“Wait,” they both said in unison.
“Is this question for me… or… who’s asking and who’s answering?” He cleared his throat.
She shivered lightly, placed the bowl on the table like Will, and pulled her knees closely against her chest. “I think the question is for you. Like I’m the one who’s asking. Like what if hypothetically you felt that I was crushing on you…hypothetically…what would you do?” she asked, with an obvious emphasis on hypothetically.
“Oh. Coolio.” He took a deep breath and shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’d ask you out?”
Una frowned. “Why would you ask me out?”
“Yeah…” Will pouted. “Well…because what If I’m starting to get a crush on you too? Hypothetically. So, asking you out would be the most sensible thing for me to do… I guess?”
She glanced down. “Very well.”
“And we’d gaze at the stars and watch endless funny videos… the ones that make you laugh,” Will added.
“Right.” She paused for a moment then silently picked her card. “What are your top three best feelings in the world? This was your question.”
“You want to pick another?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I like this question. Umm… I like star gazing too. Ice cream on a rainy day.”
Will grinned. “Really?”
She nodded slowly. “Yeah. And curling up under a warm blanket.”
Will smirked. “That’s the best feeling in the world.” He shifted in his seat and picked his next question. Deep inside, he wished it wouldn’t be as weird as the one he previously picked. “What is the thing you most want to achieve? Easy. Have kids and watch them live a meaningful life.”
Una lifted a finger. “Kids?”
“Two.”
Una narrowed her eyes. “I never thought of having kids.” She looked like her mind was swirling with a million other things she’d want to achieve other than having kids. But she knew it wasn’t her question to answer so she picked one for herself. “If you could pick a day in your life to relive, what day and why?”
Will let out a puff of air. “That’s a very interesting question.”
Una sighed and was quiet for a moment. “On my fourteenth birthday,” she began, her breath caught at the memory. “We had a small dinner party…” She looked away.
Will couldn’t help but hang on to every word she was saying. Aside from her two-year stint at Aishcliff, the infamous mental health facility outside Boston that Liezel told him about, Will didn’t know anything else about her.
After a few moments, she shifted in her seat and looked back up at him slowly. Will could sense she felt uncomfortable when she looked down at the table.
“My friends came and my dad gave me a telescope. We had chocolate ice cream and a nice customized cake with stars on it. I liked stars even back then. I was so happy…” She paused. “When they’d all gone home, I watched Lassie with my dad until I fell asleep. And then…” She took a shaky breath.
“Ms. Miller, are you feeling sick again?” Will moved a little closer to her on the couch.
Una snapped upright. “Yes.” She bit her lip before hesitantly standing up from the couch and walking towards the stairs. “I can’t continue with this…” When she reached the staircase, she stopped and turned to Will. “Thank you again for everything you did tonight, Mr. Thomas. Good night.”
Will opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but he knew his landlady wouldn’t just open up to him that easily again.
What happened that night on her fourteenth birthday?
He smiled. “You’re welcome. Sweet dreams, Ms. Miller.”
Chapter 7
Girlfriend
Seated in a deuce booth by the window, a waitress who looked younger than them approached Una and Liezel’s table. Liezel glanced up at the waitress and ordered their usual breakfast combo.
“The usual?” the waitress asked. It was obvious that she was new. With her shiny straight black hair, copper skin, and youthful grin, she easily stood out from the rest of the other three waitresses at the café who looked like they were near their retirement.
Una and Liezel had frequented Sanson Road Café since they met during college. The place had not seen much change over the last few years and remained the only place in the area that looked like it was straight out of a 1980s movie. And unlike the other Sanson Road Cafés in the other cities and states—with its large and deuce booths along the windows, counter stools, American classic comfort foods, and 24-hour availability—this one felt more like a diner.
“I’ll have buttermilk pancakes with toasted pecans, ham, and pepper omelet,” Liezel ordered.
“Waffles with two scoops of chocolate ice cream on top, turkey bacon, cheese omelet…” Una paused and looked up at the waitress’ name tag. Annika, she mentally read. “And black coffee. No sugar. No cream.”
The confused and slight surprise in Annika’s face made Liezel smile. “Don’t worry, Annika. As per her research, ice cream in the morning is actually good for the brain.”
Annika smiled. “I just remembered my grandmother who used to tell us never to eat cold food after having something hot like coffee.”
Liezel’s smile broadened. “And she’s definitely right.” She eyed Una briefly. “I’ll have tea. That’ll be all.”
“So, that’s the usual. Okay, I’ll remember it.” Annika picked up the untouched menus and hurried off to place their orders. As she walked away, Una inhaled the warm rush of air when the door opened and another customer walked in.
“I have something to tell you,” Liezel said with a smile on her face. “I am seeing someone.”
“Does he own a better car than Peter?” Una asked. Either she was unable to curb her curiosity or she was unwittingly being sardonic.
“He has eight, actually,” Liezel replied simply, already accustomed to how her friend positioned her questions.
“Why does he have so many?”
“Because that’s how wealthy people are, Una. Why buy one when he can afford eight?”
