5. Hot and Cold

Abigail Hayes

~•~

“I don’t understand the man. He was very cold and dismissive to me when we woke up the next morning.” I ranted to Maya when she finally came back home that Monday morning.

“Maybe he was just drawing the line.”

“Before that, he bought me a new set of clothes so I wouldn’t have to wear the dress I wore to the club. Then he ordered room service just for me. The food was so much that I couldn’t even finish it. He was hot one moment and cold the next.”

“Why are you even bothered?” Maya asked, looking over her shoulder at me. She was making pancakes while I stayed in the kitchen for moral support. I was starting my new job today and I still had an hour to go while Maya was just an early riser. “It’s not like you’re going to see him again. It was a one-time thing.”

“Yeah,” I muttered. I didn’t know whether I liked that or not. “But I was intrigued.”

“Intrigued or you hoped he could be your fuck buddy?” She laughed.

“I suggested that to him,” I admitted to her.

Maya paused, then she turned around and burst out laughing. I looked around me and she was lucky I didn’t have anything to throw at her. “Did he fuck you that well?”

I blushed at the question. I couldn’t walk straight the next morning, so I’d say yes, not that I’d ever tell Maya. She would mock me with it for the rest of my life. “Since I didn’t find a boyfriend, isn’t the next best thing finding a sex partner?”

She shook her head, still chuckling as she turned around to attend to her pancakes. “Your logic is crazy, but what did the man look like?”

“I was going to send you a picture of him,” I told her when I remembered what initiated our conversation that night. “But he caught me taking a picture of him and told me to delete it.”

“And you still fucked him?”

I shrugged. “He was the only man I found attractive at the club and I was wrong to take a picture of him in the first place. He seemed like a private person.”

“That’s reasonable but I’m just wondering how much you embarrassed yourself in front of this man.”

Was it a good thing he didn’t agree to my offer? Did he think I was a shameless slut that offered herself to every man? I let out a sigh, thankful he didn’t agree. I wondered if he thought the worst of me now.

Well, just as Maya said, it was a good thing it was a one-time thing.

I chatted with Maya some more before I left for work. I didn’t have a car and I knew how bad the traffic got which was why I took the subway despite hating it.

My mother called me on the train.

“Hey, ma,” I smiled as I answered the call.

“Abigail, when are you coming to visit? It has been a while.” That was how almost all my calls with my mother went. She never bothered to start with hi or hello.

“I saw you two weeks ago,” I pointed out.

“It has been two weeks already?”

I chuckled. “Ma, you know I’m busy.”

“You don’t have a job. What is making you busy?”

“I’m on my way to work right now. Did Olivia not tell you that I got a job?” I’d been trying for a job for a long while. Most of the jobs I’d had never lasted long.

It wasn’t like I was bad at my job, but my issues always complicated things. I could only hope that I didn’t fuck this one up as well. It was a huge company and I was lucky to have been hired amongst the numerous applicants.

I hadn’t even seen my boss yet. The man didn’t have a single picture on the internet. It made me wonder what he was so scared of. Running such a popular company, one would think his face would be plastered everywhere but that wasn’t the case with this man.

“As what?”

“A secretary,” I announced proudly.

“Well, I’m sure you can make time for me during the weekend. It’s been quite lonely ever since your father left us.”

I was so used to her playing this card whenever she wanted something from me. “You live with Olivia, ma. Imagine what your fifteen-year-old would think when she hears that you don’t see her as a suitable company.”

“Whatever.” My mother huffed, knowing my point was as valid. “See you soon.”

“No promises. Love you, Mom.”

I didn’t wait for her to protest before I hung up just in time for the train to come to a stop. Following the crowd, I exited the vehicle and continued my short trek to the company.

A few minutes later, I found myself standing in front of a huge building. The last time I’d come here was for an interview. I couldn’t believe I got hired. I looked upward and sent a small prayer to whoever was watching over me; this job would last for a long time.

Nodding to myself, I finally pushed through the double doors and walked straight to the receptionist. The lady behind the counter smiled when she saw me. “Good morning, miss. How can I help you?”

“I’m Abigail Hayes.” I introduced myself, placing my ID card on the counter so she could check for herself. “Today is my first day at work as Mr. Galanti’s secretary.”

“Oh, Miss Hayes. Zara told me you’ll be starting work today. Welcome to our company.”

“Thank you.” I placed my ID card back in my bag.

“Here’s your employee card. If you forget this at home, you won’t be able to go inside, so make sure it is always inside your bag.”

“Thank you.” I smiled and took the card from her. It felt unreal holding the card in my hand.

“I’m sure you already know what floor you’ll be working on.”

“Yes, I do.” I nodded. “Thank you for your help.”

“You’re welcome, Miss Hayes.”

I kept the smile on my face as I turned around, freezing in my spot when someone pushed through the doors and it was none other than the man I’d met two nights ago.

What the hell was he doing here?