Chapter 7: Going Back
1251 Words
-Ava-
The next day, as darkness fell, I returned to the huge and luxurious building that was Everly’s workplace. It was so unbelievable that I still took some time to absorb it all. I knew I wasn't supposed to meet her until Monday, but I simply had to get this over with, and I knew she would probably want to find a new assistant fast.
I walked up to the reception again, but this time I wasn't met with such coldness. The receptionist looked at me like a normal and kind person would.
“Eh, I am here—” I began.
“Here you go.” Suddenly, a badge was given to me.
“But I haven’t started yet,” I pointed out.
And now I never would, I thought.
“We still had it prepared for you. You start next week. The boss asked us to,” she explained.
“Oh but—"
“You can let yourself up now,” she told me.
I could? I looked at the badge in my hand, but even if I could get up the elevator now, it did not mean Everly had time for me.
“Is the boss free?” I inquired. “I need only a moment with her.”
“I will check.”
It went so much faster this time. I only waited 10 minutes or so, tapping my finger against the golden surface, when the receptionist turned to me again.
“She is free,” she informed me.
“Oh, great.” But it did not feel great. At least, if she wasn't free, then I would be able to drag this out, but that was clearly not going to happen. So, I smiled at the receptionist and then walked away before entering the elevator. I used my badge to get up to the top floor.
I came by Jen, who smiled at me and told me to go right in, and so I did. When I entered the office, I found Everly sitting at her desk, typing away on her computer. She looked up at me as she heard me come in, and I froze on the spot, the door slowly closing behind me.
Ba-dum… ba-dum… ba-dum…
The sound of my heart was so loud that I was sure people back in Texas could hear me, but I couldn’t help it as I stared at Everly again. Somehow, she had become more enchanting since I saw her yesterday. How was that possible? How could anyone be so alluring?
“Oh, Calliope,” she said, smiling. “Back so soon.”
I couldn’t help but smile at her teasing, but then reminded myself why I was there.
“Yes, I…” I walked closer, but my voice died out on the way because the closer I got, the stronger her scent became, almost flooring me. However, I had to stay focused. “I…”
“You?” she chuckled.
“I just… I needed to tell you that…” My eyes darted around because I couldn’t look at her. It was too hard to speak when she studied me with those beautiful dark eyes that I seemed to drown in.
“Miss Grey, look at me.” I did, turning to Everly. I couldn’t help but follow her command, and when I focused on her, I just stopped breathing. Or maybe the world stopped turning?
“There you go,” she teased. “Now you can tell me what you wanted to say. Don’t be scared.”
I was not scared. Nervous? Yes, but not scared. I had never wanted anyone more than I wanted her at that moment, but it could not be. My life was too messed up. What could I possibly offer the powerful Everly Colt? I was pregnant and a runaway mate, and she was amazing. Just… amazing. Perfect, even.
“I can’t take the job,” I whispered.
“What?”
“I can’t take the job,” I said louder and looked at the ground.
The room fell silent, and I swallowed hard. The tension rose, and then I heard her standing up, coming closer, her black heels clicking against the floor before she stood in front of me.
“Miss Grey.” I slowly looked up, my eyes running up her beautiful, lean body, which was stunning in the suit she was wearing. How was anyone created that beautifully? I had no idea, but I felt a bit cheated. I was so plain with my light brown, boring hair and my mundane green eyes. Everly had the shiniest black hair and those incredibly dark eyes that shone with power.
“Have you any idea how big this opportunity is for you? And you don’t even qualify for it, and now you want to turn it down?” she inquired.
I could hear the irritation in her voice and I looked at the ground again.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Look at me.” I did because I could not deny a direct order. I was trained to listen to them, and so, once again, I focused on her. She was standing so close to me that it felt like the air had been sucked right out of my lungs.
“Why?” she questioned.
“I just can’t,” I admitted.
“That is not an explanation,” she told me as she crossed her arms. “Why?”
“It would not be right.”
“Why?”
“I…”
“Miss Grey, I am asking you why,” she told me harshly.
“Is it not enough that I simply can’t take the job?” I questioned.
Everly shook her head. “Far from.”
“But you said it yourself, I don’t qualify,” I reminded her.
“But I still decided to take a chance on you. Tell me why I made the wrong choice,” she commanded.
“I just can’t take it.”
“No, you suddenly won’t, and I want to know why.”
She was impressive. She easily played me, cornering me, and yet even though I felt guilty, I did not feel scared. It was not like when Zachery was trying to make me answer his questions.
“It would not be proper,” I admitted.
“Do we live in the nineteen hundred?” she asked me with a little smile.
“No,” I whispered.
“Then tell me why it would not be okay for us to work together?” she questioned.
“You don’t feel it?”
She seemed shocked for a moment, but then quickly masked her reaction.
“Feel what?” she questioned.
“The connection,” I clarified.
“If you are afraid us working together will evolve into something not suited for a workplace, you have nothing to worry about. I don’t mix business with pleasure,” she assured me.
“It’s not like we have a choice.”
“Excuse me?” she questioned.
“I just…”
“I think you need to be a little clearer,” she insisted. “I can control myself. Can you?”
“I don’t doubt your control, but…” My voice died out toward the end, and it was obvious Everly was getting impatient here. She sighed and tapped her foot against the floor a little.
“What? Speak up!” she commanded.
“We are mates.”
- Writer
