Peach Salinger.
“Walk, Peach. They don’t know what you just did. They can’t see through you.” I mutter to myself as I walk down the hallways. I have checked the countless mirrors in the hallways several times to make sure I don’t have “I just got fucked by the company’s president in a restroom stall” tatooed on my forehead. I’m just irrationally certain that the second I step into the office, people will look at me and know. My blood runs cold. Fuck. How could I have let that happen? Why didn’t I resist? Why didn’t I say no? If people find out about this, it’ll cost me my job, my degree, my graduation, my life. Shit! I brace myself for the worst and scroll into the office. If any member of this office could read me like a book, it has to be Adrian. But it can’t be avoided, so I steel myself and walk past his desk. I take my seat. At first glance, all is normal. As normal as it ever is, anyway. Marienne’s desk is opposite mine and she doesn’t seem to notice me walking in. Adrian is busy with some papers in front of him and Cole isn’t on his seat. The other team members seem to be minding their business too and… “What took you so long?” Adrian startles me. I glance up at him. His brows is furrowed at me in an I-know-your-deepest-darkest-secret way. I flinch. “I had to throw up. The milk really messed with my system.” It’s the first time I’m telling a lie without practicing. But then, it’s not really a lie because I indeed threw up. “Aww, pookie. That’s why your face is so flushed.” Marienne says out of nowhere. She’s peeping at me from her chair. “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. I need to get back to work.” I lie again. I try to concentrate on my work but it’s hard when the hot image in the restroom stall keeps popping up in my mind. By evening, I’m sure I’ve done nothing productive, besides the moaning sounds I produced in the restroom. It’s almost 7pm, the general closing hour, when I get a text from Cole. [Cole: you owe me a drink. Wanna grab something this evening?] I raise my head up to scan the room. He’s no where in sight and his desk is empty. He’s probably left, some of the mentors already left too. The mentors are so good at what they do that they finish their works early and get to leave when they’re done. But we interns on the other hand, battle with the littlest things. I sigh and glance at Marienne. It’s finally time to fulfill my promise to her. I text Cole back. [Me: Of course. Same place?] He replies with a thumbs up emoji. I lean towards Marienne’s desk and tell her about it. “You can meet up with him and tell him I’m caught up with work so I had you come instead. Then y’all can hit it off from there.” Marienne frowns. “I still have five thousand words to type for this power point. I have to turn it in tonight before leaving.” “I’ll can help you.” She flashes me a smile. “Really?” “Yeah. I just want you to be happy.” Marienne immediately grabs her bag and stuffs, blows me a kiss and merrily waltzs out of the office. She’s so excited that she forget to ask for the address so I text it to her. I sigh. I’ve got five thousand words to complete before leaving tonight. Three thousand words in, I’m already starting to regret it. I’m practically the only one left in the office and only the lamp on my desk is still on. It’s almost 10pm too. I stretch in my seat, moving my sore butt. Then I get back to typing. I hear footsteps approaching but I just conclude it’s the security guy doing his routine checks in whatever is happening in the building. Not until the lock on the door clicks and a tall figure stops by my desk. I can’t bring myself to raise my head because I recognize those shoes and that suit so well. The suit I clung to desperately earlier today while he ramped into me. No, kidding. “You’re not gonna look at me?” his voice is barely above a whisper and I almost shudder. “Don’t be shy.” This man is insane. I take the lost ounce of dignity in me and raise my head to meet his gaze. His eyes have gone dark and he’s holding a document in his hand. He drops it on my table. “Read through it and sign when you’re ready.” he says and doesn’t give me a chance to respond before turning to leave. My resolve weakens and I can barely find the strength to protest or call after him. I grab the document and flip through it. The words blur together and the only words that comes into focus is “Bed Friends.” My heart leaps. Could it be what I’m thinking? Oh, no!Peach Salinger I rise to my feet and rush out of the office. The hallway is quiet and the president is no where in sight. My heart is running a million miles per second.What’s the contract really about?I sit down again and read through it. [Bed Friend Agreement]This Agreement is made between Rhys Van Acker and Peach Salinger. - Both parties agree to keep the nature of this relationship strictly confidential. This includes not discussing or disclosing the details to colleagues, friends, or family. - The relationship will not interfere with workplace responsibilities. - The relationship is strictly physical, with no emotional involvement unless mutually agreed upon. - Personal conflicts will not be brought into the workplace. Any disputes arising from this relationship will be handled privately. -Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time without penalty. - This relationship does not imply any romantic commitment or expectation beyond the agreed-upon terms. - Specific d
