“Yeah, I agree with you there. What should we do for her this weekend?” I asked him. We were nearly to the office and I would rather not discuss it there.
“I’ve got no fucking clue. It seems like another hurdle right now and I know we are about to walk into even more.”
I scoffed. “Yeah. That’s true. Let’s start with one thing and then tackle another.”
That’s how it always was with the business. There was always something to do, something to take over. I got used to it and so did Jude but sometimes it was still tiring like all things. We had high hopes for the company and still do, but sometimes it got overwhelming.
We arrived in the garage and walked through our private security entrance. We went to our respective offices and I started pushing my own papers. Old contracts, new agreements to look over, past agreements… it was just that time of the fucking month for us.
My assistant buzzed herself in around lunch time when I was knee deep in paperwork and prepared to think about Henley for the rest of the day instead.
“Sir, I have a matter to discuss with you.” Martha was always stoic and serious but she got the job done. Jude and I appreciated her for it.
“Go ahead, Martha.” I gestured to the seat for her to sit down. She cleared her throat and looked at me.
“I have some flags coming up in one particular account we share with Hatchett.”
I held back my groan because the company didn’t know about our bad investment yet. We wanted to keep it to just us because we weren’t sure exactly how it would play out. Things could go horribly wrong and the company would weather the storm, or they could put themselves in uproar and destroy the company for it.
Neither were exactly winning scenarios. The thing about the deal was that it wasn’t just that upfront investment, it was any off rolling and net profits from it we would be set to lose if things went badly. It could end up being tens of millions.
“Yeah… what about it?” I asked her. She rolled her eyes at me, but her sass just came with her job description at that point.
“It isn’t doing well, that is what is about it. Look sir, our profits are down thirty percent with them.” I looked at her print outs and graphic of our sales bar on her tablet and agreed.
I nodded slowly, hating seeing it somewhere else other than my own desktop.
“Look Martha, I appreciate you bringing it to my attention. But this isn’t news to us.” I sighed, leaning back in my chair to shove my fingers through my head in frustration. I opened up my blue suit jacket and swiveled my chair until I had the courage to meet her angry face.
“You idiots knew about this and didn’t tell anyone? Not even the partners? Not even the damned hardworking employees? This is everyone’s money, you invested company revenue stock!” She shouted.
I rubbed my temples slowly as I clenched my eyes together. “I know, Martha. We both know, just—”
She got up suddenly and slammed her tablet down onto the table. She disappeared before I could say anything and I stared after her like a dumbass. Moments later I heard Jude’s grumbling and her griping.
“What the fuck is this, the second inquisition?” Jude growled and angrily stepped in front of my desk. He looked down at me like I was the problem but a quick flick of my wrist told him that wasn’t even the case at all. He knew Martha had found out on her own the second he looked into my eyes.
“No, this is a wake-up call for the both of you. Do you have any idea the legal ramifications you are putting this company through right now by keeping this to yourselves? Millions could be lost, and even after that losses will continue to slide because you invested company stock and our profits will permanently be damaged by this now. Who even allocated these funds?” She asked at the end of her rant.
I stared back at her and so did Jude. Neither of us knew what we wanted to say to her. We still wanted to keep things minimal because it wasn’t adding up just yet. But she couldn’t know that. The company couldn’t know that. As soon as morale dropped, the company wouldn’t work the same way. We’d be screwed.
“No one allocated the funds Martha, we used profit shares to make the initial investment. It will run its course; the market has been up and down for the past few months. It will be fine.” Jude said. He said it so casually, like he wasn’t at all worried about what would happen to us. I didn’t know how he managed to do that.
“Oh Jude, you are so pin headed.” Martha sniped.
“Careful.” He responded with a tight jaw, but she just stood her ground and stared him down, regardless of the fact he towered over her.
“Yeah right. Look, I don’t know what you think is going on here, but it’s bad. I suggest you send it up to accounting.” She sighed heavily.
“I don’t think we will be doing that, Martha. Not because it is not a feasible idea, but because we aren’t at that point yet. Once the company gets wind of things, it will be a lot harder to keep their trust in the long run. There isn’t anything we can do at this point but watch the numbers, all of H&P doesn’t need to do that.” I said calmly.
She calmed down a little bit and nodded to herself it seemed. “Okay. That’s fine sir, I just wanted to bring it to your attention.” Martha said and turned to leave.
“Martha.” Jude clapped his harsh voice at her and I glared at him because it wasn’t necessary. “This doesn’t leave the office at all. This conversation never happened.”
She met his eyes and glared back before she shut the door behind her. I looked at Jude long and hard, he looked back at me and didn’t have a damn thing to say.
We could be in deep shit.
“So. What do we do here, oh wise one?” Jude took his jacket off and chucked it onto the couch.
Then he poured himself a scotch and sat back on the couch. He pressed the cold glass to his forehead first, before he drank it down and got up for another. He did that once or twice while we both said nothing. I stared at the numbers and knew something wasn’t adding up but I couldn’t place what. It truly didn’t make any sense at all.
