Page 15 of It's Only Make Believe

She nods her head.

“And an explanation for why you practically mowed me down to get out of the office instead of us having this conversation at the time would be nice,” I add.

She doesn’t say anything for a moment and then she blushes – she’s so fucking sexy when she does that; it makes me think of how she would look if I made her come – and rubs her hands across her stomach.

“I had to use the bathroom,” she says.

I almost ask her why it couldn’t have waited a moment, but she’s clearly embarrassed to be discussing this with me and I have no interest in discussing her toilet habits.

“Next time, a simple ‘excuse me’ would be nice,” I say instead of pressing the issue.

“Of course, I’m sorry,” Louisa says.

“Ok. Go back to work. And don’t ever embarrass me like that again, do you understand?” I say.

She nods her head and practically runs from my office. I look at the closed door for a moment, imagining her scurrying away. It’s almost like she was afraid to speak to Enrique on the phone. I can’t help but wonder what the hell is going on there, but their family drama isn’t my family drama. It’s not like Louisa lives with Enrique so even if she is afraid of him, it’s not like she’s being abused at home or anything where I would feel the need to get involved.

No, she’s a bit of a strange one, but I don’t think it’s any sort of abuse that’s causing it, and I definitely don’t think I should poke my nose in here. It’s probably just what she said – that she didn’t want to seem unprofessional by taking a personal call at work. And maybe she felt nervous because I was blocking her path or something and she panicked and shoved out to stop herself from having a panic attack. Or maybe she really did have a stomach issue, and it was just awful timing.

That woman leaves a trail of questions whenever I speak to her, but there are two things I know for certain. One, Enrique is wrong about her work ethic, and two, I need to put some distance between us before I cross a line and tell her how I feel about her. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was a one way street. I would just move on with my life. But I know Louisa likes me too. She tries very hard not to flirt with me, but I can’t help but notice the subtle hair pulling, or the nibbling on her lower lip when she listens to me. I don’t even think she knows she’s doing it, but it tells me she wants me as much as I want her.

Why on earth does her father have to be my most influential board member. That’s just my fucking luck.

Chapter

Eleven

TIA

It’s Friday lunch time, and as I sit in the breakroom with a cheese pasta salad, I think back over the last few days. I have quite enjoyed the receptionist work, and I would be quite happy to continue on with that if it came to it, but I know Rachel, the actual receptionist, is back from her leave on Monday and I won’t be doing her job while she’s here obviously. I really hope I don’t have to go back to doing the shit jobs like sorting out the archiving and doing the catering. I get that they are tasks that need to be done, but I want to take on something bigger, something a bit more meaningful. Luke keeps saying I have to prove myself, but how can I prove myself if he isn’t giving me anything to do that I can use to show him my skills. Anyone can shred old papers or put prawns on a plate. I want to show him I know my stuff when it comes to web development.

I decide that after lunch, I’m going to go and talk to him and find out what he has planned for me, and if it sounds like make work, I’m going to request something a bit more challenging. The worst that can happen is he says no, and I’m still stuckwith the shitty jobs, but hopefully he will see me taking some initiative and give me a chance. Maybe that’s what he’s waiting for. Maybe that’s what he means by me proving myself. And if it isn’t, well at least I will know I tried.

I finish the last forkful of my pasta salad and stand up. I put the container in the trash can and wash and dry my fork. I put it away and I stand for a moment leaning against the counter, just staring off into space. It seems that now it has come to be time to go and talk to Luke, some of my moxie has gone away.

I force myself away from the counter I’m leaning against, and I walk towards the break room door and into the hallway. I head to Luke’s office before I can change my mind altogether. I remind myself once more that really, the worst thing that can happen here is Luke saying no to my request and that won’t make me any worse off than I am now.

I reach the door to Luke’s office, and I knock on it. I wait until I hear him shout for me to come in and I open the door and see Luke sitting in his normal seat. This time though, he isn’t alone. A member of staff I vaguely recognize but don’t really know is sitting opposite him.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know you had someone in with you. I’ll come back later,” I say and start to back out and pull the door closed.

I know I won’t build up the courage for this again today and I wonder whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Have I saved myself from being told no and getting embarrassed about it, or have I gotten in my own way and ruined the chance of getting a better opportunity? I guess I will never know. Except … The employee stands up and smiles at me.

“It’s ok, we were done here anyway,” he says.

“Yes, come on in Louisa,” Luke echoes and I step awkwardly inside while they make a few more comments to each other.

The man smiles at me on his way out and I return the smile. Once he has gone, Luke indicates the chair opposite him. I sit down and find it’s still warm from the previous occupant. Luke smiles at me.

“What can I do for you Louisa?” he asks.

You could swipe the desk clear, throw me on it and fuck me to within an inch of my life I think to myself.

“I wanted to talk to you about next week,” I say instead. Luke nods his head and waits for me to go on. “Rachel is back so obviously I won’t be doing her job anymore, and I wanted to ask you to give me a chance with something a bit more challenging. I will obviously do whatever you need me to do, and I will do so without complaint, but I feel like I’m letting myself down if I don’t at least ask for an opportunity to prove to you that I am good at what I do.”

Luke doesn’t answer me immediately, but he doesn’t look angry either so I guess it’s not as bad as it could be.

“You have shown that you will throw yourself into any task given to you, and I have no doubt that you are very capable,” Luke says finally. “I will think about it and let you know what you will be doing when I’ve decided what your next task will be.”

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