AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why would I need a doctor?” I shrugged him off, walking toward my desk. I gradually went back to my usual self as I sat down.
“First of all, you missed our appointment. I was scared thinking I’d get scolded by you again for not coming on time. But for the first time, you weren’t on time,” James said, sounding exasperated.
I could tell from the sound of his voice that he meant every bit of what he was saying, but how on earth did I miss our appointment? I glanced at my wristwatch to find that it was way past 5:00 pm. How did that happen? My meeting with Olivia ended by 4:35 pm, so how did I lose so much of my time to absent-mindedness?
I cleared my throat. “I’m only human and mistakes do happen.”
“No, not to you, Ethan,” James countered, taking a seat opposite me. He scooted closer to my desk. “Moreover, when I came into your office, you were so deep in thought. There’s no way you’re convincing me there isn’t something on your mind.”
“I’m just thinking about this new project I’m trying to develop. It’s giving me headaches,” I lied, wishing James wouldjust drop it. It wouldn’t be wise to tell him that I was so lost in thought because I was fantasizing about his little sister.
James gave me a look of disbelief, raising a questioning brow. “You and I both know that’s a lie from the pit of hell, Ethan. You don’t get worked up about work. In fact, you enjoy the thrill the challenge brings with it.”Damn!He caught me. Nothing ever gets past this dude. “This is something else, tell me.” A mischievous look filled up his face. “This is about a woman isn’t it?”
I chuckled, throwing my head back slightly. I couldn’t see his face. “You're right.”
“Sweet!” James exclaimed, hitting his palm against my desk for emphasis. “You haven’t had any women issues since that bitch . . . sorry I mean Jessica.” I wasn't offended by his remark about Jessica. She really was whatever he chose to refer to her as. “So, who’s this lady who has your heart all tangled up that she makes the great Ethan Beckett forget to keep to his ever-rigid schedule?”
“It's not someone you know,” I lied, feeling a pang of guilt hit me square in the chest. “And she’s uhm . . .” I trailed off.
“She's what?” James asked eagerly.
“She’s a bit younger than I am, so she’s probably off limits,” I forced out, hoping he wouldn’t catch on to the fact that it was his sister.
“Hmm, how young is she?”
“Fifteen years younger than I am,” I said.
“So what's the issue?” James asked, shocking me greatly.Can't he see the issue there?“I mean, if you like her and she likes you, I don't see any reason why that is a problem.”
Until you find out that she's your sister.
“It’s weird to even think about it,” I explained. “I mean to think that when I was fifteen and already making out with girls, she was just a baby. It doesn’t feel right.”
“Boy, I think you're worrying too much about nothing,” James said, sounding assured of his opinion. “I mean, if she likes you?—”
“Well that’s it, she doesn’t. I mean I don’t know if she does. I just met her today,” I said, shrugging as though it was a trivial matter. “Let’s drop it! Do we still have the time to check out the building?”
“Yes, I'm free all evening, but that doesn’t mean you are.” James relaxed against the chair, picking up one of the pencils on my table and twirling it in his hand. “Are you?”
“I’ll have to check with number 44,” I said, picking up the telephone to call her.
“You still call her number 44?” James asked, chuckling. “I thought she passed the probationary period. I haven’t seen any of your assistants last more than a week. How long has she been here for again?”
“Three weeks. The probation period is four weeks,” I answered as I placed a call to her. “Hello, what else do I have on my schedule?”
“A dinner with the representatives from Japan at 6:00 pm atMauritania Hotel,”she rapped out in one breath.
“Okay,” I said, ready to drop the call but one look at James and I knew what I had to do. “What's your name?”
“S-sir?” she stuttered out.
“Name?” I asked more firmly.
“Kent. Gloria Kent, sir,” she replied.
“Okay, Gloria, you can go home for the day.” I dropped the telephone, unable to believe that I just got myself a permanent assistant. Let’s hope she doesn’t get herself fired. “I have a meeting with some reps at 6:00 pm.”
“Maybe we can meet up after. I’ll leave you to your . . . ehm . . . lovely fantasies then.” James chuckled as he stood up and left, not before sending me a silly wink.
