chapter 2

Sophia Parker

I got home after work feeling both relieved and exhausted. After the incident with Mr Wilson, he just chose to ignore me all day which was good because I was too embarrassed to face him again, especially after crying my eyes out in the restroom. However, I felt completely useless because he acted like I didn't exist.

I barely had any work to do after planning the trip because he didn't assign me with more tasks. It got so boring that I went over to the marketing department to have a chat with one of my colleagues, Phoebe. I told her about the incident and she felt sorry for me.

However, she also planted a ridiculous idea into my head. She's the only one aware of my stupid crush on Mr Wilson and she's kept it between us. She suggested I try and capture his attention rather than get over my feelings for him. That way, he would treat me with more respect and I would have a bit more control over the situation.

Of course, I thought it was a ridiculous idea. Mr Wilson cannot notice me. He hasn't in almost 2 years and he won't start now! He never will!

But it wouldn't hurt if I just tried...

Perhaps it wouldn't, but my efforts would completely be in vain. I'd rather save my energy for something else.

But I kind of want to do this...

Still, I'd rather not embarrass myself.

But-

"Oh Shut up already!" I yell at that little nagging voice in my head forcing me to go ahead with Phoebe's plans. Thank God no one was around me because they'd probably think I've gone crazy!

Maybe I am! This whole thing is driving me crazy! I should probably just resign from work and forget about Mr Wilson forever! But I need this job so much that I can't.

It's been the best job I've ever had and considering my qualifications, I'm definitely over-employed.

I slumped on my couch, turned on the TV and switched through a few channels. One of them caught my eye. I looked closely  and I saw... Mr Wilson! I sat up immediately, my full attention now on the screen. He was being interviewed and was talking about the company's finances and how it had managed to do so well over the years. He was also giving a lecture about security systems.

I studied his handsome face as he spoke. His hair looked perfect as always. What I would give to run my fingers over the smooth texture of his hair. I watched his lips move as he talked about security systems with such enthusiasm and charisma. Those lips that keep me awake every night, depriving me from any chance of sleep.

Screw it! I'll go ahead and implement Phoebe's plan. I only get one shot in life so why not?

I switched off the TV, and walked into my kitchen. I made pancakes and eggs for dinner which is a lovely recipe I borrowed from Frankie & Benny's.

I freshened up and prepared to hit the sack only to be robbed off sleep by thoughts of one man. When I finally close my eyes, my dreams were invaded with the same mans face.

****

Adam Wilson

After my live interview on TV, I decided to call it a day and head home. It had been extremely rough for me working without my personal assistant today. Now I know her worth and I value her more. But what she did today was irritating. Loosing the company thousands of dollars for no reason! I would have fired anyone who made such a mistake on the spot. But I just couldn't bring myself to do that to her, so I just left her idle for the day.

I don't know what it was, but looking past the mess she made today, there is something about her that makes me feel...

"Baby you're home!" Whose annoying voice was that?! I looked and saw it belonged to Charlene.

She wrapped her arms around me and forcefully kissed me. I pretended I was delighted by her kiss and forced myself to kiss back. When I couldn't take it anymore I pushed her away.

"Charlene, what are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming over." Even though we's spoke on the phone earlier today, she didn't tell me that she was going to show up at mine.

She's always taken liberties since I gave her an extra key to my apartment. Part of my regrets ever giving her that key in the first place. How did I get myself into this mess?

"I know, I wanted to surprise my baby." She tried kissing me again and pushed herself on me but I held her back.

"Wait! Look... Charlene we need to talk. Seriously." I couldn't take this bondage anymore.

"Mmm, what about?" She replied kissing my neck instead.

"About us."

"Yeah, I know we are perfect together baby but can we talk about us later?" She tried kissing me again but this time I put her at arms length.

"Charlene I don't think I can do this anymore. It's just not working out for me."

"What do you mean?" Her eyes brows furrowed in confusion.

"I think we should call this off, maybe take a break from each other for a while."

"What!?" She screamed. "After being together for two months you want to just throw it all away!?"

"Look, it hasn't been long since we started seeing each other anyway so I don't-"

"Is there someone else?!"

"No."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"I don't know... I guess, I'm just not feeling this anymore."

There was an awkward silence for about a minute until Charlene reached for her coat by the door and started to exit. I caught her by the wrist. "Charlene..."

"Just leave me alone forever!" Then she slammed the door.

I let out a heavy breath that I didn't realise I was holding until now.

For some reason, I didn't feel guilty. Rather I felt... relieved. Our relationship had been nothing but a bondage and now I finally felt free.

I went to my bedroom and took a quick shower. I laid on my bed and today's events replayed in my head.

I remembered how my personal assistant showed up to work looking sleep deprived. No doubt that her lover kept her up all night. She even mentioned she had a 'rough' night.

Anger rose up in my chest and I don't know why. The thought of her being with someone else made me slightly uncomfortable and annoyed when it shouldn't. That was none of my business.

I don't know what came over me but these past months, I have looked forward to being at the office because I know I will get a chance to see her there. There was something about her that enticed me but I covered it up with hostility.

I knew that it wouldn't last for long though. Soon enough I'd have to discover what it is and confront it. That was my last though before I drifted off into sleep.

***

The next day

It was 8:15am and Sophia is nowhere to be found!

When did she start coming late to work? I've always known her for being punctual, it's unlike her to not be in the office by this time.

Just then my door opened without a knock and it was... Sophia?

"Good morning Mr Wilson. I'm sorry I'm late, I was held up a bit by the traffic. Here's your coffee." She hurried over to me and placed it on my table.

I slowly took in her appearance and noticed that she was looking significantly different from what she usually does.

The hair which she tied in a ponytail at all times had finally been let down over her shoulders. Only now do I realise how long and wavy her hair is. It looked so pretty and all I wanted to do was run my hands through them. Her dressing had also changed. Her clothes were more fitted and showed more skin. She was wearing a white shirt with the first two buttons undone and a brown pencil skirt which barely reached her knees. The pumps she wore on her feet were almost the same colour of her beautiful milky skin and now that I saw her curves, I realized that she is actually a grown woman.

Why hadn't I noticed all this femininity in her before?

I had always thought Sophia was pretty and mildly attractive, but I'd never felt such intense attraction towards her... until now.

I knew she was out of bounds because she was my personal assistant. And she was also young. She was 22 compared to my 28 years of age, but that didn't matter now. My brain had suddenly taken an interest in her.

I could feel the front of my slacks tighten because of this new version of Sophia and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"Sir are you okay?"

"Yes. Yes. I'm fine." I said shifting closer to my desk so I could hide my lower body beneath it. I reached for my coffee with shaky hands and ended up spilling everything on my desk because I wasn't able to hold onto the cup properly.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Mr Wilson was the coffee too hot?"

"No, err..."

It wasn't your fault.

"Don't worry I'll clean this up right away."

She quickly gathered the files on my desk so they don't get soiled and sashayed to my private restroom.

I felt like I'd lost control completely. I couldn't help but stare at her round perky bottom in that new skirt as she strode in and out of the restroom.

What the fuck is she doing to me? Why now?!

She came back with two large towels. She used one to wipe my desk clean and then she used the other for the floor.

I hissed when she leaned down to wipe the floor. Her glorious bottom was angled perfectly to my view. I had to suppress the groan that threatened to slip out of me by biting down hard on my tongue.

"All done sir." She said rising up. "I'll go and make a copy of all these damaged files. Do you want another cup of coffee?"

"Uhhh... Yes please."

"Okay sir." She strode out.

What the fuck just happened?