Contractual Romance

S A N D Y I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing so loud. It made me groan, hating the fact that I had to wake up, cutting my sleep short. I wanted to let the phone ring but I knew who it was from and how consistent the phone call was going to be if I don’t accept it. I opened my eyes and rolled onto my back, then sighed out loud. I groaned and looked to my side where my bedside table was. I glared at my phone that sat on the table before pushing myself toward the furniture. I grabbed my phone and laid my head on the pillow. I rolled my eyes at the caller's identity. It was my boss, also known as my high school best friend. “It’s Saturday, why the hell is he even calling me so early in the morning?” I grumbled as I stared at the ringing phone. When the call stopped, I smiled, hoping he would take that as an answer and know that I am asleep. As always, he did not stop and called again. I hissed and accepted the call. “Yes?! What it is, Anthony? Can you let me enjoy my weekend? Don't you think I want to enjoy my sleep?” I angrily asked and he laughed from his end of the call. “Remember you work for me? Now, get your lazy ass off that bed and come to my house. I have an important meeting fixed this morning.” Ever since I graduated from college, Anthony had hired me to be his assistant in his family company. We have been close friends since high school and have not separated since then. While I was lucky to have a job in such a hard economy, working for Anthony Hogan was a pain. I narrowed my eyes thoughtfully, trying to remember if I had fixed a meeting for Saturday. The only meetings he had was for next weekend and not this weekend. I had already planned how my weekend would go and this man had to come to ruin it. “Are you still awake?” He asked and I groaned like I wanted to cry. “I’ll make it up to you, Sandy. Just please, be there.” “I don’t even know what the meeting is for. Tsk, whatever. Give me an hour to prepare,” I said and ended the call because I was not in the mood to bargain my time with him. He was capable of doing such just to get his way. I exhaled and sat up, knowing the bastard had already started timing me. I kicked my legs off the bed, then rose to my feet. I stretched with a satisfied groan before making my way to the bathroom across the room. “He’s lucky he pays me extra because, I won’t be sacrificing my sleep like this,” I said, entering the bathroom. Π•Π I drove into the wide courtyard of Anthony’s mansion and parked in front of the entrance. I scoffed when I saw his butler at the double doors, smiling. He was always smiling. I turned off the engine of the car. I got out and shut the door, then made my way to where he stood. He did a small bow while I rolled my eyes, smiling. “Good morning, Miss. Hathaway.” “Where’s Anthony?” I asked and he opened the front door for me. I walked into the mansion and looked around the spacious living room for any signs of Anthony. “He is up in his room taking a shower,” he replied behind me. I strolled toward one of the white leather couches and sat on it, feeling sleepy. Anthony owed me for making me cut my Saturday off like that. I shut my eyes, hoping to catch some sleep before his royal highness came down. Anthony spent hours in the bathroom, so I knew I could sleep for a few minutes before he appeared. Just as I felt myself drifting into sleep, I felt a hand on my forehead, making me open my eyes. I rolled my eyes and sat up to glare at Anthony who was dressed in a light blue dress shirt that clung to the muscles of his upper body with matching black ironed pants. His black hair was styled in a slick-back fashion and his beard was trimmed, framing his sharp jawline. He looked good but I would never admit that to his face. “Are you sick? Why are you sleeping?” He asked and I did not know I should kick him in the face for that question. “You made me leave my sleep for some business meeting you planned without letting your assistant know about it,” I said and he scratched the back of his head. “I’m sorry but the meeting is important. Come on,” he said and took my hand. He pulled me up and I toppled over my feet, stumbling onto him. His arms went around my body, causing me to stiffen. The feel of his arms around my waist made my body tingle. The feel of his strong muscular front pressed up on mine made my body heat up and his scent filled my nose. A scent I have grown to like ever since we met. I swallowed and met his blue eyes focused on my face with his eyebrows furrowed. “Are you okay?” He asked and pushed me away from him slowly. “Geez, you’ve gotten clumsier. Now, come on. I’ll brief you on the meeting before he arrives.” He walked away and I watched how strong his back was as he did. It hurt so bad how I’ve always had an interest in my best friend since high school and he didn’t know it yet. I had vowed never to say anything about my feelings because I respected him and that he was never going to feel the same way. He was not the type of man to look at me, someone that was not his class in such a romantic way. Worst of it all, he was a playboy and has always looked at me like a sibling of his. “Are you coming?!” I looked upward, toward the top of the stairs where he stood, looking down at me. I flipped him and he returned it before continuing his walk up the rest of the stairs. “I need to understand that he will never look at me the way I want,” I said and walked toward the stairs.