Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Leah
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Why is bread so fucking delicious? I don’t usually eat breakfast, but since it’s Monday and this is my first day working for Caleb, I figured I needed the energy. And yeah, bread might not be the healthiest option, but who cares? It’s soooo good with
cheese!
“You’re up early.” my mom says as she strides into the kitchen.
“I got to be up early since I’m working today.”
“Right, right! I almost forgot,” she smiles at me and takes a seat on the opposite side of the table with a coffee. “Are you excited for your first day at your summer job?”
I’m in the middle of biting into my sandwich when I answer her “Not really-
She gasps as if I’ve said something wrong. “You’re not even the slightest bit excited?!”
“No?” I chew, and I chew.
“But it’s your first job!”
“And that’s exactly why I’m not excited, mom. This is a job and hard work. It’s not like I’m going there to have fun!”
My mom narrows her judging eyes at me when I accidentally spit out some bread. “Honey, don’t talk with food in your mouth.”
Is she for real? She is the one who asked me a question and we both know she would remind me that she asked me if I question if I didn’t answer. Geez, moms are so unbelievable!
swallow the bread and wipe my mouth on the back of my hand–manners aren’t my
thing.
“You’re the one who asked me a question!”
Instead of answering, my mom sips coffee while scrolling on her phone–typical mom behavior to pretend she didn’t hear me. I roll my eyes and stare down at my new phone, only looking up when my mom speaks again.
“I’ve asked your cousin to come and pick you up for your first day so you can arrive in style.”
“Aurora? But doesn’t she have her own summer job?”
“She doesn’t start until tomorrow, so she can drive you.”
“Oh…okay”
I finish eating, pack my lunchbox, and head out when I hear Aurora pull up in her sleek red–sports car. She waves at me from the driver’s seat, her long blonde hair blowing in the breeze from the open window.
Aurora and I are cousins on my mom’s side, but her mom married a wealthy businessman, so she’s always had an easy life with everything given to her.
“Hey Leah, ready for your big first day?” Aurora asks with a perfect smile as she pulls away from the curb.
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I grimace. The thought of seeing Caleb again is exciting, but the part about me working as his assistant is intimidating since I have no idea what that entails.
“I don’t know—”
“Oh my god, I almost forgot!” Aurora interrupts me with huge saucer eyes. To be honest, I’m getting a bit freaked out by her expression and sink into my seat.
“Forgot what?”
She doesn’t even hesitate. “That snap with you kissing Caleb Steele is fake, right? Some deepfake or Photoshop thing?”
“What? No, that kiss was…“Wait, I probably shouldn’t tell her the kiss was real since Aurora can’t keep her mouth shut. The last thing I need is her spreading around that I’m intimate with a guy more than twice my age. “Yes, it must be fake because I’ve never kissed Caleb Steele,” I snort. “Didn’t know there was a video with me doing it either. Who sent it to you? One of them bimbos from the triple idiot pack?”
“Anna and her friends are not idiots–they are nice and cool. Anta is also an influencer with her own blog”
I sigh heavily. “Sorry, I completely forgot you’re a fan of hers.
“I’m not a fan!” I can hear Aurora’s pouAurora’s voice, and I know she is upset without even looking at her.
“Sure, you’re not…
“I’m really not! But I am friends with Anna on Snapchat. She is the one who spread that short video of you. People know it’s fake, though. No one believes you kissed Caleb Steele.”
Wait, is she saying Anna filmed me when I kissed Caleb outside the art class building? What a bitch! Also, why do I feel insulted that everyone thinks that the video is fake!
“And why do people think it’s fake?”
“Uh, only because he is the most successful man in our city? That dude is out of nearly everyone’s league, including yours. I mean, HOT AND RICH? Girl, that man could have anyone he wanted. He just needs to pick and choose.”
Her words rattle me since she is right: Caleb could have picked any other woman to mess around with, so why me? Did I really entertain him so much with that chapter I sent him by mistake that he decided I was fuck–worthy?
Those are the thoughts on my mind as I enter the lobby of his imposing office building. I smooth my maroon cardigan, hoping I look presentable with my white t–shirt underneath it, jeans, and my blonde hair loose. I feel pretty, but that quickly changes when the receptionist barely glances up as she hands me a visitor badge and waves me toward the elevators.
She looked at me as if I were a nobody. Shit–shit–shit! What if this outfit is totally wrong for my first day? Am I supposed to dress up
more? My stomach churns with nerves as I step into the elevator and press the button for the top floor.
The doors slide open, and I smile when I see two doors–one leading into the office flat where Caleb took me after he fucked me in his car, and the other must be the one leading to his actual office.
