Page 16 of My Dear Mr. Corporate

I was surprised at that. “Geez, thanks. I’m not really sure how much time I have to enjoy breakfast though.”

He pulled out a chair and patted the back of it. “Come on. Just a little bit to show no hard feelings. I might have gotten carried away last night, but can you blame me? Tate has been through a lot and what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t have his back?”

I reluctantly sat where he indicated, and he poured me a cup of coffee and placed it in front of me. “I can appreciate you looking out for his best interests. He’s lucky to have a friend like you.”

“And now he has you.”

“Yes, he does,” I affirmed.

I ended up with a small breakfast of dried toast only, forgoing a serving of eggs and bacon. If he was offering the olive branch I would take it. Everything would be easier on Tate if we got along.

“Hey, I thought you already left,” Tate announced walking into the kitchen wearing only a pair of shorts. From his expression, it was evident he had either forgotten Gio had slept over or he had thought his friend would have already left. “Who made breakfast?” He glanced from me to Gio, confused.

“I made everyone breakfast,” his friend replied. “Sorry I crashed your night, but I didn’t know you had company living with you.”

Tate gave a nod and approached me. “I know I promised to take you to the office but if you wait on me to get dressed you’re going to be late and if I take you now I’m going to miss a meeting I had scheduled with the Accounts department at work.”

“It’s fine. I’ll call a cab.”

Before I could finish speaking he took my right hand and placed a set of keys into my palm. “Take the Sedan. I’ve had it serviced and it’s long overdue for regular driving.”

I shook my head, aware of Gio watching us. “I’ll be fine using a cab, Tate.”

“It’s either you take the Sedan or I’m going to have to drive you,” he answered. “And you don’t want to make me late for my meeting, do you?”

I scowled at him. “That’s blackmail?”

“No, it’s called options. Take the Sedan or I drive you.”

It would serve him right if I took up the second offer and let him be late for work, but I would feel guilty. With great reluctance, I took the keys from him.

“Smart choice.” He tilted my chin and kissed me, before grabbing a plate to help himself to breakfast.

***

Twenty minutes later I forgot about the fact that I had to leave Tate at home with Gio. I was too excited about my job and starting this new chapter in my life to worry about inconsequential matters. Besides, Gio had apologized so I had pushed last night’s episode behind me.

I parked Tate’s borrowed Sedan in an empty spot and sent him a message that I was about to start the day. Although I had told him I would be fine, he had insisted that I let him know when I arrived at Ingram’s. Rather than risk him calling me in the middle of work, I complied and sent him a quick message.

Upon entering the building, I approached the front desk just as Ingram’s secretary had instructed when she had informed me of the date to begin working. I gave my name to the receptionist, excited that everything was working out despite Keith’s prophecy that I was good for nothing else but be his fuck toy. I was proving him wrong.

“Mr. Cummings, why don’t you take a seat for a minute,” the receptionist suggested, giving me an awkward smile I couldn’t decipher. “I just need to make a quick phone call.

“Sure.”

I took a seat and relaxed, checking out the different people who entered the building and headed straight for the elevator. This place held such hopes for me and after today I would be one of them. I would have a purpose in the world of work and make a difference. I would be a part of a team, getting things done. I wouldn’t have to feel as though the divide between Tate and me was too wide. While I would probably never earn his income, at least I would be earning an income.

“I was called by Mr. Ingram’s secretary that I should start today as the new Personal Assistant.”

At the conversation that drifted to my ears, I snapped out of my musings and turned my attention to the front desk. I frowned to see a young woman a few years older than me leaning against the front desk. Dressed in a skirt that was a few inches above her knees and a matching jacket, she drew the attention of every man who entered the building. It didn’t help that she was wearing these killer stilettos that made her seem to have legs for days. Although gay I could appreciate that she was a beautiful woman but that was the least of my concern. Had I just heard her say she was here for the PA position? I had no idea they had been looking for more than one PA.

“May I have your name please?” the receptionist asked. She flickered a glance towards me nervously and when she noticed my attention was square on her, she turned away just as quickly.

“Patricia Williamson.”

The receptionist lowered her voice then, so I didn’t hear what she said to the Patricia woman. After another minute of whispered conversation, the woman sauntered toward the elevator.

Alarm bells went off in my head. Something wasn’t right with this setup. Why was I made to sit in a corner while Patricia headed for the elevator? Before I could march over to the front desk again to find out what was going on, she beckoned to me. “Mr. Cummings?”

---