"I promise, Marley."
I brightened my smile not wanting either of us to start crying. "Gotta go, have to get fired now … or I guess, you would say … laid off."
"Yeah, not as good as getting laid on," Dillon replied, faking his own smile. "I'll come over tonight, and we'll dish it out okay?"
I nodded, blowing him a kiss.
I walked to Mr Henley's office, which had an outer and inner office similar to Mr Bellman's, but was larger. Kathy greeted me with a disdaining smile as her eyes travelled up and down my outfit, in what I assumed was an attempt to make me cower. It only made me stand up straighter. Kathy was one of those women who didn't like other women. She was the kind of girl who couldn't spare an occasional compliment or good-will gesture to another girl, but was extremely gracious towards the opposite sex. She was a beautiful woman with a dancer's body, ebony hair, crystal blues eyes and flawless skin. Despite that, I'd always felt her insides were somewhat ugly. Kathy played up her looks with short skirts and tight tops. She was the kind of woman who would have a salaciously witty comeback when someone like Rick Randy noticed her garter belt. She fell into her gorgeousness gracefully, while I stumbled clumsily into the territory of passably pretty.
"You're dressed up," she announced, as if I didn't know this.
I nodded absentmindedly. "I felt like dressing up."
"Or did you want to make a good impression … on Rick?" She gestured towards Mr Henley's office window where Rick was sitting in a chair speaking to Mr Henley. My insides automatically clenched.
I didn't want to be fired in front of him. I'd accepted the idea of being laid off. I knew it wasn't because I was a bad employee-I did my job well, and Mr Henley liked me. I was just in the wrong position at the wrong time. I understood that it only made sense that I should be the initial sacrifice in a long line of layoffs.
All of my self-assurances about this moment were lost when I realised Rick would be a witness to my departure. I wanted a private moment to thank Mr Henley for all he had done and let him know I believed in the company. I sincerely hoped that Henley Inc would still survive. More than survive … thrive. It would prove difficult to vocalise my feelings in front of ‘Rick the Dick'.
"I dressed up for myself Kathy, not that it matters," I retorted, smoothing out my skirt.
"You're right. I doubt he had time to notice. I mean, you were running so late."
It was difficult not to smile smugly because Rick, in fact, had noticed my outfit, but there was no point in letting Kathy know that.
"I'm glad you're feeling better, Kathy. Those two-hour flu's can be a real downer," I said as I opened the office door.
"We'll miss you, Marley," Kathy said in a cheery tone that completely contradicted her statement. Everyone knew I was going to be canned and with good reason. I was the girl plied with busywork, who lived in the secluded island office by herself. The office gossip factory was hard at work as usual.
Mr Henley stood up from his desk, smiling brightly at me when I entered. It was a warm smile, which I returned in kind, despite my dread. "Marley, please sit." He gestured to the empty seat next to Rick, who had also stood. I felt a new wave of nausea, wondering if Rick had shared my airport abduction story with Mr Henley. I couldn't handle any more ridicule today.
I sat, trying to avoid Rick's intense gaze. He chuckled when I adjusted my skirt, but I ignored him.
"Rick will be here for a few months and the work he'll be doing is very intense." I knew all this from the morning meeting, so I was wondering why Mr Henley was re-hashing it for me. "He'll need help with the marketing plans, budgets, deciphering spreadsheets." Just then, my stomach decided to growl. It was embarrassing, but I hadn't eaten lunch and right then, even the Vegan chili in my lunchbox made my mouth water. "He'll need an assistant and we both think you'll be perfect."
I sat up in my chair so fast it hurt my spine a little. "You want me to be his assistant?" I asked wide-eyed.
"Actually, Rick's analytical skills are already paying off. It was his suggestion, and I couldn't agree more. It will work out so well, since he's taking Bellman's old office anyway. You don't even have to move your desk." I had an inkling why Rick, or rather ‘Dick', would want me to be his assistant, and I didn't like it at all.
