Page 301 of The Bonus

But to watch your mother suffer through it is a fate worse than death.

I hear things go flying off his desk through the wall and I know exactly what they’re doing in there. I get a vision of them and nausea runs through me.

What kind of man sleeps with his personal assistant?

What kind of man puts a random woman before his own family?

I swear on my life, I’ll never be like him…not ever.

I fucking hate him.

Gabriel - Aged 26.

Knock, knock.

“Yes,” I call.

My office door opens and Alessio puts his head around the corner. “Remember to be nice.”

I slap my folder onto my desk. “Get the fuck out.”

“I mean it.” He walks in. “The HR team have handpicked this one.”

“Please.” I roll my eyes. “Like the last five assistants they’ve handpicked.” I open my emails, bored with this conversation. “Useless the lot of them.”

“Just be nice. We don’t want anyone else resigning on the first day.”

I fake a smile and then drop my face immediately. “Why don’t you do me a favor and resign?”

“Gabriel.” He widens his eyes. “Be nice.”

“Yes, yes.” I sigh.

“I’ll send her in.”

“Her?” I frown. “I don’t want a her.”

“She’s the most qualified for the job.”

“But she’s a woman.”

“Will you stop being sexist,” he whispers angrily.

“I’m not being sexist; I’m being fucking honest. I’m not interviewing a woman for the PA position, end of story.”

Knock, knock.

We both turn to see a woman at the open door. Long red hair, perfect posture, and the most beautiful face I have ever seen. I find myself walking toward her. “Hello.” I hold my hand out to shake hers. “Gabriel Ferrara.”

“Hello, Mr. Ferrara.” She smiles confidently. “I’m Grace Porter.”

Oh….

Her voice is husky, sexual.

No, no, no…this is all wrong.

“I’m sorry, the position has been filled,” I tell her.

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