Page 13 of Dad's Best Friend Boss
“He’s such a nice guy. He hasn’t dated so much, you know? I’ve known him for many years and never seen him bring a woman to company parties. Of course, he might have had friends with benefits, but it doesn’t matter.”
What the hell is going on? I observe the woman as she rambles on. What’s she trying to tell me? I drink the soda I ordered and wish I hadn’t agreed to lunch with her.
“I’m still trying to come up with an idea for a Christmas gift. What do you think he likes?”
I sigh. “I don’t know, Adrianna. I need to go. I’m going to the Department of Buildings to submit an application.”
“Okay, give me just a minute.” She picks up her sandwich again and takes a large bite. After she washes it down with a gulp of water, she says, “Let me be straight with you, Mila.”
The tone of her voice surprises me and I look her in the eye. She isn’t smiling anymore and she looks resentful.
She takes a deep breath as if to calm down, and when she speaks, her voice trembles. “I’m in love with Henry.”
I’ve seen it coming but I’m still shocked by her directness. Geez. Why is she telling me this? Does she know what happened between our boss and me? But we’ve kept a distance between us and no one else was in the office that afternoon. I don’t know how to respond, except my stomach sinks. Shit. What now?
Adrianna goes on to speak. “I know he likes me too, but he is trying not to cross the line. I’m a valuable secretary to him and his company needs me. He puts work before family. And I don’t mind. I totally understand. One day, he’ll come around.”
I stand up abruptly. “I’ve got to go. I’m sorry.”
“No!” She reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “I’m not done yet. Sit down.”
Mouth agape, I sit back down.
She leans closer to me and whispers. “I know what you did with him that day.”
“What are you talking about?” I pretend to be calm, although I feel sick in my stomach. No. Not possible.
She smirks and pulls out her cellphone. She swipes across the screen a few times and holds it in front of my eyes. “Take a look.”
I see a blurry picture of a woman on her knees, in front of a man. I recognize her even though all I see is her back because she is me.
My mouth opens but I can’t speak. My hand starts to shake despite my effort to stay calm. Shame and worry overcome me. How was it possible? “Were you spying on us?” My voice trembles when I speak. “Did you put a camera in his office or something?”
She shrugs. “You don’t need to know the details, but I do have the recording of the whole thing.”
Oh God. I bury my face in my hands and take a few long breaths. I then pinch my thighs to make sure I’m not dreaming. When I realize I can’t escape the dreadful reality, I ask Adrianna, “What do you want?”
She smiles. “That’s the question I’m waiting for. I want you out of my sight. I want you to quit working for Hudson.”
It’s exactly what I feel like doing at the moment. I can’t even imagine going back to the office knowing that my first office make out was filmed by a woman who obviously has hostile intentions. Working for Henry Hudson is a mistake to begin with, but maybe ending it isn’t a bad decision at all.
But I recall my precious project. Am I going to abandon the opportunity and start afresh? How many years will I have to wait to have the chance to submit a building plan with my signature on it?
“I’m not going to quit,” I say, suddenly indignant. What I did with Henry that day was between us and none of her business. It might be wrong of us to have sex in the office, but it was illegal of her to record us. “In fact, you’re the one who should quit, or you might even get fired.”
She narrows her eyes. “No, he won’t fire me. I’m important to him. If he did, I would post the video on the company’s FB page. Just imagine what it’ll do to his reputation.”
I can’t stop trembling. “You wouldn’t do such a thing,” I say.
Adrianna locks eyes with me, takes a drink from her glass and smirks. “I won’t if you quit.”
She looks like a monster dressed as a human.
“You’re crazy.” I stand up and leave the cafe. I head toward the office building, but I don’t go up to Hudson. I go to the basement instead and drive home.
Chapter 10
Henry
