Billionaire Stole My Panties

CHAPTER 10.

I woke up to the sound my neighbours arguing about the guy cheating with some chick named Rebecca. It’s not the first time I’ve heard that name flowing around this place. I opened my eyes then looked at my watch. I sighed. It's 8:30. It's way too early for all this noise. I yawned. I'm actually feeling better, I didn't feel 100% but at least I'm a bit over halfway there. I better get ready for work. I rolled onto my back, I groaned when I felt something harder. I pulled it from beneath me, it's my phone. I tried to turn it on but it’s dead. I signed. I guess no phone today. I reached for my charger and plugged it in. I put my phone on the side table then stretched. 

I got out of bed, showered, and brushed my teeth. I threw on a beige crop top that had a V-shaped dip at the back, a matching high waisted skirt, with a beige trench coat and beige chunky heels. I straighten my hair and combed it back into a neat, high ponytail. 

-

I got to Spectrum a full three hours late. No surprise there. I walked through the new glass, double door. Huh? What the hell. I was beyond shocked to see people roaming around the lobby, angrily. A guy I've seen a few times in the Creative department stormed right past me." The hell?" I whispered to myself. I looked around the lobby in awe, it’s was completely renovated. For a minute I thought I was in the wrong building. The once partially empty, bland lobby, containing a couple of paintings on the wall and 3 black leather couches, four matching Lawsons, and a coffee table is now unrecognizable. Its a total upgrade.

The patina grey oak laminated floors made me want to dig it up and take it home with me. Gorgeous. The walls were white with partially protruding polished grey oak trees designs. The left had polish pine stool-like benches along the walls forming an L in the corner and in front of them was a white squared table. The right had the same setup the only difference was the elevator in the center of the right wall and a security guard stood beside it. There were three opaque glass partitions on both sides, three feet away from the sitting area. They were set facing in a parallel line beside each other, equally spaced at least five feet from each other. Each partition had water running down it into a square hole. There was also a pine partition with Spectrum in gold letters behind what I'm guessing is secretary desk. The desk was also made from polished pine, forming a semi-circle around a man I didn’t recognize. He’s dressed in full white and had a gold tie. Hot damn, Joel, the place looks great. It would have been nice if you told me that you’ve already started renovating.

I turned to ask Michael; what's going on, all the angry people wise. To my surprise, Michael wasn't there but someone I didn't recognize. I looked at the man in shock. He was tall, in his early fifty, brown eyes, pale-skinned, hooked nose, and crooked smile. He’s dress in a dark suit with a black and gold geometric tie. I smiled back." Umm...sorry to bother you but.......what is going on with the staff? And where is Michael?" 

"Honestly, I have no idea. Sorry...but I do know; that Michael is now Mr. Pereira's driver or something like that." He replied then went back to his smile. Driver? I’m going to miss Michael.

"Driver? That's interesting." I said under my breath." Oh...I'm Audrey by the way?" 

His smile fell.” Oh. I'm sorry my dear but Mr. Pereira told me to send you home until Monday." I frowned. Why didn't he tell me this last night? Here I was feeling guilty for being late. I could be in bed right now. Oh, wait...we suppose to be in Paris right now. He still could have told me though. 

"Why next Monday?" I asked before I broke into a coughing fit, I covered my mouth with my arm. I rubbed my chest in discomfort.

"Well, this place is undergoing some small renovations and he doesn't want you here since you're sick." He replied." And I'm Ben by the way."

"Well nice to meet you, Ben. I guess I'll leave then." I sighed. As he began to open the door for me. I heard Bethany's voice. I turned and saw her struggling to run in her heels. Her hair was slick back. She wore a black skirt suit and a black with a golden head pumps. I met her halfway. Her pretty face looked troubled." Beth, what's going on here?" I asked. She flashed her straight teeth at me, nervously.

"Bre, I think it's best if we talk about this elsewhere." She replied quickly, looking around.

"What, why?"

"Just come with me." She said pulling me by my arm." Morning again, Benny." She said behind pulling me to the elevator.

"Morning, Miss. Nicholas." He replied." Bye, Miss. Aubrey."

