Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
I glanced at Bane’s door with a scowl. I was keeping them on my desk, and I would take them home on Friday. He could pound sand for all I cared.
Then I got back to work.
The next two weeks were crazy. Bane was hot and cold. Blunt and irritated, then suddenly pleasant. His door was open, then closed. He barked orders, then asked me something in a polite tone. He worked constantly and I stayed late to help him, came in early, and, at times, worked from home. I didn’t complain, and he never commented, other than the occasional grunt I took as a thank-you.
Another set of flowers arrived the following Monday afternoon, which earned me a scowl from Bane, although he didn’t demand I remove them. The florist insisted they had the right address but refused to give me any other information.
I racked my brain, checked the company directory for a Ty or Tyler, but the only one listed was married, never so much as said hello to me, and worked on another floor. I highly doubted he was sending me flowers. I didn’t know a man with that name, so it was a complete mystery. But I was too busy to worry about it.
I didn’t know which way was up or down, trying to keep up with Bane. I wondered if he was nervous about the awards dinner coming up, then decided not to ask him. I liked my head where it was—on my shoulders.
I tried my best to stay ahead of him. I made sure he had his lunch every day. That the files he needed for his meetings were at his fingertips. I kept people away from him so he could work. His coffee cup was always full. I added a container of ice water. He looked at me, one eyebrow arched in question when I set it on his desk.
“To keep hydrated,” I explained. “You need more than coffee.”
He grunted. I took that as a thank-you.
I worked until he left, which was usually past six at night—some nights later. I had been introduced to his driver, and I had his number so I could call him whenever Bane needed him.
When he had explained it to me, I had blown out a breath. “Wow.”
“What?”
“I didn’t know you had a driver.”
“I do. His name is Darryl.”
“Landscape architecture must pay well,” I quipped.
He frowned. “Old money, Myers.”
“Oh.” That explained a lot. His suits, his address, his lack of worry about his expense account.
I received one of his rare smiles. “And I do well at my job.”
Then he became the Bane I knew the best.
Abrupt and curt.
“Get me a coffee.”
“Of course, sir.”
During the various errands he sent me on, I got to know the people in the building. Pete, the old security guy. Jenny, one of the cleaning ladies who worked on the floor every day. Mac, the man who kept the front lobby spotless. The other partners’ assistants were friendly, although I didn’t really know them that well yet. They invited me to lunch, but I had been so busy I hadn’t made it yet. I liked them all—hardworking, nice people. I looked forward to getting to know them all even more. As long as I survived my boss.
“Myers!” the bane of my existence called to get my attention.
Again.
Good God, the man liked to bellow.
I rolled my shoulders and went to his door, entering without knocking. There was no point, although he scowled every time I did it. He was shouting for me, so he must know I was about to walk in. Why should I knock?
“You need something?”
“These papers need to go to HR. Now.”
I swallowed down my retort. Telling him I was just about to drink my coffee and eat my sandwich would do me no good. I rarely got the chance to enjoy my coffee. Or eat a sandwich in its entirety. In fact, half the time, I didn’t recall drinking my coffee. But it disappeared, so I assumed I had. “Of course.”
He looked past me with a glare. “I see flowers arrived again. I thought we discussed this.”
I sighed. “I have no idea who is sending them, so I can’t tell them to stop.”
He waved me off. “Whatever. Take the papers down.”
I took a sip and then headed downstairs to the HR office. I gave the papers to Jessica, who asked me how things were going.
“Great,” I said with a false smile. “Busy.”
She nodded. “Alexander is always busy.”
“So I’ve discovered.”
“You’re able to keep up?”
“Perfectly,” I lied. I came in early, worked late, and did a lot of stuff at home. The man never stopped, it seemed. “I have to get back.” I waved and took the stairs up, walking into the office.
I sat down, reaching for my coffee, and frowned. It was empty. I had only had a few sips, hadn’t I? I rubbed my forehead. This kept happening to me. I opened my sandwich, taking a bite, then picked up my coffee cup and hurried to the kitchen to make another cup. Luckily, no one was in the break room, so I didn’t have to deal with those catty women today. I walked back into the office, surprised to see Mr. Bane standing by my desk. He looked guilty when he saw me, stepping back.