I return to the office and spend the rest of the day achieving absolutely nothing. I twiddle my pen, visit the toilet a dozen times and pretend to edit my work. My phone has rung four times all Ryan Kingsley and I've rejected each and every call. I'm shocked by this man's persistence and confidence.
I have no intention of ruining my plans to be single and carefree. I'm not getting caught up with a handsome bachelor, no matter how handsome he is. And oh, is he mind meltingly delicious. Anyway, he's way too old for me. And more importantly, he's a celebrity. And that only reinforces the fact that he's an ultimate player. This is not the sort of man I need to be attracted to. I need a man, eventually, who'll be faithful, protective and look after me preferably a bit nearer my age too.
My phone declares a text, making me jump and snapping me from my wandering thoughts. I already know who it is before I look.
'Being rejected isn't very nice. Why won't you answer my calls? Ryan x'
I laugh to myself, drawing the attention of Lisa, who's rummaging through the filing cabinet near my office. Her perfectly plucked eyebrow arches. I don't suppose she is use seeing me laugh at my phone.
'Emma' I offer, by way of an explanation. It seems to work, as she returns to sifting through the cabinet.
It should be obvious why I'm not answering my bloody phone. I don't want to talk to him. He unnerves me, triggering too many reactions. And, quite frankly, I don't trust my body around him. It seems to respond to his presence with no prompt from me or my brain, and that could be very dangerous indeed.
My phone rings again and I quickly reject it. Christ, give me a chance to reply! Am I even going to reply? I'm never going to get rid of him. I need to be brutal.
'Please stop calling me, you are distracting me from my work. If this is something concerning the interview you can call our admin or George they will direct you'.
There. No sign off and definitely no kiss. I've not said in so many words, but he should get the message. I put my phone down, all set on getting something done, but it chimes again. I pick it straight back up, grabbing my coffee with my spare hand as I do.
'What concerns me is making you scream. I don't think your admin or George can help me there. I'm gagging just thinking about it. That's a thought...will I need to gag you? Ryan x.
I spray coffee all over my desk as I cough. How brazen and unashamed can a man be? Does he think I'm easy or something? I switch my phone to silent, chucking it down on my desk in disgust. I'm not even dignifying that with a response. Replying will only encourage him. There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance.
I watch as my screen lights up again. I snatch it up, silencing it before it draws attention. I open my top drawer, drop it in and slam it shut on a huff. He'll get the message.
I make a meager attempt to carry on with some work, but I'm far too distracted. Strange words – all having no place in work related correspondence – are appearing in my emails as I absentmindedly tap away at my keyboard. The office phone rings.
Glancing up, I see Lisa away from her desk, so I get up to answer it. 'Good afternoon, The call.'
'Don't hang up!' he blurts down the phone. I stand straight. Even his urgent voice prickles my skin. Get the message, he will not. He's really quite thick skinned. 'Myra, I'm really very sorry.'
'You are?' I can't hide the surprise in my voice. He doesn't look like the kind of man to offer apologies.
'Yes, really, I am. I've made you feel uncomfortable. I've overstepped the mark by a long shot.' He sounds sincere enough. 'I've distressed you. Please accept my apology.'
I wouldn't say I was distressed by his bold behavior and comments. Shocked that he was apologising. Some people might even admire his confidence, I suppose. 'Oh, okay,' I say hesitantly. 'So, you don't want to make me scream or gag me?'
'Myra, you sound disappointed.'
'Not at all,' I blurt.
There's a brief silence before he speaks again. 'Can we start again? I'll keep it professional, of course.'
Oh no. He might be sorry, but that doesn't extinguish the affect he has on me. And it doesn't escape my thoughts that this is just a ploy to get me back on side so he can ask me out again.
'Mr Kingsley, I'm really not the right person to be talking to,' I swivel in my chair to check if George in his office. He is. 'Can I transfer you to George?' I push, mentally pleading for him to take the hint.
'No that won't be necessary.' he grumbles.
I quickly transfer him to George not waiting for him to speak. I saw the phone blinking meaning he was talking to George. I started getting nervous thinking what they were talking about, oh god what if he was telling him what happened between us.
'Myra come into my office please' George voice comes through the income.
I got up slowly, this is it. I was going to lose my job cause of that irrational man. My father will be so disappointed.
'Yes sir?' my voice tiny as I peaked into his office. As usual he was been his desk that was covered in paper.
'Come in' he says not looking up. I could feel my heart throbbing against my chest.
'Ryan Kingsley wants you to do an entire memoir of his life'
WHAT! That bastard!
'Are— sure he asked for me?'
'Yes! He said he loved your work and feels more comfortable if you were the one to do it'
I looked at him mouth opened, was this actually happening right now.
I would feel any more comfortable with his offer to replace himself with Luke. But the fact he's prepared to do this, tells me he really does want me to do go on that date, I suppose, is a compliment.
'I would need to finish all my columns before I will have the time.' I spit the words out impulsively.
'Perfect,' He sounds relieved. 'I can get Lisa to get that done for you. He wants you to start tomorrow"
Tomorrow? He's keen. Of course he was keen.
'Oh,' I says quietly.
'I told him you can only spare you for 4 weeks, so you have to start tomorrow. He wants you at his office by 9 to discuss and sign some paperwork. I will have Scott meet you there, to get the signed papers'
4 WEEKS! I have to spend 4 weeks with him.
'I can do that.' I blurt, turning the page in my diary to tomorrow. I could never say no to George.
'Perfect. I'll look forward to seeing your finish work. I knew I hired you for a reason' he grins at me going back to work. I can hear it in his tone. 'I'll let Him know to expect you at nine.'
'Nine' I add. I don't know how long it'll take me to get out of the city at that time of day.
'-ish,' he confirms. 'Thank you, Sir.'
'You're welcome, Myra.' I walk to my office not quite sure what just happened.
'Myra?' Lisa calls from her desk.
'Yes?' I swing my chair to face her
'What happened?.' she asked, I could see the interest in her eyes.
'I'm not sure.' I say returning to my computer screen.
I think it's fair to say Mr Kingsley always gets what he wants.