Chapter 21
KATE
After returning from lunch, I set up the meeting room on the twenty-eighth floor. When I finished, I went upstairs and knocked on his door.
"Is there a problem?" I opened the door slightly. He looked at me with noticeable annoyance. God! What was his problem?
"The meeting room is ready."
"Let me know when they arrive."
"Yes, sir."
As soon as I returned to my desk, the phone rang.
"Yes?"
"Kate, there's a woman downstairs. She insists on speaking to Mr. Ryan."
"Courtney, we don't have any scheduled appointments. And we have a meeting shortly."
"Yes. I understand. But she said she's a friend."
"Courtney…" I was about to ask her to send the woman away, but it could be important. I didn't want to irritate him even more. "Wait a minute."
I called him.
"Have they arrived, Collins?"
"No."
"Then what's the problem?" He sighed heavily.
"There's a woman downstairs. She said she is your friend and insists on speaking to you."
"You know I have a meeting shortly. I'm not receiving anyone."
"Yes, I know! But she said it's urgent. I thought it might be important. But I'll let her know you won't see her."
"What's her name?"
"I... I don't know."
"You didn't ask her name?" I heard him sigh with irritation.
"Just a second, I'll..."
"No. Let her come up."
"Yes, sir."
Why was he so irritated today? And why was he taking it all out on me?
I informed Courtney to let the woman come up. This time, I asked for her name.
A few minutes later, a blonde woman emerged from the elevator. It only took one look to deduce the kind of friend she must be.
The voluptuous blonde, with a somewhat enhanced figure, was wearing a non-formal red dress. Her eyes were blue, and she wore matching red lipstick. I felt sick, imagining her with Nathan, and I had a sudden urge to vomit, especially when she smiled at me with perfect teeth. If she walked through that door, I presumed nothing good would come out of it.
"Just a moment, Miss Smith," I said, trying to hide my disdain with a fake smile.
I called him again.
"Yes?"
"Miss Smith is here," I offered her another fake smile.
"You remembered to ask for her name this time. Good to see you're learning."
Screw you, Ryan! And screw that blonde thing in front of me.
"But maybe you didn't pay much attention, Collins. I don't know any Miss Smith."
"Whether you know her or not is none of my concern. I just want to know if she can come in," I said, regretting it immediately. Hold your tongue, Kate. But he was crossing the line. Testing my patience.
"As sassy as always."
"Can I let her in, Mr. Ryan?" I sighed.
"Yes."
I hung up. I looked at the blonde standing in front of my desk and got up.
"He'll see you now. Follow me."
I opened the door, consumed by anger. I gestured for her to come in. She passed by me. I glared at him, and he seemed surprised to see the blonde.
Screw it! I closed the door, leaving them alone in there. What the hell! What was going to happen? Was he going to fuck her? Damn it! He wouldn't do that, would he?
This was ridiculous! Why was I angry? I had no right to be irritated. He was just my boss. He could do whatever he wanted with whomever he wanted. So why was I damn jealous? Jealous... damn it!
I took a deep breath and returned to my desk. I tried not to imagine what could be happening there. But it was impossible. It was also impossible to hear any sounds. He couldn't do this. Not here. Not with her.
Minutes passed, and I still heard no sounds. I felt like going in there and giving him a piece of my mind. Jerk.
After a while, I was pulled from my thoughts by the blonde. She stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut, her heels echoing as she walked in irritation towards the elevator.
She didn't seem too happy. Did he treat her like a jerk too? But if she came here, they must already know each other pretty well.
My phone rang.
"Yes?"
"Kate, the executives have arrived."
"Okay. Thank you, Courtney."
Nathan came out of his office. He looked at me, looking apprehensive. I hung up the phone. His mouth opened to say something, but he didn't speak.
"Is everything okay, Mr. Ryan?"
"Yes."
"Okay. The executives just arrived."
"Great. Let's go."
"I need a minute."
"Don't take too long," he said before entering the elevator.
During the meeting, I exchanged glances with Nathan most of the time. I felt like strangling him. I couldn't even pay attention to the words of the Frenchman, who spoke imperfect English due to his accent. Ryan managed to convince the executives, offering a rather generous and, let's say, irresistible amount and another acquisition was completed. We ended the meeting after signing the papers.
My irritation was still present, and he was enjoying this game. The worst part was that I couldn't concentrate on my work. We accompanied the executives to the elevator, and after they left, we went back up to our floor without exchanging a single word. I just wanted to kick him in the balls.
The afternoon passed peacefully. I was still trying to push away the idea of saying everything that was stuck in my throat. And then... then... fuck him. Damn it. Damn it.
Why was I jealous of him? Why can't I forget what happened between us? Damn, Ryan! Sometimes, I wished he were just that guy I met that night. There wouldn't be all these barriers that work imposes. But that wouldn't change the fact that he's a complete jerk. Yeah, it wouldn't. I still can't believe what happened here today. That woman... How could he let her come here? So shamelessly?
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