Chapter 10
ALICIA
Anger surges through me, hot and fast. I'm back to holding the table. If not, I might lunge at him, claw his eyes out. That would probably get me sacked though, and a harassment lawsuit as well. Instead, I try to be dignified about it. "How-"
"Dare me?" That what you were going to say,?" The smirk has returned on his face as he backs away from me. "I dare because I can."
This cannot be happening to me right now. "I'm not for"
"Sale?" He lifts a brow as he comes close to me once more. "Come, now, kitten, everyone's got a price, and that includes you. Name yours. Any amount, and it's yours." He shrugs.
I'm trying. I'm trying to keep my anger at bay but it doesn't seem to be working. Curse words dance on the tip of my tongue, waiting to be unleashed, words I've heard Clarissa use many times as well as from passersby. "You're insane." I finally choke out.
He shakes his head, that damn smirk sitting pretty on his face. "I'm a businessman."
"I am not some property that needs to be purchased." I continue through gritted teeth.
"No?" He cocks a brow.
He's about to say something else when I lift my hand and point to the door. "Leave now and don't ever come back."
He looks disappointed as he shakes his head yet again. "I'm not sure your boss will like that very much. You could even be sacked for letting a prime customer like me go."
I throw my head back and laugh hysterically. Bitterly. "Not after I tell him about your proposition."
It's his turn to throw his head back and laugh out loudly. When he's done, he looks at me like he can't believe I'm this stupid. "If your boss is anything like me in business, which I believe he is, he'll give you a second chance, tell you to come to meet me and settle the terms of our agreement. . . quickly."
I feel the color drain from my face and almost stagger back. He can't be serious, can he? Mr. Harry won't do that. Would he? He's told me I remind him of his daughter.
Questions sail through my mind making me dizzy because when push comes to shove, I'm sure he'll choose his business over some stranger. Me.
Nevertheless, I shake my head and point to the door once more. "Leave. . . and never come back."
The smirk is gone, but a smile tugs at his lips as he nods and walks away. At the door, he stops and turns. "Think about it. I could give you everything you've ever dreamed of, not to mention the time of your life." For the second time, his eyes sweep over my body, slowly, methodically, deliberately. He pauses at certain parts, placing his hot gaze there before he turns round and slips out.
As soon as he leaves, so does my anger. In its wake, a tingling sensation takes over me. It's unnerving. I know I should be angry, instead, I feel. . . excited.
Warmth spreads to my lady parts and I groan. "You're insane, Alicia," I tell myself. "Certifiably so. Are you trying to tell me that man and his horrid words turn you on?"
I groan into my hands wondering how I'm going to tell Mr. Harry that a prime customer got away. After a few minutes of thinking about what to do, a light bulb goes off in my head and I smile. My chest even feels lighter. With a bounce, I make my way out of my office and head straight to Mr. Harry's one. Everywhere is quiet. People are still most probably in the canteen eating or ogling Ash Thunder. But I don't think he can be interviewed for that long. I mean there's nothing special about him, surely.
I get to Mr. Harry's office and don't bother knocking. I slap on a smile and walk inside. The trick is to look confident. Don't let him know I just messed business up for him. He's on the phone but when he sights me, he puts up two fingers and waves to the chair in front of him. I obediently sit on it, but perch on the edge.
He finishes his conversation and turns to me with a smile. "How did it go, Alicia? When is he sending in his cargo?"
I've never lied before, not if you count the usual white lies I told my mum when I was younger to get out of certain scrapes. This time, I make an exception as I open my mouth and weave an exaggerated story of how Mr. Ash Thunder promised he would send his cargo through us once he comes back from his travel.
Mr. Harry beams and looks at me. "I always knew you were good for business." He pats my hand fondly and tells me he's going to give me a raise at the end of the month.
As I stand, ready to go back to my office, he stops me with his next words. "Thanks for sending him my way, Alicia." I pause, trying to understand what he means by those words when he continues. "When he asked specifically for you, I didn't believe it at first, but now I do. You're my good luck charm"
Guilt pierces my insides as I mumble some words and hightail them out of his office. On the way there, I hear voices as I step into the corridor, and I know lunch break is over. I try not to listen to their idle chatter because I'm wrapped up in my drama of guilt, but when a name is called, I have no option.
"They say Ash Thunder's a mafia lord, that means he's well vested in crime, drugs, and of course. . . women."
Ruckus laughter assails my ears. I'm not able to hear the other person's reply because they round the corner and their voices fade. I stand there, feeling cold dread snake up my spine. I've heard a few things about the mafias in LA. Brutal humans with no feelings whatsoever. If Ash Thunder is one-
Suddenly, an image of him rears up in my head and I laugh awkwardly. Yeah, that man may be all shades of lewd, but being a gangster is not one one of them. I make my way to my office but someone's already there. "Clar, what are you doing here, shouldn't you be manning the front desk?"
She turns, brandishing my purse in the air. "You left this in the canteen after running out like the hounds of hell were after you." I stall, trying to make up some words but they're not forthcoming. Luckily, she doesn't notice as she continues speaking. "I just got invited to a thing by one of the other girls. It's a new club that just opened up. It's ladies' night and-"
"It's Wednesday, Clar, plus we've got work tomorrow."
She makes a sour face. "Come on, Lis, you never go anywhere, don't be a bore. Just this once, come with me, please."
I consider it for a bit realizing I do need to let off steam. Even without saying anything, she can see in my eyes that she's won. "We're gonna have so much fun tonight." She sings songs as she leaves.
Her whoop whoops are loud as she exits my office.