"This is my secretary," Jesse said, gesturing me over to his side. " She should have been here earlier but I sent her on some errands." "I can come back," I said. I didn't know what my dad had up his sleeves but I knew I wanted no parts of it. "Nonsense," my father replied, smiling. "Join us. And what's your name, young lady?" I crossed my arms over my chest. "Remi." Jesse's eyes were boring through the side of my head. I wanted him mad all along. Who knew all I had to do was be mad at my dad. "This is Mr. Renard, the founder and recently retired CEO of this company," Jesse said. I rolled my eyes at my dad who was smiling like he'd just won the lottery. "Oh, that's great." "Yes, it is," Jesse gritted through his teeth. I should have been happy I was finally getting to him, or at least occupied with thoughts of his I couldn't catch Ashley in the act. But my father being here was a whole other thing to deal with. What did he think he was doing anyway? "Young man, I m
"Mom, where's my red scrunchie?" I yelled from two thousand feet away, hearing my voice echo down the too-damn-long hallway.Waited and waited but no answer came. It was Saturday and I wanted to rush out of the house before dad came and started nagging me about the CEO thing again. "What was that, honey," mom's voice came echoing up to me."Did you say something, love?" Dad called to her.Christ, I needed my own place. I went back into my room but dad's voice made me stick my head back out."By the way, Remi, I have a guest that I want you to meet. He'll be here soon."Nope. I picked up my phone but couldn't find my gym bag anywhere. Hearing dad's door lock click open, I darted out of my room and down the stairs. "Sweetheart, breakfast is almost here. And come say hello to our guest." She pointed towards the living room.He'd arrived? I don't think I'd ever have a reason to run that fast ever in my life again. I covered the expanse of the long hallway, across the estate, the garage
"Thanks," I said as I sat down on a mall chair on the first floor."No problem. That guy was such a creep. Are you okay?" Ashley said, standing opposite me, leaning against a massive flower vase.I'd just been shoved to the ground and on top of that, I was saved by my imagined office rival. No more mall trips for me for a while."Yeah, I'm fine. What are you doing here?" I looked down and noticed her uniform. "You work here?""Yeah, on the weekends.""Why? When do you rest?" I was shocked. Being the receptionist at Renard was no easy job. She constantly had to pick up calls, interact with visitors and she still managed to remember to keep a jar of sweets stocked up on the counter."Don't really have a choice. Family has to eat."I felt like an idiot for asking. I mean no one really enjoyed working that much. But she was so young. As curious as I was, I didn't want to pry. "Sorry. What about your parents?" I mentally facepalmed. Why would I ask that?"Oh they're there. At least mine a
"This is my daughter, Remi Renard," dad told him "Sit," he said to me, pointing at the chair next to Tristan. "Yes, yes, we've met. I must say, I'm surprised you let you daughter work a secretary position, Don," Tristan said, twirling his moustache. Dad grunted and sat back in his chair, rotating it from side to side. "Don't get me started. I thought it was a good idea, she convinced me it was."I sat there with my arms crossed. This was a conversation about me but if they didn't feel like my input was necessary, why was I there? "She convinced you?" Tristan asked with a chuckle. "That takes skill in itself.""Tell her that," dad replied. "If I'd known she wanted only wanted to shirk her responsibilities, I'd never had allowed it."I might as well have been invisible. If he didn't care about my input, how could he want me to lead his company? I'd probably just be a figurehead anyway. I loved my father but he could be overbearing at times."So why don't you want to take over?" Tri
"Have fun at work, honey. Oh, and your dad told me to remind you of some event a month from now." My mom's words as I left the house was a gut punch. My dad had given me a one month ultimatum. As much as I tried, I could muster any anger at him for it. All I could think of was Jesse, and Ashely and her siblings. Jesse had finally caught a break and Ashley's family depended on him. I couldn't let anything happen to them. I'd been throwing a tantrum about becoming CEO but the contrast really put things in perspective. I arrived at work and was cheerily greeted by Ashley. "Hey Remi. How was the rest of your weekend?" I was too lost in thought. Too distracted. I managed a half smile as I tried to swipe in. "Yeah, was great." "Great. In case you are thinking about your offer. I'm not a hundred percent but I want to do it. Don't worry, my siblings won't be coming with me so you don't have to worry about kids messing with your stuff." "Yeah, yeah. That's great." I barel
My mind was reeling. I'd put myself out there. Would he let me down?His cologne suddenly felt suffocating. Was he closer? I wanted to slightly open one eye to peek but I knew that would ruin the magic.It was only a few seconds but I felt like a lifetime, sitting in his car with my eyes closed, waiting for our first kiss. Sparks. I felt like I'd been electrocuted when I felt his hand cup my cheek. He grazed over my lips with his thumb. I felt like I was melting. He caressed my cheek and grabbed the back of my neck. I let out an involuntary moan. Shame rose to the top of my mind but I quickly shut it down. In the moment, I didn't care. All I wanted was him.With his hand at the back of my neck, he pulled me closer to him."Remi," he whispered, short circuiting my brain with his hand at the back of my neck."Sir," I managed with my trembling voice.He came so close, I could feel his breath on my skin. "We shouldn't do this," he said as he placed his free hand on my thigh, running up
"You want seconds or something?" he asked, leaving the door wide open.I damn near ran up to him. "Was the food that good?" he asked.I realised I was smiling when he said that. "Yes."We got to his car and I slid into the seat as if I'd done it a thousand times before. He asked for my address but I was quick on my feet and gave him a random address. "So you were married, huh?"I froze. "Yes." I don't know how he heard me over the sound of my rapidly beating heart."Cool." He paused. "I guess not since it didn't work out."I relaxed. "Yeah. He was a self-serving asshole. His mother too."He laughed and I joined in with him. "They sound like my brother and mother. I guess you do get it," he said.We arrived at the house address I'd given him. Thankfully, it was a house because I didn't feel like explaining why I lived in a dentist's office."I'd walk you in but I'm exhausted so get out."I glanced over at him ready for a fight but he was smiling. "You're such an asshole," I said."H
I felt like I couldn't breathe. What was I supposed to tell him? I should have already told him everything. I should have been free.We rode up in silence with me counting the floors as they lit up above the elevator doors. I swear I usually didn't take so long.Jesse remained silent. I hated the fact that he could outlast me in the awkward silence. It was so uncomfortable. I was at my limit, ready to sing like a canary when the elevator dinged and the doors slid open."We'll talk about this after work," he said as he slipped out.I waited for the relief to flood my system but nothing came. Only a feeling of dread and a lump in my throat.My desk suddenly felt claustrophobic, like I was stuck. I needed to be anywhere but there but I had a job to do.Why was I doing this job? I'd lost track of my motivation to be here. I might as well have just been a secretary at that point.I was going to be at the helm of this company – my company – in under a month. All these people, my coworkers