Patrick’s office is set up with his desk facing outwards and three chairs facing towards the desk. When I came in, I sat in the one closest to the wall, but I’m now realizing that it was a mistake when Greg sits in the one directly next to mine, boxing me in.
“You know, I’ve been thinking about complaining to your management at The Brew that you are not as friendly as you used to be.” He shifts in the seat and leans closer to me, a mix of coffee and something stronger on his breath.
“I’m sorry, what?" Holding back a gag, I try to lean further away from him, but there isn't enough space behind me. "I have been nothing but nice to you ever since you started coming in.”
He scoffs at my defensiveness, but how else am I supposed to react to that?
“Oh, calm down, sweetheart. I only said that to get a little rise out of you.” He gives me a wink that makes me want to throw up in my mouth, but I keep my expression flat. I don’t know where he’s going with it, but it’s probably better if I don’t offend him right out of the gate. “I probably won’t go through with it.”
He clears his throat and continues. “I don’t really understand what you see in Patrick. I mean, he’s just a measly, low-level employee here; I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to date someone who can provide for you. You’re obviously struggling working as a barista, and I could take care of you if you let me.”
“Well, I don’t really care about the money, and Patrick treats me really well.” Peering to the left, I try to move over to put more distance between us, but it doesn’t seem to be working because he follows me like I’m some kind of beacon he can't stay away from.
“You don’t think that I could treat you well?” His tone becomes accusatory, and I glance at the closed door, wondering where everyone is. “C’mon, I know you have a mouth on you, so tell me why? What’s wrong with me?”
Where the fuck is Patrick? I’m trying really hard not to freak out, but I could really use him right now.
Fuck, this is my fault for letting my guard down.
Ever since Patrick defended me at the picnic, Greg hasn’t even been a blip on my radar. I really thought I was safe from the harassment, but apparently, I’m only safe when there is another man with me.
Greg watches my eyes ping from him to the door a few times and laughs, but it’s more sinister this time, sending a shiver down my spine. “You’re not looking for him, are you? I saw him in the conference room before I came in here, and they won’t be done forat leastanother fifteen minutes. So, we have some time to chat.”
My stomach sinks, but I try not to show it. I hate lying. It is how I got into this whole mess, but I know I have to say something to try to get him to leave me alone. “Oh, well we have dinner reservations in twenty minutes, and the restaurant is fifteen minutes away, so if he knows what is good for him, he should be coming soon.”
“You really got him on a leash, don’t you?” He cracks up, doubling over, and I watch tiny droplets of spit land on Patrick’s desk. Everything about Greg makes my body react in such a visceral way, but I do my best to keep it together. He’s already told me he wants a reaction out of me, so I have to be smart about this. “But, wait a second, I want to go back to you not thinking I can’t treat you well. Why did you say that?”
He shifts his body more to create a barrier between me and the door. Even if I tried to stand up, I would basically have to crawl over Greg to leave, and I don’t think I’m that desperate yet. At least, I hope I’m not.
“Well, I never actually said that. You did.” I try to be matter of fact, but based on his reaction, it’s not helping.
“Don’t tell me you weren’t thinking it, sweetheart. ” The accusations intensify as he becomes more defensive. “Do you know how upsetting it is to see you with him? After you flirted with me for a whole week before you even told me you hada boyfriend. You can’t tell me you aren’t interested in me. If Patrick didn’t walk in that morning, you would’ve kept leading me on. I know your type—you’re a spoiled brat.”
He spits out the insult at me, causing me to flinch.
God, I wish that this man could catch a hint. He must be more delusional than I thought to believe that I was flirting with him. I make my voice firmer, trying to hide the shakiness. “You know that it wasn’t like that, Greg. And for the record, I never flirted with you; I was just being polite.”
“Don’t fucking lie to me!” There is venom behind his teeth, and my heart lurches into my stomach. It takes me a second to put a word to what I’m feeling: fear. “I could be good for you, you ungrateful girl! Can’t you fucking see? I’d treat you so much better than he can. Really, what does he have that I don’t? Am I too old for you? What? Does he fuck you good, is that it?”
Adjusting my method again, I make my voice soft and do my best to try to remain polite and cordial, but I am truly terrified at what he might doat this point. It is not that he deserves my kindness, but I don’t want to do anything that is going to escalate the situation. I just need to get out of here, and the only way that he’s respected me so far is when Patrick is around. So, I try to use that to my advantage.
“Greg, I can see that you’re upset right now, so maybe it would be best for you to leave Patrick’s office?You’re making me uncomfortable, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to talk without Patrick around. Anyway, it feels rather inappropriate to discuss our sex life with his employer.”
My change in demeanor doesn’t help. Somehow, it makes it worse because he brings his voice low and threatens me—as if this isn’t the first time he has done this to someone. “You better watch your tone, sweetheart, because I’ve been very well-behaved up until this point. This whole goddamned building is my office, and I’m just having a friendly conversation.”
With everything else failing, this is my last ditch effort. I square my shoulders, trying to act stronger than I feel. Raising my voice, I desperately hope that Debbie can hear me from her desk. “That’s enough, Gregory. I think you should go.”
“Oh, so now you’re going to yell at me, you little bitch. I think I should show you what it’s like to be with a real man.” Bile rises in my throat as he grips my thigh right above my knee. I try to pull my leg away, but he’s strong enough to restrict my movements. His nauseating smell closes in on me, and when he leans in to smell my hair, I can feel myself shaking uncontrollably. “Don’t be such a tease. You look like you’re easy enough to please, and if not, I bet you just lie there real good.”
Fuck, I need to get out of here now.
“What the fuck? Get your fucking hands off of me!” I yell loud enough that it startles Greg, and seeing my opening, I stand up and manage to slip out of his grip. The chair acts as my shield, and I'm finally able to get it between us. “Don’t touch me again! I’m going to tell Patrick about this and get you fired!”
“Woah, woah, woah! I didn’t even do anything. Promising you a good time isn’t a fireable offense, sweetheart. Anyway, almost everyone has gone home for the night. Who’s going to believe you over me?” Greg starts to move to block me in again, but I dart out of the room. His hand reaches out for me, butluckily, I am quick enough to slip away, still feeling the singe of his fingertips on my skin.
As I move through the building, I notice that Greg was right. There is no one around, and my panic heightens when I realize what could’ve happened if I wasn’t able to escape.
The only place I know how to get to is the lobby, so I run through the office and out to my car as fast as I can, hoping Greg won’t follow me out. My lungs refuse to work properly as I try to catch my breath, and my blood pressure rises as I keep glancing at the door, waiting for Greg to come barreling through.
