Seducing The Heir

Five.

I was still in shock as I got to my office. I didn't want to believe that he had really just done what he did. It was like a total switch in personalities. Something was definitely up with him. What is going on inside his head?

I wasn't even able to think straight as I sat down. What was he thinking? Did his father tell him about the offer, hence the new assignment? Questions kept swirling in my head. I needed to talk to someone. About everything.

I reached for my phone and started to dial a number.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I gasped and turned around. But it was only Samantha who was looking at me with concern.

"God, Sam! You scared me!" I placed a hand on my heart.

"Sorry, Em. I didn't mean to scare you, but you have been acting so weird the past few days. Even your texts are weird," she said as she sat on the chair next to me.

"I have?"

She nodded. "Very. You even misspelled my name the other day."

"Oh." I felt my cheeks heating up.

"It's okay. I know you're busy with work. I won't be mad at you, Em," she said with a soft smile.

I smiled back. "Thanks, Sam. Sorry about that. I've been working overtime on this new project. I'm still getting used to the whole working on the ad campaign with Rye McMillan."

Sam's forehead creased. "Mr. McMillan, Jr? What? Em, you haven't mentioned that before. You're working on a project with him?" Her eyes widened.

I nodded. "Yeah. I was just informed about it today. Apparently, his dad assigned him to be the new project manager."

Sam pursed her lips. "I see. Well, I think that's nice."

I laughed at the way she said it. "Nice? Sam, we hate each other."

"Doesn't seem like it," she said, smirking.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you mean?"

"Girl, I see the way he looks at you, and you're not very subtle about it either," she said. "But if you didn't want me to know, you shouldn't have dated him, or at least not told me about it."

"I didn't date him, Sam," I said, my voice firm. "We just had a few shots after the party."

"Yeah, right."

I sighed. I wasn't in the mood for this. I didn't feel like talking about Rye. "Whatever, Sam." I stood up. "We should get back to work." I was about to walk out when she grabbed my hand. "What? Sam, I have a lot of work to do. I need to get started," I said, guilt washing over me as I looked at her. Unfortunately, I was in a very bad mood, so I probably looked like I was annoyed rather than feeling guilty.

Sam sighed. "Em, I know you. You haven't talked to me about it, but I know something is wrong." She looked at me. "I know because I'm your best friend here. And, Em, you need to talk to me. Please."

I sat back down and looked at her. She was right. I'm being extremely cold to her. That's a side of me I'm not proud of. "Sam, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. It's just that, I don't want to talk about it. Not yet."

"Okay," Sam said. "Is there anything I can do?"

I shook my head. "I don't think there's anything anyone can do."

Sam nodded. "Okay. I'm here to support you, Em. Anytime."

I smiled weakly at her. "Thanks, Sam."

She stood up and smiled at me. "No problem. See you at lunch?"

I nodded as she left. Sighing, I felt like a lot of my stress was lifted after talking to her. She understood me. Even though I wouldn't talk to her about it, she knew something was bothering me. That was enough.

For the rest of the day, I worked on the campaign, sending Rye and sending emails back to our client and other departments. I tried to keep my mind clear of all the thoughts and questions that were swirling in my head. I just wanted to focus on work. But instead, all that kept running through my mind were the images and scenes that happened that morning and the night before. No matter what I did, I couldn't keep the memories away.

At one o'clock, I walked out of the office to go have lunch, but I was in no mood to eat. I was too distracted, trying to keep myself from thinking about all the things that happened, especially the morning meeting.

I needed a distraction. I need to take my mind off of it.

"So, what are we having today? Chinese takeout?" Sam asked me, as we walked to the food court inside the mall adjacent to the McMillan Global Tower. Helen, a coworker from another department, was also with us.

I shook my head. "I'm feeling more of a pizza girl today," I said, dreading the thought of eating Chinese takeout.

Helen laughed. "No way, Em. You love General Tso's chicken."

"Yes way, Helen." I grabbed my phone and checked the apps. "Domino's Pizza sounds nice. I'll check their menu."

"That's a great idea," Sam agreed.

A few minutes later, we were waiting for our pizzas. Helen found the mall's coffee shop and brought the coffee for us. We sat at one of the benches as we waited for our lunch.

"So, where have you been the past few weeks?" I asked Sam and Helen. "I barely see you."

"I know," Sam said, sipping her coffee. "I was held up with a project for the foundation." She looked at me and took a deep breath. "Remember that charity gala we're planning on hosting?"

I exchanged a look with Helen. "Yes. You've been talking about that for the past few weeks. What's the latest?"

"I'm still working on it. We've been planning the venue and the guest list. It should be a pretty big event."

"It's very exciting," Helen added. "It's our department's first time to join with Sam's team for a charity by McMillan's. As a matter of fact, it's my first time, too."

"That's awesome." I smiled. "I can't wait to see it."

"You will. It's going to be a huge success." Sam looked wistfully into the distance. "McMillan Foundation is not just about the wealth that comes from the company. It's about giving back to the community."

I nodded. "I know."

McMillan's Foundation is one of the biggest philanthropic organizations in the country. They funded a lot of projects, mostly to help people who are less fortunate. I know a lot of people who are working with the foundation and it's really amazing what they're doing for people. Their efforts were more than inspiring. Some say that rich people don't give a fvck, but I say they are wrong.

The three of us chatted for a bit, and then, our pizzas came. We all ate our lunch, and then we decided to go back to the office.

"So, Em," Helen said, as we walked back to the Tower. "I hear you're collaborating with Mr. McMillan."

I choked on my own saliva. How the hell did she know about it?

Helen laughed at the expression on my face. "That's what the gossip says."

I looked at her. "What? Do the floors in our office have ears?"

"Yes, and the ceiling has eyes." She laughed. "I'm just wondering if it's true," Helen said. "If you're collaborating with him, I mean. I'm just curious."

"Why?"

Helen chuckled. "Why not? I'm just curious, that's all."

I shook my head and laughed. "You are crazy. It's just a project."

"But it's Mr. McMillan, Jr.," replied Helen. "And you hate him."

I sighed. "I'm out of this conversation." I looked at Sam. "You ready to go back to work?"

She nodded. "Yes. Helen, I'll bring Em in."

"Okay." Helen waved at us and went to her office.

Phew, that was close. "Thanks, Sam. I owe you one. Helen can be such a pain in the ass."

"I know. You can pay me back tomorrow," Sam replied with a naughty smile.

I nodded, giggling. "Oh, I will."

When we arrived, Sam sashayed to her cubicle and I walked back to my desk. As I was putting my things back, a knock came on my door. I looked up and saw Rye.

Oh, hell no. What mystery shall unfold today? I stood up. "Come in, Sir," I said, avoiding his gaze.

Rye was carrying a stack of papers and a folder in his arms. Ignoring the scent of his strong, musky perfume, I eyed the blue folder on top of the papers as he approached my desk. He placed the documents on top of my table and smiled at me.

My gaze lingered on the thick pile of workload. "What is this for, Sir?"

"It's for the ad campaign. I need you to work on this. ASAP."

"But I still need to work on your father's, I mean Mr. McMillan Sr's schedule."

Frickin' unbelievable!

"Not my problem, Miss Harper," he blurted out as he turned to walk out of my office. "I need this on my desk first thing tomorrow," he said and shut the door closed after him.