Chapter 3
Mandy
I bit my lower lip while nervously tapping my heel on the floor of the elevator as I watched the floor numbers gradually increase leading me up to what is causing me so much anxiety. How was I supposed to know that Mr.Stay here- Nick was, more like he is my new boss. Ding! The elevator doors opened exposing all neutral color passageway. I waltzed down the passageway humming a soothing tune in my head, once I reached the end, right in front of me to my left is a receptionist's desk where a very lovely female sat behind the desk with a headset on. Once she cited me she showed me a courteous smile.
"May I help you?" Even her voice is lovely.
"Ah, ye-yes," I cleared my throat. "I am here to see Ni- Mr. Dragomir."
"Your name and at what time is your appointment?" She asked, still smiling.
"Mandy Fletcher, the lead manager of the sales department in this tower… He told me at two." I spoke beginning to feel a bit weak in my knees.
She began to type and then gave me a sudden scowl but quickly smiled. "I don't have a Mandy Fletcher Lead manager of the sales department."
Oh… was she being a smart ass just now?
"I beg your pardon?" I said genuinely puzzled.
"Allow me a second."
She presses a button on her headset and looks straight ahead as if she's a brainless robot staring right at nothing. She then smiles widely at herself. I took a few steps back then looked around me for a quick exit in case I have to make a run for it. I feel disturbed.
"Hello Nick," she spoke in an almost sensual tone. "I have a Mandy-" she came to an abrupt stop and for the first time since I've seen her, she gave a displeased expression as she sat there obviously listening to whatever Nick is telling her. Her eyes then scurry up at me.
"You may proceed." She snapped then turned her face away from me. "Walk straight down, he'll open the door."
I quickly walked away from this troubled woman and walked straight down a hallway that was all glass except the floor. I have an extreme fear of heights, I do not like this choice of the build for an office on the twentieth floor. Who the hell thought this would be cool? As I have a mental breakdown, the door on the other side opens to reveal Nick; he had taken his suit coat off and simply wore a black long-sleeve button-up shirt, with a crimson red tie and his crimson red work pants and black business shoes. He stood at the doorway, arms crossed and staring right at me like I am something that should be examined.
"Mandy?" He calls out.
I peer up at him and tried to give him a small wave but quickly noticed my sweaty hand was shaking so I quickly lowered my hand then stood upright then mar he'd right towards him without thinking about my surroundings. I surpassed him then took in a deep breath once I was in the middle of his office. I glanced around his office and was amazed at how simple yet luxurious it looked. At either side of his desk, right in the middle of the walls, there are these medium-sized cherrywood bookcases filled with books but they seem to be color-coded. His desk is obviously right smack in the middle and behind his desk is an overly sized window that overlooked the city.
"Sit." His voice came from behind me, I did as I was told.
"I brought copies from all four towers depicting their growth, the amount of decline from the past three years and also percentages that are considered waste under stability and…" I fished out the papers that I had in my work case, stood up then neatly placed it on his desk. "Well we call them Stability and detailing, I don't know how they are called amongst other towers of Dragon Inventions."
He sat on his chair looking rather amused as he had his hand over his mouth as he watched me. His hair was a bit loose on the sides as little of his long strands fell onto his face.
"A bit excessive, yet I am glad you felt the need to brush me up on things I already have good knowledge of." He says sitting up straight as he clears his throat. "I only intended to put you on the spot to see how well you are capable of reacting to certain situations. Seeing how you reacted in an ill manner last night I'd hate for my lead manager to have poor reaction time and decision making."
"Everything from last night was regrettable, even going out...truly a once and a lifetime thing Mr. Dragomir, but under my circumstances, I thought that that was our only way out, I am sorry you had to see me in such an inadequate state, but I assure you that I am not that woman while I work, I'm not that woman at all," I spoke making straight eye contact, I only wish for him to see I am serious about what I say.
"Why didn't you take a car?"
"What?"
"Mr. Williams informed me that you insisted on using an Uber rather than using one of my cars. That for me, bothersome." He says while relaxing back on his chair and pulling his tie a bit loose. "What would I have done if something happened to you after you left my care?"
