CHAPTER 8
1474 Words
“She has to start early, don’t you think so?” Sage asks and unwraps his arm from my back.
“Sure.” He gives me a smile and takes my hand in his. “Will be a great honor working with you.”
Damn! That smile is enough to unsettle my stomach the whole day. He is just so handsome and charming.
“The pleasure is mine,” I say with a flush and quickly look at our feet to avoid the embarrassment.
“Why don’t you take a seat?” he gestures to some classy couch. That’s when I decide to look up and our eyes lock. He smirks and gives Sage his attention.
“I have to go. I have an important meeting. I bet she is in good hands.”
“You bet she is.” Harley narrows his eyes at me and turns to give Sage a smile.
“Might pick you up or have one of the men pick you at four-thirty.” He says coldly and looks at Harley. “She will be done by then, right?”
“For today yes. Will discuss with her more.”
“Good. Thanks bro.” He gives him a smile and gives me a not-so-friendly look. “See you.” He says and walks towards the door. We watch him as he steps out then closes the door behind him.
“Thanks for the opportunity.” I say blushing. I know it’s evident on my face.
“What’s your deal?” He gives me a kinda hard look.
“Excuse me?” I raise my brows at him.
“Caily, right?”
“Yes.”
“Have a seat.”
“I prefer standing.”
“I didn’t ask whether you wanted to sit. It was a command and if you are not comfortable with it, you can get your ass out of my office and out of my company!”
No difference with Sage then. They are both assholes. I want to tell him off but can’t afford to mess this job up. It’s a privilege to work in this company so I swallow my words and plop on the couch. He sits on the one opposite me and gives me a scrutinizing look.
“What’s your deal? Why are you with Sage? For money?”
“I’m not interested in his money. You should have asked him.”
“You leak a fake story that you are carrying his child and now you are living with him?”
“All that is true.”
“Look at the person you are lying to first. I know Sage like the palm of my hand and he doesn’t do the relationship crap. He has many call girls. He sleeps with different women every week but with you, I don’t believe so. I don’t think he has ever slept with you.”
“I’m not comfortable discussing this.”
“Try and be comfortable. If I have to employ someone, I want someone I can trust so spill.”
“I don’t know what to say.” I knead my hands avoiding his gaze. It’s just so burning.
“Look at me when you are talking to me. That’s one of the things my employees do.”
I let out a heavy sigh and look at him.
“Something tells me you are in this against your will.”
“I want it. I want Sage. That’s why I’m living with him.” I lie.
“Really?” he looks at me darkly. “Why are you infatuated with me then?” He asks with a smirk.
“I’m not infatuated with you.” I lie again. He is an ass but I wouldn’t mind doing him. He turns me on. His smirk and gaze are turning me on.
“Let your lip go. You are biting on it.” He says making me let my lip go and swallow heavily.
“There.” He stands and comes to squat before me. He grazes a hand on my knuckles and lets out a chuckle. “You are shivering.”
“I’m not.” I deny strongly and shift on the couch. He grins and stands then paces around.
“Caily. Caily Jones. My chief editor who is amazed by me and I know she doesn’t like my friend. It’s all some charade and I have no idea what you and Sage are up to but I know all this is fake.”
“Why is it fake?”
“I had someone look you up.”
“That’s creepy.” I widen my eyes at him.
“You think? Coz I don’t think so. Before I employ someone, I have to look them up and that’s what I did when Sage emailed me your resume.”
“And what did you find out?”
“That Caily Jones is a private person. She doesn’t like publicity. She doesn’t post a lot. She is sort of inactive on social media. I have not seen records of her dating.”
“What’s your point?”
“That Sage Carter wouldn’t be your first choice so don’t lie to me. I’m not the type of person you would want to lie to. My company is not based on lies and when I saw your resume, I was impressed. I just had to know your character and it turned me on. That’s why you are here.”
“Turned you on?” I bat my eyelashes at him. That’s Natalie’s habit and it’s annoying. Just like the owner, who I don’t want anything to do with.
“Does that surprise you? You are not the first one so don’t flatter yourself. I’m turned on by ambitious women and your resume gave me that impression. All the ladies that work for me are young and ambitious so don’t let it get to your head.”
That hurts.
“Noted.” I swallow heavily and look at nothing in particular. I have been always unlucky when it comes to men. Felt something for him when we stepped in but the feeling is not mutual. I think he is like Sage. The difference is he smiles and smirks a lot while Sage wears a stoic expression, almost every time.
“Good. Will have the HR draft a contract for you.”
“So it’s a contract? Not something a bit permanent?”
“It’s a trial contract. If I’m impressed by your work, it means I will renew it. If not, you will be out completely.”
“Sage didn’t mention that.”
“And the company is not his. He is the one who gave me that suggestion after telling him I was impressed with your resume and Sage is good when it comes to business so I trust him.”
So he didn’t try hard to get me this job. If asked, I bet he would choose me being unemployed.
“How many months are we talking about?”
“Six months trial. You should work your ass off because that will determine whether we will have you permanently or throw your ass to the streets.”
“I see.”
“Good. Will have someone show you to your office.” He walks to his desk and dials a number.
“My office!” he orders and replaces the receiver. Just two words and he communicates.
Why does that turn me on?
The door opens and the friendly lady steps in.
“Yes sir.”
“Show Miss Jones to her new office Nicole. She is our chief editor.”
“Okay sir.” She gives me a bright smile. “Follow me ma’am.”
I turn to look at him. “Thank you.” I don’t know why I’m thanking him. I just feel compelled to do so.
He nods and I walk towards the door.
“And Caily?” he calls making me turn to look at him.
“Yes.”
“Expecting the best from you.” He says and plops on his seat, ignoring me completely. I smile and follow Nicole outside.
I think I like him.
Not think.
I like him.
- Writer
