Chapter 20
KATE
"Kate?" Emy called me.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before turning to them with a smile. He looked impeccable, as always. I could see the surprise in his expression, even if only for a split second.
"I'm sorry. I was distracted."
"This is our cousin Nathan. Nathan, this is Kate. A friend."
Heaven! If she only knew.
"Mr. Ryan." I offered a nod.
"Miss Collins."
"Wait, you already know each other?" Bryan asked, perplexed. Emily had the same expression.
"Your cousin is my boss." I forced a smile.
"You work for Nathan?" Bryan seemed incredulous.
Even I was, with this damn coincidence.
"Miss Collins is my new assistant. Started this week."
We exchanged looks the whole time.
"Emily!" Britney shouted, coming down the hallway. "Your Aunt Loren wants to talk to you."
"Let's go, Bryan!"
"I'm coming." He turned his attention back to me. "I'll be back in a little while. Nathan can keep you company for now."
I forced another smile. This was the worst idea I've heard in a long time.
They left, following Britney down the hallway, leaving me alone with him. This had to be a joke. How could he be a cousin of the Miles? Damn. It's too much of a coincidence.
We continued to stare at each other until the silence became awkward enough.
"Excuse me, Mr. Ryan."
I can't stay here, as if I were facing the devil himself. I passed by him, heading towards the hallway.
"Wait..." he said, making me stop, and I turned to face him again.
"What?"
"Are you a friend of Emily or Bryan?"
"Emily. We have a friend in common. I just met Bryan."
"You're quick."
"Huh?"
"For an ex-virgin," he said with a fake smile. Is he joking? "You said you don't usually sleep with someone you just met. That changed pretty fast, from what I can see."
My jaw almost dropped. How could he say such things like that? How could he be such a creep? Ignore him. Ignore him. Damn. I can't.
"Well... that's certainly none of your business. He was just showing me around the house."
Why the hell am I explaining myself?
"I know my cousin well. He definitely wanted to show you his bedroom."
Son of a bitch. Just play his game, Kate. You can irritate him too.
"Yeah. Maybe... But you'll never know. Good night, Mr. Ryan!" I said, turning my back to him.
Creep. Leaving was the best thing I could do because there was a high chance I would grab his neck and squeeze it if I didn't. He's so unbearable, arrogant, and idiotic. I certainly couldn't act civil with him any longer without giving him a kick in the nuts. I sent a message to Lisa, letting her know I was leaving.
I arrived very early at Ryan. It seemed like the day was going to be a bit hectic with Mr. Kindness. I fell asleep as soon as I got home last night, so I didn't see Lisa this morning before leaving. Nathan arrived a little later than usual.
Surely he must have had a tiring night in the company of one of the beautiful ladies from Emily's party. After getting off the elevator, he walked toward his office, ignoring me, but stopped suddenly in front of the door.
"Miss Collins?"
"Good morning to you too, Mr. Ryan." I forced a smile, which faded in seconds.
"Miss Collins... I'd like to warn you about your new friends, or whatever they are. Make it clear that it's not my job to give them your phone number. Understood?"
What the hell is he talking about? Is he crazy?
"Yes, sir." I nodded without understanding.
Did he drink?
"Great," he said, slamming the door shut after entering.
The day was definitely not going to be easy. I've known this man for a short time, and he's already causing me a lot of trouble. If I didn't find any flaws in him before, now I could list dozens. Arrogance and conceit are the main ones. It's not very useful to have a pretty face if you don't even have a bit of sanity and common sense, Mr. Ryan.
How did he manage to get where he is now with this personality? He's so authoritative. There isn't even a bit of humility in him. He gets everything he wants. Driving me crazy, for example. And why does he have to be so handsome? So good at everything he does? It's so unfair. Maybe that's why, with this terrible personality, nobody can be perfect, Mr. Ryan, not even you.
Minutes later, he called me and asked me to go to his office.
"Have a seat." He ordered.
I sat down.
"I need you to book two tickets to Switzerland for this Saturday. Unfortunately, my jet will be under maintenance," he said while shuffling some papers, irritated.
Is he going to travel? Two tickets? Switzerland? I wonder if...
"In whose name should I make the reservations?"
He sighed, impatient.
"Ours."
"What?"
Did he say ours?
"I have some business to attend to. You'll accompany me. Why the surprise?"
Travel with him? God! That's the last thing I need right now.
"It's just that I..."
I looked for an excuse, but I couldn't find one.
"I'm not asking if you can go, Collins. I'm telling you to buy the tickets. And if you don't have a good reason not to go, I suggest you get used to the idea."
I nodded. Go to hell, Ryan. You and all your business. I know perfectly well what you're doing. You won't succeed. Not at all.
"I understand perfectly."
In fact, I didn't understand. This trip seemed so inconvenient. I observed the skyscrapers through the windows, trying to understand what the true purpose of this trip was. Business, Kate. What else could it be?
"Let's go over the weekend's appointments on Friday. Are you listening, Collins?"
"Yes, sir."
He closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Oh, you have a meeting at two," I said.
"Yes. I know."
I left his office, feeling his gaze on my back. I hate him. I hate that I'm forced to travel with him and that I'll have to spend the weekend with him. Damn it! How am I going to endure him? The worst part is that I can't even try to find a way not to go. It's my job.
Don't go crazy, Kate. Don't let him win. Just do your job. Back at my desk, I reluctantly picked up the phone to book the tickets.
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