07 - Emily Harris

Emily Harris

Getting this internship will be immensely helpful. I know my father has been facing financial difficulties, though he chose not to share them with me. Perhaps he’s hoping I won’t worry more than I already do.

The fact that my father still treats me like his little girl, always needing to be protected by him, can sometimes be irritating. I don’t want James Harris overburdening himself trying to help a daughter who is fully capable of earning her own money and easing the weight of responsibility he feels.

I’ve always thought that if I got a job, I could take on some of the expenses, so my father could free himself from the debts he incurred to pay for my college tuition. Now, it’s my turn to repay everything my dad has done for me.

As I leave the office, I make sure everything is organized for the next day. Walking toward the elevator, I notice that Mike and Mr. Walker are indeed waiting for me. A wave of uneasiness washes over me at the thought of spending more time with them. Being within the company premises makes me feel safe and comfortable.

Seeing them waiting makes me think about how much I wish Emma could be by my side tonight.

Why not? I think to myself. I pull my phone from my bag and search for her contact in my list. I remember how she told me how impressed she was by Mike’s good looks. Maybe she could hit it off with him.

With the phone in my hand, I call Emma as I slowly approach them.

“Hi, Emma!” I say as she picks up on the third ring. “So, I was invited by Mr. Walker and Mr. Tremblay to celebrate my admission at a nearby restaurant,” I explain, glancing at the two men watching me.

Mike’s eager gaze gives him away, he’s clearly interested in my blonde friend. I had spent the entire day keeping an eye on him to see if he’d try to visit her in the legal department, but with their hectic schedule of back-to-back meetings, he never got the chance.

“So, can we postpone our plans to tomorrow?” I ask, looking at Mr. Walker.

“Is that so, you sneaky thing? Heading out with the handsome guy on your very first day?” Emma whispers through the phone.

“Emily?” Mike calls out to me, raising his eyebrows, and I wait to hear what he’ll say next.

His puppy-dog look makes me narrow my eyes at him as he mouths, “Invite her!”

I notice his smile widening as he starts gesturing for me to invite her. My gaze shifts to Mr. Walker, who just shrugs, uninterested in the conversation. Rolling my eyes-ignoring the fact that these two men are my bosses-I turn my attention back to my friend.

“Emma? How about meeting me at that restaurant where we had lunch last week?” I ask her, noting Mr. Walker’s questioning expression.

I can also sense Mike’s anticipation of her answer. This sudden attention he’s giving her might turn into an obsession, and knowing Emma, she’s unlikely to take him too seriously.

“Will the hot Mike be there?” Emma asks, and I struggle to suppress a laugh so they won’t notice.

“Yes, and after dinner, we could head to the club!” I suggest, catching a glimpse of the two men’s changing expressions. “Just say yes, please? I’ll make that dish you love!”

Adding that detail to our conversation seems to make them even more curious about Emma’s response. Naturally, I won’t hesitate to let them know I enjoy cooking.

When the elevator doors opened, revealing the luxurious lobby of the building, I let Mr. Walker step ahead before turning to Mike. I don’t want him breaking my friend’s heart or messing with her mental health.

“Mike?” I call out, watching a smile spread across his lips. “Please, don’t play with her feelings. Emma might be a bit high-energy, but she has a heart of gold. If you hurt her, I’ll throw you out of a window.”

He smiles and nods in agreement. I know I probably shouldn’t trust a man I’ve just met, but Emma is my best friend. I can not bear to see her go through another heartbreak like she did with her ex-the thought of whom still makes me want to strangle that coward.

Mike steps closer, placing one of his hands on the small of my back, guiding me to the parking lot on the lower floor. I notice Mr. Walker following behind us, while Mike’s hand gradually moves away as he heads to his own car.

“I didn’t ask earlier, but did you drive here?” Mr. Walker asks as he walks beside me.

Our eyes meet, and my pulse quickens at the sound of his deep voice. It’s incredibly seductive, leaving me momentarily speechless. I could even say I was hypnotized by his striking blue eyes and the inviting shape of his lips.

I see him force a smile and realize I’ve been staring at his face for too long without answering his question.

“I don’t have a car; I came by taxi...” I reply, sighing as the connection between us is broken.

