Page 17 of My Boss's Sons

“Are you fucking serious, James?” I straightened to my full height and felt my blood boil. “You’re admitting to me that my promotion was blocked?”

“If you try to tell anyone else, I’ll tell them that you’re crazy. Just because I’m willing to admit it to you doesn’t mean I’m trying to blow up my spot in this company. It’s fucked, what he’s doing to you.” Shaking his head, James held out his hands. “I have a family to feed, though. The executive job is going to send both of my kids to college. I like you, Sophia, but not enough to risk my own space here.”

I ground my teeth. “Why are you even telling me this?”

“It doesn’t have to be like this. Just play along with what he wants, Sophia. He’d take care of you.” He said the last sentence quietly, like he didn’t like having to say them, like he knew how wrong it was and didn’t want to say it too loud.

I slowly shook my head and took a deep breath. Inspecting my perfectly manicured nails, painted a professional beige color, I tried to contain the rage pulsing through my body. “James, imagine saying the same thing to your daughter.”

He bristled. “Sarah would never… She won’t…”

“Exactly. So, do me a favor. The next time you think you’re doing me a favor by admitting that you cheated me out of the promotion I should’ve gotten years ago, think twice. You wanted to clear your conscious by telling me this, but it’s not my job to make you feel better about you fucking me over, James. I hope that your daughter never has to work for a man like you or Gerald.”

He stammered, going red in the face, but the elevator doors opened and I walked out. My hands shook and I could tell the expression on my face was verging on homicidal so I stopped just outside of the large conference room that Gerald held all his meetings in. There was a station set up for coffee and pastries so I forced myself to stand there and study the items while I regained my composure.

Tiffany walked out of the conference room and smirked when she saw me standing there. “Counting calories?”

“Nope. Just giving myself time to calm down so I don’t lose my shit on anyone saying the wrong thing to me.” I sent an obviously fake smile her way and manhandled a croissant. Tearing a big bite out of it, I chewed it angrily. “Yum. Calories.”

She scoffed and hurried around me towards her desk. I was glad she’d walked away because I was almost choking on the size of the bite I’d taken. With a slight cough, I grabbed a bottle ofwater to wash it down. Thankful that no one had witnessed the interaction, I made my way into the conference room and found one of the only available seats that didn’t require I climb over someone, one right at the front. I’d just sat down and crossed my legs when the door at the front of the room that connected to Gerald’s office opened and Gerald walked in. He was all smiles as he stepped to the side and gestured to the men entering the room behind him.

My stomach rolled and I grew light-headed as I came face to face with Mary’sboys.

15

***Sophia***

“Today is a big day for Anderson Inc., everyone.” Gerald flashed a too-white smile and seemed to grow even larger than normal as he gripped Noah and Ethan’s shoulders. “The Anderson sons have returned home and are coming on board.”

I was going to throw up. I gripped my seat so tight that the modern metal frame bit into my skin but I didn’t feel it. My entire body was hot and buzzing. I somehow had too much spit in my mouth and none in my throat. I just stared at the guys I’d spent Friday night with and a replay of the things we’d done flashed through my head, only they no longer felt bold and sexy. My vision grew blurry and I realized I wasn’t breathing. I opened my mouth to suck in oxygen but I was panicking so intensely that I couldn’t remember how to breathe and my body’s preservation skills weren’t activating.

“My sons have been traveling the world and learning through adventures that most of us don’t get to have. They’ve got afresh viewpoint that’s going to lead this company into the future for many more generations.” Gerald’s voice was so loud in my ringing ears. “They understand the meaning of work, but I don’t want anyone here thinking they haven’t earned their positions. They’re going to intern in each department and work this company from the bottom up.”

It was James’ voice that spoke out first. “Let me be the first to welcome them to the team, sir.”

In the immediate rush of cheers and clapping, I found my breath. I sucked in mouthfuls of oxygen and shot a desperate glance towards the door.

“Alright, alright. Let’s not boost their egos up just yet.” Gerald’s laughter was fake but no one would’ve ever called him out on it. “I decided at random where they should start their internship and they’ll be working with Sophia Bennett.”

My eyes shot forward at the sound of my name and my gaze crashed into Noah’s like a freight train going off the rails. It was loud and messy in my head, dragging through me and leaving destruction in its wake. I tore my eyes from those ice blue orbs that threatened even the small foothold I’d made at Anderson Inc..

“That leads me to my next piece of exciting news. Bill Trent has been promoted to Managing Director of Acquisitions.” Gerald motioned Bill forward. “Bill has proven over his two years at this company to be a dedicated employee and a fierce leader. I have the utmost faith in him getting his new department in order.”

My professional brain took over for a moment and anger surged to the forefront of my brain. My department wasn’t out of order. Since I’d taken the job of Head of Research in Acquisitions, things had run smoother than ever before. I had provided the data during my interview for the job of Managing Director. Gerald knew that.

“Since Bill will be busy with his new position, Sophia will guide my sons through their first department.” Gerald met my eyes then and if he could see the rage brewing inside me, he didn’t show it. “You’re a seasoned employee, Sophia. You’ve been here for how long?”

My voice sounded like gravel when I spoke. “Five years.”

Gerald clapped his hands together. “We’re lucky to have such a dedicated employee, Sophia. Five years is a long time to dedicate your life to a company these days.”

There was an awkward moment of the others in the room not knowing how they were supposed to react. I knew what they were all thinking. They’d just heard the numbers. Bill Trent had been with the company for two years compared to my five. They were all wondering what the hell was wrong with me that I didn’t make the natural move from my job to Bill’s new job. I could feel the stares and I wanted to scream.

Instead, I forced my back straight and lifted my chin. Ignoring the mess that was waiting for me, I forced a smile and met Gerald’s gaze with fire in mine. “I was just speaking to James in the elevator on the ride up here about how much Bill deserves this promotion. I’ll be the first to congratulate Bill and I’ll also be the first to tell him to watch out for you, Mr. Anderson.”

Gerald’s face held that same fake smile but I could see the stiffening of his shoulders. He let out an easy laugh. “Watch out for me?”

I stretched my smile wider. “Of course. You’re always taking our amazing bosses away to the executive floor. Bill, you better be ready to fight him off. We need your leadership down in Acquisitions.”

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