"But, Mr Henley, I'm not sure I'm qualified for that."
"Marley, if I've told you once, I've told you a million times, please call me David. I appreciate how respectful you are, but I really would prefer it."
I nodded, but knew I would find the request difficult. I liked to call him Mr Henley, maybe because he was older.
"It seems like a perfect match in my estimation. You've done similar research and materials with Bellman, and Rick can bring you up to speed on anything he needs."
I felt an odd mismatch of emotions. I was grateful I wouldn't be losing my job. I was terrified to be working with this gorgeous man for the next four months. I was irritated he was the one saving my job. I was nervous because of his mischievous smile and whatever plans he had for me.
"Marley, if you're not comfortable with the prospect of being my assistant, I'm sure we can find someone else. I just assumed you would be a good fit based on your background. I have a great deal of work to do. In fact, so much so, that there will be copious amounts of overtime," Rick interjected, completely interrupting the gamut of emotions rushing through my head.
I didn't acknowledge him. Overtime? What is that code for? I wondered how to go about filing a sexual harassment complaint with HR. This was something I'd probably need to know fairly soon. I chanced a sidelong glance at Rick and sure enough, he smirked at me. I didn't give him the satisfaction of a response. The truth was, I really did need my job. I lived at home, but I paid my mom rent and had a ton of student loan debt. Plus I wanted to get Stevie something special for her wedding. If it meant being uncomfortable and irritated for the following four months, working with the arrogant GQ model sitting next me, I could handle it. I'd just have to lay down some explicit ground rules and let him know I wasn't the kind of girl who would spread her legs, no matter how shimmering his eyes were, or how perfect his sandy brown hair fell upon his face, or how cute the dimple on his cheek looked, or how soft his lips appeared. I restrained myself from continuing with the litany of his alluring features before I got to his body. Nope, I was not that kind of girl.
I met his gaze with my own steely one and smiled brightly. "I'd be happy to work with you."
I exchanged a few more pleasantries with Rick and Mr Henley before I excused myself to go back to my desk. Kathy held out an empty cardboard box to me, smiling brightly. I shook my head. "Thanks for your concern, but I won't be needing that," I replied, relishing her look of dismay.
I barely had time to text Dillon before Rick walked in with his bags. He stopped at my desk, and I forced myself to look up at him.
"Can I help you?"
He flashed me a mischievous smile. "I just wanted to say I'm glad we'll be working together, Garter Belt Girl."
I clenched my fists, feeling the rage well up within me. "You can't say stuff like that to me. This is a place of work and you have to be professional."
He feigned a look of contriteness, but I saw the smirk threatening to peer through. He coughed as if he was uncomfortable, but I knew it was an act. "Sorry … Ms Garter Belt Girl." His statement was a blanket confirmation of my suspicions.
"Are you insane? Do you think I'm going to be your office slut?"
Rick's expression quickly turned serious and apologetic. It didn't fool me. He backed away, holding his hands out in some sort of calming gesture. "No, Marley, sorry about that. I guess you bring out my playful side. I had no intention of making you feel uncomfortable and hope you'll forgive my transgressions. We'll have a completely professional relationship, I promise you."
"Why did you ask for me?" I bet Henley would have given up Kathy or any other assistant in this office to Rick.
"Because you're single and have no children."
I couldn't believe he'd said it with a straight face. I stood up in a lame attempt to be intimidating, but being a foot shorter than Rick, even in Stevie's Louboutins, I doubted I pulled it off.
"What? You asked that? How is that supposed to speak of a professional relationship?"
"Because it means you can work a lot of overtime."
"Ugh!" I sighed in frustration. "What is overtime code for?"
His smirk returned, disarming me, but I retained the majority of my fury. Rick was thoughtful for a second then spoke very slowly, as if I were a small child. "Well, it means you work additional hours than the normal workweek and receive supplemental compensation as a result."