****
The next morning, I arrived at the empty office around nine in the morning. I settled in and checked my email which still was empty since I hadn’t given it to anyone yet. By the time noon rolled around, I was still the only one in the office on my first full day of this stupid job. My good mood had deteriorated around eleven. The only saving grace was that Michael carried out his business mostly outside of the office, choosing to take clients out to fancy lunches and whatnot, so I didn’t have to worry about being inundated with new faces all day. I would have had to make excuses for the rich jerk. And speaking of him, where the hell was he?
And Sandra didn’t even have the professionalism to call the office and let me know she wasn’t coming in. She might have called Michael but someone still should have called me. After the first hour, I had to make sure that it wasn’t a holiday. After Googling federal and state holidays, I confirmed it was a normal day. The phone at Sandra’s desk rang several times before I decided to pick it up. I stumbled over the first few phone calls, unsure of what to say. I hadn’t been trained on protocol, so I hoped I wasn’t taking messages wrong or not providing enough information for the clients.
I debated on leaving for the day, frustrated that I came all the way into the City for nothing. I knew if I left, Michael would probably come into the office and fire me for thinking I didn’t come in. I would make sure the receptionist in the lobby saw me on the way out to prove that I’d been here all morning.
My frustration had turned to fury and then simmered around annoyance. I stewed for a while as time slowly ticked by.
The elevator dinged and I shot up from my chair and raced around the corner. Michael strode into the office without a care in the world. He’d gone back to the slick-haired boss that asked all the wrong interview questions. The flirty guy from the club was gone. And so was my patience.
He glanced at me and blinked a few times. “Good morning.”
“Good morning?” I spat. “It’s almost the afternoon. I’ve been here since nine like you asked me to be. And then I get here and have been alone ever since. It would make sense if you called me in later if you were going to be late. I’ve been here for hours and for no good reason.”
He smirked which made me angrier. “I see someone had her coffee this morning.”
He walked down the hallway to his office. If he thought he was going to get away with this with sarcastic remarks, he had another thing coming. I tore after him. He entered his office, propping the door open with his foot as if he were expecting me to follow.
I burst into the office and watched him take off his overcoat and place it on the hanger behind his door.
“Don’t you have anything to say?” I asked.
His blue eyes captured mine. “About?”
I scoffed. “About what I just said.”
“Oh, that,” he said sitting in his chair. He flipped on his computer and then leaned back in his chair. “There are plenty of things to do. For instance, you could have checked listings to occupy your time. And even if you didn’t, you’re getting paid for the day; it doesn’t matter what you’re doing. Most people would be happy to be paid for doing nothing.” He typed something on his computer and moved the mouse around, acting like nothing was out of place.
I released a breath I’d been holding. “I was working on listings. And I answered most of the incoming phone calls since Sandra seemed to have gotten the memo about the late work day.”
He let out a loud laugh and plucked his phone from his pocket, putting it on the desk. “Sandra called in sick this morning. But I appreciate you keeping an eye on my employees.”
Heat flushed my face. He could have at least let me know. Was I not supposed to answer the phone? He didn’t seem upset by that, though. Had this been a test for me? I should have been grateful for the job. Why did he bring out my defensive side?
“Well next time, a phone call or text would be helpful. This is only my second day and I want to make sure I meet your expectations.”
He looked up from the screen. “You certainly have met them. I apologize for not letting you know. I expected you to be bedded down with a nasty hangover.” He smirked.
Did he think I was some irresponsible party girl just because he saw me at a club? Sure, I drank some but I wasn’t a drunk fool. I did have a child to care for. But he didn’t know that. I wanted to keep Tanner out of it. I knew I’d get questions about my commitment to the job and I wanted to prove myself before I told Michael I had a son.
“I don’t like what you’re insinuating,” I said sharply. “I was there with a friend and like I said, we were celebrating the new job. That’s it.”
“Just the one friend?”
I narrowed my gaze. “Yes.”
“Not a guy?”
“What? No. I was with my friend Tessa.”
He said nothing for a minute. Why did he ask if I was there with a guy? Would he have not liked it if I was? Why did he care? I brushed the thought away. He was digging again and I didn’t like that. Or maybe he was drinking too much, as he insinuated I did and forgot our conversation completely.
“Where have you been?” I asked, wanting the focus on him instead of me. “Did you sleep in from a hangover?”
His eyes flashed and a weight burrowed into my stomach. “I had some personal business to take care of alone which is none of your concern.”
Personal business? Did that involve waking up with some chick in his bed? My frustration had taken over again and I couldn’t help myself. “I bet that blonde from the club had a nice time with you too.”
He shrugged and then his cell phone rang. He lifted it to his ear while getting up from his chair. He strode past me without another look and went to the front of the office.
Where the hell was he going now? I wasn’t going to follow him like a lost puppy again, so instead, I took my anger out on the carpet and paced the length of his office and back. Was I expected to wait for his workday to start? Some of us had lives to get back to. I wondered if he was going to keep me late. I didn’t want to miss dinner with Tanner, again. As much as I needed a job, I didn’t want that to interfere too much with our life. He needed a strong parental figure and Killian wasn’t going to offer that.
I walked back and forth a few times before Michael came back into the office. I crossed my arms and waited for him to instruct me on what I was supposed to do next.
He took his coat from the rack and started putting it on.
“Going somewhere?” I asked, my insides churned. I didn’t want to be left alone again.
“We both are. Get your coat, we’re going to meet one of my clients.”
I couldn’t have rushed out of there quick enough. I didn’t realize I’d come down with cabin fever and even the chill outside wouldn't stop me from leaving and getting some actual work done.
“What about the phone?” I asked.
“There is an automated service that picks up the phone when the office is closed.”
I pulled a face. “Seriously?”
He shrugged again but this time had the decency to look a little guilty.
So I didn’t have to rush around answering phone calls all morning while wondering where everyone was. Though I was glad I did it. I wanted to show my initiative and drive to learn on the job. I hoped he noticed.
I pulled out the little notebook from my purse. I’d written down questions all morning as they came to me and I intended to ask him everything on them, so next time I was left alone I’d know exactly what to do.