth opened slightly as I glared at him, silently sulking as the waiter thanked us and took our menus.
"I can order for myself." I crossed my legs underneath the table, unintentionally kicking his shin in the process.
"I already know what you would have ordered."
"Oh, yeah? Please, do tell me Mr. Morrentti, what would I have ordered?"
"Fine, I'll enlighten you but let's make a deal. If I'm right, I get something."
"And if you're wrong?"
"I don't intend on being wrong but if I am then you get something from me." The smirk on his face should have scared me. It should have sent me running for the hills.
"It wouldn't hurt for someone to owe you a favor. You never know when you might need it." His amber eyes flickered dangerously, glowing from the light of the candle. His index finger swiped up and down the stem of his wine glass.
I fidgeted under his stare, slightly uncomfortable. Incidentally, as I was adjusting myself, my leg hit his once more. As his smirk grew, he used his leg to block mine in between his and the center leg of the table.
I reached forward and took a sip of the chilled wine. Our eyes remained locked as I placed it back on the table.
"Alright. Deal. What was I going to order?"
If possible, his smirk grew deepening his dimple.
"Soupe a l'oignon."
My heart plummeted. Not because he was right, but because he knew how to speak French. The universe was laughing at me.
"Well, Mr. Morrentti I guess you owe me a favor." I grinned as his smirk fell. He looked shocked as if he did not know what to say. I guess he didn't lose much.
"So, what were you going to order then?" He eyed me skeptically.
"Ratatouille, of course. I hate onion soup. Actually, I hate all soups. I'm just not a soup girl. Never was and never will be." I scrunched my face up in disgust and shivered dramatically to further illustrate my dislike for it.
We sat in silence until the food came. I was trying to look everywhere but him. He was looking at nothing but me. It was unnerving.
"Why are you staring at me?" I snapped quietly, leaning forward slightly.
"How long have you been working for me?" His head cocked to the side as he examined my face.
"Feels like a lifetime, huh?"
"How long?" His voice was hard and demanding just like it'd be several hours ago when he ordered me to turn around and face him.
"A little over two years now." I didn't know the exact number of months but I remember Ophelia celebrating her second year at the company not too long ago.
"Interesting."
"What is?"
"It's interesting how after eating soup every day at lunch and at business meetings and galas, you are suddenly and have never been a 'soup girl'."
Was it me or was it really hot in here?
Written: 1/4
a/n
Hey guys,
I'm really sorry about the posting delay! Here's a new chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 13 will be coming soon :)