Chapter Four - My curiosity is getting the better of me.
Orson
As I reach the office after my night with Mira, I’m in a great mood. The sex we have always puts me in a great mood because it’s mind-blowing. Our ability to have fun together never wavers. It would have been more interesting if Everly agreed to my proposal to join us. It’s been a while since I last had a threesome. I’m confident that my night was more interesting than hers.
As I go to head inside, I see Everly coming towards the building. She looks exhausted. If she got good sex last night, she would be glowing. I’m still puzzled by what she finds attractive about him. I stand near the elevator, waiting for her. When she catches sight of me, she rolls her eyes and changes course towards the stairs. I can’t help but smirk because she’s clearly avoiding me. I won’t let her escape so easily. I go and catch up with her.
“Good morning, sweetness.” I greet.
“Go away, Orson. I chose the stairs for a reason.”
“Nope. I am free to do whatever I want. I own the place, remember? Did you make it home safely last night, or should I say, four hours ago?”
“Yes, I did. What do you want, Orson? I am not in the mood. I am exhausted and cranky.” She snaps.
“Cranky? Was the sex that terrible last night? If the sex were good, you wouldn’t be in a bad mood.”
Once again, she rolls her eyes. “My sex life is none of your damn business.”
“If you took me up on my offer, you would be in a great mood this morning,” I say confidently.
A smug look covers her face. "You do understand that I have the option to report you for discussing such matters with me, right?”
I pay no attention to her comment. It is true, she could, but she won’t. How can I be sure of that? Despite our frequent arguments, she hasn’t reported me even though she easily could have. I had the chance to fire her multiple times, but chose not to.
“Are you seeing your old man again tonight?”
“Orson, go and fuck yourself before I make you accidentally fall down the stairs.”
Her response is so amusing that I can’t help but chuckle. I believe she would be thrilled to do that. Her threat doesn’t offend me. Ever since she started with me, she’s always been like this. While we do fight frequently, there are moments when I actually enjoy it—something I would never admit to her. I am sure she does, too.
To escape from me, she manoeuvres through the crowd. It’s a bit immature. I shake my head and wait my turn behind everyone else. Once I reach the top of the stairs, I immediately go to my office.
I pause in front of my office door. “Everly, my office, now,” I announce.
It makes people look at her. She hates it when I do that, but that is why I do it. With a forced smile, she stands up from her desk and walks over. I stroll inside, waiting for her to come in after me.
“What can I get you, Mr. Maddox?”
“Coffee. I forgot to get it on my way in.”
“Yeah, sure you did.” She mutters.
With crossed arms and a raised brow, I look at her. “Excuse me? What did you say?”
“Nothing, sir. Is it only coffee, or do you want breakfast?”
I shake my head. “Only coffee and hurry. I don’t have all day.”
She has a company card which she has to get me what I need. Under her breath, she curses at me and walks out of my office. I chuckle as I watch after her. It’s amazing how effortlessly I can provoke her. I could easily hire a much better assistant than her. Yes, she is great at her job, but I could find someone like her without the attitude, but I would get bored.
I purposely forgot my coffee this morning so that I could make her go out and get me one. I am the boss; I can do as I please. I am an asshole. I smirk and get to work as I wait for my coffee. This is just one of the ways I plan to annoy her today. She deserves it. She does it to me often. I need something to make my days more interesting.
I am taking a break from work because it was stressing me out. I was browsing online business articles when my attention was quickly grabbed by something, and I paused. Jonah Paxton, Everly’s companion from last night. I had a feeling I knew him. He’s definitely a business tycoon, and I’m certain he’s a billionaire. How did she even meet someone like him? I’m even more convinced that she’s only with him for his money. Why would a stunning woman like her choose to be with a man like him for any other reason? Not only is he old, but he isn’t exactly handsome. He isn’t attractive enough to win over someone like Everly without money.
I leave my desk and casually walk out onto the floor. It is nearly time for lunch. I approach Everly’s desk. She seems busy.
“It is time for lunch.”
When I speak, she raises her head. “What are you in the mood for today?”
“We are going out of the office for lunch.”
“We? Who are we?” she asks, confused.
I give a smirk and reply, “You and me.”
Even the thought of spending more time with me makes her grimace. “Sorry, I am not hungry.” She says and gets back to work.
“It’s not a request. I’m hungry. Let’s go.”
The reason I want her to join me is purely out of curiosity. I’m curious about how she ended up with someone like Jonah. How did they meet? Their social circles don’t overlap at all.
“Fine! But you are paying me for my lunch break because it is what I deserve to have to deal with you at the time of day when I get peace from you for an hour.”
“Deal. Come on, I am craving steak.”
She abruptly gets up and gathers her belongings in a huff, making a beeline for the exit. She really does hate me, doesn’t she? It is fine, I don’t care. She isn’t the only one. I didn’t become successful by being nice.
“Why do you need me to join you at lunch? Do we have work to do? A business meeting?” she asks as I approach her, and we head into the elevator.
I can take advantage of its emptiness. I take a step forward, causing her to back herself against the wall. I make sure to keep only a small distance between us. Her reaction to my proximity is different from most women. Normally, they groan and tremble, but Everly remains still and silent. Annoyance is all I see on her face.
I dance my fingers over her arm. “Perhaps I simply desired some quality time alone with you.”
She scoffs and slaps my hand away, “If you ever touch me again, I will kick you so hard in the balls it will affect your little swimmers for the rest of your life.” She threatens.
I think this might be the first time a woman has rejected me.
“You are a pain in my ass, but damn, your feistiness is sexy,” I growl and take a few steps back and hold my hands up.
She shakes her head and turns away from me. She likely desires to punch me in the face. I chuckle and rest against the wall, waiting for us to reach the ground floor.