Caught by the Boss part 33

LEILA

3 Months Later

I walk into the elevator with Hector beside me, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. Heads turn in the lobby.

Hector rented two office floors on this skyscraper. He has gathered twenty employees. In one year, we’re scheduled to expand.

Today is our first day, and it feels like high school all over again.

Hector thrives on the attention. He walks with purpose in his pressed designer suit. I’m wearing a $20 pencil skirt and a cheaper blouse. It blows my mind how our clothes share the same closet.

I try to keep up with him, but the man’s legs are long, and his ego is endless.

It’s just us two in the elevator. The ride to the nineteenth floor is short. Instead of watching the numbers climb on the screen, I stare at the carpet, keeping my head low as always.

I’m sure employees will wonder how someone like me could be Hector’s assistant. Heads will blow and take the building down with it when they discover I’m also his girlfriend. Hopefully, they haven't made that connection yet.

We exit the elevator together, and employees address Hector. They offer respectful nods, smiles, and greetings. Then, their eyes stray to me.

Hector only nods at people. He maintains his cool front. When we enter his office, his demeanor changes. He goes from the intimidating, powerful boss to a puppy wagging his tail. He wraps his arms around me and lifts me, spinning me as he pecks my face.

I giggle. “Put me down before you wrinkle your suit.”

He sits on the chair and brings me onto his lap.

“This isn’t what I meant,” I say.

“You’re becoming bossy. I’ve been rubbing off on you,” he replies, shifting his groin against my ass. “In more ways than one.” He reaches under his desk and clicks a button. The door locks.

“Hey… what are you up to?”

He swivels the chair, showing me the city through the wide window. His office is still being organized. There are boxes on the corner, an empty bookshelf, and no blinds.

“That city out there…” he says, kissing my neck. “We’re going to conquer it together. We will develop life-changing technology inspired by you. Your beauty, kindness, and innocence.”

I shudder. His lips and words stir something inside me. A year ago, I could have never imagined that I would have landed on the lap of such a powerful man. A man who claims to love me. A man who gave up his kingdom to start over and seek my forgiveness. Now we have to start over, but I’m looking forward to it.

“Thank you,” I whisper. He makes me feel precious. We made our relationship work, although lies and anger nearly destroyed us.

His phone rings, and he sighs before picking it up. “What is it?”

He stiffens. “What is her name?” There’s a pause before he adds, “I’ll be right there.”

I stand up and frown as Hector runs a hand down his face. “What’s wrong?”

“Do you want me to tell you, or do you want me to deal with it?”

“Tell me,” I insist.

“Well, someone showed up to the reception desk with an application. They were told to apply online because reception has nothing to do with hiring. The person insists on handing it to us personally and wants access to the floor. Guess who it is?”

Now I’m rubbing my face, too. “Grace,” I groan.

I should have known she wasn’t going to give up. Hector is too valuable for her. All she sees are money signs.

“Don’t worry, I’ll call security and–”

“No,” I interject. “Send her up. Tell her your secretary will see her.”

Hector hesitates. “Are you sure? I just got this office and don’t want to shut it down because you threw Grace out the window.”

I chuckle. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Well, you have a history of dragging the woman.”

“That was a one-time ordeal!”

He laughs. “Fine, interview her.” He picks up his phone and calls the reception desk, authorizing Grace to be sent up.

I blow a breath and straighten my skirt. It has been a while since I last saw Grace, and I’m disturbed that she still hasn’t moved on.

I peck Hector’s cheek and walk out, heading for my office. I sit behind my desk and do a final scan. My desk is massive–Hector wouldn’t allow anything else. I can barely fill the chair I sit on, and it’s hard to see my face from behind the computer screen. This is a far cry from my setup when I last worked for Hector.

There’s a knock at my door.

“Come in,” I say.

The door opens, and I hear a click-clack of heels. The closer Grace gets the stronger her perfume.

“Good morning, I–” She nearly trips when she finds me sitting behind the desk. Her eyes are wide, and her fingers dig into her folder.

She looks the same. Bright red hair, twinkling jewelry, and an ironed dress.

“Hi, Grace. It's lovely to see you.”

She forces a smile onto her face. It doesn’t meet her eyes. “Hi. I was called up here for an interview, so I’ll find Hector and–”

“That’s alright,” I reply, standing from my chair and walking around the desk. “I’ll take care of you. May I see your resume?”

The folder creaks in her hold. When she extends it to me, I’m not surprised to see it wrinkled. I open the folder and skim her resume. The crisp white paper is inked with her prestigious education and experience. She’s highly qualified.

“Please, take a seat,” I say, signaling to a chair across my desk.

She glances at the door, wondering if she should risk it. Then she sits on the chair, deciding to try her chances. She still thinks I’m not that big of an obstacle between her and Hector.

Little does she know how much I’ve grown.

“So tell me about yourself,” I say, resting my elbows on the desk and entwining my hands together. Her perfect resume is pinned beneath me.

“Well, thanks for the opportunity.” She clears her throat and crosses her legs.

Don’t thank me yet.

“I have eight years experience in the field…”

She goes on a tangent about the projects she’s worked on. She lists plenty of quantified results and awards she received. I know all of these things. She told me about her experience as we got to know each other and shared lunch at the cafe.

“And I’m highly reliable.”

Reliable? After stealing my identity and conspiring with her cousin? I'd fall on a knife before trusting this woman again. I'd have a higher chance of surviving that.

She notices my disbelief. Her perfect posture slouches as she leans back in her chair. “Listen, I apologized for everything. Can’t we put that in the past?”

I smile. “Of course. A position opened up. I think you would be a great fit.”

Her polished red nails dig into the wooden armrests, and she inches closer. Her eyes are wide as she asks, “Great! What is it?”

“We would love to have you as a custodian. Our janitor is retiring, and we need to replace him. And we both know how great you are at replacing people. Can you start Monday?”

She trembles in her seat. Her face becomes as red as her hair.

The door bursts open, and Hector’s broad body stands there. “Leila,” he grits. “How could you do this?”

Grace looks at Hector like he’s a knight in shining armor. Or maybe she sees what he’s really wearing—a custom designer suit.

I rise from my seat, wary about Hector’s intentions. Is he here to scold me and defend Grace’s honor?

Grace looks at Hector with stars in her eyes.

“What?” I whisper, looking between Hector and Grace.

Hector closes the door and walks around my desk. “The jeweler told me you haven’t submitted your ring size. I told you months ago that I need to know what it is. Why do you keep pushing it back?” His eyes move to Grace. “Oh, hello, Grace. I didn’t see you there.”

Grace stands from her chair.

Hector continues his show. “Also, I need to know how many carats you want on the ring.” He looks at Grace and squints her hand. “What about something like Grace’s ring? Just… much bigger?”

I swear I hear Grace growl. She turns and walks away, her heels stabbing the floor. She tries to slam the door, but it has a soft-close mechanism.

“Well, that was fun. I doubt she’ll return.” Hector chuckles.

“You sure know how to stab a woman in the heart,” I say, shaking my head.

“I can’t stab something that doesn’t exist.” He takes the resume from my desk and crumples it, tossing it into the garbage. “Now come kiss me. I earned it with my excellent performance.”

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