(CHASE)
She is still fumbling with the items in her hand as she speaks to me. Everything she does annoys me and most of the time I force myself to not think she's a child.
"Book my table at Molly's, nine o'clock." I pause for a bit. "And Miss Le Fay?"
"Yes,"
"That coat better he here before then."
"Yes, Sir." She says timidly. "I booked a rush service. It's just… uhm, there was an extra charge."
She looks at me for a response I'm not about to give her. She can't be expecting money from me. I wouldn't give her even a cent now even if I had excess. I arch my brow. "What? It was your fault; I hope you're happy to pay it."
I notice how pale she goes at my words, and from the way she flinches, I can tell that she's hurt. But I'm not here to coddle or make anyone feel nice, much less her. It's not my fault she signed up for the job and now she has to get everything I ask done. She doesn't argue or answer me, instead, she gives me a curt nod.
I wave her off dismissively. I don't care how or when he'll get it back, as long as it is in my possession by the time I leave this godforsaken office.
"Sir?"
"What?"
"I'll have to leave early today. I have a doctor's appointment. Did you get my email about it last week?"
I cross my arms over my chest as I observe her―Riley le Fay―she's the epitome of annoying. I have done everything humanely possible to get rid of her but failed with every attempt. It didn't matter what I threw at her. She kept her head down and did as I said.
Never once did she complain even the demeaning chores, I had her do. She picked up my laundry whenever I asked her to. I remember one time I told her to stock my washroom with a specific brand of toiletries and condoms and she did. Not a word of complaint left her lips even once. She even sent flowers and brush-off messages to whoever it was I dumped that week without fail.
She spent most of her hours at the office and didn't leave unless I asked her to run an errand for me. And if it wasn't that, she only left when she was out in the breakroom eating her ridiculous homemade sandwiches, because I had warned her severally about eating on her desk.
She made sure to keep my calendar and contacts in the precise order that I liked and saw to it that my files were arranged in the same manner I liked. I even made her screen my calls before I received them just to be sure it wasn't any of my bitter exes bothering me.
Yet I noted certainly that everyone liked her, and I seemed to be the only one with problems when it came to her. She remembered everyone's birthday, something that still baffles me to date, and occasionally, she made cookies and shared them with everyone at the office. She is perfect in every way. And that was the very thing I couldn't stand.
In truth, she is everything I hate in a woman. Her lithe frame makes her look delicate. Her perfect doe eyes that make it hard for everyone to see the faults in her. The way she dresses in standard clothes and suits ironed to perfection. Her hair was always tied at the back of her head with a band, and from what I realized, she wore no makeup or jewelry and had no decency to do a thing about it.
To me, she is a weakling. Meek and timid as a mouse. She is easy to manipulate and I'm almost convinced that she never looks out for herself. It didn't matter what I dished out at her. I was sure she'd do it again and again without any complaints.
Perhaps it is the fear that I instill in my juniors that makes them fear me like that. Perhaps it is how stern I am with the rules of this workplace, or maybe it is my strictness that sees everything done as per my wish. But what I know is I love my women tough and strong. Not a door rug like Riley Le Fay.
Yet, I am stuck with her, and as it looks, there's nothing I can possibly do to drive her away. Somehow, she will still find ways to stick around. And the thought of it alone sickens me to my core.
"Whatever, Miss Le Fay." I finally respond with a scowl. "And don't get used to it."
I could have sworn I just saw her eyes flare. She is not used to getting positive answers from me, and right now I'm sure it was the last thing she expected, considering my foul mood. If anything, I only accepted it because she told me it was a doctor's appointment. I would have denied seeing the email in the instant.
She nodded. "I'll get your coat and put it there in the closet. You'll also have a meeting in the boardroom at two and your teleconference is already set for three." She cleared her throat. "I have your notes ready… there." She added, pointing at the stack of files on my desk.
"What of the expenses?" I ask.
"Let me finish on a few things then I'll hand them over for your signatures." She replies, and I notice how her voice has gone low.
"Okay. You can leave." I wave her off.
She turns to leave but then she pauses at the door for a second. "Thank you, sir. And have yourself an awesome evening." She says with a tight smile. But do I bother to reply?