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Who am I kidding? It’d be a devastating blow to lose all that sex, too.
But as I scroll through my personal banking page on my laptop later in the afternoon, I realize that my nest egg has gone from nonexistent to fairly sizable in just a matter of weeks. Ruslan’s weekly allowances have been coming in and building up steadily. Even if I were to lose this job, I’d be able to manage for a bit.
I’d be okay.
The kids would be okay.
I exhale slowly. I’ve been drowning for so long that I forgot what it feels like to breathe.
Now, thanks to Ruslan, I can.
35
EMMA
RUSLAN:Be in my office in five, Ms. Carson.
This is the first time he’s summoned me all day since my little breakdown in his office this morning. I get to my feet and smooth down my skirt.
“Stay calm, Emma,” I coach myself under my breath. “Be cool.”
“Mr. Oryolov?” I say when I walk inside. “You asked for me?”
He pulls out a small black device from a drawer in his desk and throws it at me. Thankfully, I have great reflexes developed from little kids running around the house. I catch it with one hand and give it a look.
My eyes snap to his. “This is a car key.”
“You have impeccable observation skills, Ms. Carson.”
I flush. “Do you want me to schedule a service for one of your cars?”
“No. I want you to take the car that goes with that key and drive it home. And then drive it back here in the morning. And then just keep doing that on repeat until further notice.”
My eyebrows feel like they’re going to disappear into my forehead. “You… you’re giving me a car?”
The moment I say it, I regret it. What if that’s not what’s going on? What if I misunderstood?
“Once again, Ms. Carson, nothing seems to get past you.” His eyes flicker with amusement. “To be clear, it’s a company vehicle that is currently registered on loan to you. But essentially, yes, I am giving you a car.”
Um… what?
Despite the sudden bout of vertigo, I’m reminded of the little pep talk I gave myself before walking in here. “May I ask why?” I say it calmly.Coolly. Like someone who’s definitelynotabout to pass out.
“Because I need you to look and act the part of an important CEO’s executive assistant. That’s going to be difficult if you’re constantly catching the wrong train and missing the empty elevator time. Now that you have a car, there will be no excuses.”
It’s an extremely plausible explanation. Airtight, really.
So why don’t I believe it?
“This is… very kind of you. Some would say too kind.”
His mouth hardlines. “I’m not doing it to be ‘kind,’ Ms. Carson. I’m doing it to make sure you perform your job to the best of your abilities.”
I force back a smile and nod. “Of course, Mr. Oryolov.”
“That will be all.”
I wait until I’m back at my desk to let out the delirious laugh that I’ve been holding in.
