Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Good.” I paused. “Oh, and Chloe?”
She stilled, gripping the door handle, and peered back at me. “Yes, sir?”
“Thank you for the coffee this morning.”
Her eyes widened, and she stared at me as if she was seeing a ghost. “You’re… welcome?”
She stayed gazing at me for a moment before shaking her head and leaving the office, clicking the door shut behind her.
“Huh. Look at that,” Harvey mused, watching her go. “That’s how you knock her off her game.”
I sipped my coffee. “I did good, right?”
He swung his gaze back to me. “Actually, I think you scared her.”
I sighed.
I tried.
CHAPTER SEVEN – CHLOE
Curiouser and Curiouser
ME: He wants to discuss the trip. Over lunch. That he’s paying for.
HEIDI: Woah.
ME: Do you know what’s weirder?
ME: HE THANKED ME FOR THE COFFEE.
HEIDI: …Perhaps you should book an appointment with his doctor. Or did he hit his head on the way to the office this morning?
ME: He seems fine. Aside from the being nice part. I’m a bit scared.
HEIDI: Maybe he really does have a crush on you and he’s trying to soften you up to seduce you when you’re on your business trip.
ME: I’m having a weird enough day as it is without your crazy fantasies, thank you very much.
HEIDI: I’m just saying. Why else would he suddenly start being nice?
ME: I don’t know, but Harvey was in there. I suspect it’s his fault.
HEIDI: Is it a bad thing if The Bastard is nice to you though?
ME: Of course not. The whole reason I’m leaving is because he’s a total prick and I want a nicer boss.
HEIDI: What if he becomes one?
ME: Too little too late. I bet it’s all a ploy to create a better working environment, so I don’t hand in my resignation.
HEIDI: Told you he wants you.
ME: He wants my skills, not me.
ME: Stop talking shit.
I dropped my phone into my bag and stared at my computer. It didn’t matter how many times she told me that Theodore had a crush on me. It didn’t make it true.
Besides, he was the kind of person who acted on things like that.
At the very least, I expected him to be a gentleman to women he was interested in.
This weird ‘thank you’ that kept coming out of his mouth was something I wasn’t familiar with.
I wasn’t sure he’d ever thanked me until today.
He’d certainly not been much of a gentleman. Things like opening and holding doors were something I did for him, and I could count on one hand the number of times he’d returned that gesture.
Maybe I was a bit old-fashioned. I was perfectly capable of opening and holding doors for myself and many other people, but whenever someone held a door for me, it showed a hint of kindness and consideration.
Values I appreciated in a person.
Values I was unsure my boss truly possessed.
Theodore’s office doors opened, and he walked out, adjusting his tie. “Ah, Miss St. James.” He paused in front of my desk. “I have to check on something in accounting. Can we delay our meeting by around twenty minutes?”
Was that a trick question?
Obviously, the answer was yes, but usually his request would be framed as an order.
“That’s not a problem, sir,” I replied slowly. “Would you like me to go with you? Or is it something I can do for you?”
“No, it’s nothing big.”
“Should I order lunch, then? You didn’t say what you’d like to eat earlier.”
“No need. It’s already done.”
“It—” I pressed my lips together.
What in the fuck was happening today? What kind of parallel universe had I woken up in?
“Daniel!” Theodore crossed the office and stopped in front of Daniel’s desk, producing a slip of paper. “Can you go and collect this lunch order for me? It’s the next street over.”
“Y-yes, of course, sir,” Daniel replied, taking the piece of paper. “Shall I go now?”
“Yes. The collection time is in ten minutes.” He tapped his fingers against the desk and smiled. “Thank you. I’ll be right back.”
What the…
Another thank you?
“What was that?” Melody whispered after he’d disappeared. “Is Mr Black ill?”
“I have no idea,” I replied. “He’s been a bit weird all day. I’m starting to think he hit his head while showering this morning.”
“I’m a bit scared.” Daniel got to his feet and leant forwards as if he could still see the shadow of the boss through the glass doors. “I almost feel as though I’m being tricked into human trafficking or something. Like how those nail salons are a front for drug dealing and that.”
He’d been watching too many movies.
“If it eases your mind at all, that lunch place is perfectly legit. He eats there at least twice a week. They usually deliver it, but he probably didn’t order it in enough time,” I assured him, getting up. “Melody, stay here. I’m running to the PR department.”
“You are?” She peered up at me.