Page 47 of Tarek

Penelope stops Wes with her hand. “Give me a second please Wes. Tarek were you going to say something?”

Wes pushes up his glasses and smirks, I should fire his ass on the spot. Penelope is peering at me waiting for a response.

“It’s nothing. Let’s get to work.”

Hours passed and there was little talk, unless it was to ask a question. I even ended up bringing my laptop in and getting some much-needed admin work done. I should really find time to hire an admin assistant. The last one I hired ended up bent over my desk. Like the others she caught feelings, and I had to let her go.

Watching Penelope work is really something to behold. She is assertive, knowledgeable, focused, even Wes looks like he is falling in love with her as she works.

I had snacks brought up from the bar so the three of us could eat and work together.

Wes whispers something to Penelope and she chuckles as she types and points to a paper. Why the hell is he leaning in to whisper to her. The more he whispers the stronger my urge to flip the fucking table.

“You’re hilarious,” she said to Wes. Why is she smiling so brightly at him? They just met.

She hasn’t looked at me or talked to me once since she started working with Wes. It’s as if I don’t exist. I know it seems childish, but it’s hard not to feel invisible. Not that I need her attention-hell I have a whole line-up of women waiting at my beck and call. But it stings to be completely disregarded. I run my hands through my hair tugging it hard in an attempt to ground my fucking self. It’s a desperate, almost primal gesture, trying to snap out of this spiraling jealousy and reclaim some composure. I need to remember who the fuck I am and not let this situation unravel me.

Penelope throws her head back laughing then…she touches his shoulder. Is he not seeing my jacket on her shoulder? Then his eyes slip down from her face to her cleavage.

That’s all it takes to push me over the edge. “Sit on my face if I’m wrong, but I swear we are supposed to be figuring out where the fuck this leak is.”

They both stare at me wide and frozen like a fucking deer in headlights. My jaw clenches and my cheeks burn. I roll my shoulders back slightly trying to mask the tick. The weight of their gazes presses down me, as this rare moment of fucking shame is slipping through my fingers. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Wes scratches the back of his head. “We are, Mr. Fairisles.”

“Really? Then why does it sound like comedy hour on that side of the table?” I snap, jealousy seeping into my voice.

“Can you please give us a minute Wes?” Penelope says. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

Wes gets up and leaves the room in haste. As the door closes her smile drops.

“What the hell is your problem?”

I honestly would like to say I don’t know what the fuck is my problem. Instead, I push my chair and spread my legs. “I didn’t realize I had one.”

Her eyebrows lift. “Really, okay. Let me call Wes back in.”

My fingers grasp for a pen, to keep my hands busy. If not they may just wrap around her neck.

“I don’t think you need him. I think you can work by yourself.”

She raises slowly; her defiance is palatable. She walks to the door and opens it.

“Wes, can you?—”

It’s as if I teleported to the door, my body is having an involuntary experience. “Wes, you’re fired. Pack your shit,” I shout.

The whole office stares back at me in shock. I never shout, but now my voice is loud and clear. Wes, my faithful employee for nearly six years, stares at me in shock. The rest of the office all becomes quiet.

Without missing a beat, Penelope shrugs. “Have no fear, The Asylum will welcome you with open arms.” She shifts her sight back on me. “Now Wes can come to work with me, beside me, below me at my beck and call 24/7.”

My jaw clenches. Again, I feel the weight of the stares of my staff. With my eyes still on Penelope, I say, “Wes, you’re re-hired. With a 20% salary raise. Take the rest of the night off.”

I don’t bother to wait for his response. I close the door. My breathing is staggered. I’m both intrigued and irritated.

Penelope’s nose flares as if she was ready for a fight. Her cheeks redden and her lips tighten.

“Did we just have our first argument?” she asks.

---