Page 32 of Like a Boss

When I find a folder of his previous PAs, I cringe because there is a name for every letter of the alphabet. The reason most were fired has me wondering why I haven’t been added to this list. I’ve done far worse.

Suddenly, I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Why am I different?

Hell-bent on finding out the reason, I toss file after file over my shoulder until I find mine. I examine over every inch of it, desperate to find a clue as to why I’ve not joined the laundry list of women who didn’t make the cut.

I don’t see anything of importance until I reach my work history and see a big red circle drawn around my ex-boss’s name.

Why is she important to Mr. Fox? Does he know her?

Hannah’s words play over in my mind.“I do find it strange he hired you without even meeting you.”

I continue reading over my file, and when I see Mr. Fox took the liberty to do his own research, I know something is very wrong. It appears that he stalked my social media as there’s a picture of Scott and me he printed out.

Why?

“Think,” I mumble to myself, massaging my temples as I slump into Mr. Fox’s chair.

The answer is staring me right in the face; I know it is. And when a beam of light catches something shiny on the filing cabinet, I realize it’s staring me in the face—literally.

Jumping from the seat, I race over the glass duck which caught my eye days ago. I thought it looked out of place in here. Someone like Dylan Fox doesn’t have these types of things in his office, which is why I pick it up and turn it from side to side, hoping it’ll give me the answers I so desperately seek.

But I come up empty.

“Goddammit.”

I go to place it back, but my thumb rubs over something raised at the bottom. Turning it over, I see it’s a small gold plate which is engraved. The writing is small and in script, so I bring it over to the desk and place it underneath the lamp so I can see it clearer.

But I suddenly wish I didn’t.

The duck falls from my hand, it shattering as it catches the corner of the desk. But I saw it, clear as day. The reason he hired me isn’t because he was impressed with my resume. I doubt he even read it. He knew who I was the night we met, and he fucked me senseless.

He knew who I was all along when I had no idea who he was.

And who he is… is my ex-boss’s husband.

To my darling husband, Dylan.

I’ll love you for an eternity.

Your wife, Audrey.

“Iknow you don’t want to hear it, but this happened for a reason.”

“And that reason would be?” I ask, needing her to fill in the blanks because I got nada.

Hannah sits up tall from the end of her bed. “It’s to show you that some men are just plain bastards. You try and see the good in everyone, but any redeemable qualities Mr. Fox has, has been squashed under his huge ego and the need to treat people like shit. He’s a bully. He’s a narcissist jerk. The only things he loves are himself, his wallet, and his dick.”

As she unsnaps the hair elastic from around her wrist and angrily pulls back her blonde hair into a high bun, I know this topic infuriates her as much as it does me.

I still can’t believe Dylan is Audrey’s husband. I mean, this isn’t a coincidence. He hired me knowing who I was and what Scott did.

What I don’t understand is why.

Is this his way to get one up on Audrey? To fuck me because she fucked Scott?

I feel sick.

“Here.” Hannah passes me a bottle of water, but I wave it off because I’ll just bring it back up.

---