Page 17 of His Revenge
“Oh, it’s a spritzer?I didn’t know they were serving alcohol.”
Brent smirks.
“Nah, they wouldn’t do that.Some of the kids here are under twenty-one,” he says with a look of disdain at the other interns milling about.“I’m sure it’s just fruit juice pumped up with sparkling water.”
“Well, it’s delicious,” I say diplomatically.“I’ve always liked fruity drinks, and this hits the spot.”
Brent grins again, shifting his legs into a sturdy vee stance before clasping his hands at his waist and lifting his chin.He’s assuming a power pose, like he wants to dominate our little group of interns, and it’s working.Johnny Little shrinks until he’s no more than a mite, and the rest of us clear our throats and look away because the Big Man on Campus is clearly marking his territory.
But then, the air shifts subtly and I know what’s happened.A towering shadow appears behind Brent and sure enough, it’s my stepfather.
“Hey everyone,” Brad speaks in a deceptively mild tone.“Are you guys enjoying your summer at Excel?”
My fellow interns straighten, their expressions attentive.
“Yes sir,” Stanley, a particularly ridiculous brownnose pipes up.“Immensely so.I especially enjoy shadowing the internal auditing team.Their work is fascinating!”
“Internal Audit, hmm?”Brad drawls, crossing his arms across his chest.“That’s an interesting choice.”
“Oh yes!”Stanley burbles, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet with enthusiasm.“I’ve wanted to get into auditing since I was a little boy, and I never envisioned the possibility of joining an internal audit team.I only knew of external auditors, like the Big 4 firms, but Excel has opened my eyes.Thank you for the opportunity!”
Brad looks amused at the little twerp who’s practically slavering at the mouth in his efforts to ingratiate himself.Then again, I suppose we should all be doing that because we owe our paychecks to the alpha male.Still, Stanley’s annoying with his carefully combed hair and obsequious attitude.
“And how about you?”Brad asks Juliette, who stammers and blushes a bit.“What division are you working with?”
My friend tucks a curl of hair behind her ear self-consciously.
“I’m in PR, and it’s great,” she murmurs.“I’m working with Anna Lazard, and she’s taught me so much about the ins and outs already.”
“Wonderful,” Brad responds with a slight tilt of his hard jaw.Then, he asks a couple other people about their summer experiences at the firm in a calm and friendly way, while also projecting dominance.It’s just his way.The billionaire will be an alpha male in any setting, and especially around a group of bumbling interns.
The evening passes uneventfully, and to my surprise, when the event draws to a close, it’s already beginning to darken outside.People gather their bags, chatting and laughing, as I look around surreptitiously for Brad’s massive figure.But the CEO’s nowhere to be seen, and my heart drops with disappointment.Somehow, I was hoping that we’d have a chance to chitchat and talk a bit, but evidently, Brad’s already left the scene.
Don’t be a silly little fool, the voice in my head whispers.Were you expecting something different?
Of course, my subconscious is right, but I can’t help but hope.I’d like to know what our little dalliance meant, and I don’t know ...maybe get his opinion on my internship experience?That makes me snort to myself because it’s a ridiculous thought.Brad Landry is a powerful billionaire, and he doesn’t have time to while away on small nothings.My job, and my experience at Excel, are the least of his concerns.
With that, I step outside of the building and onto the sidewalk, waving goodbye to a few people before Juliette turns to me.
“Some of the summers are meeting up for drinks at Little Ivy.Do you want to come?”
I smile in the fading sun.
“No, I’m good thanks.My dizzy spell passed but I still want to get home and rest before another long day tomorrow.”
“Oh, I know,” Juliette agrees.“Working full-time isnotfun, and the long hours are killing me.But you know where Little Ivy is in case you change your mind.”
I nod and wave as she walks off, before turning in the other direction.The mica in the sidewalk glints in the fading light, and I take a deep breath before beginning my walk to the subway.Sometimes, I take public transportation, and today, I’m glad to have the long ride because it’ll be good to clear my mind during the commute.I’ll zone out, and then draw myself a hot bath before turning in early.That will help calm my nerves and re-set before another day at my stepfather’s company.His presence is everywhere, and I desperately need to let go of some of this tension before stepping foot in Excel headquarters again.
But as I walk, suddenly an enormous Bentley pulls up to the curb and the door swings open.When I turn, I recognize Brad’s dark figure in the depths of the vehicle.
“Get in,” he rasps, those blue eyes glinting with fierce possession.
I stand for a moment, astonished at this turn of events.But then, with trembling knees, I enter the vehicle ...because the ride of my life has just begun.
7
Brad