They sat in silence while Una contemplated on that. She remembered Dr. Larson sharing about how she’s considering buying another car, but it was only because she needed a bigger one for family road trips. Why did Liezel’s new boyfriend think he needed eight?
Una’s train of thought was suddenly cut off by the sudden change in Liezel’s expression.
“What’s wrong?”
Liezel shook her head. “This song.” She shook her head.
Una listened and her face immediately lit up as soon as she heard Freddie Mercury’s voice from the radio.
This thing called love I just can’t handle it
This thing called love I must get round to it
I ain’t ready
Crazy little thing called love
“I think it’s a nice song. What’s the title?”
Liezel made a face. “Are you kidding me?”
“No. What’s the title?”
“I forgot. ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love,’ I think.”
Una forced a half smile. “It’s good.”
“Really? The first time you appreciate a song and it has to be this.” Liezel shook her head again. “It’s an old song from an old band called Queen, whose vocalist died from AIDS. My dad used to worship Queen.”
Una looked outside the window. It was surprising how the song lifted up her mood. She sat back and let the settling melody fill her mind. Her friend was right, it was the first time she ever liked a song.
There goes my baby
She knows how to Rock’n’Roll
She drives me crazy
She gives me hot and cold fever
Then she leaves me in a cool cool sweat
Liezel glanced at her watch. “Where’s our order? I can’t be late for work today. And you can’t show up late for school again. I ran into Professor Greene and he told me you showed up late for his class for three consecutive days last week.”
Get on my tracks
Take a back seat
Hitch hike
And take a long ride on my motor bike
“I overslept,” Una simply answered. “I really like this song.”
“Then add it to your playlist. Spotify, duh. Or create one. I’m sure you haven’t made a playlist. Hey, how’s Will, by the way?”
Una added eagerly. “I think I will create one. Mr. Thomas is okay. We played a game the other night.”
“Mr. Thomas? Jeez. And what game did you and Mr. Thomas play?” Liezel asked when she stopped laughing to herself.
“Ice breaker. Dr. Larson thought it was a good game to play to get to know someone.”
“Oh, Una. You never cease to surprise me.” Before Leizel could add any further, Annika was back at their table with their orders.
“Here you go, ladies.”
***
“Alright, let’s just say―theoretically―that Lebron would, in fact, demand a trade, which team do you think should trade for Kyrie? Timberwolves? Spurs? Knicks?”
Will smiled at Glen as he entered the breakroom with his friend. “How many times do I have to tell you? He will demand for that trade. If you closely watch Cleveland’s games, you can definitely tell.”
But before Glen could say anything to express his disagreement, and before Will could pour himself a glass of coffee, the door flung open.
“Floor. Now!” Liezel hollered.
“Is the company in trouble? Did we lose an important client?” Glen sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose. “We just hit our target again last month! I just spoke to Tess from accounting last week. We’re very much cash flow positive.”
“Lose the negative attitude, Glen,” Liezel said. “Sinclair has an announcement.”
Will and Glen followed her in the middle of the floor where big announcements were usually made. Almost everyone from Will and Glen’s department had already crowded the area when they joined in.
Not a second later, Sinclair got out from his private office and approached everyone who gathered around with a solemn look on his face. When he was met with confused glares from his staff, who hadn’t the faintest idea what his announcement was going to be about, he schooled his expression and changed it into something happier.
“Good afternoon.” A very self-satisfied smirk immediately graced his face. “Let me make this very brief. I just want to tell everyone that we have just closed the Royce deal.”
It was no secret that Will was the key asset to the closing of the deal, and before Sinclair finished his announcement, a large crowd already flocked to him. Glen, who was standing next to him, was the first to wrap him in a bone-crushing hug. “A fucking pay raise on the way, dude.”
Will shook his head. “Nah, I don’t think so, buddy,” he whispered between shy smiles.
“This is a five-year, multi-million-dollar contract,” Sinclair added. “And the management and I have agreed to throw a small party to celebrate this win.”
“So we’ll have two parties? The victory party and the annual Halloween party?” Glen had to ask.
Sinclair shook his head. “Not really. We’ll have both on the same day. We’ll just throw in some additional budget.”
Everyone erupted in cheers and claps anyway since no one really cared how many parties they would have except for Glen. Although, to some, an office party was already long overdue since the Royce deal wasn’t really the first deal they had closed, all thanks to Sinclair for taking charge and pushing MaxxTech to becoming profitable again, compelling its mother company, MaxFrey Corp, to withdraw its decision to shut it down.
“Liezel, meet me in the parking lot in ten minutes. We’ll be meeting another client in an hour,” Sinclair said, looked around, and secretly handed his keys to Liezel before walking back to his office.
This didn’t fail to reach Glen’s ears when he and Will walked over to Liezel. “Ooohh…another meeting with the boss?” he teased which was followed by a mocked, evil laugh.
“Shush it, Glen. It’s a meeting.” Liezel turned to Will. “Well done, Will. See you guys later.” She quickly spruced up her desk, grabbed her bag, and left the floor.
