CHAPTER 22
MELANIE
I STOOD THERE WISHING I WAS ANYWHERE ELSE AS JORDAN PINNED ME TO THE SPOT
with that look in his eyes. He had spared my life when I’d almost stolen jewels worth millions of dollars, but now he looked ready to kill me all because his housekeeper had packed me a lunch and not him. What were we, preschoolers?
From somewhere behind me. Blaine snorted, drawing everyone’s attention to him. I used the small distraction to scurry to his side, holding the bag to my chest.
“Thanks Lauren. You’re a darling. Have a nice day.”
Pulling Blaine with me as I hurried out, I whispered “Let’s go before he decides he doesn’t really need me alive.”
“I mean technically he doesn’t need-“, he started to say and stopped when I shot him a look
“Right. Not helping”
We had just gotten out the front doors and taken three steps towards the car when I heard my name. I halted and turned slowly, dread pooling in my belly. He gestured to his own car, today an Aston Martin.
“You’ll be riding with me today.” I shot a startled look at Blaine and he shrugged while grinning like an imp.
“See you on the other side, darling,” he said, blowing me a kiss as he walked the rest of the distance to his car and got it. Seconds later he drove off, leaving me and Jordan staring at each other. He gestured to the car again and this time I complied, sliding into the seat with no comment. He got in without a word and started to drive too. I was just starting relax thinking he had no ulterior motives for making me ride with him when he spoke.
“Give me the bag.”
I knew it. I tightened my grip on it and shook my head.
“I’m not going to ask again. The bag. little bird” he said.
I was going to reply with a simple no but when have I ever passed up an opportunity to annoy him?
ing to
“Is someone jealous because they didn’t get a packed lunch?” I asked, the tone of my voice like that which people use talking to babies or toddlers.
when
He spared me a brief glance before focusing on the road again.
“Melanie. You are my employee, and you are alive to be receiving packed lunches because I spared you. Give. Me. The. Bag” he said calmly.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to ask again” I grinned, watching with satisfaction as his grip tightened on the steering. He was going to say something else but his phone rang and he answered without checking who it was.
“Yes”
Lauren’s voice came through loud and clear “Don’t go harassing that poor girl about her lunch. You’ll get yours when you. learn to share” she said in Spanish and hung up without waiting for a reply.
I muffled my laughter with my hand as he went quiet again and remained that way for the rest of the drive. He pulled into his private parking spot, got out and walked away, leaving me to lock up and hurry after him with the keys.
He took them from me in the elevator and I realized this was the first time the both of us were alone in such a small space. As I wondered whether to comment on it or not, the lift dinged and opened and we stepped onto his floor.
I stopped at my desk and he was going to unlock the door when the elevator dinged. We both turned to stare at it with raised eyebrows as it opened. My left brow shot up to meet the other as we were greeted by the scene of a man struggling break free of the other two men who were holding him. He met Jordan’s eye and stilled for a moment before resuming his
struggles with extra force
“You!” he yelled, spit flying. I caught the half–crazed glint in his eyes and discreetly took off my stilettos, ready to turn them into weapons at a moment’s notier.
“You took everything from me. Everything! I’ll never forgive you. I hope you go to hell!” the man continued to yell.
“Too late. He’s headed there already”
CHAPTER 22
I muttered under my breath but Jordan must’ve heard me as he suddenly turned.
“Melanie, why don’t you go over there and find out what this man is yelling about? I’ll be in my office.”
With that, he opened his door and stepped in.
“Look at him! He’s too cowardly to face me himself. Hiding behind an ordinary woman,” the man yelled again.
My eyes narrowed as I slipped my heels back on and got up: I took offense at being called ordinary.
The two men holding him looked terrified as I slowly walked towards therp.
“We thought he was just a regular guy until he suddenly took off running to the elevators and we followed. Please don’t let him fire us.” One of them said.
“Funny how you think I let him do anything but I don’t think he’d fire you for doing your jobs,” I said then faced the red–faced man
“I’m going to tell them to let you go now. If you try anything, I won’t hesitate to deck you myself. Understood?”
He looked like he was about to argue but something on my face must’ve told him I wasn’t playing around because he just slumped. I nodded at the guys and they released him, stepping back just a little.
I’d just ushered the man into a chair when the elevator dinged again, this time opening to a smallish man with glasses almost too big for his face. He shuffled towards me looking like he’d rather swallow a tin of nails than be here.
“Um.. good morning. I’m Derrell. I have an appointment with Mr. Alonso,” he practically squeaked.
I shot him a pitying glance, with a demeanor like that, Jordan would eat him alive. I pressed the intercom button and informed him who was here to see him and he answered immediately telling me to send him in.
“Good luck.” I said as he entered and he smiled nervously and pushed up his glasses. I watched him go then swiveled back to the man who’d made a scene
“Now let’s start with your name and why you’re here.” I said all business–like and got out a pen and a notepad.
“I’m Steven Gustavo, and I’m here because that demon in there-”
“Ruined your life. Yes, I heard you the first six times. Could you be more specific?” I cut in, barely refrained from rolling my eyes. This was why I didn’t work in customer service.
The man took a deep breath and launched into some story of how he was a part owner of a small, family–owned business with his three brothers and Jordan had offered to buy out the company saying it had potential but was being underutilized. He’d kicked against the buyout and thought his brothers agreed but came into work today to see changes already made and he himself had been demoted from a managerial position to a supervisory one.
In all, he’d said Fd yet to see the reason why he’d caused such a ruckus and was about to tell him to get to the point when I heard a crashing sound from Jordan’s office. The door swung open and Jordan stood in the doorway looking angrier than I’d ever seen him.
“Melanie, get in here.” He ordered.
It was proving to be an interesting day.
