“What the hell did you just say to me?” Elsie was furious. I could see it on her face, the way her lips quivered as she said the words.

I stood my ground, pushing my hands into the pockets of my pants.

“You heard what I said, Elsie. I want you to be a part of my team,” I replied, staying calm.

Elsie’s arms dropped to her sides. She was wearing a dark skirt and a floral blouse tucked in. Her hair was messily tied in a knot on top of her head. Once again, she didn’t bother with makeup or looking corporate. While I scanned her, Elsie’s blue eyes focused narrowly at me.

“How dare you come in here, to my office, and try to recruit me! After what happened last night!” Elsie hissed. She was trying to keep her voice down but she couldn’t control her rage.

“Maybe I should have waited and gone to your apartment this evening?” I asked and Elsie’s jaw dropped open.

“Are you insane? You shouldn’t be doing either of those things. You should be getting on a flight out of Chicago and leaving me alone!” she snapped.

I smiled, nodding my head.

“But you see, Elsie, I want you to be a part of my company. I couldn’t just leave without asking you,” I continued.

“Jared! You don’t know what you’re talking about…we…” She stepped towards me now, dropping her voice even lower. “We slept together!”

“I remember that quite well.” I smiled at her again.

She growled and whipped away from me.

“How do you not see how inappropriate this is!” She was turned away from me, like she couldn’t look at me anymore.

“Elsie, we’re adults. We slipped up. Things happened. We just dust ourselves off and move on. It’s not going to happen again,” I told her. She turned to me again with a jerk.

“You know that from personal experience, is it? How many other women you work with have you slept with as well?” she hissed. Her cheeks were burning up, the tip of her nose was red again. The answer was none, but I refrained from responding to that question.

This conversation wasn’t about the fact that we had sex. It was about a job offer.

“I can assure you that you will find my offer very attractive,” I continued. Elsie was glaring at me, and her shoulders were heaving with anger.

“I want you to be the head of my expansion projects in South America. I’ve come to learn that you have experience in dealings in that part of the world. You will have access to a company car and accommodation, full access to my private jet, and the salary package plus bonuses I can offer you will be in the region of…” I continued confidently but Elsie cut me off.

“Just stop talking!” This time, she’d spoken loud enough for people outside to hear her. She clamped her mouth shut and stepped up close to me again.

“Just stop talking and get out of my office, now,” she thundered, pointing at the door. When we were younger, Elsie was mild natured and cheerful. Now, it seemed like she was carrying a lot of anger on her shoulders. I kept the smile on my face.

“I haven’t finished listing out the perks of working for me,” I said, and Elsie shook her head. Her blue eyes were wide with shock and anger.

“I don’t need to hear it. I’ve dedicated my life to working for this charity. I’ve been involved in good work. In work that changes people’s lives. What makes you think, for even one moment, that I would give all this up? To come work for your greedy money-making machine?” Elsie spat the words at me. I had to clench my jaw to hold back my temper.

I had tried to be patient with her. To be reasonable with her. But when she insulted my work, my company that I grew from nothing — I was mad enough to drive my fist through her wall.

Elsie could see that her words affected me.

“Was that your plan all along, Jared? Did you seek me out in Chicago to offer me a job? Is this why I’m hearing from you after ten years of absence?” she hissed. Her face was inches away from me, close enough for me to kiss her if I wanted to.

But right now, I didn’t want to. Elsie Carr thought I was nothing more than a rich swine. Once again, Elsie was the one taking the moral high ground. She thought she was better than me. Just like she’d been brought up by her family to think.

I wasn’t going to let her get away with it this time.

“I’m staying in Chicago till you change your mind,” I replied.

Elsie growled and spun away from me. She went back to her desk and sat down on her chair with a thump.

“Get out of my office, Jared,” she said, starting to open files on her desk. She wasn’t even looking at me anymore.

“Eventually, you’ll see that this is an offer you shouldn’t refuse,” I said. Elsie sipped her coffee and switched on her computer.

“I need you to leave and I’m going to make sure nobody lets you into this building the next time you’re here,” she said and looked up at me.

“You can’t keep ignoring me, Elsie,” I said and she scoffed.

“Why not? You did it for ten years!” she snapped.

I stood in her office in silence for a few moments. She wasn’t going to talk.

“Just think about it,” I said and walked out of the room.

Some of her co-workers stared at me as I left the building. What had she told them about me? I knew they recognized who I was.

I meant it when I said I wasn’t leaving Chicago till she’d accepted my offer. For the past ten years, I’d done nothing but win at life and Elsie Carr wasn’t going to strike me down.