Chapter 7 #2
Tobias's eyes are hard, glaring down at me, making me take a step back into the apartment. “Morning.” His voice is colder than usual. I can tell he’s angry about something, I’m just not sure what has him in such a mood so early in the day. Have I forgotten something when getting ready?
“Come on, let’s get to work,” Theo says.
He throws his arm over my shoulder like we are best buddies.
Tobias's jaw clenches and unclenches out of the corner of my eye. How have I managed to make him even more upset? “I thought you could come to work with us. I don’t trust that car of yours,” Theo tells me.
I roll my eyes. “There is nothing wrong with my car, you are just a snob,” I scold.
This man will never understand what it’s like to live by a certain means.
He pulls me in closer, squeezing my shoulder before letting me go completely and letting me walk by myself.
I follow them out to their car, the sleek blue BMW M340 which is waiting out front.
The valet tosses the keys, and Tobias catches it in the air before walking around to the driver’s side.
My hand is on the rear handle when Tobias speaks. “No, in front, with me.” I look back but Theo already hops in the backseat. Can this be any worse of a start to my day? I take a seat beside Tobias and do my best to not make him anymore upset with me.
Tobias is a demon, of the speed demon variety.
The man doesn't pull away as we drive out. No, he stomps his foot on the pedal and the car screams as we race through the city. He plays a game with weaving between the cars. Honks, screams, and curses meet my ears and I slump a little in my seat. Is this because he’s mad at me, or is he always like this?
Theo doesn't seem the least bit disturbed. Tobias swerves the car into a parking spot and stomps on the brakes. My head thumps against the headrest and I whimper at the whiplash. If either of them hear my complaint, they ignore it. Once safely stopped, I scramble out of the car, knees shaking. I've never been so grateful to get out of a vehicle before. There’s no way I’m driving with him behind the wheel again.
I'll walk home first, or try to summon my missing stray and ride him.
Anything has to be better than this experience.
Tobias exits on his side and slams the door behind him, stalking off. I shiver at the palpable rage.
Theo chuckles, eyes on me. “He is just jealous at how well we get along.” I can hear the mocking in his tone. I roll my eyes before following after.
My heels click on the ground as Theo and I race to keep up with the angry Tobias.
Stepping in the elevator, I stand between the two.
What is it with elevators? The smell of both their colognes fills the tight space.
On one hand, Theo's scent brings back the memory of that kiss, and that other elevator ride.
But on the other, Tobias's aroma makes my mouth water.
I want that softer Tobias who has stood behind me.
I lean closer, inhaling Tobias's thick masculine scent. Tobias moves closer to me, snapping me out of my trance. I glance up at him to see if he notices but his eyes are closed. Still, he’s leaning into me, giving me a better angle to indulge in his unique aroma.
I lick my lips and take a timid step back.
My thighs are even wet at this point. I have to reel it in.
I bump into Theo and Tobias's eyes snap open. They flicker between dark and light. This has to be a trick of the light, right? I grip his forearm and shake him. “You okay, Tobias?” As soon as my hand touches the warm skin of his arm, I gasp and a tingling sensation runs up my arm. Moving my hand, I run it up his arm to the crook of his elbow completely enthralled by the sensation of his skin under my hands. The door dings signaling our arrival at the office and breaking me out of this new trance. I want to touch him more, explore if all of him gives me that little zap. What am I thinking? These are my bosses! But I can't deny there’s something there, something dangerous pulling me closer and closer to my boundaries every time I’m alone with them.
I don't know how much longer I can hold back before I snap and cross that line.
“Sorry,” I mumble. What the hell is wrong with me? I can’t believe I just touched my boss like that, and that I would have gone farther if the trip had been longer.
Stepping out of the elevator, I rush to my desk, trying to keep my distance from them both.
I’m clearly not in the right headspace. Something in me keeps craving them, making me react in ways I normally wouldn’t.
They both walk into their own offices, not even sparing a glance at me.
Maybe I imagined it? Can it really be all in my head?
The minutes tick by, keeping me in agony.
It doesn't help that my head throbs from the overindulgence of last night.