"Bye, Ben," I told him before she pulled me to the elevator. She pressed G. In a matter of minutes we were in the underground parking lot. Her red Mini Cooper was parked on the right-hand corner. I looked over my shoulder and saw the entire left of reserved for Joel. At least four cars and hold there. Why do you need all that space? She unlocked her car and we got in. She pulled her phone out of her jacket pocket and attracted it to the phone holder on her dashboard. She searches for Joelle number then calls him, putting it on speaker. She puts on her seatbelt  while the phone rang. I buckled up too.

“Hey ba—“

“I have Aubrey with me and you’re on speaker.” She said cutting him off.

“Hey, Aubrey!” Joelle said chuckling.

“Hi.” 

“I’m sorry sweetie but you’re guard dog doesn’t want you at work until Monday.” He informs.

I looked at Beth.” Guard dog?” I whispered.

“Joel.” She said dryly. Oh, don’t call him that, he’s a sweetie.” I’m taking her home after I tell her everything.” 

“Ok great, you have an hour,” Joelle said.

“Good to know, why didn’t he tell me himself?” I asked.

“I don’t know I haven’t heard from him since 1 am he said he wasn’t feeling well, sent out orders then hang up.” He stared. Aw he’s still not feeling well.

“Oh.” 

“Yup. I gotta go, ladies, bye.” He said.

“Bye,” I told him before he holds up. She turns the engine then pulled out of the lot.

-

We stopped at a nearby pastry shop and ordered pie. She got apple pie and I got coconut cream." Ok, now that we've had pie, what's going on?" I asked putting my fork down and pushing my plate aside. 

"Well, Spectrum is undergoing some major and minor changes." She replied never meeting my gaze. She ate her pie absentmindedly.

"Like...yeah, I saw the lobby. What else kind of changes is there?" I asked. She finally looked at me after my question.

”Felix Montgomery was arrested yesterday morning for s****l assault.” She informed. My eyes widened.

“Finally,” I whispered.

She widened her eyes slightly, nodding.“ I know right...I can finally walk around the Creative Department without worrying that I or other women will be targeted.” She said.” You can thank your guard dog for that.” I whined. Stop calling him that.

“Why do you guys call him that,” I asked. She smiled, shrugging. I rolled my eyes.” How did they catch him?” 

“Joseph had hired an undercover cop a while back and then Joel hired two more and they managed to gather enough incriminating evidence to put Felix away for a long time.” Whoa, Joel’s been here five days and he already managed to change this place for the better.

”Oh wow.” She nodded.” What else is there?” I asked.

"Umm...well—the Spectrum employee population has dropped by more than a half." I looked at her confused.

"Dropped?" I repeated, she nodded." So you're saying that many people quit?"

"Oh Darlin, I wish that was the case. I fired them...well Joel told me to."

"Why?" I questioned.

"That you'll have to consult with Bossman himself." She said with her palm under her chin. She sighed. Maybe I will." So many people lost their jobs.....it was torture sitting down all those people I've worked with for years just to fire them."

"I could only imagine," I said massaging my aching temples. I wonder if that would’ve been my job if I wasn’t hiding then ultimately got myself sick." Who did he make you fire?"

"The first person was—"

"Let me guess...Dean?" She nodded." Figured, who else." She give me all the names but hesitates on the last name." Spit it out already."

"Leila!" She blurted and covered her mouth as soon as she said it. I was in shocked. Leila? Why! What’s wrong with him!

"You're joking, right?" She shook her head. I was angry. What the hell did he do that?" Did you tell him she's a single mother of three and has a mother with Dementia?" 

She nodded." I tried and tried but he wouldn't listen. I went to Joelle to beg him to make Joel give Leila her job back but he just looked at me like I was crazy or something then told me to get back to work."

I tried to find reasons why he'd fire her but I found nothing which made me angrier. Leila very hard working woman, what the hell is wrong with him." Did they tell you why at least?" 

"No, they're being very secretive. I find it a bit....odd." She stated. I nodded.

"Me too." I said and stared at my pie." Do you know where Joel is right now by any chance?" She nodded and gave an address to a hotel in Soho called Nomo Soho.“ He’s in a hotel? Doesn’t he live at the plaza?” She shrugged.

“I don’t know and I don’t care.” She said getting up.” I can take you there if you want.”

“That would be great thanks,” I said getting up.

“Let’s go.” 

