Chapter 6
Melissa
My eyes squinted and I got lost for a second. Not because his question was strange but I just didn’t get why he’d be asking.
“No—“ I muttered hastily and swallowed hard. I couldn’t let him get suspicious of my plans. “No, Mr. Hills. Ian is just about the sweetest person ever.”
I watched a line appear on his forehead and he scrunched his nose up before giving a final nod. “If you say so, I may have to agree.”
I could tell he wasn’t satisfied with the response but his sharp nod connoted otherwise. He probably knew that his son was a jerk who deserves to be thrown in a fucking pit.
I looked back at the hanger and turned my attention to the dress I had in my hand.
When I saw that the dress wasn’t like the rest I picked, I frowned. It was more an outfit for a club than for work. I turned to drop it back but his voice stopped me.
“You can take that,” he said.
I turned to look at him and I raised my eyebrow. “Really? I mean—I didn’t even know when I touched it. I can drop it back, sir.”
He took a step forward and his cologne overpowered the atmosphere. Fuck, for a moment I thought I was going to pass out from the close range but I didn’t.
“And how many times have I told you I don’t like repeating myself?”
To say he wasn’t the powerful boss with a commanding aura would be an understatement. His look was stern, like the Boss who would stand and watch you crumble from intimidation.
His handsome face gave no room for comparison. He was definitely a man who looked after himself cause how else can I explain the glowing skin?
His neatly trimmed stubble beards and his sinful lips made me feel the tension but before I could summon the courage to say anything else, he turned away and walked to the counter.
I exhaled audibly. There’s no way on earth this man does not intentionally make people quiver around him. I needed to get something but I was gradually getting irritated by his arrogance.
Anyone else could see that his traits portrayed dominance, arrogance, and somewhat rudeness but no one could ever come out to say the Boss is this or that, they just think it’s some power trait.
Maybe it’s too early to judge him; considering I’m just meeting him for the first or rather second time but I can already tell it’s going to be a long ride.
He has made me feel less of a person but still, he has made me feel special with this treat. How can a person be so contradicting that both his bad side and good side sit to laugh at you?
Feeling uncomfortably out of place, I licked my bottom lip to calm myself while I watched Marcus Hills give the blonde receptionist his card. I struggled to hear her; to know how much these cost and know how indebted I’d be to him for getting me expensive clothes.
He only gave a nod acknowledging whatever she said and she smiled sheepishly back at him. I’m a good observer and that’s why I can tell she’s trying to get noticed by Marcus. He doesn’t patronize her, he just gives a small nod before turning to me. “Ready?”
“To leave?” I asked. I have no idea why I asked such a rhetorical question but the look he gave made me realize that maybe I needed to ask.
“No, to get you new shoes.”
With that, both our eyes trailed down to my shoes. The perfect college girl heels with a buckle and a very comfortable wage.
“Mr. Hills you don’t have to. This one may not look good enough but I do have others and I can wear them.”
That was a fucking lie—I did have a good shoe but that was the one on my feet. How on earth isn’t he seeing how good the shoes are?
“I insist.”
I saw the look on his face asking me to not dare him and I succumbed. Just like everyone else, shit.
“I love the women around me presentable. Neat and classy.”
He randomly blurted that as we walked over to the shelves and when my eyes saw a hundred bucks for just a pair of cut-out heels, I stepped back. “There’s no way I’m letting you get this for a hundred bucks. That’s a lot.”
“A lot?” he sneered and this time, I could feel the cold sarcasm in his question.
He’s a billionaire and I didn’t forget that but my stomach tightens whenever a man volunteers to do things like this for me, talk more of a man who is so adamant.
I mutter a thank you with the four shopping bags I held. Two on my right and the other two on my left. He opened the truck on his car for me to get the bags into them and I puffed out air.
I felt the sudden urge to say something about that night. I don’t remember much but I remember flirting with him and even accusing him of wanting to fuck me. I know that sounds so crazy of me but I was drunk.
Now willing to take responsibility and address the issue I opened my mouth to say a word but it wasn’t coming forth. This would make things awkward so I brushed it off and slid into the car.
Undoubtedly the most luxurious car I’ve been in aside from Ian’s Range Rover—a gift given to him by his father. No word was exchanged between us as he drove but the moment I saw he was taking a different route, I paused. “Why are you taking a different route?”
“I’m taking you home.”
“What???” I asked. Was he sacking me already? “Mr. Hills, I---”
“You need to rest Melissa. Because tomorrow, you resume fully as mine. Working as my secretary will barely leave you free. So get all the rest now.”
Everything he said, the entire sentence he blurted but the word mine—was that a slip of the tongue?