He simply nods, places his hand on the small of my back, and this time, he’s the one guiding me to the luxurious car parked a little further ahead.

We stop in front of a beautiful black car that must be worth its weight in gold. Another man approaches, and I hear him dismiss the driver for the day. Mr. Walker moves to the passenger side and opens the door for me to get in. I’m so impressed by the car that I don’t realize I’ll be alone with him.

I swallow hard, watching as he walks around the car. Even in the smallest details, Mr. Walker is captivating. I watch him unbutton his suit jacket, his eyes locking onto mine. Even through the windshield between us, I can feel his gaze analyzing me.

I keep my eyes on him, and he seems to notice my interest. My boss gets into the car with a shameless smile on his lips, making his face even more perfect. I see him leaning toward me, his eyes still fixed on mine.

“If you keep looking at me like that, we’re going to have a serious problem here...” he says, his eyes dropping to my mouth. “So, don’t look at me like that, almost begging me to take you to bed.” What a jerk, arrogant and irresistible, but still a jerk.

“And who said I want to go to bed with you, Mr. Walker?” I shoot back, seeing him smile as if he doesn’t believe a word I just said.

I can’t change my position; in fact, my thighs are pressing together, and my gaze keeps scanning this incredibly attractive man in front of me. I watch him adjust himself in his seat, preparing to start the car.

“Your body is saying otherwise, Miss Harris...” the arrogant man says confidently. “I think if we’re going to work together, we should at least call each other by our first names. What do you think?”

I see him change the subject and accept the sudden shift, taking a deep breath and smiling at him. I extend my hand toward him, giving him my kindest smile.

“Emily, pleasure to meet you,” I say, offering my best smile, and he returns it.

“Noah, the pleasure is all mine...” His words feel like they carry a double meaning, but I won’t give him the upper hand.

With the end of our brief exchange, we head into the heavy traffic of rush hour. I feel my phone vibrating in my bag, and Emma’s name flashes on the screen. I pick up the call.

“We’re on our way; traffic is awful...” I begin to explain. “I think Mike should be arriving soon. Wait for us...” Noah’s hand lands on my thigh, and I freeze at his touch. I turn to look at him, and he just smiles and removes his hand.

My eyes dart to his hand, and the shiver from his touch spreads through me. My breathing falters, and I can no longer focus on my friend.

“Tell her to give my name to the hostess so she can settle at our table,” he says, his voice calm, while I continue to stare at him in shock.

My heart is racing uncontrollably, and he keeps his hand on my thigh like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

The heat rises to my cheeks and neck. I barely hear Emma saying she got it and will wait for us seated. She hangs up, but I keep looking at him as he tries to maintain eye contact with me, even while driving.

Noah manages to park the car, and as he turns off the engine, he looks at me, and I see him make a decision. There’s no hesitation in his eyes-he wants something, and from the looks of it, I want the same.

“I know that when we first met, there was a tension between us. For me, it’s something new, Emily. I’m not good at this kind of thing, and I don’t want the headache of a relationship while we’re working together.” I simply nod.

I can’t find the words to respond; I’m still in shock at what he’s saying to me.

“If you agree that it’s just sex, nothing more, I’d love to take you to my apartment tonight!” He narrows his eyes, and I feel tempted to say yes.

But I can’t think about this right now-my friend is waiting for us.

“Noah, as tempting as your offer is, my friend is waiting for us. Maybe we should just head to the restaurant,” I say, my voice faltering.

He starts laughing, clearly amused by my insecurity. He’s a mature man with plenty of experience, and of course, he knows exactly what’s happening to my body. I see him nod, adjust himself in his seat, and drive back into the traffic. Before we get out of the car, he catches my attention again.

“Think about my offer during dinner. I’m sure you won’t regret it.” I stay silent, simply because I don’t know what to say.

Like Emma, I carry many scars from my past. My last relationship was awful-filled with betrayals while I was there for him, being the perfect fiancée. I take a deep breath, nodding at his proposal, pushing away the thoughts of my past.

I’m slowly overcoming my traumas, but I am overcoming them…

“I promise I’ll think about it.”

That’s all I manage to say before he helps me out of the car and into the restaurant, where our friends are likely waiting for us.