CHAPTER TWO

Ah.

Roy manages to swallow back the instinctive gasp that rises out of his throat, a shocked reaction to slamming right into the man he had high hopes of never meeting till he meets his grave. He has never seen the CEO, but what he sees on the internet is more than enough for him to know that this guy is hot. Intensely so—but it’s the first time Roy finds someone so literally hot that sweat actually starts soaking his skin.

Was that fear?

“Sir?”

Eff. It sounds like Roy is about to cry which he doesn’t want to do. He tries again, and this time his voice comes out more confident, stronger than he feels. “Sir. I am so sorry about this. I don’t—”

Just as abruptly Bryan held Roy, he lets go of him, and his sensually unsmiling lips thin. Roy almost loses his balance, thrown off course by the thinly veiled condescension in the billionaire’s gaze. It makes him sick to the stomach, especially when his heart refuses to get the memo that this man is looking at him like he was a gnat beneath those thousand-dollar shoes.

Anderson’s green eyes darken as if he was going to say something but Roy doubts he’ll even hear him from above the loud thumping of his heart and how his blood was pounding through his veins. It really is Bryan Anderson. 

A faintly bored expression slides over his face and he walks away from Roy, dusting off the front of his suit as though he left a stain on it.

Roy’s heart twinges in hurt.

What had he expected?

This guy is Bryan Anderson, after all.

He’s so used to having beautiful women throw themselves at his feet, why would he even give him the time of the day? Roy acknowledges sadly, ‘Not that he wants him to.

He does…badly even.

“There you are, Joy.” Mr. Flake says with a disinterested smile and Roy walks towards him, shaking off the pain clamoring in his chest. It doesn’t go past Roy that Mr. Flake called him Joy even though he reminded him for the umpteenth time during the interview that his name was Roy.

“Good morning sir.” Roy greets, following behind him into an enormous workspace.

“Winnie would show you around.” His eyes are fixed on his wristwatch, “I have a meeting in ten minutes.”

Just then, a woman dressed in a staunch white blouse and a long skirt that brushed her ankles walks in. Her thick-wire-rimmed glasses are perched on her nose, while her eyes rove unflatteringly over Roy. “Sir,” she murmurs at Mr. Flake without taking her bird-like gaze from Roy.

“Good, see you later then.” Mr. Flake says as the lady stands beside them, walking out immediately.

The secretary glances over him with a cold look and tilts her chin towards the entrance, lips curled in disgust. Sigh. Roy could guess he won’t be making any friends today.

They both walk down the hallway to a tiny office that is no bigger than a box.

Well, he couldn’t be choosy, and hopefully, this job won’t be for a long while.

They stop at a small desk and she hands him a box that contains a desktop, an iPad, and a phone.

“Thank you, Winnie.” Roy smiles at her, hoping to break the ice.

Her lips pull in a sneer, “Don’t call me Winnie, boy. It’s Mrs. Baker to you.”

His cheeks heat, “I’m sorry. I meant no offense.”

The woman rolls her eyes and says in the driest tone ever, “I have shown you your desk,” she gestures at the intercom on the small table, “You have a direct line to Mr. Flake’s office.”

Roy bites his bottom lip and gives a small nod, still reeling from the brusque reply he got.

She continues, “Your job here is simple enough. You are to create posts, engage with audiences, respond to emails, and manage Anderson Inc.’s social media accounts.”

“Sometimes, you might be asked on a coffee errand and anything else Mr. Flake may need from you. Do you have any questions?” her voice is hard and Roy is beginning to think of naming her, “Ursula.” You know the evil queen in The Little Mermaid. She even sounds like her.

He blinks, deciding to try again. “Uh…do you think there’s any other thing I need to know that could help me?”

Uh-oh. Bad idea.

Her eyes light up like the glowing embers of a roaring furnace, “Let’s start with…getting rid of your facial makeup.” Her lips curl in disgust, “Try to act like a real man who belongs in a normal society.”

Okay, Roy has had it there. “Are you homophobic? Because if you are then you know where to shove your opinions.” She opens her mouth to refute but he holds up a hand, “If you take this same high and mighty attitude with your husband at home, I won’t be surprised if Mr. Baker takes a man as his mistress.”

