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I roll out my plastic chair next to his, sit, then I place my laptop on the table, and fire it up.
When Atlas plops down on his seat, he taps his fingers on the table and eyes the workers as they stare at him. The room is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. The tension—the tension is so thick, I need to crack open a window. I can smell the fear from the other co-workers as they watch his every move, studying him as if he’s a lion ready to attack. When Atlas leans close to me, I can feel his body heat. My gaze studies the backs of his big hands, the sprouts of fine dark hair on each finger.
My mind drifts to last night when we were at the restaurant. His words play inside of my head like a broken tune. He wants something casual, and he wants to take me out to dinner. Atlas keeps being persistent, and I like it. It makes me feel desired. I haven’t felt wanted in a long time. How is Atlas in a relationship? I can’t picture him in one. I can’t picture him being attentive. I can’t picture him being a gentle lover, or a person who cares for others. It would be nice to have dinner and enjoy his company. Despite him being a first-class jerk, he’s not bad when he’s not working. There is no way I’m going to have dinner with him, though. I’m wasting precious thoughts when I can be focused on something else. But… the way Atlas showed up at the restaurant in his suit made me want to jump his bones. Even now, my nipples are so hard, they can cut through diamond, and a shiver snakes up my spine.
Shaking my head, I have a lot at stake and I refuse to throw it away over some pretty boy who’s going to forget about me the minute his dick comes. Atlas can have any woman he desires, yet he won’t leave me alone. I don’t understand it. Everyone analyzes me as if I’m a creature fromAmerican Horror Story. What makes him attracted to me? Is it possible that he’s lying? When I glance at his face, our eyes connect, and I look away. No, Atlas is a lot of things, but he isn’t a liar.
Maybe I should listen to Poppy and take him up on his offer. I did come to New York City for an adventure.
“The reason why I called this meeting is because the HR department brought something to my attention.” He straightens his back, glaring around the room. “Someone is cheating the payroll system, clocking in when they’re not working.”
Everyone glances between each other and back to him. Different faces morph from fear, anger, and shock.
Atlas taps his long, elegant finger onto the glass table. “Gary Norman.”
No one moves, not a single soul.
A vein thumps on the side of Atlas’s neck. “If I have to call you again, I’m going to call the police and charge you for theft,” he snaps as his voice grows loud.
Slowly, a short stocky man raises his shaky hand up, and fear bleeds in his eyes.
Atlas grits his teeth. “Mr. Norman here has been stealing extra hours, clocking in when he’s not supposed to and clocking out when he’s at home. Haven’t you, Gary?”
Gary’s face turns as white as a sheet of paper and he hangs his head down.
“I’m so sorry, we needed extra cash for my light bill.” Gary’s tone is low.
“You’re fired. Pack your stuff and leave,” Atlas barks.
“But, sir.” His tone pleads guilty.
“If you’re not moving in the next fifteen seconds, I’m going to have security toss your ass out like trash.”
Why does he have to humiliate the poor guy? I lean back in my chair, resting my arms on the table.
“Send HR a note making sure he doesn’t receive any money from unemployment,” Atlas demands.
“You were harsh on him. Not allowing him to receive unemployment,” I snap at Atlas.
Everyone’s eyes are on me, and I hear a few women gasp.
“Who are you to question what I do? If you keep talking back, it will be your job on the line.” He scowls.
At this point, I don’t care if he fires me. I’ve had enough of his shit. Without another word, I pack up my laptop and head to my office. When I get there, I slam my laptop case down on the chair and I follow him to his office.
I place my hands on my hips. “You don’t understand, do you? You never had to worry about paying bills, or putting a roof over your head, or when you’re going to have your next meal. All your life you had a silver spoon in your mouth. Your fucking entitlement is showing.” I’m tired of him acting like he’s a god here. So what if Gary stole a few dollars? Atlas isn’t losing much money.
He sits in his chair and crosses his legs. “What exactly do you know about being poor? You grew up with millions. We’re cut from the same goddamn cloth, so don’t stand there all high and mighty as if you never had to worry about money.” His eyes are hard and cold.
“You’re exactly right. I didn’t, but you know what? My mom had to struggle growing up before she married my dad. She made me volunteer at the shelter to teach me that everyone isn’t fortunate like me. So yeah, we might be cut from the same cloth, but the difference between me and you are I’m humble with my family’s wealth,” I snap before I head back to my desk and write an email on the behalf of Atlas apologizing for his behavior to Gary Norman, and the rest of the co-workers who were in the meeting.
He tramps into my office, with his hands behind his back, his shoulders rigid, and his azure eyes connect to mine.
“If you want to make it in the fashion industry, you have to be cutthroat and put your emotions to the side. You can’t save everyone, Lake.”
“You don’t have to be an asshole. It’s not going to kill you to be nice to your employees. Without them, you wouldn’t be a billionaire.” I tap hard on the keyboard, trying to keep a straight face. “It won’t kill you to be kind.”
He slides his fingers into his slacks pockets and lets out an exhale. “Make sure to tell HR to give him his check in advance, and for him to receive unemployment.”Slowly, he plods to my chair, swinging me around to face him. His pants rise as he squats down, resting his palms on my inner thighs. “Another thing, if I catch you eye-fucking me again, like you were during the meeting, I’m going to bring you back to my office and fuck the shit out of you. Do you understand?”
