Knuckle Up

Firm

I was at the office before Jared to catch up on all the work I missed yesterday. He left the files on my desk with notes of things I have to fix and sent them through to him so that he can double-check them before he sends them through to his clients. I spent a few minutes retyping the documents and printing them out. I was wrapped in my own world that I missed Jared stepping out of the elevator.

He was standing at my desk wearing a smile when I turned away from the printer. My mind barely had enough time to catch up on how mouth-dropping handsome he looked with his royal blue button-up. The shirt complimented his complexion and brought out his eyes.

It was as if he was aware he was tempting me.

“Morning,” He greeted and I only realized now he got me a coffee and a muffin. “Feeling better?” He asked and placed a café take-away bag beside my screen.

I don’t know how yesterday happened to have him at my apartment and talking like we have been long-time friends. There wasn’t a single moment I felt uncomfortable around him even when I caught him checking me out sometimes. It created a wildfire of feelings scattering around in my chest knowing he was really looking at me. Sometimes it feels like teasing but I was wild enough to know when things get out of hand.

If he wanted to take things further. He would have done so.

“Morning. Still, a bit swollen but I am doing okay,” I slipped the papers into the files he left and handed them over to him.

He stared at the files with arched eyebrows and then lifted his gaze back up. “Working overtime? I should really start to consider giving you a raise,”

I shook my head. “I thought I would come in early since I took off yesterday,”

His smile returned. “No, Sabrina. Your work is always on time and you should really think about putting in some leave,”

Jared was interrupted when someone called him over. He nodded his head at me before he joined their conversation. Out of curiosity, I opened the takeaway bag and a smile unravelled when I found a freshly baked croissant filled with cheese and bacon. It’s kind of crazy how well we have gotten to know each other by just the small gestures.

I could write a book about Jared that’s how well I’ve gotten to know him over the course of five years. His love life has been on hold ever since his girlfriend left him and he didn’t bother chasing after another. People’s needs always come before his and he goes out of his way to make people feel comfortable. Jared does have a strong personality—one that sometimes can get misjudged but once you get close to him, you see the nurture side of Jared Dobre.

It's almost unbelievable that a man with his reputation is single. Jared spends most of his nights with me going over contracts, meetings with his fighters, and attending UFC fights or interviews.

I wouldn’t mind…wait. What am I saying? Jared only sees the tiny piece of my true reflection because he will hate the rest of me. A girl with such low-esteem problems who keeps undermining her power because of men who brought her down.

I pushed the food and coffee aside to get back to finishing up my work when Jared returned after a few hours.

“I am meeting the president of UFC in an hour— do you feel up coming along?” He asked.

I couldn’t use my work as an excuse because it was up to date and know he was only doing this to pursue me to join UFC. “What good will it do you to have me by your side when you obviously know more than me?” I asked.

Jared came over to my desk and sat down on the corner to look at me. I failed miserably when it came to people lecturing me because my mind always runs for the worst possible scenario.

“Maybe help you out make your choice,” Jared said with his lips inching up and making my inside flop around.

“Are you trying to pursue me, Mr Dobre?” I asked with a note of playfulness.

Jared’s smile widened. “I might be but I truly need my personal assistant by my side while I conduct an interview with the president of UFC. You never know. I might slip up,”

I shook my head at his amusement. “I will go but one condition,” I said getting to my feet and finding his eyes following my movements.

“I am listening,” Jared noted.

“You don’t mention anything about me or my interest,” We were incredibly close to one another and even though he was sitting down—he still felt intimidating. Not like he was about to rip me to shreds but the chemistry was coiling between us—sparking an awareness that I’ve never felt.

“I can’t make you a promise that I won’t show you off the person who started a championship based on fighting elements,” He sounded notable. “I can help you push the doors open to your career but I won’t put you under unnecessary pressure,” He stood up from my desk and fixed his shirt. “But I do want to see you succeed and not throw away something you haven’t tasted,”

“Not a word to the UFC president,” I begged.

He nodded his head. “Not a word,” He promised and as weird as it felt to admit to this but I can believe him. The trust between Jared and me was oddly satisfying and something I’d never imagined will happen to me.

“Good, now let’s go already. You don’t want the president of the UFC waiting for us,” I grabbed my handbag from under my desk and found Jared staring at my unopened takeaway he got me this morning but he didn’t say anything.

I felt kind of bad for pushing his nice gesture to the side because of my insecurities. I grabbed the bag making a point that I am going to eat since I am starving. I followed him towards the elevator and stood beside him while we took us to our floor.

“You have had those red shoes since you started out,” Jared not trying to make conversation.

“Are you trying to make a point?” I know my shoes were old but they were comfy and they didn’t exist anymore. I have other heels but none of them compares to my red heels.

“They are your favourites,” He acknowledged and I smiled because he was right.

“Yeah, they are pretty banged up but still wearable and snug,” I tore off a piece of croissant and stuffed the piece into my mouth.

The elevator gave a soft jerk when it reached the floor and without intending, I lurched forward. Jared’s arm went around my torso to help steady me and I felt for a moment as if I was caught in a firing haze with butterflies flapping around in my stomach.

“I think I broke my heel,” I muttered trying to avert my attention away from his arm snaked around my waist. I looked down and I groaned from annoyance when I was right. I am not sure how I lost my balance because I am pretty firm on my feet.

Jared was looking at my feet as well and the dumb heel dangling from the shoe. “Do you want to go upstairs and get yourself a new pair?” He asked when the doors opened. I moved away from him not wanting people to think there is something going on between us.

“No, I don’t have another pair. I only have a pair at home,” I muttered taking off my heels and stepping out of the elevator.

“Do you want me to stop at your place?” Jared asked.

I shook my head. “No, you can go,” I should head back to my desk and get over this.

“Sabrina, I will stop at a shoe shop to get you a new pair or drag your butt up to your apartment but you are not getting out of this,” Jared said—not giving me an option.

“You can’t find these heels anymore,” I purchase things and wear them until they can’t be worn. I don’t spend unnecessary money on things to have hundred different kinds.

“Should I throw you over my shoulder and carry you around until we can find you a pair you like?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his request. “Why do you want me to join you so badly on this interview?” I asked walking out with him to his car and ignoring the looks I was getting.

“I don’t want you to miss your chance, Sabrina. I might not persuade you to sign with me but I can get someone to change your mind by showing you what you are missing,”

I had no comment on his remark. “Fine, just go past my place and I’ll get a new pair,”

He smiled smugly. “Sure thing,” He winked at me and I felt like punching him.