Shortly afterwards, she’s already waiting in Sinclair’s BMW in the basement car park. She couldn’t help but express a self-contented smile on her lips as she dangled Sinclair’s keys in her hand. It was clear that she was no longer just his assistant. He had trusted her with his car and had even involved her in his important meetings. Like what he should have really done since day one. But she understood it now. Her boss was trying to keep some sort of distance between them because she was too damn hot for him to keep his hands to himself. Sinclair was attracted to her and he was, perhaps, worried that this attraction would get in the way of their work.
Liezel grinned at the thought. Checking herself in the rearview mirror, she untied her hair, her soft brown curls cascading down. Her eyebrow arched as she admired her beauty before she undid a button on her blouse. Looking down, she crossed her arms over her chest, pressing her breasts together. She was never satisfied with her breasts and thought it was never big enough.
She heaved out a sigh then sat back in the passenger’s seat when the door to the driver’s seat opened and Sinclair got in, interrupting her growing frustration.
With her sweet smile, Liezel straightened in her seat. “Are we meeting with―”
But before she could finish her questions, Sinclair crushed her mouth to his. She, for a split second, thought that the kiss was only to satisfy his urge and then they’d drive off to meet with another client. She thought Sinclair would stop, but he only deepened the kiss. And as soon as she heard him moan and felt his fingers unbuttoning the rest of her buttons, she finally understood that they were not going anywhere.
Or perhaps there was no meeting after all.
Sinclair pressed her tighter to him, ran his hand under her blouse, and unsnapped her black lacy bra with a flick of his fingers. His other hand glided over her freed breasts, and he bent down to take one in his mouth. He heard Liezel moan loudly as she arched her back.
“Mr. Godfrey,” Liezel whispered. “We should stop…the meeting…our client,” she teased.
Sinclair sucked on her sensitive tit before saying, “You got me so worked up back there…” He turned his attention to Liezel’s other breast while his fingers traced her legs and pushed her skirt up. “Why don’t you start wearing flowing skirts for easy access, huh?”
Liezel giggled, helped him hike her skirt up to her waist, and climbed on top of him. “I thought we’re meeting a new client?”
“No. We, my dear, are going to fuck. Are you surprised?” He sucked on her neck, his hands squeezing her tight ass.
“Sorta,” she whispered into his ear, nibbling on the lobe.
“I saw this really lovely Cartier floral bracelet the other day.” She tugged and managed to get his pants down his knees. “And I,” she began stroking his hard length over his white cotton briefs, “think it’ll be a perfect final touch to my costume for the party.”
Sinclair moved and promptly took one of her breasts into his mouth again, nibbling the hardened peak, playing it with his tongue.
“Don’t you think?” Liezel moaned as she continued to rub him through his underwear.
“Yes, although I’d rather have you walking around naked, hot and ready for me to fuck.”
She bit her lip at the thought. Sinclair was a very attractive man. She would be damned to deny the arousal she felt whenever she saw him. She would always think back on the very first time they fucked.
“Are you ready to fuck me silly in your car again, Mr. Godfrey?” She playfully called him by his last name, rocking against him, her heat pressing against his manhood.
Sinclair growled. “Been ready since I woke up this morning.” He lathed both breasts with his eager tongue.
Moaning in his ear, she quickly pushed him back in his seat and kissed him hard. “Me too,” she said between kisses. “W
hich made me think…” She grinded against him.
Sinclair let out another sexy growl. “What?” His hand reached under her underwear.
Liezel whimpered when she felt his fingers against her core. “Don’t you think we’re crossing some rules here?”
“What do you mean?”
She tangled her fingers in his hair, moaning as she felt his fingers stroking her. “You know, with you fooling around with your subordinate. Or am I still just one…” her voice trailed off, not because of the sensation that Sinclair’s hand was doing between her legs, but because she was waiting for her boss’ answer.
At the back of Liezel’s mind, she knew she was pushing the envelope a little too early. But she had to know where she stood in Sinclair’s life as early as she could.
And there was silence… except for the heavy breathing coming from both of them.
“Sincla…” she hesitated. “Mr. Godfrey?” She started pulling his brief down, and without hesitation, wrapped her fingers around his erection.
Sinclair stared at her and grinned. “As the company’s CEO, I make the rules, Liezel, and my rule for you is simple: call me Mr. Godfrey in front of everyone else. But never call me that when we’re alone, especially when we’re fucking.”
She bit her lip, grinding against his fingers. “Got it. I’ll call you Mr. Godfrey in front of everyone else…and…how about in front of your girlfriend?” She was testing him.
“You very well know I don’t have a girlfriend.” Sinclair ripped off her panties and threw the shredded lace in the back seat.
As soon as their bare flesh grazed against each other, their moaning and panting increased, as did their sweating and desire to finish off.
“But now you do…” Liezel muttered softly. She didn’t hear a word from Sinclair after that, and what soon followed was him pushing her against him as he entered her hard and fast.
Chapter 8
Outburst
Una shoved her keys inside her pocket as she let herself into her house. Quiet and peaceful, just what she needed after an exhausting day.
Considerably Wicked: A Dark Romance Page 7
