Chapter 16

Vanessa’s POV

I stayed at the office cafe on the ground floor for ten minutes my hands wrapped tightly around an empty coffee cup, I was so sceptical about going into the office to face Elliot.

Things were going to be awkward today after what he pulled yesterday, showing up at my house with a brand-new car like it was no big and I threatened to involve the police if he doesn’t leave that much was clear.

Still, I wasn’t going to avoid the office because of him. I had a job to do and I never asked for a car.

I adjusted my blazer, stood up, and threw the cup in the trash. As long as he didn’t fire me, I had no reason to quit.

I had a goal and that was to get my hands on those private documents in his office. They were the key to speeding up my revenge; once I had them, I could leave this whole thing behind because the truth was, I didn’t know how long I could continue working for Elliot when I hated everything about him.

Idiot, I muttered under my breath remembering the arrogant look in his face when he stood outside my house with his car and how disappointed he had seemed when I asked him to leave.

I walked to the elevator and hit the button for the top floor my hand trembling a little. I tried not to be nervous but I could feel sweat gathering at the back of my neck.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. I took a deep breath and stepped into the hallway walking quietly to the office.

The lights in his office were already on. He’s here, I thought my heart jumping a little. I walked closer and heard sounds; he wasn’t alone.

I pushed the office door open gently, and froze. Bernice was on his lap, straddling him her arms around his neck; her dress hiked up more than was decent and they turned to look at me like two teenagers caught making out behind the school building.

My lips parted, and my chest rose sharply. Bernice face lit up once she saw me and she looked like she had just won a prize.

Elliot, quickly turned his eyes away and his hands dropped to his sides.

I didn’t know what to do or feel at the sight but all the anxious feeling I had about facing Elliot disappeared.

“You should knock before coming in we are having a private moment here,” Bernice said and I tried my best not to gag.

I carefully put on a blank face trying not to show how disgusted I felt seeing them in that position I caught them four years ago when I saw them fucking in the office. The sight made my stomach turn and my chest twisted painfully recalling that cursed day.

Bernice’s eyes were glued to my face and I didn’t know if I should turn and leave or walk in and pretend like I didn’t care.

I lifted my chin and walked inside, my face calm.

“Sir, your schedule for the day and coffee,” I said, my voice flat as I placed the papers on his desk.

Elliot didn’t respond and Bernice scoffed at my indifference her eyes following my every move, her face still glowing with that proud little smile.

I turned around and walked out back to my desk.

Elliot’s POV

The day hadn’t even begun properly, but the pounding in my head had. The slow, dull ache that throbbed just behind my eyes had started because of Bernice.

“Bernice,” I said running my hands through my hair. “Can you leave, please? I have work to do.”

She moved fast and climbed onto my lap, straddling me her arms looped around my neck before I could stop her. She smiled leaning in closer.

“Grant my request,” she whispered. “You know I can’t agree to such nonsense.” I said when the door opened and Nessa walked in.

She saw us and stood frozen by the door her eyes moving slowly from Bernice to me. An expression I couldn’t place crossed her face before her her face went completely blank.

“Can’t you knock we are having a private moment here,” Bernice said and I scoff but I said nothing watching Nessa to see if she’d show any emotion.

“Sir, your schedule and your coffee,” she said, walking forward like she saw nothing. She placed the file and cup on the desk and left not glancing back even once.

“Fck,” I muttered under my breath, my head spinning. I pushed Bernice off me roughly.

“Hey!” she snapped. “What’s your problem?”

“Get up.” I did grabbing her arms and pulled her up without waiting.

“Elliot…!” She argued but I don’t wait and drag her through the door; She tried to dig her heels in when we got to Nessa’s office but I didn’t wait and dragged her harder.

“Outside, now.” I said angrily. I dragged her out of the office, past the front desk, straight to the parking lot.

She stumbled as I let her go, and she spun to face me, hair flying into her face.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I snapped. “I’m trying to work!”

“So am I!” she shouted back her voice sharp. “I want to be your secretary again! I was one before I got pregnant, remember? And I was damn good at it!”

My eyes narrowed. “You’re joking, right?”

“I’m serious! Sack that stupid secretary of yours and employ me.”

I stared at her one hand on my waist and the other on my head barely able to believe the words coming out of her mouth.

“You think I’m going to sack Nessa?” I asked, stepping closer. “Are you actually hearing yourself?”

“Yes I think so! Because whatever job she’s doing I can do better than that.”

“No, Bernice; I won’t,I don’t need a new secretary. I’m satisfied with the job Nessa is doing.” I barked furiously.

“Oh, I see,” she said, eyes narrowing. “That’s it, isn’t it? You like her right; I always had this feeling you are cheating on me with her because what’s so hard about letting her go.”

“What?” I rubbed my temples. “Don’t start with this cheating accusations please.”

“When have you ever not sacked your secretary?” she continued, raising her voice. “In the past year, you’ve gone through six of them! Six! But suddenly Nessa is a perfect secretary? Give me a break, Elliot.”

My head started pounding even more when she wouldn’t stop.

“I’m not doing this with you Bernice,” I muttered, pressing my fingers against my temple. “I’m seriously getting a migraine.”

“Oh, how convenient,” she hissed. “Leave, Bernice,” I said, voice flat.

“No.” She protested

“I don’t want you in my office.” I say menacingly walking towards her.

She stamped her foot, loud and hard. “You’ll regret this.” She spat.

I didn’t answer and turned back toward the building and walked away.

By the time I reached the elevator, the pain in my head had spread. I could still hear her voice echoing in my ears and my chest felt tight.

I reached the top floor and stepped out walking in fast to see Nessa. She was typing quietly, her eyes on the screen. Her posture was straight and her face unreadable like always.

She didn’t even spare me a glance when I walked in.

I paused for a second wondering if I should speak or let her be, “Nessa,” I called.

She looked up instantly. “Sir.”

Her voice was polite as always. Her face didn’t change one bit and had that same calm blank expression that made it impossible for me to know what she was thinking.

Somehow that expression annoyed me more than anything.

I shifted on my feet awkwardly. “Nothing happened between me and Bernice earlier.”

“That is alright, sir. It’s none of my business.” She said immediately.

I opened my mouth to say something else, but I didn’t know what to say. There was nothing to say because just like she said it was none of her business but it was that indifference that annoyed the shit out of me but at the same time I didn’t want her to misunderstand.

I nodded slowly and walked back into my office banging the door behind me.