The Agent – Chloe
THE AGENT
CHLOE
For some odd reason, this man drove right past two Apple Stores and a Mobile Central Depot.
He seemed locked in a trance, making a phone call every few minutes and directing his digital assistant to read and respond to emails.
“No, that won’t work for me,” he said to someone I couldn’t hear. “They’re on my time. Not vice versa…This isn’t a debate. Do it the way I want, or we won’t do it at all.”
Beep!
While he drove, I took in all the leather trim and woodgrain finishes at my fingertips—knowing that this was as close as I’d ever get to experiencing a car like this again.
He pulled closer to Hudson International headquarters, and I assumed he’d forgotten all about replacing my phone.
I wasn’t sure why my stomach sank at that thought.
It’s not like I can’t afford to replace it myself, especially now.
“Schedule a meeting with the Yardley client for me on Saturday morning,” Mr. Hudson said to his system. “Then after that, tell Sarah I want to see last month’s occupancy and rental records for my mid-tier properties.”
“As you wish, sir,” the system responded. “Tasks are being completed.”
Two security guards stepped ahead of us as he coasted toward the garage. They tipped their hats at him before opening the gate.
He sped up several levels, effortlessly rounding the turns, until we reached the top.
He pulled in right next to a man who was dressed in all gray. Then he finally looked over at me.
“You can get out now, Miss Sterling.”
I unbuckled my seatbelt and tugged on the door handle, but it didn’t give. I tried harder, but nothing.
“Oh, right.” He smirked. “I had to put on the child safety lock for you.”
“You locked me in?”
“For obvious reasons.” He tapped his screen and then directed me to try again.
It gave way that time, and I stepped out, draping his blazer over my shoulders.
“Here’s what you requested, Mr. Hudson.” The gray-clad man handed him a box. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Not at this time.”
“Very well, sir.” He nodded and walked past us.
“Follow me, Miss Sterling.” Mr. Hudson led me to the elevator, and thankfully, he had to make a call as we rode down a few levels.
When the doors opened, he waited for me to step off, and then he stopped walking.
“This is where you’ll check in daily,” he said. “This is where my public relations and community outreach teams work. They’ve been told that you’re leading a new project, and they’ll assist you in any way you direct.”
“Noted,” I said. “Do I have a cubicle?”
“No, but your new office is down the hall,” he said. “Will you be able to read your name on the door, or will I need to point it out for you?”
“I think I can manage.”
“Good.” He held out the box the man in the garage had given him. “Here’s your new phone with your new number inside so you can take your time transferring contacts from your old one.”
“Oh…Thank you very much.” I smiled. “I really appreciate this, and I do think I can come up with some way that—”
“I don’t need you in my line of sight for a while,” he interrupted my spiel. “I need you to be a fucking ghost whenever you’re in my building. Clear?”
“Um, no…” I shook my head.
“Which part are you struggling to understand?”
“With all due respect, Mr. Hudson, this is all moving extremely fast,” I said. “People typically get some type of introduction, a tour, and a bit more whenever they start a new job.”
“This new job already paid you, so let’s stop pretending like it’s anything typical at all.”
He has a point…
“Answer your phone—your new phone—whenever I call,” he said, his voice low. “Answer my emails, attend the meetings I tell you to, and don’t show up to my floor unless I send for you.”
I blinked.
“If you see me walking toward you, kindly turn around and go the other way.” He slowly slid his blazer off my shoulders, his knuckles brushing my bare skin just long enough to make my breath catch. “And you need to wear pantsuits—every single day—until you work your last hour here.”
“There’s a dress code here?”
“There is for you.” His gaze dragged slowly from my heels to my mouth before settling back on my eyes. “Clear?”
He didn’t wait for my answer.
He returned to the elevator, leaving me standing in the hallway confused, annoyed, and with soaking wet panties all at once.