A strangled gasp flies to her lips and her skin grows a fiery red, “People like you don’t belong here.”

That said, she stomps out of the office and he lets out an exhale. Well, that went…well? Shiz. He is not supposed to say things like that to his superiors. Especially not on his first day.

Roy groans and settles on his desk, fishing out the laptop.

He pushes all negative thoughts out of his mind and buries himself into work, starting with emails.

Two hours later, he is still in the middle of swarming mail and spam.

Roy thinks he hates his job.

Suddenly a high-pitched squeal cuts into his concentration and he raises startled eyes to see who made such horse-like noises.

An extremely cute girl with huge glasses that frame her round face rushes into his office with a giddy smile on her face.

“Oh my god,” she shrieks, “You are even cuter up close.”

Who was she referring to? Himself or herself?

Roy perks up. This may be his only chance at making a friend here. Even Dracula needs an ally.

He beams up at her, all the while crossing his fingers under the desk. Please let her not be homophobic. It’s such a friendship killer. Roy begs.

She returns his smile with a wide cheeky grin, “I saw what happened in front of the elevator!”

Oh. A blush crawls up his face as he is treated to a recall of how he made a fool of himself.

“You and Mr. Anderson.” She fans her face, “the sparks were there.”

What? Roy can’t help it. He snorts, bursting into laughter, “Do you take drugs?”

“Maybe.” She shrugs and sticks her hand out at him, “I am Kristine and I intern on the fourth floor.”

He takes her hand and he’s amazed by how soft it feels. Almost like rose petals. Roy refrains from asking her what lotion she uses. “And I’m Roy, the…”

“Everyone knows who you are,” she giggles and his mouth falls open.

“How?” Roy shrieks. Today is his first day!

“After that incident with Mr. Anderson, everyone placed a bet that you won't return to work tomorrow and he will have you sacked. I was the only one who saw the chemistry between you both.” she completes with a fluster.

His stomach lurches at her first sentence. Did he make him that mad? “You are definitely on drugs.” He finally mutters.

She laughs, “Whatever you say. I hope I’m not coming off as weird to you. My mouth runs off whenever I’m nervous and you make me so nervous.”

What can I say? I’m an effing charmer.’ Roy grins to himself.

He winks at her, “it's okay. I promise I don’t bite…not women anyways.”

Her eyes widen under her glasses, “You are gay?”

He nods, a little confused.

“I’ve always wanted a queer bestie but everyone thinks I’m simply weird.” She sighs.

“You are weird.” Roy affirms with a playful snort and she laughs, “You’re right.”

“So….I should leave you to your work.” Still facing Roy, she begins to backtrack toward the door, “I’ll see you at lunchtime, huh?”

He shakes his head with a small laugh, “Sure.”

Soon, he is done with work and it is lunchtime. Kristine waves him over as he walks into the crowded cafeteria.

They spend the entire lunchtime talking. She points out each person and who he should stay away from if he wants to have a good time working there. Claire, the supervisor on the sixth floor most especially. Claire comes off as a stunner, stick thin and pretty, but Kristine says she’s a witch who hides under those globs of makeup.

It’s also no secret that she's got her eyes set on the CEO.

Kristine says while chewing with a mouthful.

Roy’s pulse quickens as he sneaks a look at Claire the Witch. She catches him staring and shoots him a cold glare.

Why does he have a feeling that he just made a new enemy?

“Welcome to the growing list,” Roy mutters under his breath.

Soon, lunchtime is over and Kristine follows him back to his office, “This was fun,” she grins and Roy gives an enthusiastic nod. It was fun. He finds himself inviting Kristine to the night out he is having with his friends tomorrow and she agrees with an enthusiastic grin.

“See you later Roy.” She waves at him, closing the door.

Roy smiles, settling back to work. Today isn’t all that bad. He made a friend at the very least.

The door to his office opens again.

“Did you forget something?” Roy asks without raising his head but the breath leaves his lungs when he hears that smug, snarky voice, “I don’t think so.”