Page 13 of Possessive Boss Next Door

I close my eyes and retrace my steps. The last time I looked at it was…my eyes pop open. “In Max’s office the night that he found me.”

My teeth sink into my lower lip. There’s a good chance that it’s still there. I could replace anything else with the money he gave me, anything except the picture of my mother. I have to go back for it. Even if it means having to say goodbye in person.

I grab a cab and head to Max’s office, my heart racing in my chest. Maybe he’s at that breakfast he was talking about last night? That’s the best case scenario. I need to get out of this as unscathed as possible.

Too late.

I rush up the elevator and head into the office as fast as my feet can take me without having to run. Perhaps it’s a little too fast, I nearly knock Tamara off her feet. “Oh, sorry!” I say a little too loudly.

“Olivia, what are you doing here? The temp agency said you quit.”

“I did. I left something here that I need to get. It’s irreplaceable.”

“Okay, I’ll walk you to the room you were working in.”

“No, it’s not in there.” I shake my head. It dawns on me that I’m in an oversized T-shirt and cutoffs, not exactly office appropriate work-wear.

“The copy room? The break room?”

I take a deep breath. “In Max Ford’s office.”

Tamara stares at me for a beat, then her face breaks out into a jokers grin and she burst out laughing. “Max Ford’s office. You’re funny.” Not wanting to waste any more time, I brush past her and head down the hall. “Wait…you can’t go in there!” Tamara stutters. “Stop her!”

I take off down the hall before anyone has the chance to follow Tamara’s orders. My backpack thumps against my rear end as I round the corner and stop in front of Max’s office. I only take a moment to peer inside, but he’s got the blinds drawn and I can’t see if anyone’s there. I squeeze my eyes tight and throw open the door.

Three Japanese men in suits flip their heads in my direction. Followed by the piercing gaze of Max Ford burning holes into me. Oh shit. This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hi,” He responds.

“I left something here.”

Every man in the room stands up as I hustle over toward the couch and fall to my knees. “I promise I won’t be long. A deal’s a deal, but I forgot…dammit…where is it?”

My hands pad along the carpet under the sofa, desperately searching for the photo. Just when I’m about to give up, I feel a tap on my back. When I raise my head, Max is standing next to me. In his hand, the photo of my mother.

“Looking for this?” I swallow back the crazy mixed emotions of seeing Max, the man I love but can’t have, holding her photo. He helps me to my feet and tears fill my eyes.

“Actually, yes.” I say, and take the photo before wiping away a stray tear with the back of my hand. “Thanks. I’ll be out of your way.” I turn to the door but Max’s voice stops me.

“Olivia, wait.” Out of habit I do what he says. I roll my eyes, knowing that the agreement is up and I don’t have to listen to him anymore. But dammit if I don’t still want to. “Stay. This meeting involves you, too.”

I spin on my heel first looking at Max, then the other three gentleman staring back at me with smiles on their faces. “What?”

“Gentlemen.” Max says, “This is Olivia Wylder. The woman I was telling you about.” All three men bow in my direction, keeping their eyes on mine.

“Max, what’s going on?” I whisper from the side of my mouth.

“They’ve agreed to invest in my new business. It took a little convincing, but the ink’s barely dry and you’re to thank.”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry, but I’m lost, here. What business?”

“Safe Shelter.” He says. “There’s no shelter out there that prides itself on the true safety of its intakes. I realized not only our city’s need for them, but Tokyo’s too, last night.”

“Last night?”

“Uh…after.”

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