Peach SalingerThe president is holding me in his arms. His grip on my waist is firm, but gentle, and he pulls me close, his chest pressing against mine. I can feel his warmth, his scent, and his steady heartbeat. For a moment, we just still like that, frozen. "Steady there," he whispers, his voice low and husky, his breath tickling my ear. "You okay?"The spell’s broken.I nod and he helps me stand on my feet. Marienne’s eyes is already teary, and she hugs me tightly.“I don’t know what I would’ve done to myself if something had happened to you.” she breaths into my hair, stroking it. “I’m so sorry.”I hug her back. “It was my fault. Please forgive me.”We let go of each other after a few seconds. All the while, the president has been standing there, watching us. Fear pumps dark wine through my veins, is he going to fire us? I mean, we went against the rules and came up here, almost caused an accident that could affect the company’s reputation and probably started a toxic love trian
Rhys Van Acker I cock my head. I’m not sure I heard right because it doesn’t make any sense. Did she just say she’s turning down my offer?My fists clench beside me but I let the smirk remain on my lips. I have a habit of not letting what I’m feeling show on my face. I exhale sharply, adjusting in my seat. “Why, if I may ask, would you turn down this offer, miss Salinger? I suppose you didn’t read through the contract well but I’m also going to be paying you well for your services.”That should be enough to convince her. What more would a young woman in the 21st century want more than money and material things? Plus, this is the first time I’m ever getting into this kind of contract with anyone. None of my flings seem to satisfy me and she’s the only damn one that keeps coming to mind. She gave in to me in the rest room too so I figured she would have no problem with this kind of arrangement—so I thought.Peach’s face flushes with anger. “I don’t want your money, sir. I’m not some
Peach SalingerI spend part of my day angry, then the rest of it brooding. By evening, my anger has subsided but it doesn’t stop me from cursing anytime I remember what the president said to me.He was going to pay me for the sex? What kind of person does he think I am? This is all my fault for letting him bang me in the restroom stall and making myself look cheap.You’re so stupid, Peach. Your first sexual experience and you already have your boss handing you a sex slave contract like you’re not worthy of his respect.Huge definition of fucked up!“Peach, we’re home.” Marienne says, snapping me out of my thoughts.I look around and realize our cab has just pulled up in front of the Arconia. We get off and pay the driver before heading into the building. “You’re good?” Marienne asks me as soon as we’re inside our apartment.“Yeah, I’m fine.” I reply and head to my room.In my room, I shred my clothes and take a warm bath. I slip into my pjs and lie in bed for a while. It’s hard to ke
Rhys Van Acker The airport is bustling with activities as I pace back and forth in the private lounge. I try to distract myself by the distant clatter of suitcases, and the low murmur of travelers moving through their own routines. Yet, all I can focus on is the slight twisting in my gut as I wait for Peach.I’m not sure she’ll show up, it’s 9:54am and she’s supposed to be here before 10am. I just hope my plan works. I already told Cole not to come until tomorrow so basically, I’ll be going to Tokyo alone with Peach—that’s if she shows up.If she does, then I get a chance to change her mind about the contract. My blood boils in anticipation as I continue to pace. But it’s ridiculous, really. I’m Rhys Van Acker. I don’t get swept up by what-ifs, but here I am, silently hoping on something.I really must be out of my mind.A sudden burst of movement catches my eye, and I turn just in time to see Peach step into the lounge. My breath hitches, but I force myself to remain still, lea
Peach Salinger I exhale sharply, breaking myself free from his daunting gaze. I take an abrupt half step back, and point to a door to my left. “I’ll take that room. Good night, boss.” I start walking away.“Good night, Miss Salinger.” he says automatically to my retreating back. As I walk slowly to the room filled with antiques from some ancient period in Japan, I’m left with the question—why is it so hard for you to pull yourself together whenever he’s around you, Peach?I’ve already let my anger towards him go—not that I have a choice. He’s my boss. But I turned down the contract, and he didn’t fire me for it so definitely, he’s moved on from it. So have I. Now simply to continue the boss-employee relationship. It’s not going to be easy with all the tension and the fact that Rhys Van Acker is so smuggy. But he’s also divine. I had checked him out during the flight—subtly, of course—hoping to find something I wouldn’t like about him. A huge turn off that’d at least kil
