Chapter 31 A woman in the office
SIENNA
“Good morning, Catherine. Good morning, John,” I greeted my colleagues as I walked toward my work area.
“Hey, Sienna. Good morning. You look so stunning today,” Catherine teased with a smile. “Tell me, Sienna, are you in love? Because only love can make you look this good,” she added.
I shook my head and threw her a don’t push your luck too far look. Raising her hands, she murmured, “Sorry, just joking,” with a smile and returned to what she was working on before I walked in.
I chuckled.
I would have believed Catherine if she had asked if I was getting a good fuck, but being in love? That would be the most impossible thing to happen in such a short time.
Subconsciously, my eyes went to Lucien’s office, but the curtains had been drawn, which meant he wasn’t in yet. However, before I could avert my gaze, I heard John say, “Boss’s window has been shut since he went inside with that woman. What could they be doing behind those closed windows?”
“What!” I shifted my gaze to John. “A woman is in there with him?”
“Yes, Sienna,” Catherine chipped in. “Don’t listen to John asking an obvious question. What do you think a handsome man and a beautiful woman would be doing behind closed windows?” she asked.
“What!” I spurted out, still unable to shake the shock away. “A woman is really in there with him?”
Catherine and John exchanged glances.
“Why do you seem more shocked than we were when we saw them walk in together this morning? You don’t believe the boss is single, right? It’s obvious a man like him has a girlfriend or even girlfriends. Because with his looks and full pockets, he could get tens of thousands of women to flock around him. He doesn’t need to ask them out. They will surrender themselves to him wholeheartedly,” Catherine blurted without a filter, as if she were intentionally trying to rile me up. Although I knew it wasn’t intentional, I just couldn’t help thinking she was paid to do that.
I scoffed. Lucien is shameless. He could freely bring another woman to the office days after banging me hard and claiming me as his? He didn’t want to see me with other men, but he could freely spend time with other women. I hate myself for thinking I meant something to him. He was just a rich, handsome man who thought he could get any kind of woman he wanted—and he really did get me.
“Are you there, Sienna?” Catherine’s voice jerked me out of my thoughts. “You’ve blanked out.”
I shrugged, shaking my head. “It’s nothing. It’s just surprising that the boss couldn’t separate his personal life from his work life. He knew bringing a woman to his workplace would spark gossip, yet he did it,” I let out, anger coursing through my veins like fire on dry leaves. If only I could barge in on them and stop them from going too far in their making out. Gosh! I hate him. I hate that he has this kind of grip on me.
“Well, he’s the CEO. He can do whatever he wants with the company and his office. And since he isn’t holding back my salary, I don’t think I have any problem with that,” Catherine asserted. She lifted her hands dramatically. “Oh, my boss! I don’t care if you bring thousands of women into the office. Just don’t let anything happen to my pay,” she said, clasping her hands together in a pleading manner.
John laughed.
I didn’t find it funny. He could bring thousands of women to the office? What the hell was Catherine talking about? She misplaced her self-discipline just for some money.
I know… I know… I wasn’t supposed to take the whole situation seriously.
But weirdly, it was serious. Very serious, if I must confess.
Before I could counter Catherine’s speech, someone cleared his throat. When we tilted our heads, it turned out to be my ex-husband, Ethan. I sighed and rolled my eyes before returning my gaze. He sure knew the wrong time to appear. I wasn’t surprised. Whenever I felt horrible, he was always around to increase my misery.
What a dutiful and punctual man!!! I leaned back against the chair and blew out air.
“Is this what you all are being paid for? Talking during work hours?” he barked, catching Catherine and John—who were still laughing—off guard.
They turned to their computers and pursed their lips.
“It seems I’ve been too lenient lately. Y’all have gotten the guts to act without thinking,” he continued barking.
Shutting my eyes, I heaved and sat properly so I could start the day’s work. Lucien was in his office with a woman. Ethan was drunk on power. It would be better if I just became the best staff member of the year.
“We’re sorry, Mr. Ethan,” Catherine mumbled. Of course, she should apologize—she was talkative. But I’m not sorry. She shouldn’t give a collective apology.
“That’s the easy thing you know how to say, Catherine. And that doesn’t mean you won’t do it next time.” This time, his voice was lower.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured again, flashing a smile.
“Sienna!” My name was called.
Gosh! I cannot explain how I felt when I heard my name. I was expecting him to act like an asshole, but I didn’t think he would actually act like one. Where the hell was his shame?
“Follow me to my office,” he mumbled, tucking one hand into his pocket as he turned.
“Can you tell me what you want me to do there?” I asked without getting up from my seat.
He stopped in his tracks and turned. From his clenched jaw and glare, I could tell my utterance angered him.
“You…” He gritted his teeth while tightening his fists.
I didn’t flinch. In fact, I leaned my head backward so I could watch him better.
“Don’t make me wait for you, Sienna. You have a minute to join me in my office.” He left without waiting for my response.
“You didn’t just do that, Sienna. That’s a lie. You didn’t just talk back at Mr. Ethan,” Catherine said.
Oh my God! I hate that she was so talkative today… of all days.
“I bet you don’t like this job anymore. You know Mr. Ethan can be crazy when he’s really pushed to the wall. Don’t do this to yourself, Sienna. No, darling. You’d better go to him before he really loses it,” John added.
I rolled my eyes and let out a deep huff. Oh, Jesus Christ! Why is everyone getting on my nerves this morning?
I woke up excited and paid more attention to my dressing today, only to lose interest five minutes after getting to work.
Gosh! I hate everyone. I hate Lucien especially.
Knowing I had no choice but to bend to Ethan, I let out another deep breath and stood up.
I just hope he doesn’t make me lose my temper.