Page 37 of Romance with Mr. Bossy Pants

“Do you have any idea what damage this might cause to the company? I don’t care what they label me, but I won’t tolerate posting false images to support their claims, especially at the brink of the Nexus event.”

“Where’s Chloe?” He asks.

“Heck, if I know.”

“She can write a statement explaining the situation that led to this. That should help curb the attention off of us and keep Nexus at bay. I want you to scrub this off the internet, even though it probably already spread like wildfire.”

I drum my fingers against my desk. This is why I don’t get close to my staff—to protect what’s left of my sanity and Michelle’s.

Chloe strolls in. “Hey, Paul.”

She grins. “Is that a new social media challenge?” She doesn’t wait for a response. “By the way, blue looks good on you.”

I’m so angry that I just now notice Paul’s blue button up shirt.

Paul looks at me as if he just got caught doing something naughty, then back at her. He mutters a soft thanks. “I should get going,” he adds and walks off.

“Hi, Daniel. It’s such a nice morning…and wow—you’re wearing color. Am I missing something?”

I grit my teeth. “Chloe, read the room. Can’t you tell something is wrong?” I respond, my voice tighter than intended.

Her face falls. “What’s wrong? Is Michelle okay?”

“I just need you to understand the seriousness of our business," I explain, my tone softening. "From now on, please stick to our office dress code and try to keep distractions minimal, especially during lunch.

She stiffens.

“Do we have an understanding?”

Her eyes begin to swell with tears. I continue.

“I knew it would be difficult since the moment you walked in with your yellow blazer, and I should have probably dismissed you then.”

“You just don’t stop, do you? Where is all this coming from?” Tears gather more in her eyes.

“You continue to create problems. The accidents since you started and now this article.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Tears drop from one of her eyes, and I immediately get a grip of myself. I’m lashing out at the wrong person. My company is always under scrutiny, and each situation pushes me to the edge.

She scrambles out of my office, and I sink into my chair.

Not again, Daniel.

11

Chloe

Daniel Andrews is the gremlin sent from the inferno to torture me, and I’m the unlucky soul who’s caught in his crosshairs. One would think an Executive Assistant at such a prestigious media company would be spending her Monday morning having coffee with some celebrity who’s graced the cover of every magazine from here to Timbuktu. Instead, here I am, biting back sobs in the bathroom and telling myself that I won’t let my boss get under my skin.

I hate him.

Or at least I’m trying to.

The door creaks open behind me, and Sarah comes in. I catch her eye in the mirror before she disappears into the stall, giving me enough time to piece myself together before she returns. Sarah sidles up to the sink and turns the tap on.

“You don’t have to pretend, you know?”

“Pretend?”

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