Chapter 20: A New Job

TERESA.

Just like a statue standing tall against the winds and rain. One that did not move, not by an inch. Just like a tree with deep roots that did not bend and remained motionless. This was how I felt in front of this man who, by the mere presence, disturbed me. I wanted to disappear, but where and why? I came here with a purpose. The thought of losing to this man fueled me to push harder. So, I didn’t let him see how I felt around him.

I was creating different images in my mind just so I would not let myself be intimidated by him. Trying to imagine my wonderful moments just to ease my tension and my breathing.

I prayed to God in succeeding to master my emotions faster than his eyes, mesmerizing me. He became the central attraction of my sinful fantasies, and sometimes I had moments when I was too ashamed to admit my thoughts, even to myself. I was the only way I could dream of him. But I still wonder what he was doing in my dreams? Who let him in there?

His dancing sky-blue eyes were now staring, measuring every curl of my hair that fell on my shoulders. I tried to maintain my posture, but his gaze disarmed me. Although I was feeling attracted to this man, I also felt panic, fear that I would end up with my soul in shreds. But we just could not stay all day staring at each other, now, could we? Liam was long gone, and I was feeling a little exposed.

“It is nice to see you again... Teresa!”

My name on his full lips sounded like a melody of a dream. He had almost... moaned it, and God, as my witness, I liked it. The way his lips parted and curled into that perfect smile made me wonder what else could he do with them. Hot chilies were dancing on my skin on fire.

I just could not control myself and as I was looking at him, I realized he enjoyed making me feel this way. So somehow, I had to bring reality between us or we couldn’t control this sinful tension anymore.

”I wish I could say the same thing, Mr. Gallagher!”

I was positive he did not expect this statement, but I would not take it back.

“Ouch, that hurt, but anyway, coffee?” I hated his way of seeing the situation and dealing with it. Was I the only disparate here? Apparently so. He didn’t give a damn if I got hired or not. He just liked to play. But he didn’t find his toy with me, that was for sure.

“I am not here for courtesy and you know it! But I can’t say I don’t thank you for the opportunity because if I think about the real reason I’m here, it would mean leaving this building in a second.” I was trying to be nice, but with him around, it didn’t work out for me. I thought my anxiety would somehow protect me, but on the contrary, it exposed me more. And though I came here to establish my future, I felt like I was in the wrong place.

“Actually, I know and for that, I will not keep you long, as I really need someone to lead my marketing department.”

Talking about shocks. I was in one right now. My brain shattered for a moment, trying to cope with what this man had said. He wanted me to lead an entire department? My state of awe was getting heavier by the second, and I just could not unlock my eyes from his.

He was just like that snake that was hypnotizing its prey to devour it. I wanted to give him a reply, but my words stopped flowing the moment I heard I had to lead something.

I could not expect what he was going to tell me, but when he did, my words just stuck in my throat. And as of now, staring became our only form of communication. None of us gave up. I felt it was like a damn contest on who was going to blink first. This was getting really ridiculous.

His eyes that once I felt as my salvation now were like my damnation to motionless. I thought my icy stare was enough to disarm him, but he had a steadiness that was pissing me off.

“Lead your Marketing department? Are you mocking me?”

“Why are you not feeling up to the job?”

Now that comment has set me on fire. And so, it was hard to resist this man in the same room, but to challenge him to a series of sharp remarks. I’d better be ... polite... but sarcastic.

“You don’t have a job in this company that I can’t handle!” But when his laughter started, my little patience worsened and became an unstoppable rage, but still trying to hide it in the deepest corners of my being. This man doesn’t even deserve my anger.

“Oh, well, if that is the case, I am sure you will handle more than spectacular the one I assigned you for, right?”

“Don’t you need a resume or something?”

This man was getting on my very thin nerves. How can he hire someone without even knowing their potential? He just can, because he was Sebastian Gallagher, the most selfish, annoying, so full of him man I have ever met. There, I said it! And I was still alive.

“Well, if you came from the Bellingham magazine and with a background like yours, I don’t really need it! But fine, if it makes you feel better, give it to me!”

Lord, now you need it, now you don’t. As I handed it to him, our fingers brushed for just a brief second. I couldn’t explain my feeling to that. His warmth had slipped into my being through that millimeter of skin with which we connected.

I tried avoiding it, but the heat from his rough yet gentle fingers crept into my consciousness, preventing me from thinking rationally. And if my thoughts were not rational from that tiny connection, this invasion of my personal space dug deep into me and I had no shield to prevent that from happening. But somehow, I had to snap out and focus on the reason I was in his company.

I needed this job, so with sudden movements and trembling I withdrew my hand. His awkward smile gave me the impression that he had noticed the minor incident and my reluctance.

But with a relaxed expression on his face, he was commenting on my experience despite what he had said earlier. I stoically resisted all his remarks without saying a word. Certainly, if I didn’t do it, the silence in the office would turn into a battlefield. I was usually volcanic, but his presence totally disarmed me.

“Wow, this thing is really impressive!”

And this time he wasn’t faking. I could tell from the tone of his voice. It was a deep voice that gave him the confidence he was showing. Though it was difficult on my ears, as every time I heard a syllable from him, my body wouldn’t listen as it should be. His melodious words had this purpose to ignite fires within me.

In other terms, he had that kind of voice that I could easily fall for; and I was trying to keep my feet on the ground anchored in my reality because if I stepped into his reality for sure, it would not deny me the entry, but did I have the ability to face it?

I didn’t know why, but I could swear that this man was swimming in his fantasies right now and that in some of those fantasies, I was in a place of honor. I could read it in his eyes, full of thousands of meanings, in the way he spoke to me, as he cornered me like a predator.

Damn my morality. I felt tingling everywhere; my entire body reacted violently to him. I had the impression that he was going to sacrifice me for his pleasures. Right there on his office desk throwing everything on the ground, making room for our chained bodies, consumed by passion.

How was I supposed to stay focused when all my thoughts were so lost in his perverted mind? And then again, how the hell would I know if his mind was like that? But I had to unchain myself to be able to give a straight answer.

“Thanks... I guess... but I have to warn you, I don’t know that much about marketing in your company, given the line of expertise. "

“Please, don’t worry about that, Teresa. As long as you stay by my side, you will learn. I will teach you; I promise!” hearing again my name coming from his lips pushed me once more in the same fantasy I was so desperate to get out. And he followed me closely.

“All right then, when can I start?”

“How about... right now!”