Chapter 8 Trip Arrangements
ALICE
I waited out in the lobby for Mr. Linden-Hawthorne to join me.
It didn't escape my notice how I was the only assistant at this meeting. Nobody else brought theirs, and if I had to be completely honest, I would have to admit that I had no idea why Mr. Linden-Hawthorne asked me to join him.
My presence wasn't necessary. Like at all.
A couple of minutes later, he joined me. Without even looking at me, he started talking. "I want you to cancel all my appointments on Monday. Go ahead and cancel anything you might have, too."
Mine? Why? "I'm not sure I understand."
We stepped outside the building and moved toward the sidewalk, waiting for the company's car. It was freezing cold. I regretted not going for thicker pants, or at least wearing a layer of warm stockings under the ones I had on.
My ass would freeze off if the driver didn't show up quickly.
"I need you to call our pilot and arrange a flight to Helsinki. Find the best hotel away from the city and book two rooms, too."
"Two?"
A sigh escaped his lips and when he glanced at me, I saw annoyance written all over his face. "You know, Miss Rhodes, for an executive assistant, you're a little slow."
His comment offended me and I couldn't bite my tongue. "I didn't know reading minds was in the job description. If I had known this, then maybe I wouldn't have applied."
Amusement filled his eyes, but apart from that, it was the only visible change on his face. His expression was still carved from stone. "You're coming with me."
I wasn't sure what it was about those words that filled me with so much dread. Maybe it was just my fear of being anywhere near him. In a foreign country. After what happened.
"I hope your passport is valid." When he caught my dumbfounded expression, he added, "You do have a passport, don't you?"
"Y-Yes, but—"
"But what, Miss Rhodes?"
I chose to be honest. "I don't see why I have to come along."
Several beats of silence passed and the company car parked directly in front of us. Still, he didn't move. "Because I'm your boss and I say so. Do you have a problem with that?"
I didn't answer him. The longer we stayed out in the cold, the harder it became for me to think. Or maybe it had nothing to do with that and everything to do with the fact that the thought of being alone with him in a country far away from home gave me the chills.
"If that's a problem, I can have someone else join me. Another assistant, perhaps. Naturally, this will come with extra pay, but if you're unsure, then maybe—"
"No!" I interrupted right away. Maybe a little too loudly. "I mean, no. I'll go."
The asshole smirked, then opened the door and climbed inside. I did the same, grateful that the heat was on in the car.
I had a feeling he was going to mention Emma, and the thought of her getting a job like this didn't sit well with me at all. It was just what she wanted. It would be an opportunity for her to get her hands on my position.
Preventing that from happening was the only reason why I was still here, working alongside this bastard of a boss of mine.
"Don't forget the arrangements, Miss Rhodes," I heard him murmur beside me, and it ripped me right out of my thoughts. "We'll be meeting with Mr. Steimer as soon as we arrive along with a few clients, and then we'll head to a conference the next day. For this meeting, I want you to draft a few contracts."
I nodded. "Yes, sir."
I sensed that he was looking at me, and when I turned my head, I saw that I wasn't wrong. He was looking at me from the corner of his eye and that made my mouth dry and I got really nervous.
Why was he looking at me?
I cleared my throat, desperate to say something because the silence in the car was worse than anything else. "And you want me to arrange the flight for Monday?"
"No, it's this weekend. Book it for Friday."
"So soon?"
He turned his head to look at me. "Busy schedule?"
"No, I was just..."
I trailed off because I didn't know how to continue. I wasn't expecting it to be this weekend. It would be my brother's birthday, and I thought I could call him or something. Maybe my parents would allow it.
I knew they were mad at me right now, but would they really take that away from me? They knew how much he meant to me, and how much I loved him.
My brother, Rory, was different. I knew that even before his autism diagnosis. We were inseparable before I moved to the city to look for a better life. He was the one part of home I missed the most, and we talked whenever I had the chance.
We communicated in our own way. Rory was different from anyone I ever met before. He truly was special. He wasn't all that great at communicating and expressing his feelings, but he could read a room like no one else. It was his superpower. My brother could look at anyone and be able to tell what they were feeling.
He was a great judge of character, too, and would often communicate in one or two sentences whether or not he liked someone.
He was so talented, too, and the nicest person in the whole world. Rory was my hero. My baby.
And it killed me that I wouldn't be able to spend his birthday with him. All because of a misunderstanding.
All because of Emma.
Tears rushed to my eyes and I looked away sharply to hide them. The last thing I wanted was for my asshole of a boss to see me crying. I wouldn't have cried in front of him if this matter hadn't made me so sad.
I hated how things turned out. My conservative parents now had a bad impression of me because Benjamin went and told them about what he saw when it really wasn't his place.
He was cruel for it, and I didn't know how I would fix this situation.
By the time we arrived at the office building, I was more in control of my feelings. I got out of the car and ran my fingers down my front.
I would get through this. I knew I would.
I would go on this trip and—
"Miss Rhodes," Mr. Linden-Hawthorne said loudly, pulling me out of my thoughts. "In my office. Now."