-

I got to the hotel around 2 pm. It was beautiful. I walked to the receptionist table. There sat a stuck up looking man behind the desk. He was slim, pale, and in his late fifties." Hey,  I'm here to see Joel Pereira." He looked me up and down. Is that necessary? I can do it too you know." He's expecting me." I lied. Definitely isn’t going to expect my foot up his ass I can tell you that much.

"And you are?" 

"His assistant," I replied politely. 

"Hm. Your name please." 

"Aubrey Cabrera," I told him. 

“Hm.” He grabbed the phone and pushed in a number.

"Good evening, Mr. Pereira," he said in the fakest tone I've ever hear," yes, sir. I have an Aubrey Cabrera here—well she says she is." He looked at me." At least 5'1...ok right away, sir." He hung up. He gave me his room number with a skeptical look. I smiled at him then rolled my eyes once I turned my back to him. You’re lucky my anger is specifically targeted at Joel else I’d want to have a little talk with your supervisor.  I went into the elevator and tried to summon as much rage as I could muster. 

When I got to his door, I knocked on it hard enough for it to echo through this empty hallway. He opened the door. My jaw dropped. He was looked mad sexy with his tousled hair. His bare chest on full display. His chest was smooth and looked baby soft. He had a small pale patch on his left shoulder, a half-inch from his armpit. A birthmark. He wore his red sweatpants low on his hips, show off his V-cut. He looked sick, his nose was red and his skin looked slightly on the pale side. Are you still not feeling well—Aubrey your here because you're angry! If he has a logical explanation then you can baby him after you hear it! He smirked, his eyes roaming every inch of me.” When they said my assistant was here I didn't believe it—"

"Spear me. What the f**k, Pereira?" I spat. He furrowed his brows. 

"Excuse me?" He questioned folding his arms and leaning on the wall.

"You heard me. Why did you fire Leila?"

"That's none of you're business Miss. Cabrera." He said after rolling his eyes. Of course, it’s my business!

"It is!" I spat." She's my best friend and an honest, hard—" He laughed when I said honest. His laugh was too damn sexy. He closed his eyes and laughed harder.  

It pissed me off. He stopped abruptly and expression became serious." Are you f*****g kidding me? I thought you were smart enough not to befriend a thief!” He spat back. Thief?

"No way, that's slander." I cursed. How dare you! It has to be someone else...Leila would never do that.

"Tell that to the state attorney prosecuting your ' friend ' for identity theft." He informed.

"No way," I said in disbelief.

"If there a will there's away." He said coldly. 

"Where's your proof?" I asked. 

"I have a police report on the bedside table if you want to look at it." He said. I nodded. He disappeared then came back with a folder. He handed it to me. I yanked it out of his hand. He just watched me, his hands in his pockets. I began to read the contents. My heart dropped. No. No. This can’t be true. I read it again. He wasn't lying. I give it back to him. Oh my gosh—Leila—you had access to my computer. Was our friendship just a plod to steal Mr. Pereira’s information without me knowing? How could I be so careless to let her get so close to me? He took it and placed it in the table beside the door. He folded his arms and shifted his weight to his right leg." Satisfied?" He questioned. His face was neutral.

I nodded, slowly." I'm-I'm sorry. Sorry for not believing you," I apologized," it was just I thought I knew her better than I really did."

"Don't worry about it, it isn't your fault." He informed after licking his lips.

"I'm sorry again," I said before I turning to walk away. He grabbed me and pushed me against the wall under of his room. His eyes were dark, his body pressed against me. I gasped.

"I didn't say you can leave, Miss. Cabrera?" I stayed silent. I swallowed a lump in my throat. My heart was going crazy." Answer me. Did I say you could leave?" He question c*****g his head to the side. He stared me dead in the eye, his eyes tore a hole through me. I fumbled to bite my lip. How? I don’t know. His eyes darted to my lips. I shook my head. He took a closer step, molding our bodies together.  

"No," I answered in a whisper.

"Exactly then where are you going?" He questioned. Nowhere now obviously. I couldn’t move even if I wanted to—which I didn’t. I want to stay here, watching you watching me watching you. If you catch my drift lol.

"Nowhere." I looked away from him when something moved at the corner of my eye. I looked and saw an elderly couple staring at us from across the hall. He followed my gaze.

He turned my face with his index finger and looking me deep in the eye." Hm, let's go inside." He said, grabbing my hand. When we got inside, he closed the door behind him. He leaned against the door, studying me." If I wasn't your boss....what would you want us to do right now?"

