Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Fuck the bet.
As for my mom’s mortgage, well, I still had some savings left. There was enough there to pay for the next couple of months. Surely, I would have found another job by then. Even one I didn’t like too much. Anything would be better than putting up with that bastard’s shit.
I closed my door and, leaning against it, took my phone out and opened my banking app.
What?
There was $3400.00 less. I quickly navigated to the statement screen. Slowly my body slid down to the floor. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Damn, I’d forgotten about my mother’s house insurance direct debit. I’d set it up to be taken yearly instead of monthly to save some money and now it had come to slap me in the face when I was most unprepared to pay it.
I took deep calming breaths. God doesn’t close a door without opening a window. I could do this. There was a way around this.
“Okay,” I whispered. “Okay, you can do this.”
Two options.
One: Tell the bastard to shove his job up his fine ass and concentrate harder on finding another job.
Two: Carry on working for him until I find something better.
With option one, there was a possibility I could come unstuck and put Mom’s house and finances, not to mention mine, in jeopardy.
No, option one was not worth considering. There was really only option two for me.
I could put up with him until I found something else. I would train myself to become immune to his abuse and insults. Like water off a duck’s back, they would slide off me.
In the end, I would be stronger for the experience. All I had to do was redouble my ability to stay calm in the face of any provocation from an unhinged maniac. I could do it. I know I could.
The sound of my phone ringing startled me. It was Maggie. It was almost like the universe was confirming I’d made the right decision. I clicked the green circle.
“How was your first day?” she asked cheerfully.
“Fine. It was fine,” I replied evenly.
“Fine? What do you mean?” she demanded, her voice bristling with surprise.
I crossed my fingers. “It went well.”
For a couple of seconds, a shocked silence ensued. Then…
“Oh my God. You’re lying,” she squealed happily. “You always were a terrible liar.”
I winced. Damn her for knowing me so well. “I’m not lying. It was fine. He even invited me to have dinner with him and his mother.”
“What?” she screamed.
I pulled the phone away from my ear and put her on speaker.
“Yeah, I met his mom,” I said casually.
“Why would he take his temporary PA to meet his mother?” she asked suspiciously.
“I think he wanted me to entertain her while he read through a file.”
“Oh.” There was a small pause. “So you… um…like working for him?”
I cleared my throat. “Like is a bit strong, but I plan to win our bet.”
“I see. Er… what’s he like?”
“A bit rude but fine, I guess.”
She began to laugh. “A bit rude but fine, I guess. What the hell, Lillian? You sound like you’re describing a sitcom. Hang on… unless. Holy shit! You’re attracted to him, aren’t you?”
I froze. “No,” I almost shouted. “I am not attracted to him. He’s not my type at all.”
“He’s everybody’s type. Stop lying to yourself. You want to have sex with him.”
I sighed. “Believe what you want. I’m tired and I’m going to bed.”
“Oh wow! You don’t even want to discuss it. You must have it really bad for him.”
“Goodnight, Maggie.”
Her mocking laughter was still ringing in my ears when I killed the connection.
Chapter 7
Max
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqmrwx0W4k4
The first thing that floated into my head when I opened my eyes was Lillian. Her unruffled, calm face was blazing with undisguised, pure lust. What the fuck? That was the last thing I should be thinking about first thing in the morning. Self-disgust filled my gut and I vaulted out of bed.
I had to get rid of her, and fast.
She was death and destruction to my concentration.
Together with my dogs, I went for my usual run in the park behind my house. The air was cold and crisp, and I was glad to note how easy it was to keep my mind busy with business matters. But as soon as I got into the shower, dirty thoughts of her came flooding back. In the rising steam, I grabbed her flaring hips and fucked her so hard, she begged for mercy.
I gave her none.
I left the house and had breakfast with a semi-legitimate ex-hacker who kept me up to date with the goings on in the financial market. Sometimes he had valuable inside knowledge. Today he had none.
By the time I got to work, it was 9.30. Lillian was already at her desk with headphones over her ears. I assumed she was transcribing the voice notes I sent her earlier. She was wearing a white top that showed off her every delectable curve.