Chapter 32 First Day At The Office
After that confrontation with Alexander, all the energy drained out of Alyssa’s body. She opened the door to their bedroom and found Eva sitting at the window with tears in her eyes.
“What happened? What’s there to feel upset over him? You know how impossible he is,” said Alyssa, but the tears fell incessantly from Eva’s cheeks.
“Why does he torture me always? Why can’t he admit he needs me?” she cried out, her voice cracking with the effort to speak. Alexander had hurt her again somehow.
“He does in his own twisted way. I don’t understand why he is so stuck up. Anyway, I’ve got the job,” said Alyssa, while Eva gaped at her with disbelief. She wiped her eyes and smiled at her with relief.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all morning,” she said appreciatively. “So, who’s your new boss? Some hot hunk who would whisk you away from under Nicholas’s nose?”
Alyssa rolled her eyes at her friend’s impossible wish! “No, it’s Nicholas himself!” she groaned while Eva sat with her jaws dropped to the floor, all her grief completely forgotten.
“I don’t believe this! How did you accept his job offer? I thought you didn’t want to work for him.” Alyssa sighed, her shoulders drooping as she gave her friend a lost look.
“I couldn’t access my account to draw my salary. Can you believe dad has frozen my account because I moved out of his apartment without his permission? He thinks he can compel me to return and do his bidding.” Eva gaped at her as words failed her. If she couldn’t withdraw her salary, how would they run for the next fifteen days?
“How will we survive till I get my salary?” she asked with a pale face.
“Don’t worry, I’ve asked for an advance and Nicholas has agreed. So we won’t have any problem at all.” Eva smiled and got up to get ready.
“That’s great news. So when are you joining?”
“Tomorrow,” said Alyssa, lying down with a sigh. She had no idea if Nicholas would return tomorrow. How would she face him without erupting after his last betrayal? No, she couldn’t afford to do that. He was his employer now, and she had to maintain a professional relationship with him.
“Did he kiss you again while interviewing?” asked Eva with a chuckle. Alyssa gave her a look of horror.
“No, absolutely not. He didn’t interview me, his HR Manager did. Anyway, we will maintain a professional relationship for a year and then I’ll be free to leave the job,” said Alyssa, while Eva grinned.
“My God! Have you sold yourself to him for a year?”
“Yeah, else I wouldn’t have received the advance payment, that too in cash,” she pointed out.
Eva chuckled and went to take a shower while Alyssa remained on the bed, closing her eyes and wondering what she would say to Nicholas tomorrow. Eva left after an hour and Mr. Stewart sent her pay immediately afterward, just as he had promised. It eased a lot of tension off Alyssa’s shoulders and she fixed herself a sandwich, ate it, and went out to explore the neighborhood. Later, she cleaned and arranged their home and bought a few essential items, too. Eva returned home, but Maxwell canceled his dinner program since his dad summoned him and he had to rush to his parents’ house.
“Thank God, he canceled it. I didn’t want him to come here again. Alexander has spies everywhere and would have again arrived here tomorrow morning to warn me off, Maxwell.”
“Why do you care? He can’t dictate to you around? You don’t owe him any explanation, Eva.” Eva shook her head, not agreeing at all with her.
“I love him, and I can’t ignore him, Alyssa. I can’t hurt him,” she whispered. Alyssa sighed and pulled her close for a hug.
“I know. You’re such a pure soul. He doesn’t deserve your love.”
They sat on the small balcony and talked without knowing that someone had rented the apartment adjacent to them and was listening to their conversation with utmost interest. They went inside to have dinner and hit the bed, as both had duty early in the morning. Alyssa was too restless and nervous the next morning and skipped breakfast altogether.
“At least have a toast before you go,” urged Eva.
“No, I’ll throw up if I eat anything. My stomach is in knots. I do not know what will happen today,” she mumbled. Eva chuckled seeing her state but didn’t force her to eat. Alyssa left at seven, eager to reach the office early and find her way about the place before Nicholas arrived. Driving into the parking area of the 56-storied skyscraper with its bold, modernistic, and sleek decor, Alyssa could almost hear her loud heartbeats.
She took the elevator to the top floor where Nicholas’s office was located, spanning four floors. The moment she entered the Sky Lounge, the freshness of the place, combining wood, velvet, and brass finishing with lots of green foliage took her breath away. The receptionist directed her towards Nicholas’s office and she approached the door with her head held high in the air, refusing to be dominated.
Was he inside? Surely the receptionist would have informed her if he wasn’t. Knocking firmly, she waited for his response.
“Come in, Alyssa,” came the prompt response, taking her by surprise. He knew it was she who was at his door. Could he see her through some spy camera? She looked around to see a surveillance camera just opposite his office door.
Opening the door, she walked inside to see Nicholas sitting at his desk with an amused expression on his face. “Good morning, Alyssa. Strange that you agreed to be with me,” he drawled. Alyssa instantly was on her guard, knowing he was teasing her.
“Sorry, sir. I didn’t agree to be with you. I’ve just agreed to work here.” Nicholas raised an eyebrow at her formal address.
“Sir? Who’s sir? I’m Nicholas to you, or have you forgotten everything we shared?” Alyssa didn’t lose her composure and continued to stand in front of him, elegantly poised and indifferent. She wouldn’t let him crawl under her skin.
“I have forgotten nothing, neither the friendship nor the betrayal. Now we can have only one relationship, that of an employer and employee and I prefer to keep it that way,” she stated, watching Nicholas angrily clenching his fists.
“What betrayal? When have I betrayed you?” he asked, getting up from his chair. Alyssa took a step back, wondering what exactly he was up to.
“I’m not here to discuss this, sir. Please give me work, for which I’m taking payment from you.” Nicholas stopped in his tracks and glared at her.
What was wrong with her? Did she know about the photographs he had sent her brother on the spur of the moment? What could he do? Alexander threatened him with dire consequences if he ever met his sister again and he felt the need to rub it in his face. He wanted to prove that he wasn’t scared at all. He sent the proof that he was indeed seeing Alyssa and would soon whisk her away right from under his nose, and Alexander wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
“If you’re talking about those photographs, I have an explanation, Alyssa. I didn’t betray you,” he said, staring at her stony face. Now he realized exactly why she had been ignoring him for the whole of last week. He understood why she didn’t emerge from her apartment for a week. Was he the cause of it all? Did she feel hurt by his behavior?
“I’m not taking a salary to discuss this, sir. Please, can you give me work?” she continued gruffly.
“Not till you call me Nicholas.”
“Fine, Nicholas. Please tell me what I should start working on.” Nicholas grinned and approached her, his eyes twinkling with interest. A strange thrill coursed through his body, seeing her in front of him, stunning, defiant, and totally irresistible. Things should get interesting from now on.
“Follow me. I’ll show you to your cubicle,” he said, striding out of his office. He led her to an office room adjacent to his and started the computer. Next, he informed her of the details as professionally as possible. It was a challenging task since, within the small confines of the room, he could distinctly inhale her fresh, seductive scent. It attracted him beyond words, and all he could think was how seductive she looked in her beige pencil skirt and blazer. The material clung to her body like a second skin and it made him desperate to hold her in his arms again like before. It had been so long since he had a taste of her delicious lips!
“Once you check your official email, come over to my office.” He strode out of her office room towards his.
The moment he left, Alyssa locked the door and sagged into her seat, drained already. This would be the most arduous task of her life. She wondered why he summoned her! Was it only for work? Or did she really note the look of pure desire in his eyes earlier?