Page 7 of Crude Heir

I can’t make too much of it. The worst part about working downtown is having such bad cell reception in the area. Even the map messes up, like what happened to me on the first day I was sent here. It was sheer luck the person at the elevator bank was coming to the office. It wasn’t until later that I learned the gentleman I asked for help was Mr. Keith Kelly himself.

Voices filter in from the hallway. My gaze goes to my door.Keep walking… I bite my lip, hoping they’re not on their way to see me. No matter what, I don’t want to keep Derrick waiting.

Moments later, the confirmation comes back as read. Three dots bounce in a line then his reply pops in.

Got it. I’ll send you a link once I’m done. Should be around 6:00.

I close the messenger, hiding the communication, in case I get an unexpected visitor in the middle of getting set up.

A weight seems to lift from my shoulders, leaving me sagging back against my chair. I’m practically boneless after passing that hurdle. Now all I have to do is get to my laptop.

For the first time in weeks, I’m actually anxious for the day to end. Maybe I’ll leave a little earlier than usual so I can avoid rush hour traffic on the drive home.

My stomach rumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten. I decide to grab the sandwich I packed for lunch before diving into my afternoon tasks.

Leaving my desk, I head to the small kitchenette area to retrieve my meal from the fridge. As I’m grabbing a napkin, I sense someone approaching behind me. I turn to find Simon Kelly strolling up, that slick smile on his face.

My stomach drops.

“Settling into the new office alright?” he asks, reaching for a disposable cup. He reaches for a carafe then pours himself a heafty serving.

I nod, clutching my lunch bag tightly. “Yes, thank you, Mr. Kelly.” Technically it’s the senior Mr. Kelly who assigned me an office, but I’m not splitting hairs right now.

He glances around the break room area before focusing his sharp gaze on me again. “Call me Simon.” Something about his tone makes me uneasy.

“Yes, sir,” I mumble, distracted. Why would he be getting coffee here? The fact he hates what we have available in the break room is the entire reason he sends me across town for his coffee every day. Did they mess up his order? Is that why he came to find me?

“Quite curious my father granted you an office.” He’s not the first to bring that up. “Temps don’t usually warrant thatluxury. They’re normally assigned to those employees who are far more…tenured.”

I shift from one foot to another, wishing I could just bolt from the room. “I’m grateful for his generosity,” I reply, grasping at straws.

Simon steps closer. “And how exactly do you know my father?”

My mind races. What does he want from me? “I don’t really know him personally.”

He nods slowly. “I see,” he says, peeling back the cover on the individually packaged flavored creamer then emptying it into his coffee. “Because my father has shown poor judgement where certain employees are concerned.” He pauses meaningfully, selecting a stirrer and dropping it into the cup. “Especially young, impressionable female employees.”

My eyes widen. He can’t possibly think...

“I’m sure I wouldn’t know anything about that, Mr. Kelly,” I say quietly, slightly uncomfortable with the insinuation.

Simon tilts his head. “Of course, I wouldn’t suggest anything inappropriate between you two…or anyone else in the company.”

The image of Derrick’s face fills my mind.

I’ll be waiting.

I shake my head, pushing his voice out of my head. “Not at all. I hardly know anyone outside of the billing department. I just come and do my work.”

“Of course.” He takes a drink from the cup then makes a face. “I know you’re busy.” He steps over to the sink and empties the contents. “That’s why I want you to stay on task.”

Exactly what he said to me when I told him I found an error that was concerning.Stay on task.Only he was significantly colder while giving me instructions to get back to work. “Yes, sir.”

“I’ll let you get back to it, then.” He tosses the empty container into the trash, having wasted every single thing he used.

“Thank you.” Some of the tension leaves my shoulders.

“And, Nicole.” His gaze roots me in place. “Next time, you deliver my coffee to me personally.” With that, he walks away.

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