Filed to story: Young Girls Forbidden Love Series: My Best Friend’s Daddy
I smiled to myself, the thought of being rid of this new problem tantalizing. First, however, I needed to handle the circus that was the investors.
Thankfully, the meeting went quickly, the bored expressions of the investors only mildly infuriating. It took a lot of determination and hard work to run this company, so to see people a bit less enthusiastic made my stomach clench with annoyance.
Oh, well, now I could move on to more important matters. My hand flew toward my pants pocket as I felt a vibration, raising a brow. Could it be Shelby? I wondered, at this point excited like a lost school boy.
I was a mess. Me, a highly successful man in this dog-eat-dog world. Brought to my knees by a woman twenty years my junior, but what a woman she was. To me, that didn’t matter.
I brought out my phone, my heart fluttering and a grin widening across my face as I realized the message was from Shelby. Perhaps she was texting in order to work things out?
I had been interested in her before, with obvious worries due to the age gap, but was now convinced that if we wanted to, we could work things out. I would never force her to do so.
However, after actually reading the texts, my heart clenched, and I felt a pit in my stomach. My hopeful smile melted into a deep, angry scowl.
That bastard was still active, more than ever now. Blaine needed to be stopped, his antics this time included leaving a letter for Shelby that read: ‘You can’t run from this.’
I would make damn sure that he couldn’t, either. I needed to figure out the status of this situation with my head of security. I clenched my jaw and resisted the urge to throw my phone against the wall.
Reacting that way wouldn’t be helpful.
I ignored the secretary’s wary, surprised look as I briskly walked past her. No doubt, she saw my expression and posture. I would deal with her later.
Sending a text, I made my way to another meeting room, this one private. I waited for Bruce to enter, taking a seat myself and leaning back in a cushioned chair. He did, after what felt like hours but could only have been minutes.
“You want updates on the Blaine situation, sir?” he asked, causing me to give a curt nod.
He sighed, shaking his head. “I have good news and bad news. Bad news first: we have no idea where he is located.”
I put a hand over my forehead and let out a soft groan, the stress of the situation spawning a minor headache.
“What could the good news possibly be in this situation,” I asked, my voice laced with frustration.
The security head wasn’t phased, likely having expected this reaction. Rather, he dipped his head, taking out his phone to turn toward me. His expression was grim, and there were shadows under his eyes.
Perhaps this situation was taking its toll on him as well. I would bear that in mind for bonuses. He would get a big one, if he could coherently help me take Blaine down, of course.
“We’re sure the pictures have not been released to news outlets. My team has been watching this issue like hawks. No sign of the media getting their grubby hands on this. Your reputation is safe for now, sir,” he explained.
I sighed, muttering, “It isn’t my reputation I’m worried about.” I shook my head, holding my face in my hands and thinking for a moment.
After composing myself, I looked back toward him and gave a nod. “Thank you for your hard work. I hope we’ll be able to find him soon. He’s been making my life a living hell, and I want to put a stop to it.”
Anger swelled in my chest at the lack of progress despite the ‘good news’, and not at the head of security by any means. I knew that the team was doing their best.
Those not doing their best, however, were about to get punished, and hard. I ran my fingers through my hair, making my way out of the room and dismissing Bruce back to his current position.
Now, I was headed toward the front desk, my jaw tightened and my expression twisted into an incredibly deep scowl.
I approached the secretary, who was leaning back, likely slacking off as she sometimes did. That was whatever to me, as long as she got her work done.
Insulting Shelby, however, was not included in her job description, and it told me how she thought of, and treated people in general. I snarled at her, “You. You’re fired.”
“What? But, sir, I–”
“Did I stutter?” I asked dangerously. “Out. Now. You have five minutes to grab your things and go. If I return and see you here, I will address this with my head of security.”
“Can you at least tell me what I did?” she asked, pouting as she stood up.
“Yes. You insulted someone who is very important to me because you thought you were better than her. Maybe this will teach you a lesson about treating people poorly. Now, out!”
She stared at me with a mixture of anger and horror, the latter expression doubtlessly winning out. There was no way she could touch me, not with the amount of power I held.
One moment she was on top of the world, abusing those below her, and the next, she was below the woman she mocked.
Hopefully I wasn’t emulating that. I pondered this for a split second, but then shook my head. No. She deserved this after the treatment of Shelby, but beyond that, it again showed that this behavior was likely not limited just to the one woman I cared for.
I made my way into another room, taking a few turns in the hall before arriving at my assistant’s desk side. My angry expression faded into one that was far more apologetic when I saw her typing away, stacks of papers to be organized on her desk.
She looked up, puzzled, and tilted her head. “Sir?” she asked, taking her hands off the keyboard and leaning back.
There was no fear in her gaze, like some when they looked upon me, given the position I held. She knew me well enough that if she was actually diligent with work and a good person, I would return the kindness.
Unfortunately, she was about to have something added to her workload. Guilt twisted in my stomach, but nothing could be done about that.
“I need a new secretary,” I sighed. I added, quickly, “I’ll compensate you for your stress. I promise. A large bonus. I know it’s a lot, and I truly appreciate your work.”
His assistant sighed, glancing back to her computer. The slightest hint of frustration crossed her face, and I could have sworn the circles under her eyes got just a bit darker.
Then, however, she smiled, letting out a chuckle. “Sure, Michael, I will get right to it. An extra day off or two added onto this bonus may help all of this stress, though.”
“After we sort out the secretary thing and other pressing problems, yes. A week off, fully paid, and that bonus. How does that sound?” I asked hopefully.
She grinned, giving me a thumbs up. I sighed in relief, glad that at least, that was taken care of.
Glancing at the time on my cell phone, I realized I had lunch with Todd and Lauren. What fun that would be.
Seeing Todd again after everything I’d learned about him was less than appealing. I got into my car, leaning against the door and staring out into the bright, sunny day.
What I wouldn’t give to be with Shelby right now, learning even more about her, talking about plans for the future.
I licked my lips, shaking my head. Speak of the devil, though. On my way to the restaurant for lunch, my phone rang once more, and it was Shelby.
My heart fluttered seeing her name, but I knew this was serious. “Hello?” I asked, a hint of caution in my tone.
“Michael,” Shelby breathed from the other line. “You got my text, right? I’m so scared. Can we please talk? I really want to see you again to go over this.”
“Yes, we can,” I confirmed, happy to be able to see her again, but sad to hear the stress in her tone. Given the circumstance, it was understandable. “I’ll have Bruce pick you up. See you soon.”