Mask

Chapter 7

Jeremih

I sat at my cubicle thinking about Tailani. Beautiful, brown eyed Tailani with legs for days and an ass that put JLo to shame, only problem was, my i***t boss was also into her. Granted, she had no interest in him whatsoever, just knowing that he had a thing for her made it impossible for me to do anything but flirt. Then there were her eyes, that I could have sworn I’d seen before. They were a pair of eyes that despite my past, I had loved deeply only I wasn’t sure if it was wishful thinking or just my c**k toying with me.

“Davis my office now,” Mr. Washington said the moment he got back from his lunch with Tailani, only I couldn’t tell if he was angry for her complimenting me or happy because he got to see her. Either way I knew I was about to get yelled at. After two deep breaths I stood up and walked into Mr. Washington's office, making sure to close the door behind me. His office reminded me of a hunter’s den with three dead stuffed animals mounted to the wall and his trophy of gun collection under it. It was in poor taste and something told me that my head might be the next one mounted to the wall if I even looked at Tailani or did anything I was planning

“Yes sir?” I asked, not as nervous as I should have been.

“What did you and Ms. KAHANANUI talk about before I arrived?” he asked waiting on me to feed his ego.

“The proposal,” I said purposely leaving out the flirting and job offer of the conversation.

“That’s it? You didn’t talk about what a great guy I was?” he asked annoyed.

Great guy my ass. I thought as I forced myself not to roll my eyes but said, “Of course sir and she knows you’re a real catch,” I said feeding his ego.

As I suspected he smiled then stroked his beard, the way he always did when someone gave him a compliment or brought up Tailani. It took everything in me not to laugh at the sight, because it like him was embarrassing. “That’s what I like to hear Davis. As for that raise Ms. Kahananui suggested, that depends on you,” he said finally talking about something I wanted to hear.

“Thank you sir, you know I am willing to put in the work,” I said wide eyed like a child who had just looked under his pillow and found the dollar from the tooth fairy. My goal that morning was to ask my boss for a raise, now thanks to Tailani, I might get one; that was, depending on what stipulations DeAndre put on me.

“Glad to hear that Davis, because I am prepared to give you a 35% pay raise if you follow my instructions,” he said. As amazing as a 35% pay raise sounded, I knew it came with a higher price and it would most likely involve something that I didn’t want to do.

“What is it sir?” I said trying to keep my initial excitement, while trying to figure out a way to get out of it. Don’t get me wrong, I really wanted that raise, but I didn’t want to pay the price I knew came along with it.

“You know about that party at the end of the year right?” Anthony asked. I looked at him puzzled, while trying to fight back the urge to call him an i***t. Of course I knew about that party, I was in charge of it, because again DeAndre had pushed the work onto me. While his yes man, did nothing. The party was an annual event and the purpose was to honor all our company’s clients with Thorton being the biggest. You’d think these two idiots, especially the one sitting behind the desk staring at me with this stupid sneaky smile on his face would care, but of course I’m the only one that does.

“Of course, he does, it’s his job to plan it,” DeAndre said, before I could.

“Well since Thorton is our biggest account, your job is simply to follow Ms. Kahananui around and find out what she likes,” Anthony said.

My heart did a back flip, but my face stayed the same puzzle look it had when Anthony asked if I knew about a party I was throwing. Did he really just give me permission to be with Tailani? I thought but said, “You want me to stalk a CEO? I could go to jail for that.”

“Not stalk Davis. Follow her around without her noticing, see what she likes, don’t like, then report back to Anthony.” DeAndre said, matter-of-factedly.

“That’s the definition of stalking,” I said, with the same tone as him, while thinking to myself, how did I get stuck with these idiots for bosses, and if I get caught spying, I would be out of a job, if not on probation or worse.

“Do you want the raise or not,” DeAndre snapped.

“Of course, sir, if you want me to stalk Ms. Kahananui, I will do it, should I start today?” I asked, just so I could get out of the office.

“Not stalking, following,” Anthony corrected. “Sir, I don’t think he’s up to the task, I think you should send someone else more…reliable.” He paused before saying that last word. It was something he always did when he wanted me to do something or make himself seem superior to me.

“No, Jeremih can handle it can’t you Mr. Davis?” DeAndre asked, sharply.

“Yes sir,” I said, sounding a lot more confident than I felt.

“Good to hear. Now get to work,” DeAndre said.

“Yes sir,” I said, as I turned around to walk out the door.

“Oh and one more thing,” DeAndre said, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned around and stared at him. He was now standing, his hands planted firmly on his desk and he was staring at me as if I were prey and he was the wolf or lion. The man wasn’t the least bit intimidating, nor did his presence fill the room, as much as he wanted it too, but I had to pretend as if it did plus I knew all to well what he was capable of.

“Yes sir.” I said, pleasantly

“Do not screw this up for me Jeremih, or so help me the only job you will be able to get is flipping burgers and asking customers if they want fries with that. Do you understand me?”

I swallowed hard then said, “Yes sir,” while trying to sound more terrified than I felt.

“Good, now finish that project then head to Thorton and remember be discrete,” DeAndre warned.

“Yes sir,” I repeated, then walked out the room and back to my desk, with my head in a fog. By the end of this if she doesn’t hate me, she will avoid me. I thought then got back to work.