Chapter 12

**Esmeralda's POV**

What was I thinking? Of course, he thinks I’m Daisy.

He has probably even had a few drinks. Damn, I’m so stupid.

I pull back from the kiss and his confused eyes stare into my almost teary ones before realization dawns on him.

“Esmeralda, wait! That’s not what I…Goddammit” He swears but I’m already on my heels as I disappear around the corner before he can see me cry.

‘What the hell were you thinking, stupid?’ My sub conscious adds to the recrimination going on in my head.

With shaky hands, I bring out my phone from my purse and dial Keesha’s number.

“Come get me, please” I say.

“Baby, what’s wrong? Don't answer that, I’m on my way. It’s the Stone’s hall right?” She asks.

“Yeah, thanks” I croak out before she hangs up.

Ten minutes later, she calls me to tell me she’s around and I move out of the ladies’ restroom I’ve been hiding in with my head bowed.

Fortunately, I make it to the entrance successfully without running into Jack, Hunter or anybody else I might know.

I see Keesha’s car at the other side of the road and I cross and slide in with record speed.

“Damn. What happened? You know what? Let’s go home and have another girl’s night” Keesha says and I nod like a lost puppy.

I don’t know whether to feel ashamed for falling into his hands so easily or sad because maybe Jack was right, why would a man like that want me?

I keep quiet throughout the entire ride but my head was buzzing with thoughts. Am I overreacting?

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“…and then he called me Daisy. K! He called me another girl’s name!” I finish telling my sob story to Keesha who was patting my back as I blew into a tissue.

‘Could you possibly be any more pathetic?’ My subconscious little voice jabs at me.

“Damn! I just want to find him and strangle the fucking life out of that moron. Stop crying, he’s an asshole and you probably just fell in his arms because Jack made you emotional” She says and I can tell that she doesn’t really get why I’m crying over someone I met a few days ago.

To be honest, I’m crying so hard because I was embarrassed over how stupid I was.

For heaven’s sake, I kissed him first!

I kissed my boss! If that isn't enough reason to cry, I don't know what is.

“I need this job so bad. My life is over if I get fired” I start sobbing all over again and Keesha sinks into the couch finally giving up trying to console me.

“Did you know that eating ice cream while watching a movie is therapeutic? Let's do just that. Who knows? Maybe you'll feel better after” She says standing up to go to the fridge when the doorbell rings and we both freeze.

Keesha carefully tip toes to the door and peeps at the unwelcome visitor before mouthing “Holy Fuck, who is that?” to me.

I reluctantly leave my couch to see the reason why she looks dumbstruck and when I notice that the person at the door was Hunter.

I run and jump behind the couch just as she swings the door open.

He can’t see me like this! I look horrible with my puffy eyes and red nose!

‘Absolutely pitiful’ my stupid subconscious mocks and I silently hit my head against the couch to shut the stupid voice out

As soon as Keesha opens the door, he steps in and looks around. Just then I see recognition enter Keesha’s eyes.

“You asshole!” she yells and Mr. Stone turns to look at her in amusement before stretching forth his hand.

“Hi, I don’t think we’ve met before, I’m Hunter, Hunter Stone” He introduces himself to my best friend with a smile while I peep from behind the couch.

Keesha’s eyes suddenly become starry as she gives him a goofy grin while taking his outstretched hand.

“And I’m Keesha, nice to meet you. Sorry about my outburst”

Hey! I thought she wanted to strangle him earlier?

Why is she smiling at him? And so happily at that?

Its official, my best friend has betrayed me for a man.

“Can I please speak to Esmeralda? I believe I owe her an apology” He asks in that deep voice of his that makes me do stupid things.

Stupid things like kiss him when he was halfway drunk.

At least, Keesha knows I don’t want to speak to him so she’ll send him away. She'll probably tell him that she hasn't seen me since I left for the gala.

“Sure, she’s right there, hiding behind the couch" She responds and my jaw drops.

She did not just do that!

"I see" He responds as his eyes travel to the couch.

Before I can duck, his eyes meet mine from where I'm currently peeping. Damn it.

Since my cover was already blown, I stand up from behind the couch with the little dignity I have left and square my shoulders before adjusting the skimpy dress I still haven't changed out of.

If I was going to be fired, I was going to take it as calmly and professional as possible.

"Miss. Griffin, can I see you outside" He asks and heads for the door not even waiting for my response.

I make a move to follow him as he opens the door and steps outside but Keesha steps in my path.

"I'm sorry. I lost control of my remaining two brain cells back then. He was looking at me with those gorgeous eyes and he was just so handsom..." She starts to say but I glare hard at her making her shut up.

"If I get fired, you're dead" I state before joining Hunte...Mr. Stone.

It was starting to get cold outside but I couldn't care less about that. I only wanted to get the conversation over with.

After closing the door behind me, I look around and see him  leaning against the limousine with both hands in his pockets.

I start to approach him making him fix his unnerving gaze on me and I suddenly forget how to walk.

Left leg, left arm... No right leg, left arm.

Finally, I reach where he was standing and he opens the limo door gesturing for me to climb inside. I hesitate for a few seconds before obliging.

At this point, my hands were already shaking as a result of overwhelming anxiousness.

How hard can it be to fire someone anyway? He could just say "You're fired Miss. Griffin" and leave so that I can go and cry my eyes out to Keesha.

Why the hell did he ask me to get in the limo?

Immediately I was seated in the limo, he climbs in after me and closes the door.

"Regarding what happened tonight, Miss. Griffin I apologize. That was unprofessional of me...of us. I can assure you that it won't happen again and to make sure of that, I have to...."  I cut him off before he can finish what he was about to say.

"Please don't fire me! I'm so sorry for kissing you, it was a lapse in judgement for me. I promise you I'm not that kind of person. I really need this job" I declare with my voice breaking towards the end.

Turns out I can't take this calmly after all.

"I wasn't going to fire you." His deep voice rings out and I close my mouth effectively swallowing the string of  words I was about to say.

Oh.

"To  make sure that this doesn't happen again, I need to confirm something so I can stop mistaking you for someone else. Can you show me your bare back?" He finishes and I gape at him confused.

My back?

Why?