Peach Salinger The meeting with the Japanese clients was overwhelming and Cole didn’t show up either. It was just Rhys and me. Part of the negotiation was in their language and I’m unable to keep up at some point.But it just amazes me how Rhys speaks the language so well. There’s just something raw and sexy about seeing a mature man speak Japanese so fluently. By the end of the three hours long meeting, I’m exhausted. While Rhys discusses some more information about the project with some of the clients, I head out of the conference room to grab something to eat.I’m a little relieved that he didn’t notice anything unusual about me when I stepped out of my room this morning. Nobody needs to know you had a sex dream about someone you aim to keep a neutral relationship with.I grab a cup of coffee to go from a cute coffe shop on the third floor and head back to the conference room. Halfway there, my phone buzzes in the pocket of my slacks and I pull it out to see a text from
Peach Salinger Rhys walks over to the sink and turns on the faucet, wetting a paper towel before handing it to me.“Here,” he says, his voice gentle. “This should help with the stain.”I take the towel from him, our fingers brushing for just a moment. I feel my pulse quicken from that slight touch and I’m already reconsidering being in this closed space with him. This isn’t a good idea.I start to dab at the tea stain on my blouse. The material is damp and slightly sticky, and I’m all too aware of how close Rhys is standing.“I’m really sorry about all this,” I mumble, keeping my eyes on the stain. “I should’ve been more careful.”“You don’t need to apologize. It was an accident, and that client was out of line. If anything, I should be the one apologizing.”I look up at him, surprised. “Why would you need to apologize?”“For putting you in a position where you felt like you had to defend yourself,” he says, his gaze intense. “You’re more than just an intern. You’re talented, an
Rhys Van Acker Attending a family meeting isn’t basically something I had planned on doing. But when my mother, Catalina Van Acker summons, there’s no turning her down. If you do, she’ll have an episode and check herself into a hospital for chest pain or some other catastrophe that will drag on for at least a week. I really don’t have time for that with the company anniversary coming up. Though, I have a feeling it has something to do with me walking out on Nicole’s family the other day. I sit in my car and glare at the road. The only way out would be if my EV malfunctioned in a significant way. I’d be ecstatic if its battery burst into flames.Unfortunately, my car doesn’t cooperate. It drives like a dream. Fucking modern engineering.I park my car in front of grandfather’s mansion and climb out. The yard is huge and the surrounding shrubs have been trimmed low to ensure everyone has an unobstructed view of the garden. The main structure is huge, with ivory walls and turrets
Peach Salinger Before I can stammer out another half-baked excuse, the front door swings open and in walks Reginald. He looks completely unfazed. I blink in surprise as he steps forward, his eyes locking onto my grandmother’s.“She was with me all night,” Reginald says smoothly.My head snaps toward him. What is he doing? My grandmother's gaze shifts slowly from me to Reginald, her eyes narrowing as she studies him. For a tense moment, no one speaks. Then, something changes in my grandmother’s face—her stern expression softens just a fraction.“Reginald?” she says with surprise and something almost like fondness.Reginald nods. “Yes, Mei Mei, it’s me.”Without another word, she beckons him over, her hand extending towards him in what looks like a welcoming gesture. I breathe a tiny sigh of relief, thinking for a brief second that the worst is over, that maybe this will be easier than I expected. But then, as soon as Reginald leans in for what he probably assumes will be a hug,
Peach Salinger I must’ve fallen asleep in Rhys arms last night because when I wake up, it’s morning. Opening my eyes, I stare at the familiar surroundings, my body sore and aching from the sex we had last night.I had forgotten what it was like with Rhys, how cathartic the roller coaster ride of pain and ecstasy could be. I feel both empty and exhilarated at the same time, wrung out, yet invigorated by the maelstrom of emotions.Sitting up gingerly, I wince at my sore back. Casting a glance around the room, I spot a door that I assume leads to the bathroom. Rhys is not in the room, so I get up and go over there, feeling the need to wash up. The bathroom contains a huge shower, as well as a sink and toilet. There’s a plastic-wrapped toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash tucked inside a little shelf on the wall. I use all three and follow up with a quick shower.Then, feeling infinitely more refreshed, I go back into the bedroom to get dressed. I grab one of Rhys’s t-shirt and his s
Rhys Van Acker I pace the length of my living room, running a hand through my hair for what feels like the hundredth time. The sound of the rain beating against the windows is relentless and it makes my blood boil even more.It’s driving me crazy. It’s like every nerve in my body is on edge. I glance at my phone, hoping for another text from her. Nothing. Just silence. The rain pounds harder, and I feel this tight knot forming in my chest. She should be here. Under me. Fucking her till her pussy spasms on my cock. But instead, she’s probably curled up in her apartment. The blood in my veins roars. My skin stretches taut, and I feel like a beast starved for her.Suddenly, the doorbell rings, cutting through my thoughts. My heart jumps in my chest, and for a second, I freeze. Who the hell would be here in this weather?I stride over to the door and yank it open, and then I see her.Peach.She’s standing there, completely soaked from head to toe. Rainwater is dripping from her hair a