"N-n-nothing." I stuttered out. What I really want is for you to take from behind with my feet barely touching the ground and you kissing my neck. OH, THE ACHING! My p***y jumped from here to Hawaii." Chess or monopoly." I lied. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"Bullshit. Don't lie to me, Aubrey."

"It's not a lie." I lied again.” Ok, let’s play Snakes n ladders.” He pushed himself off the door and stood in front of me. His hands ran down my shoulders taking my coat with them. A breath got caught in my throat when it hit the ground. He smirked.

"Really, snake n ladders?" He questioned. I didn't answer. Of course not, Joel but we can’t do this. I don’t want anything to ruin....whatever you can call our relationship. I don’t want to lose you. I closed my eyes when his hands touched my face." Let's pretend. That I’m not your boss....just for a little bit." Pretend? But pretending won’t quiet the elephant in the room. That big beautiful elephant knows that I’m your employee and this is wrong yet feels so right. He pulled me into him, holding me by my ass. I gasped. My p***y jumped. My eyes fluttered closed when he kissed my neck. You’re not making this easy. I tried to stop the moan from escaping my lips but it didn't work.

"Joel." I moaned shivering. Oh, f*****g hell just take me! I dropped my bag and wrapped my arms around his neck. He squeezed my ass making my toes curls. I bit my lip." See, I knew you were lying." He said against my neck. Oh gosh shut up and do it again. He kissed from my neck to my lips. The kiss was slow and meaningful. He pulled my hair free of its ponytail and ran his hands through my hair.  He massages my scalp and my eyes rolled to the back of my head. Oh my—Lord! What black magic is this!

He pulled away to looked at me. I was a panting mess. Satisfied with the effect he had on me, he smiled. He kissed me with such need, such passion it made my knees buckle. He rolled my skirt past my hips before he lifts me by my thighs. I wrapped my legs around his waist, staring into his eyes. I bit my lip as my fingers snakes into his hair.” What did I tell you about biting that damn lip.” He growled as he walked to the bedroom. I let my lip go.

“What’s so bad about it?” I whispered.

“It’s a f*****g turn on.” He said and before I knew it...I was on his bed. He stood there taking me in as he took off my shoes. Oh is it? I bit my lip and something ignited in his eyes. He yanked me to the end of the bed by my ankle. I gasped. He leaned down and pulled my lip from between my teeth with his.” If you only knew how long I wanted to do that.” Why don’t you show me what else you wanted to do.

I got on my knees and tucked on his hair. He whined but he seemed to like my aggressiveness.” Don’t hold back then.” I breathed into his ear. He chuckled pulling my top over my head. He eased me back onto the bed. 

He spreads my legs then nestled his body between them.” Not yet,” he said against my neck,” I want to praise your body before I make you sore in the morning.” He said trailing kisses down my shoulder and between my breast.

I chucked. Oh is that what you think? Game on.” Someone’s overconfident.” I said. He looks up at me, grinning.

“Straight facts hun.” He said. I’d like to see you try.

I smiled.” Hm.”

He chuckles shaking his head.” You have been warned.” He said before squeezed my left breast and taking the other in his mouth. My fingers snake into his hair. I gasped and reality hit me. Oh my gosh, what am I doing? He pulled down my panties, mouth still on me.

"Stop!" I blurted. He stopped, and got off of me, looking at me with half-closed eyes, lips slightly swollen." I can't. I can't pretend...I can't pretend you're not my boss. Don't get me wrong I want this but I can't." I pulled up my panty and grabbed my shirt and pulled it over my head. He watched me with a tortured look on his face." I'm sorry." I said before I walking to the door

"Aubrey." He said. I stopped and looked over my shoulder at him." I want you." He said as he walked towards me. I smiled sadly. Stepping away from him. I want you too, Joel. I opened the door and left.

-

On the bus ride home all I could think about was what almost happened. Part of me didn't want it to end but it had to. Just quit and be with him! My inner goddess yelled at me. I ignored her. I can’t quit. What if there’s nothing there and the s****l tension fizzles out and regret takes its place. I don’t want that. It’s better this way than something that’ll crash and burn.

That night, I finish half of the second chapter. I dreamt about him that night. I dreamt about what could have happened.