I open the door leading to Caleb’s office. Inside, a stylish reception area greets me, along with the sound of a small water fountain in one of the corners.
Holy crap, who designed this amazing office? I’ve never seen anything like it. Not even on Instagram. Is it Japanese garden- inspired? There are so many plants and flowers that —
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Chapter 9
A sudden voice startles me. “Can I help you?”
I turn around to find a woman sitting behind the front desk. “You look a little lost,” she points out “Are you on the right floor!”
“Umm…yes… I’m Leah Foster.”
When the woman just blankly stares at me as if expecting me to tell her more, I clear my throat.
“L… It’s my first day as Mr. Steele’s new assistant,” I say, hating how frightened I sound.
“Leah Foster!” Recognition finally sparks in her eyes. “Ah, yes, I remember Mr. Steele talking about you. I’m Megan, Mr. Steele’s executive assistant. Welcome aboard.” She stands and comes around the desk, extending a hand to shake mine. “Let me show you to your desk.”
1 follow Megan past the reception area and down a hallway. The flick of her heels echoes as she leads me into a smaller office adjacent to what must be Caleb’s main office.
“This will be your workspace,” Megan says, gesturing to a modem desk and chair. “Mr. Steele likes to keep things paperless,
you will mostly be managing his calendar, emails, and travel arrangements electronically.”
I’m about to shit my pants from how serious this summer job seems to be. Part of me wonders if I’m really cut out for this, but I need the money, so what choice do I have?
“Do you have any questions so far?” Megan asks kindly, perhaps sensing that I’m about to pass out.
“Um, what exactly should I be wearing? I wasn’t sure about the dress code…” I glance down self–consciously at my casual
outfit.
Megan’s smile is all white and professional. “Business casual is fine–what you have on works well.”
Instant relief hits me. “Great.”
Megan just smiles. “When you’re settled, come find me so we can go over Mr. Steele’s schedule for today.”
With that, Megan leaves and I set down my bag to take a seat at my new desk.
So this will be my workplace for the summer…
My heart starts performing somersaults again at that realization I can’t believe I’m really here, about to work for Caleb Steele himself! My paycheck will be amazing!
With excitement bubbling up within me, I boot up the brand new computer on my desk. Just as I’m logging in, a deep voice
startles me.
“Miss Foster. I see you made it in one piece.”
Every hair lifts to stand on edge when I whirl around to see Calch himself leaning against the doorframe. He truly is a sight to behold, with his muscular arms crossed over his broad chest and perfectly tailored charcoal suit to emphasize his powerful build. His dark hair is artfully tousled, and his blue eye pierce into me, making my mouth go dry.
“Mr. Steele! Yes, I… I’m excited to get started,” I manage to say, cursing the breathless quality of my voice. Get it together,
Leah!
One corner of his sensual mouth quirks up. “I’m glad to hear that I have high expectations for my assistants.” His gaze rakes
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over me, taking in my outfit. “You look lovely, by the way. Very professional.”
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The way
y he says ‘professional‘ makes it sound deliciously dirty. I feel a blush rising to my cheeks as memories of our encounter flash through my mind–his hands on my body, his lips on my skin…
I clear my throat. “Yes, very professional.”
“Almost too professional,” Caleb says. “Also, where did the sassy girl go? Oh wait, could it be that you’re actually nervous to be working for me?”
I feel my face flush even hotter at his teasing words. Damn him for being able to read me so easily.
“I’m not nervous,” I lie like Pinocchio–if I were that doll, my nose would be a foot long. “Just…adjusting to the new
environment.”
Caleb’s eyes dance with amusement. “If you say so, Miss Foster. I will let you get settled then.” He straightens from the doorframe. “But do come see me in my office once you’re done with Megan. There are some…things I’d like to discuss with
you.
The way his voice dips low on the word “things” sends a shiver down my spine. What kind of things could he possibly want to discuss on my first day? Surely nothing inappropriate…right?
“Of course, Mr. Steele,” I reply, trying to keep my tone even. “I will be there shortly.”
“Looking forward to it,” Caleb winks at me before striding out of my office.
Once he is gone, I press my hand to my chest in an attempt to make my poor heart stop racing.
But it proves impossible.
Not that anyone can blame me. No sane woman with red blood in her veins would be able to concentrate on work when her boss looks like sex–on–a–stick. He also keeps throwing me off balance with everything he says, and I know it will be damn near impossible to get work done if Caleb keeps flirting with me like that.
…that was what he was doing, right? Flirting?
I ponder on that for a hot minute before realizing that I can’t just sit by my desk and daydream. No, what I should be doing is finding Megan because the sooner I get up to speed, the sooner I can face whatever “discussion” Caleb has in store for me.
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