Chapter 7. Harassment
Monday morning. Johnson Enterprises
Jackson Johnson
"Cancel the three o'clock meeting," I requested to my secretary, who nodded as she looked down at her tablet. "And for lunch, I'll have what I ate last Tuesday."
"Yes, sir. Anything else?" I shook my head.
"Thank you," I murmured, directing my gaze to the computer. She left the office. I paused, reflecting on my weekend in the Hamptons; it was the best weekend I could have spent. Alone. With no one around except my security team, whom I had asked to be as discreet as possible. I closed my eyes and let out a long sigh. I was already looking forward to Friday, so I could return to my sanctuary. The phone on my desk rang. "Yes?"
"Sir, the administrator has requested a meeting with you."
I frowned.
"What is it about?" I asked.
"She says she needs to discuss something urgent with you." I was intrigued.
"Send her in."
"Yes, sir." I hung up the call. Was there a problem? The door opened, and the woman with auburn hair closed the door behind her. I noticed something in her eyes that I didn't like at all.
"Miss Taylor, what brings you to an unscheduled meeting?" I remained seated in front of my laptop screen. She was quite silent, her gaze fixed on me, still standing with her back against the door. "Miss Taylor?" I insisted, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you with an unscheduled meeting, but I can't stay silent about what's happening anymore." That alerted me, and I stood up in one swift motion. I glanced at my jacket hanging on the back of my chair, hesitating whether to put it on. When I looked back at her, she started walking toward my desk quickly in those stiletto heels. I stepped back, seeing her intent to cross my personal space. "I can't stay silent anymore," her hands tried to touch me, but I was quick, moving around to the other side of the desk.
"Miss Taylor! Stop, now!" I exclaimed. Her face had transformed into that of a sexual predator, ready to pounce on her prey.
"Just give me a chance to show you that I love you, that I can give you everything you seek in a woman. Just one chance." My eyes widened even more.
"I'm not interested in giving you or any woman a chance." She started moving closer to me. "Get out of my office! Now!" She refused to comply with my order.
"Give me a chance to show you that I'm the woman of your life!" I nearly tripped over the chair trying to evade her. She ran and lunged at me, her mouth desperately seeking mine. I grabbed her wrists and, in one swift move, I was behind her, with her arms crossed behind her back. She whimpered. "Just one kiss! I've worked for you for five years! I know you find me attractive! Give me a chance! I don't care if you're gay! When you kiss me, you'll know you like women!" She started crying. I noticed one of her stiletto heels had broken in her pursuit. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the scene unfolding before me.
"Thank you for your offer, but I'm not interested, Miss Taylor." I pulled her carefully to avoid hurting her, opened the door as best as I could, and we stepped out. My secretary Miranda nearly turned pale at the commotion in front of her.
"Call security and have Miss Taylor collect her belongings." I released her. She turned to me, rubbing her wrists with tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I just wanted a chance!" she cried out loudly.
"And now you're fired." I returned to my office, ignoring the knocks on the door. Minutes later, the noise on the other side of the door ceased. "What's wrong with women today?" There was another knock, and I knew it was Miranda. I announced she could come in.
"Has Miss Taylor left?" I asked without looking at the door. When there was only silence, I turned my gaze and realized it wasn't Miranda but Máxima Adams, the HR manager and my personal lawyer.
"I've heard about Taylor's drama," she said as she walked over to the empty chair in front of the desk and took a seat. "Do you want me to sue her for harassment?" I shook my head. Máxima snorted. "Are you sure?" She pointed to the cameras inside the office. "We have enough material to do it."
I leaned back in my chair.
"I don't want gossip in my company."
"If you don't draw a line, they won't understand they can get into legal trouble." A smile appeared on her lips; I knew she was about to say something to tease me. "I know you look like an unattainable playboy, but you have to draw the line. Now you're left without an administrator."
"Hire someone else," I replied.
"Fine, and this time I'll personally recruit her to make sure she's suitable for the position and won't cause you future problems."
"Are you saying the ones I hire aren't suitable?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't say that, Johnson."
"I think you meant it." She raised her hands in surrender.
"Don't put words in my mouth that aren't there."
"Let's see who you hire," I said challengingly, and she noticed.
"I'll hire the best."
I canceled lunch and decided to go to one of the nearby restaurants I frequented. They took me to the private table away from the crowd that I usually requested. After ordering the best cut of steak with vegetables, my phone vibrated inside my jacket. When I took it out, I was surprised to see that my mother finally wanted to talk to her son.
"Johnson," I answered.
"I'm your mother," she said suddenly.
"I know, your name and photo appeared on my phone screen."
"I thought you had deleted me from your contacts or blocked me."
I frowned.
"You know I wouldn't do that. Even though you deserve the silent treatment, I wouldn't go that far."
"I know, that's why you're my favorite son."
I rolled my eyes.
"You say the same to Jacob." She laughed on the other end of the line. "So, what's the reason for your call?"
"I want to propose something to you." I raised an eyebrow.
"If it's about..." she interrupted me.
"Just one date. If after that date you see that meeting beautiful women is definitely not for you, then I'll let it go."
"Where's the catch?" I asked, frowning.
"There's no catch."
"Just one date and the matchmaking ends, just like that?" I thought it was a good truce to end her obsession with blind dates.
"Yes. Just give yourself the chance to meet someone, have a normal dinner, a trivial conversation, and when it's over, that's it. Everyone goes home, and I won't talk about blind dates with anyone anymore..."
"I insist, where's the catch, Mom?"
"There's no catch, Jackson."
"Fine, but if there's a catch, you'll make me angry with you, and that will push me away from you, you know that, right?"
"I know, son."
"Whose daughter?"
"My new cardiologist's. She has a daughter, beautiful, well-mannered, and charming. She's into meeting new people, and it's a good opportunity for you to get to know each other. What do you say? I'll pay for the dinner."
"There's no need for that; I can handle it."
"So, is that a... yes?" My mother's voice, filled with hope, made me uncomfortable.
"It's just a simple dinner?" I asked, already giving in.
"Yes."
"Alright. I accept, as long as it ends your obsession with setting me up on blind dates with your friends' daughters."