Page 6 of Roommate Wanted
Chapter 3
Lyall
My hair was tied back, and I wore a cap to keep a low profile. The cleaners will arrive in an hour. It was 5 am, and the office was empty. I reached Nia’s desk, opening up the jar to drizzle my seed into her white mug. I spread it out evenly before coating the rim. She’d been burying her face in her pillow at night, grinding harder against her toy as if her body was chasing something it couldn’t name.
My plan was working.
When I opened up her drawer, there was a small picture of her and her siblings. It was the one where they were on holiday. I knew why she didn't have it on her desk. Her boss was a horrid bitch. I rummaged through her stationery before pulling the bottom drawer. It was locked. Her work as an actuary was sensitive, but I wondered what else was inside.
I ran my fingers over the wooden table before turning to the back wall. It was where Claire Montague’s office was. The panes of glass and the glass door made it look open. I knew what she put my mate through. I’d read all the messages.
With a grin, I stalked to Claire Montague’s office. It took me seconds to lift the heavy desk up and place my special present beneath the metal panel. Conall’s glee made me chuckle.
No one fucked with my Nia.
That is—no one except me.
???
At 8:45 am, Nia’s scent almost made my head turn, but I remained still on the ladder while assessing the wiring. She wore her navy dress suit, but I almost stumbled when I saw the shiny flesh coloured high heels with her sexy little toes sticking out of them.
Her dark locks of hair grazed her shoulders as she strode past me. She unbuttoned her jacket and placed it at the back of the chair. Her mobile phone went into her desk before she unlocked the bottom drawer to place her handbag inside it. She was pouring her coffee into the mug when the harpy called her into the office.
“Why do you always put your coffee into your mug?” Amara asked.
I liked Amara because she was always genuine with Nia and avoided office politics.
“I don't know. It tastes better from a ceramic mug, or maybe Pret’s have changed their takeaway cups. Even the office coffee tastes better now. It doesn't look pleasant with the bits from the coconut milk.”
“Are you sure you're not using curdled milk?”
“No, it’s just the way coconut milk is. You should try it.”
“Hmm. I might do.”
“Nia, I said I needed you in my office. Now,” the harpy screeched.
Nia took a long sip of her coffee before standing up.
“Can you believe that woman has children?” Amara muttered.
“Her husband is a stay-at-home dad. They have five kids,” Nia whispered before she swiped her mug and made her way to the harpy’s office, leaving Amara with her mouth hanging open.
I watched Nia enter the office, and the door closed, but I could hear every single word. The harpy was trying to blame her for not submitting the financial analysis for a life insurance company. Nia calmly explained that she emailed it to her two days prior.
The harpy found the email and dismissed her without another look. Nia glared at her for a few seconds before leaving.
My mate was intelligent and hardworking. Yet she was underpaid in comparison to people who didn't work as hard or had been in the company for a shorter period. She sat at her desk, but I could only see her back since she had swivelled the chair to face Amara.
Amara rolled her chair towards Nia, and they discussed their boss before planning their lunch break.
My role was in the building's facilities team, and I had access to every area of Nia’s office. It was easy to sabotage her office, and I always ensured those jobs landed on my desk.
Humans were too gullible.
???
I climbed up the drainpipe until I reached her window. The night was humid and warm. She’d tossed and turned until her scent wafted through the vent, driving me wild with need. I clung to the ledge and pushed her window open. After I carefullyclimbed in, I closed the window to block out the sounds of passing traffic and the occasional person still out on the streets.
