Chapter Four - Playing nice for now

Gabe 

“Dude, rather than standing her staring at her from afar, go and talk to her. Buy her a drink. Ask her if she wants a passionate night of lovemaking,” my buddy Carlos said.

“Lovemaking? Really?” I laughed, “And no. I am not interested in Miss Winters anyway. Plus, she works for the company,” I added. 

“They all sound like excuses to me,” He replied,” And you don’t want her? Bullshit! Most men will want her, and you have spent most of the night perving on her,” He added, laughing. 

“You imagine things, buddy,” I said, “There are strict policies and rules on this kind of thing,” I added. 

It was true. There were policies against someone at my level fraternising with anyone who works for the company. They are put in place to keep everyone safe and away from legal issues. 

“Who needs to know?” He smirked. 

“I would,” I said. 

Carlos rolled his eyes at me, laughing. He then got a look on his face that I didn’t like. He was up to something. He grabbed his drink and started making his way over to the table where Aubrey and her friends were. What the hell is he doing? My other two friends soon followed him. Great! Now I need to go over because I don’t want to sit alone. I downed the last of my drink and went to join them. 

“Welcome to the mad table, Mr Hunter,” One of Aubrey’s friends laughed, “I am Dulcie, and this is Mia,” She added. 

“Ladies,” I said with a slight nod. 

“Nice to officially meet you, Gabe,” Mia smiled. 

“You too,” I said. 

Aubrey hadn’t even acknowledged me as of yet. And she says I am rude? 

“I have a question, why do you two seem to dislike one and another,” Dulcie asked, looking between Aubrey and me. 

“I don’t have an issue with Aubrey,” I said, “Aubrey seems to have the issue with me,” I added. 

“And why is that?” Carlos asked, looking at her. 

“Because he is rude and arrogant,” Aubrey stated. 

I laughed when she said that. Those are always the words she seems to use to describe me. 

“Yes, but he isn’t a bad guy,” Carlos said. 

“If you say so,” Aubrey laughed. 

“I do. I always got my buddies back,” Carlos said, patting my shoulder.

“I have only met him a few times, and each one. He acted the same way, “Aubrey said matter-of-factly.

Aubrey has met me more times than she thinks. That is a story for another day, though.

“You haven’t exactly been the nicest either,” I say.

“That is because I don’t put up with your bullshit!” She said, rolling her eyes.

“I don’t want you to put up with my bullshit, but you work for my families company, and you need to learn to respect me,” I said, getting annoyed.

“I respect the company, the work you all do, your family, even you, and I love my job, but that doesn’t mean I need to like you,” Aubrey replied, “I don’t need this shit, not when I am off the clock,” She added.

Aubrey didn’t give anyone a chance to say anything before she walked away, heading back to the bar.

“Is she always like that?” I asked her friends.

“Nope, just with you, “Mia shrugged.

“I feel so privileged,” I said sarcastically.

I don’t know how I am going to deal with working so closely with her. I could get her removed from the project, but that would be a stupid idea. Aubrey was one of the best at what she does; removing her from the project would not be a good move for the company. I will just have to get used to her smart mouth and terrible attitude. At least there will not be a dull moment.

“I should go after her,” I sighed.

“I don’t know if that would be the best idea, Gabe,” Dulcie says.

“Probably not, but I don’t want to ruin her night,”

I head off before anyone could stop me. It probably wasn’t the best idea, but what is the worst that can happen? I look around for her, spotting her at the bar. She wasn’t alone. There were two guys with her, chatting her up, but she didn’t look interested. If anything, she looked annoyed. I watch in amusement for a moment, but the amusement soon disappeared when one of them tried to get handsy with her, and she looked uncomfortable, and that is not ever OK! I hate men like that, it gives the rest of us a bad name, and we aren’t all like that.

I made my way over to where she was.

“I think it is time for both of you to leave her alone. She isn’t interested,” I said firmly.

I wasn’t backing down. I don’t care that there was two of them.

“Who the fuck are you?” One of them slurred at me.

“None of your damn business, but if you don’t leave right now, I will make you my business,” I replied, “Now, back the fuck off,” I added.

They hesitated for a moment before cursing me out and walking away.

“Are you OK?” I asked.

“Yeah, thanks, though,” She smiles.

“No need for thanks. I hate guys like that,” I said.

“Me too! Can I buy you a drink? My way of saying thanks?” She asks.

I smiled and nodded. We were playing nice, for now, so I will take it. She grabbed the attention of the bartender and ordered two Scotch’s, neat. I liked a woman who drank Scotch.

“Here you go,” She smiles, handing me one.

“Thanks,” I reply, taking it from her.

Suddenly silence came between us, things getting a little awkward.

“We should head back,” Aubrey says, beginning to head back to the table.

Hmm, that was fun while it lasted. I sigh, following. It was probably for the best that we were in a group because the last thing I need was someone to see me alone with someone who works for our company. That wouldn’t go down well even if it were all innocent.

“You two survived being alone. That’s a good sign,” Dulcie laughed.

“Time will tell,” Aubrey giggles.

“You will learn to like me. I can be charming when I need to be,” I smirked.

Aubrey cocked her brow at me, shaking her head and laughing before turning away from me.

                                                   ***

“I need to go home,” Aubrey slurred, “I have work at twelve,” She added, looking at her friends.

It was getting late, and the girls have had a bit much to drink. I was still sober. I am not one for getting wasted often. Plus, I had too much to do to spent my time hungover. I wasn’t going into the office until Monday, but I still had some prepping to do before then. I don’t even know why I agreed to take this project on. Well, I do. My sister convinced me to help because one of her friends is one of its founders, and she wanted the best. It had been a while since I have work on a project like this. I don’t get to do much of this since I become the CEO. I have all the right degrees behind me to do it, though.

I know most people believe I got everything handed to me, but that wasn’t the case. I had to work my ass off to get here, the same as my siblings. Our parents made us work for it all, just the same way they had to start from the bottom and work their way up. It took them over thirty years to get where they are now.

“Come on, stay a little longer,” Mia pouts at her.

“No, home for me. Taxi for me,” Aubrey responds.

It would seem everyone was staying out a little longer. I was ready for home too.

“I will take you home, Aubrey. I can have a car here soon,” I suggest.

“OK, thanks,” She smiles.

I text my driver. I have two drivers, one who works days and another who works nights if I need them. I know that makes me sound like an entitled fuck, but my parents have always insisted on it for some reason, us not using public transport, including taxis. I have never understood why.

I grabbed my phone, texting my driver, who replied to say he would be here in ten minutes. I helped Aubrey get her coat on, making sure she had everything. We said goodbye to everyone, and I led us out to wait for the car. I slipped my arm around her to steady her. She was going to regret this in the morning.

“This does not get spoken off come Monday, OK?” She said firmly.

“We shall not speak of it again,” I laugh.

The car pulled up, and I helped her in. I got her address from her, and we got on our way to hers. The moment she sat down, she fell asleep. I left her sleeping until we pulled up outside.

“Aubrey, we are here,” I say, shaking her gently.

“Hmm, OK,” She said, wakening up.

I offered to walk her in, but she refused to let me do that, telling me she would manage independently.

“Goodnight, boss man,” She laughs loudly before staggering into her apartment building.

I chuckled, shaking my head. I hope she doesn’t get too embarrassed when I see her on Sunday for the video meeting or Monday morning in the office. I am sure by then that things will be back to normal.