Peach Salingers I walk back toward the camp, trying to calm myself down, but my heart is still pounding. Rhys has this way of making me want him and now my head’s a mess. As I approach, I see Reggie glance up from packing, his face curious, like he’s waiting for an explanation.“What took you so long?” he asks, standing up straight.“Just work stuff,” I lie, brushing him off as casually as I can. “Mr Van Acker was giving me some last-minute details.”Reggie’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t press. I know he doesn’t believe me. I can feel it from that familiar long hard look he always gives me. But I don’t have the energy to explain, nor do I want to. Especially not about Rhys.“It’s our last day here,” Reggie says after a moment. “We should start packing up.”I nod and we start packing our stuff, loading the gear into the car. Marianne barely acknowledges me. She’s been cold ever since we got here, and I don’t even know why. Not that I care right now, I’m tired of trying to find o
Rhys Van Acker I drive with full speed, my hands gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. The campsite is the only place I can think of. My phone vibrates with text after text from my mother, but I don’t bother looking. I know what she wants. What they all want. The car screeches to a halt when I pull up at the campsite, and I step out, scanning the area. A group of campers come into view, huddled around a fire, laughing and talking. And then I see her. Peach. My heart jumps into my throat when I spot her, that signature long black hair falling over her shoulders, and her long legs are on full display in that ridiculously short skirt. She’s in a huge, oversized shirt and definitely not wearing a bra. Her pointy nipples are so evident in that big shirt. Definitely not hers. I already know who it belongs to, and just as I think it, he appears. Reggie. I hate him. Always have. Even though Peach once told me they were just friends, something’s still off about him.
Rhys Van Acker It’s just 11 in the morning and my day is already so shitty. And it keeps getting shittier that it’s almost unavoidable at this point. First, I’ve been cooped up in my bedroom for four days, reviewing campaign ads pitch for the upcoming company anniversary. The only time I stepped out was when I went looking for Peach. Which brings me to the fact that my sexy little devil has gone ghost on me for two days now. She’s not returning my texts and her cell is unreachable as well. I even went to the Arconia in search of her but her apartment was locked. It’s driving me nuts not knowing what she’s up to or who she’s with. And now, few seconds before finally losing my mind, Avery texts me to inform me that grandpa and my mother are coming over to my house. But get this, with Nichole’s family. Yeah, sounds pretty serious. We’ve not really taken things any further than the forced engagement at the hospital. I’ve not met Nichole’s parents yet. I’ve done a great job postp
Peach Salinger I rush over to Reggie’s tent. My heart is pounding in my chest and the cool night air is biting at my skin. My head’s spinning with thoughts of what could’ve happened to Marienne. I can’t believe she just stormed off like that into the woods in the middle of the night.“Reggie,” I whisper loudly, crouching down and shaking his shoulder. “Reggie, wake up.”He groans, half-turning before blinking up at me groggily. “Peach? What’s going on?”“Marienne’s gone. She…she walked out of the tent, and I can’t find her anywhere.”That wakes him up. He sits up quickly, reaching for his flashlight beside the sleeping bag. “Shit. Alright, we need to look for her.” He stands.“I... I don’t know if I can go into the woods, Reg,” I admit. “Not after that stupid story you told.”He gives me a mock smiles. “You can stay here if you want. I’ll find her.”The thought of being alone in the tent with my nerves is worse than facing whatever’s out there. “No, I’ll come with you.”He takes
Peach SalingerI swallow hard. It’s only for three few days.We light the bonfire, the flames crackling and snapping in the quiet night. The warmth feels good against the chill. Reggie’s sitting across from me, poking at the fire with a stick, while Marienne is off to the side, staring into the flames. “Alright, ladies,” Reggie says dramatically. “I’ve got a story for you. Ever heard about the ghost that haunts these woods?”I roll my eyes. “Come on, Reginald. We’re not twelve.”“Oh, this isn’t a story for kids,” he says, leaning in closer, his face half-lit by the fire. “There’s a legend around here about a girl who went missing in these very woods. They say she wandered off from her campsite one night and never came back. Her friends searched for her, but all they found was her backpack...covered in blood.”I can feel my heart start to race, but I don’t say anything. I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’s freaking me out.Reggie continues, his voice dropping lower. “Peop