"Nothing." I snapped a bit annoyed. "I am old enough to take care of myself, and I didn't take your car because who in their right mind would blindly accept some strangers' car? What if it had a GPS and you used it to track me to my house, to abduct me? Or worse kill me?" I say in all seriousness but all he did was watch me with a small smile and gleaming eyes.
"Wild imagination you have going Mandy," he laughs a bit. "I genuinely wish you no harm. I am glad you are precocious in everything you do."
Okay, I'm not gonna lie, his laugh sounded attractively pleasing also I am noticing his eyes don't move away from me. Is he checking me out? I wish! A man like him would never like a simpleton like me. What the hell am I thinking right now?
"May I ask you something?"
"Go ahead." He says.
"What happened to Jeffrey… I haven't talked to Adelaide since this morning, but seeing how I haven't heard from her means Jeffrey really didn't post anything about her." I say starting down at my hands. "I really must thank you, your knuckles are bruised and cut because of what you did to defend us…"
"I'd defend any who are obviously being bullied and stand no chance in winning… That being said," he gives me a grin. "Seeing how you didn't back down and stood your ground even knowing you were done for… moved me. Plus my brother has a liking for your modeling friend."
I blush as the memory from this morning replays in my head. I see how he took the opportunity to get close to Adelaide, but he's one lucky bastard since he got a one night stand with her.
"He has taken an untimely retirement from the entertainment scene." He simply answers.
"What do you mean?"
"You needn't worry about a pig like him, it's all been taken care of…" He gawks at me."Is it hot?" Nick asks getting up and walking to his thermostat. "It says 67, you seem flustered for a bit."
"It's nothing!" I nervously chuckle. "Anyways, I'm glad we had time to chat." I got up from the chair.
"Before you go," he says as he sits on his desk plainly like a model posing for his close up. "I have something of yours… I tend to give it back only if you agree to one thing."
"What do you have? My purse? That has my wallet and my keys by the way!" I subconsciously walked up to him. "Give it back, you can't use it as leverage, I'll call the cops."
He stands up straight, he then takes a fee step and gets too close for comfort: his Cologne smells oddly satisfying to me. He started down at me with a raised brow and crossed his arms.
"I'm not scared of you pretty boy, you may be vibrant and powerful but to me, you're just the guy who stole my stuff," I say right up at him.
"You forgot I'm also your boss." He smirks down at me.
"You need me more than I need you, Nick, I'd quit before I give you the satisfaction of using that over me." I retorted.
"Alright, how about this… you are trying to be protected… am I right? I'll promote you and give you back what is yours if you agree to one thing." He keeps smirking.
"Fine, I'll bite, what do you want," I say while taking a few steps back, I think his Cologne is starting to affect me.
"I need you to agree to be my date for tonight's local auction." He says swiftly while closing the gap between us I just created.
"Date? I am sorry, you are a very attractive man. I'm sure you'll find a replacement worthy of your so-called auction date." I attempted to storm out of the office but he took a hold of my hand and quickly let go once I turned to face him.
"You're good with numbers, and what I am trying to buy would look awfully odd if it were just me at that auction." He says as his expression softens. "Please, that's all I ask."
"My stuff and my promotion come as payment if I agree?" I repeat.
I cannot believe I'm even considering this. But yet again, it's only an auction and there will be plenty of people and which means I will not be alone with Nick. So it really isn't a date. I see this going rather well for me.
"Yes, I don't have your purse but I already made arrangements to replace your belongings, such as id, credit cards, and such." He says cheerfully.
"After tonight's auction, I want us to start all over again and strictly be work, oriented acquaintances. That's my condition on agreeing to this whole crazy thing."
He hesitated, I can even tell he isn't all up to par with what I just said. He looks like a little kid who's candy just got snatched away. I felt kind of guilty, to be honest.
"Alright, see you at six." He says.
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Hey everyone, it's anat706 here :) hope you enjoyed this chapter! See you in the next one <3 <3