Chapter 75: Stolen kiss
1068words
'Let me go!" I pushed him back, touching my lips. 'What was that all about, Mr. Nathan? How dare you take advantage of me?" I snapped.
'Which part don't you understand?" He closed the distance again. 'You are toying with my emotions, Scarlett. You're driving me nuts with your crazy attitude," he said.
'What are you talking about? Is that a justification for punishing me as you please?" I asked, my heart drumming in my head.
'That's because you don't listen to me. I practically warned you to stay away from Angelo, but you were adamant and ended up sleeping with him. Do you think your suffering compares to what I've been going through this week? You're living in my head, yet you hurt my feelings," he poured out.
'Stop making a joke out of every situation, Mr. Nathan. And you don't have the right to judge me for something I know nothing about. I told you how it all happened, yet you punish me for your selfish reasons," I argued. 'Angelo is my friend. He couldn't have possibly taken advantage of me."
'Angelo is not a friend!" he snapped. 'The earlier you realize that, the better for your mental health," he added and returned to his seat.
'And who do you think is the friend? You?" I asked, chuckling. 'You just stole a kiss from me, making it obvious what you want. You're all the same; you just want friendship with benefits, and I'm not falling for it anymore. If you can't deal with my presence, then fire me," I groaned, slamming my fist on the desk.
'If my kiss was that repulsive, then return it," he said, staring into my eyes.
'You're incredible, Mr. Nathan. You know what? You're going to cancel any silly agreement that binds us together in this office because, from tomorrow, I'm not showing up here. Only God knows what you'll do next," I said, storming back to my desk, livid with rage.
***
'Argh! He kissed you!" Everleigh squealed, not caring about the attention she was drawing to us.
'Stop shouting, Eve," I covered her mouth, muffling her words.
We were both seated along the street at night, licking ice cream.
She pulled down my hand from her mouth. 'Tell me how it all happened. How long did the kiss last? How did his lips taste? Did you enjoy every bit of it? Oh my God! I can't believe your boss kissed you!" Everleigh expressed her surprise.
'Are you sure you're not sick, Eve? Are you losing your mind?" I palpated her neck.
'Just answer my questions," she nudged my shoulder.
'You're too inquisitive. I don't remember how the kiss went. We won't be seeing each other again—that's the most important thing," I said, brushing off a mosquito that was buzzing near my ear.
'I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that."
'I quit my job."
Everleigh choked on her ice cream. 'What? Are you insane, Sunshine? How can you possibly quit your job because of a kiss? What if he had made love to you—would you have teleported yourself to Jupiter?" she teased. 'You're not quitting your job. You'll go back to the office tomorrow and beg your boss to take you back. Tell him you were drunk when you said you quit," she said. She wasn't suggesting; she was going to make me do it.
'I'm not going to do that," I declared.
'I wasn't asking for your opinion. I'll tie you down at the office if you don't go by yourself," she said, and I knew she meant it.
'You won't do that."
'Your boss will be the first person you see when you wake up tomorrow."
'You're so mean!"
'What are best friends for?"
***
Everleigh wasn't my only problem anymore. When I told Mother I quit for the second time, she almost drowned me in the ocean with her insults. I couldn't even spare an extra minute in the house with her and Kristine. I had no choice but to go to work.
I bumped into my boss upon entering the office. 'I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't know you were standing so close to the door," I apologized, picking up the file that had dropped from my hand.
'It's fine. Can we talk?"
'About what?" I asked. He arched an eyebrow. 'Sure, we can talk," I sighed. He headed to his desk, and I followed, sitting opposite him.
'About yesterday—I was wrong. I shouldn't have stolen a kiss from you. I'm sorry."
'It's fine. Once is a mistake. Twice would be intentional, so it shouldn't happen again," I stated.
'I'll make sure the next kiss isn't stolen," he declared.
'What's that supposed to mean? Are you insinuating that I'll be kissing you next time?"
'Don't get me wrong. That's not what I mean. I won't steal a kiss from you again—not as my PA."
'Whatever. Can I go to my desk now?" I asked, losing my patience.
'No, I want us to talk about you."
'What about me?"
'I'm not going to beat around the bush. I have feelings for you. Can I be on the waitlist of men who desire you?"
My stomach fluttered, and my heart skipped a beat. 'I don't keep a list of people who don't exist. I don't have men in waiting, so you can't be added."
'Can I be the first, then?"
'No. I'm not interested. I don't have feelings for you, so I'll pretend I didn't hear you say that."
'Why? Am I not your type?"
I chuckled. What type does a girl who only seeks love because she wants to be accepted in society want? I can't let you see me that much, Mr. Nathan. You can't know how desperate I am to please the man who gives me attention.
'Can't we make it work?"
'I can't even bear you being my boss, let alone what? My boyfriend? It would be chaotic. If you're seeking love, face the opposite of Scarlett—you might find it," I declared, standing up.
'Am I that bad?"
'I'll just get the files I worked on yesterday. I fixed all the errors. I bet I made it perfect this time," I said, heading to my desk.
'Things can't ever work out between us. We're far from being a thing," I thought to myself while glancing at my perfect idol—my boss.
