CHAPTER 3

Jake left the house soon after that with dad and when my father returned late at night, Jake wasn’t with him.

My father and I have had a routine ever since I was a kid. He is a very busy man with running his company and dealing with clients. Sometimes he would be late to events at school and sometimes even miss them.

But every single day, we eat dinner together at 9 p.m. in front of the massive home theatre while watching a different movie. It was his way of making up for it and he only ever misses it when he travels.

Last night was his turn to pick a movie and he picked a bloody slasher movie. I couldn’t tell you the name even if I tried. I spent the entire movie bitching about the characters and ridiculing their actions which led to dad telling me to shut up which then led me to telling him to pick better movies.

Then he threw popcorn at me, then I threw some back, and from there, we just ended up talking about a bunch of crazy things before he threatened to shove a sock in my mouth if I didn’t let him watch the movie.

I feel asleep after that and woke up when my alarm rang. He carried me into my room.

I got ready for the day and put on a black work pants, a fitted white blouse and nude heels. I tied my messy curls into a ponytail, grabbed my purse and was out of the house.

As I walked into the office I was greeted by Charles with a cup of coffee in his hand.

Charles is a fresh out of law school intern. He is working under one of the bigger lawyers and he has made it known not once and not twice that he thinks we would make a cute couple.

He’s a pretty boy, I’ll give him that. He is twenty four, has perfect golden locks with bright blue eyes and a lean body but he’s not my type. My type is more dark and rugged and maybe just a tad bit older.

“Thank you for the coffee,” I took the cup out of his hands and forced back a cringe as I took a sip. He got me plain black coffee; I always take mine with a shit ton of milk and sugar.

“You’re welcome,” he offered a smile as I made my way into my office, “I was wondering if you’re free this weekend then maybe we could grab a drink; there’s a pretty cool bar downtown.”

“How do you know I even drink? Maybe I’m a recovering alcoholic or I’m on a diet.”

“You had a glass of champagne last week when we celebrated the new deal. I gave you that glass.”

“Touché,” I said finally, “But I can’t.”

“It’s just one date,” he stepped closer and I raised a brow, “All I need is for you to give me a chance and I promise you will not regret it.”

“The answer is still no Charles,” I lifted my hands to inspect my nails, “I’m not interested in pursuing a relationship in my workplace. Not only would that end terribly but it is also an inconvenience.”

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. I knew he was frustrated but it is not my fault that he kept on pursuing me even after I had said no countless times.

He opened his eyes and stepped even closer. The hair at the back of my neck stood on end and my skin crawled from his proximity.

“Now would be a good time to step back,” I said slowly but he didn’t move.

“All I’m asking for is one chance; just one-,”

“Am I interrupting something?” I let out a sigh of relief when I heard the familiar drawl.

Charles jumped back almost immediately and stumbled over his words as he tried to make up an excuse. He looked to me for help but all I did was raise a brow in his direction.

When he saw that I wasn’t going to say anything, he kept his mouth shut, turned on his heels and walked out of the room.

I noticed he didn’t shut the door behind him, and so did Jake because he walked over and pushed it shut.

“Don’t you know that it’s scandalous to shut the door when you’re alone with a woman?” I asked teasingly and Jake gave me a bored look.

“Cut it out.”

“Cut what out?” I asked with a bat of my lashes and he exhaled deeply.

“I came here to talk to you about something. I need your help.”

I gestured for him to sit down and he eyed the chair with obvious disdain but finally sat down. I took the chair opposite him and marveled at how nice it was to have him in my office.

As big as my office is, his presence somehow made it feel small. It felt more intimate than it should have and I selfishly enjoyed it.

“Can I interest you in a cup of coffee?” I asked gesturing to the cup Charles had brought from me, “It’s just the way you like is, black like your soul.”

He scoffed, “The boy brought you black coffee.”

“I know,” I sighed, “I was just as surprised as you are.”

He took the cup from my outstretched hands and took a sip from it, coincidentally his lips landed just where mine had been and I did a happy dance in my head. Take that Jake, we just indirectly kissed.

Well you indirectly kissed me and unless I drink that same coffee- which yuck- then I wouldn’t have indirectly kissed you.

“I need you to draft a special contract for me.” his voice cut through my lustful thoughts.

“Don’t you have lawyers for that?”

“I do but this is different,” he handed me a slip of paper and my eyebrows rose as I read the words. “It’s like a normal contract but I want that as a clause.”

I cleared my throat and handed it back to him.

“You want me to draft a contract blackmailing the mayor.”