Chapter 17 Adeline
Adeline POV
"No," I lied.
"Then what is it?" Percy shakes me gently, his eyes searching mine. "Why is he behaving that way? What does he have on you that you're so adamant he can't leave the firm? You know I can make it happen."
"This is not about him, Percy. This is about me and how this is going to reflect on me as an intern. What will people say if I get a senior associate fired?"
"I don't care about optics, Adeline. I care about your safety."
"Well, I care about my career!" I snap. "Mason has friends here. He said his uncle pulled strings to get him this job. If you fire him because he cornered me in a break room, the rumor will destroy me. Nobody will want to work with me, and I need people on my side to work my way up."
His anger diminishes a bit because he knows I'm right. He can do whatever he wants as the owner of the firm, but I don't have that luxury as a woman in the firm. My position is extremely vulnerable.
"He touched you, Adeline. He was touching your face," Percy says.
"He's a bully," I tell him. "He likes to intimidate people. If I run to you every time he pulls a power move, then I will be proving his point that I'm weak."
"So what? You just let him harass you?"
"No, you let me handle it on my terms." I reach out, taking Percy’s hand in mine. He squeezes back immediately. "I need you to trust me, Percy. Don't fire him, at least not yet. He's vindictive and will not hesitate to drag me down with him if he's fired."
Right now, Percy thinks I'm talking about petty office gossip that I could care less about when I'm thinking about my father and the prison records Mason could leak about me.
He thinks about my words before he lets out a harsh breath.
"Fine," he growls. "You want to handle it? You have a week."
"A week?" I was not expecting him to give me an ultimatum.
"I’m not watching him harass you indefinitely, Adeline. I’m giving you one week to shut him down, but I’m setting ground rules. You are never to be in a room alone with him ever again. And if he ever touches you, that's the end of it. Do you hear me, Adeline? I won't care about the gossips,he's gone."
Resisting further would only make him more suspicious, so I nod. "I understand."
"Good girl, come here." He pulls me into his chest, and I bury my face in his shirt, inhaling the scent of his cologne.
I managed to buy myself time, but I wonder how much longer I can keep this secret from Percy. Mason is like a bomb that's waiting to go off, except now, I have one week to defuse it.
"I hate him," Percy whispers into my hair. "I don't even know him, and I hate him."
"He’s not worth your energy," I tell him, and it's true. Mason is nothing but a big baby. A big baby that can ruin my relationship with Percy if I'm not careful.
"If you say so, but baby, I need you tonight. Come to the penthouse so I can hold you and make sure that you're okay."
I need him, too, so I nod and tell him I'll be there by 9.
The car slows down near the courthouse.
"Go drop off the envelope," Percy says softly as he drops a chaste kiss on my lips. "Adeline? Take the rest of the day off. Tell Mason you got held up at the clerk’s office. I’ll cover for you."
"Thank you, Percy," I say softly.
I climb out of the car and take a minute to gather myself before walking to the court. I was surprised the clerk's errand was real.
I think about my options as I approach the court. I know Mason won't stop just because Percy threatened him. If anything, the humiliation in the break room will only make him meaner.
And next time, I won't be able to hide the truth.
Mason doesn't corner me again, thankfully, but the atmosphere in the office is toxic, at least to me. He now keeps his eyes on me, always following me with his eyes. I could be doing something as simple as going to the printer, and he will follow me with his eyes.
Not to mention the work he gives me. I might as well be his assistant, as I'm always filing his cases and getting his coffee, while his assistant does nothing, but he keeps his distance.
It’s Thursday afternoon when I receive an email from him.
From: Mason Bernard
Subject: Client Dinner—Tonight
Adeline, Mr. Henderson is flying in early. We have a dinner meeting at Le Jardin at 7:00 PM. As you wrote the brief, your presence is required to answer technical questions. Don't be late.
I stare at the screen in contemplation. Technically, it’s work, so I won't be breaking Percy's rule of being alone with him because clients will be there.
I debate texting Percy, and I decide against it. He will only forbid me from going. Or worse, he will insist on being present.
If I don't show up, Mason will have every reason to file a legitimate complaint against me. It's a trap and we both know it.
I take a deep breath and hit reply. I’ll be there.
A few hours later, my hired taxi pulls up in front of the restaurant. Le Jardin is one of the most expensive restaurants in the city, and it's obvious from the elegant decor and the dimly lit interior to offer privacy.
The hostess leads me to a table in the back.
Mason is already there, all relaxed and even sipping a drink. The third chair at the table is empty.
I stop. "Where is Mr. Henderson?"
Mason smiles as he swallows his drink. "Flight got delayed. He won't be in until tomorrow morning."
I turn to leave. "I’m going home."
"Sit down, Addie." It's a command. "People are watching. You don't want to cause a scene, do you?"
A quick glance around tells me that he's right. Storming out would cause a scene in this high-end restaurant.
"One drink," I hiss, sitting down on the edge of the chair. "And then I’m leaving."
"That’s the spirit." He signals the waiter. "A glass of red wine for the lady. She needs to relax."
"What do you want, Mason? You said this was about work."
"It is about work, about your work." He leans forward so I see the scheming in those despicable eyes of his. "You think you’re untouchable because Akilov has a soft spot for you? I see the way he looks at you. I’m not blind."
"I don't know what you're talking about. " I say firmly.
"Please, don't insult my intelligence by denying it. You’re sleeping with him, aren't you?" Mason laughs, shaking his head. "I'm almost not surprised at all, you always were ambitious. Sleeping your way to the top is a classic move."
"I am not sleeping with him," I lie. "And unlike you, I actually work for my position."