I want the day to be finished so I can curl up in my fluffy bed and get some much-needed sleep, but it isn't even lunch time yet.
At least I have enough money to actually get a decent lunch today.
I won't be surviving on crackers or scraps.
I don't even have to worry about gas because of the forced carpooling so it’s best to just indulge for once. I grab my purse and head downstairs.
The day is a nice one, perfect for a scenic walk.
I’m not about to ask either of my bosses to drive me anywhere.
Alone with either of them in the state I'd been lately is just asking for trouble. I make it to the ATM by the cutest cafe and fish out my card. I pull out a simple twenty. It’ll be more than enough to take care of me.
The machine spits out my receipt and I reach for it, preparing to just toss it aside.
I never have spare money since I’m indebted for the next few years, but something is off, there are too many digits on it.
I stare at it, trying to comprehend. What has happened?
My entire pay is on here, the hospital's fees hadn't been taken out.
I gulp, rip out my cell phone and call the hospital.
A late fee will cripple me. I won't be able to afford lunch for who knows how long.
The ringtone mocks me as whoever is on the other end refuses to answer until the fifth ring. “Mater Hospital,” answers a cheery woman. “How may I direct your call?”
I tell her everything. Who I am, about my bill, and that I can't possibly afford a late fee. I don't understand what has happened, but I need her help to get it all fixed.
“One moment please,” she blurts out. Her rapid keystrokes fill my ears.
“Ma'am?” she questions, her tone off. Oh no, has something else happened?
I close my eyes, fearing the worst and make an affirmative grunt for her to continue.
“Your account has been paid in full, that's why nothing was taken out. There's nothing left to be paid.”
I pull the phone away from my ear, studying the number. I dialed it too many times to get it wrong. So that part isn't wrong. But can this really be the truth? That makes no sense. I don't make enough to cover the hospital bill in one go. “Please, check again?” I whisper as I clutch my phone tight.
She pauses on the other end, sighing at me. “You are Imogen Riley, correct? Please, give me your date of birth again and we will double check for you.”
“August 15th, 1995,” I recite. She types my information in again and I wait.
“Ms. Riley, your account has been paid in full and is completely closed.”
“Who paid it?” I blurt. I have a vague idea at this point, but that doesn't make sense. Why would anyone take on a debt like that?
“Kane and Madden Industries,” she replies with that chirpy voice of hers.
“That son of a bitch,” I growl into the phone. I don't know which one of them I’m going to strangle for getting in my business but I’m not some fucking damsel in distress for them to save.
“Excuse me?” The woman on the other end doesn't sound so happy anymore. Oops.
“No, not you. Thanks for your help.” I hang up the phone with one well-timed jab. What the fuck do they think they are doing? Those are my finances, my bills! The only thing either of those assholes need to know is how much I’m paid a week. Beyond that? It’s all my business, not theirs.
I don't even bother eating lunch. Rage is my food for the day and its fiery grip is enough to fuel me as I march straight back to work. I nearly break a nail when I jam my finger into the up button. They are lucky I’m wearing heels, otherwise I'd just run up the stairs.
Tears of rage shimmer to life in my eyes, my hands tremble as I clench and unclench them, imagining myself strangling two business executives who don't know how to pay attention to their own lives.
The sound of the bell is like the start of a fight.
Before the doors are completely open I march, my heels echo my aggressive pace on the marble floors.
Tobias's office is my first target. If he isn't the one responsible, I'll ream out Theo next.
I grab the handle and throw the door open, letting it slam into the wall.
“How dare you?” I demand. Theo and Tobias are both in the office. I appreciate that I don't have to run around yelling at them both. They jump at my growl.
No, that isn't nearly strong enough for what I need to get across to them. “How fucking dare you? You have no right to go snooping into my business. I can’t believe you would do that.” Most people might have been relieved by this timely rescue, but not me.
My mom raised me to be independent. This is just straight up an invasion of privacy.
I visibly shake, tears still threatening to spill.
“Imogen?” Theo has his hands on his chair, he looks torn between staying in his seat and coming to my side. He glances between me and Tobias, his brows furrow. “What are you talking about? What happened?”