HIDE

EPISODE 21 - HE MADE ME DO IT.

Brandon stared at him. “I can't believe that you played with career. My future just because you felt intimidated that for once, someone could withstand your bullshit!” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Newsflash, asshole: we live in a free country. Your employees aren’t your slaves. Maybe things are different in Italy in some unexposed and frightened town or something, but you’re not there. The US is a place that appreciates freedom and hard work. Spoiler alert: no man has absolute power, not even the President.”

Brandon didn’t look moved in the slightest. “You’re to return to work effective immediately. Go to HR and sign the contract. It’s ready.”

Brandon didn’t know whether to laugh or punch him in the face. It was like talking to a wall. “How are you even real? You’re like the typical spoiled kids who become horrible bosses due to background privileges, on top of an insufferable egomaniac who can’t take no for an answer! No, I’m not going to be your goddamn PA—I’m a manager or administrator, not a glorified manservant! I want to manage or administrate instead of running errands for you—or anyone else. Is that so hard to grasp?”

For a moment, Brandon thought Wilson wasn’t even going to bother replying to him. But at last, Wilson spoke. “You want to work in the Management sector.” It was a statement.

“Yes!” Brandon huffed. “Did you honestly think being a PA was my life’s ambition? I’ve always been clear about why I became your PA. I thought we were on the same page about it.” He paused, as something occurred to him just then. 

Edward Wilson wanted him back as his PA. It was probably stupid that he hadn’t thought about the implications of it before. Wilson wanted him back. He wanted Brandon back badly enough to go the extra mile and stop other companies from hiring him.

Brandon c****d his head to the side, eyeing his ex-boss thoughtfully as he tried to digest that. “You said you did it because no one is allowed to leave the company until you say so. That’s bullshit. I’m sure plenty of people has quit in the past. Heck, your latest PA quit yesterday—because apparently, you reduced him to tears. But here you are, bullying me into coming back. What gives? What, your v****a-holding assistants refused to suck your c**k or something? Or did you like my mouth better?”

Although it was just a snark, he saw Wilson’s gaze flick down to his mouth. It was blink-and-you’d-miss-it fast, but since Brandon was still unhealthily accustomed to the tiny changes in Wilson’s expression, he didn’t miss the look.

He laughed, equally incredulous, furious—and absurdly pleased. God, this was f****d-up. Why the hell did he feel pleased? “Seriously?” Brandon said. “Wow, I’m flattered.”

The look Wilson gave him could have frozen hell. “If you really think your horrible blowjob skills are the reason I want you back, you’re delusional. You’re simply less incompetent than my other assistants, and training another semi-competent PA is a waste of my time.”

Brandon smiled sweetly at him. “Right. Then, I guess you wouldn’t mind not having my mediocre blowjob skills at your disposal anymore. Even if I were to come back, I wouldn’t suck your d**k again. We won't just have that kind of relationship anymore. I am your professional employee, not some mouth call.”

“So you are coming back.”

Brandon thought about it for a moment. He did like this company and its people—present company excluded. He could come back, but on his terms. “I have conditions,” Brandon said. “First, I’ll be your PA only until you get one of the worthy companies to hire me.” He raised his hand, stopping any objections. “Meanwhile, I’ll find and train up a good PA for you, someone who won’t have a nervous breakdown every time you frown. If I don't job opportunities from other companies due to your interference, you either transfer me to the management or administrative wing. Or, I will simply quit and focus on my chef career. Maybe by then, you will leave me alone.” 

Those black eyes stared at him for a few seconds before their owner nodded. Feeling a little suspicious of how easily Wilson had agreed to his conditions, Brandon said, “And I’m not sucking your d**k again. I’m serious about it. If I’m to really stay and work for this company, I don’t want my coworkers to think I got my job by sucking the boss’s cock.”

Wilson’s expression flickered for a moment, becoming less impassive, but then it was smoothed back into the inscrutable mask he normally wore. “Fine,” he said.

“And I want a raise,” Brandon said, knowing that he was pushing his luck, but curious how far Wilson was willing to go to have him back. “I want my salary doubled.” That was a ridiculous demand—he’d already been paid very well for the terrible job he used to do until he got better.

But Wilson just gave a clipped nod.

Brandon looked at him incredulously, but okay, he wasn’t going to say anything that would mess this up. “All right, then,” he said. “I’ll go to HR now.”

Wilson just turned back to his computer and, taking it for the dismissal it was, Brandon left, his mind still reeling. How could he betray himself? He had come here intending to lash against Wilson and not run back to be his PA just because he persuaded. This man was so good at getting people to bid to his will. Britney was definitely going to chop his head off for going against what they discussed. Look at the bright side though, he got a doubled salary, which was a great thing for him and his sister.