Financial was always on point with their reporting. Accounting never missed a number, decimal, or comma. Human Resources kept everything in line. Our company had an amazing business model that Jude and I worked hard to establish. We couldn’t let this odd mishap take it all away from us.
“Jude.” I got his attention. He was back to laying on the couch with the scotch cup in his hand, leaning down and pointed towards the ground. A photographer would enjoy the picture but from my point of view it looked like he keeled over and died.
I laughed once and got up. He used to do this a lot in college, pretend he was sleeping to avoid the hard shit. I went and stood over him, knowing he knew I was there by then.
“Jude. I’m going to tea bag you if you don’t get up.”
He groaned and pulled back a smile before he got up. He turned to face me, and I sat on the table across from him.
“There is nothing we can do but hope for the best, man. That’s it.”
~
I spent the next few days buried deep in that account. Jude and I still worked out together as always, had breakfast most mornings. By week’s end we were buried deep in quarterly reports we nearly forgot about.
But we were in a damn conference room all day. Papers stacked the fucking table, cologne and ink scented the air and everyone’s cologne gave me a headache. It was why I worked alone in my office but I wanted to present the whole team player attitude to everyone. So did Jude, as much as he hated it.
“Sir I have this report from Hatchett, there is no folder for it.” A young intern got my attention. He was a recent college graduate and was pining for the permanent position we offered two of the interns out of ten. It was lucrative and hard but they all pushed through.
“Just give it to me.” I told him. “And Chad, hand me anything marked with this, will you?” I whispered to him. His eyes widened like I was giving him a special task. I suppose I was, in a way.
“Yes
sir, I will.” He nodded and went off.
I got back to the work and Jude joined in. It was mostly matching numbers on numbers, making sure all streams of revenue were operating as they should be, if not better.
“Sir, it looks like our bonuses will be higher this year.” Someone from financial said to either Jude or me. I doubted it was Jude though, because he wasn’t nice to anyone.
Both Jude and I pretended we didn’t hear him because we weren’t sure who would even get paid this year.
14
Henley
I was once again a restless woman.
Even though the meeting with Maverick and Jude went well and I signed a whole contract, I was still jobless. I couldn’t believe it.
The guys had… well I felt lied to. Could they really have only wanted me once, and that was it?
I doubted it based on their behavior the next morning. But it was a seed in my mind. I gave myself to them, let them fuck me and use me and they didn’t even call or email or fucking anything. What the hell?
I really thought they were stand up guys. I knew work was probably busy and they were running a company after all. But how could they be so busy as to not even call me? What if I was freaking out all alone, would they care? No.
I felt like a failure and settled into my couch one again for a movie. The plot twist was I had ice cream and could comfort myself with that. It was good, peanut butter. I had on sweats to match and everything.
But I kept thinking about them. Jude, the way he smiled at me all the time and Maverick, the way he always made me feel comfortable. They put effort into me, so why were they treating me like I didn’t matter?
I felt dejected and alone.
I was two episodes into the riveting crime show when the door keys jingled. I hadn’t heard that sound in so long I almost cried.
When last had I seen Denton, my best friend and roommate? I didn’t know. I stood and greeted him at the door. I probably looked desperate.
“Hey babes, I get an entryway greeting!” Denton smiled and hugged me.
We had been friends so long. He made me feel safe and loved, I didn’t get that from anyone else.
Denton was muscular, a very high build type and it made him stand out in the fashion world. He had dirty blonde hair, always nicely cut and highlighted. He was very good looking and broke women’s hearts everywhere.
“Yes, I missed you!” I hugged him so tight, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. He even smelled the same and it was all so familiar.
“I missed you too babes. What’s been going on?” He set me down and looked me over. I looked rartty in my sweats and he looked amazing in his designer jeans and leather jacket over a plain white tee.
“Oh, nothing. More boring stuff of me being jobless, peanut butter ice cream?” I offered as I walked back into the living room.
“No thanks. Oh no, no job yet?”
I shook my head slowly, looking in his kind brown eyes. “No. I’m really sorry. I know I need to help with rent this month and you’ve helped me out so much.” He silenced me by laughing.
“Oh babes, it’s fine. I can live here on my own and you are more than just a roommate. Find a good job—the best job, not a rent paying job. I don’t want you doing things you don’t want. I’m here for you.”
Thank God for Denton. I was so worried I was cutting him short and using him in some way. But he didn’t see it that way. Denton had always been my sweet and caring best friend. Understanding too.
“Anything else got you down? I know I’ve been gone for a minute.” He wiggled his brow.
I had to lie because of the contract but all I want to talk about is Maverick and Jude. How good they felt and how cheated I feel now.
“Nope. Same old me, but you have been doing well, I see.” I smiled and squeezed his hand.
“Yeah. I signed a few new deals. We should celebrate—a great new club opened up downtown.” He gushed.
I rolled my eyes. I was never one for the party scene or club scene. I didn’t do it in college and rarely in my adult life. I never had a need for it, and it was never fun. Denton dragged me to some of them, and I went and he made it fun. But I was just feeling so down I didn’t want to do anything. Didn’t want to be seen.
