Page 81 of Strings
“I hate to add to it, but Bordo called. He wants to see you in his office now.”
I cringe. “Now? Think, Amy! Did I do something wrong?”
Amy shuffles over to me and places her hand on mine. “Why would you think that? You’ve done an amazing job! Everyone here adores you.”
“Not Bordo. Every time I meet with him, he acts a little colder.”
She waves at the air. “He doesn’t mean to, I’m sure.”
“Oh no. He means it. It’s as if he’s waiting for me to screw up. Sometimes, I’ll be talking to him and he’ll seem like he’s a million miles away. I imagine he’s planning how he’ll fire me.”
Amy glances over her shoulder as if to check for him. She whispers, “I’m only telling you this so when he seems upset, you don’t think it’s about you.”
“Huh?” I’m not following her.
“Bordo’s son is autistic. He’s four and he’s becoming more and more of a handful, so his wife quit her job to take care of him full time. He’s really a great guy and he cares about the Sym more than anyone I know. He’s trying really hard to make the best life he can for his family. There are a lot of bills from specialists and stuff. If he’s hard on you, I’m sure it’s either because he has a lot on his mind, or because he wants you to be the best you can be.”
Amy is one of the most positive people I’ve ever known. She never has a mean word for anyone. “You always see the best in people, don’t you?”
She shrugs. “I try. Now don’t tell him I told you. You’d better get up there! It seemed urgent.”
I sigh and slowly shuffle my butt out of my chair. I pick up my phone and a legal pad and amble toward my office door. Shuffling my feet like a child who knows they’re about to be scorned in the next room, I glance back to Amy and plead with my eyes for her to not make me go. She makes a motion with her hands, telling me to scurry, so I do.
I push the button and wait for the elevator. When the doors open, Mercer is standing inside. I immediately cringe and contemplate sprinting for the stairs.
“Well, well, well. If isn’t my favorite new hire. On your way up?” he asks.
“No, down. I pushed the wrong button.”
“Hmm… and I thought we were about to have a meeting with Bordo. Didn’t he summon you like I asked?”
I don’t respond and he grins. “Come join me, Natalia.”
His sleazy expression makes me want to hurl. “I’ll wait for the next one. This one is full of you and your ego.”
“You seem to have forgotten I am your boss. I don’t like your tone. This is a meeting about the Gala and I would appreciate it if you could at least try to act like you take this job seriously. I already look like a fool for hiring you.”
I pause. I really don’t want to be anywhere with him, much less a confined space.
“Last chance. I’ll tell Bordo you were late because you refused to ride in an elevator with the CEO. Should I also tell him why?”
I sigh and step inside.
“That a girl.”
As soon as the doors close and the elevator begins to move, Mercer pushes the stop button and the elevator comes to a jolt.
He turns to face me. “You’ve been avoiding me, Natalia. I don’t like it.”
He steps toward me and I step back into the corner. He adjusts himself as he stares at my breasts. “Have you missed me like I missed you? What do you say we have a little quickie right here and now?”
“Ugh. Get away from me. I’d rather be lit on fire than ever let you touch me again.”
He tsks me. “Now, is that any way to treat the man who’s responsible for you affording this outfit? Do you want to take it off, or should I take it off for you?”
“If you lay one slimy finger on me, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life, you fat little fuck.”
He bares his teeth. “The only thing I’ll ever regret is hiring you in the first place. Now, if you want to keep your job, get down on your knees like a good little slut and suck my dick.”