It was hard to believe that just a week ago I was very seen and very in the light. By two alpha men who wanted to do anything and everything to me. who made plans to see me again. But didn’t go through with it.
“I don’t know… I’m tired—”
“From what, you’re jobless!” He laughed and the way he said it made me laugh too. He could always make me laugh.
“I know… but Denton.”
“But nothing. Come on, I need to get laid and I’m not going to the gay bars so I need a wing woman to make me look good. Don’t even argue with me on this.”
“I—okay. Just for you.” I smiled softly.
He grinned and hugged me. “Fuck yeah. Let’s go make you hot babes.”
He pulled me into my own closet and started rummaging my things. He left nothing unturned and found the hottest thing for me.
I stared at the outfit laying on my bed and wondered what Maverick and Jude would do if they saw me in it. They would freak, for sure, and want me in seconds. How could they make me feel so wanted, and unwanted at the same time?
Only men like them could give you everything and make it seem like nothing.
15
Henley
The bright red dress was a beacon for trouble. Sex… trouble. That I couldn’t even get into because I signed that damned contract. I knew it wasn’t really enforceable in any court, but I still signed it and as a lawyer I respected anything notarized and dated.
But it was so difficult to grasp that they owned me, and I couldn’t even have fun when they were ignoring me.
I matched the sleek, tight red dress by straightening my own red hair, that I usually wear wavy or in a bun. It made my face look completely different, but still with that innocent charm—cute, Jude would call it. I rolled my eyes and packed on makeup and lipstick like I never have before, even putting on mascara. I had transformed and topped it with black heels that made my calves scream.
“Oh my God, babes! You look perfect—I seriously don’t even recognize you.” Denton met me in the living room, already dressed in his club usual of jeans and a blue blazer. He slicked his hair back most of the time, but he left it in disarray instead. My best friend was hot, and he knew it.
“Oh stop… you picked it out.” I slung my chain purse over my shoulder and evaded his whistles.
“Yeah, but its’ your body wearing it babes. Damn. Why are you still single, you must not be showering when you leave the house.” Denton followed behind me and slapped my ass softly as we left the apartment.
“I hate you.” I laughed.
He snickered behind me and we headed out to his car. He drove a pretty fancy sedan, courtesy of all his hard work. Once we got to the club he raved about the whole way, there was a long line out the door behind the velvet rope and rug.
“Wow.” I said as we pulled into the back for parking. It was doubtful we would find anything for at least a block.
“This place is fairly new but it’s part of a string of clubs in some other major cities. It’s pretty successful, and well known too.” Denton explained to me.
“Hmm. I still don’t get why anyone would wait in line just to stand inside.” I scoffed.
“You lawyers, always pointing out random shit.” Denton flicked my nose and I crossed my arms in mock defiance.
“I’m not. It’s just wild to me.” I laughed.
For the first time in a while I actually felt care free. I guess that’s what friends do, and Denton was the best of them. He just always had a way of taking my worries away. Back in college when I would be stressed for finals he would show up and save the day with food and encouragement. Maybe a crazy story or two. And law school… ugh. I never would have slept if he hadn’t help
ed proofread everything. He has always been there for me, and when he needed me, I was there too. We just always had this easy friendship and living together didn’t mess it up, as some people would say. Even his parents loved me.
He was probably the closest thing to a relationship I would ever get.
“Okay babes.” He managed to find a tight spot and we made our way to the long ass line of the club, except he just skipped up right to the front and went to the bouncer.
“Hey, thought you wouldn’t make it.” The burly guy said. Denton laughed and they shook hands before we got let in.
As we entered, the loud blaring music and the dim blue lights, he had to lean in close and still yell so I could hear him. Every pop song seemed to be on at the same time.
“He modeled with me for this shoot last month. Swimsuits.” Denton winked and we headed right for the bar.
I got a martini to start and could barely sip it down before Denton dragged me to the dance floor. I was laughing before something caught my eye, something that made me turn my head and stare. Private lounges lined the perimeter of the club and in one of them, I saw Maverick and Jude. I knew I wasn’t imagining it—they were there in their black suits and firm expressions but they weren’t alone. They sat opposite two busty blondes—I could literally see their implants from where I stood.
It wasn’t just a conversation, they were leaning in, giving their sly smiles. I didn’t know why I was so hurt—they weren’t mine. Yet I was fuming. I was so mad, because…. Because why?
“Denton, let’s dance.” I tugged him with me instead and found a tight spot on the dance floor close enough to those… assholes.
They wanted to break the contract, then so would I. Erm, in theory of course, since Denton was gay and I wasn’t actually trying to hook up with him. But they didn’t know that and if they saw me, I wanted them to be as pissed as I was.
“You trying to get a man?” Denton shouted in my ear as I turned and grinded against him. It wasn’t anything we hadn’t done before.
“Yeah!” I shouted back.
Her Dirty Billionaires_An Office MFM Romance Page 7
