“That’s right,” she says with a tight smile. “Not new to Mr. Bradford, though. I’m Andrea.”
There’s a tinge that runs through me. It’s a feeling I don’t like. My gaze slips to this woman’s hand, a woman who could be my mother, and I find a wedding ring back there. Jealousy is unbecoming and I can’t believe I felt it for a second. In her white flowy blouse and pencil skirt, Andrea most certainly takes care of herself.
“How long have you been his secretary?”
“Oh, years and years. You know how it is with a good job. You stick with it.”
“I do know about that.” My stomach turns over. That’s exactly why I’m here—to talk to Adrian about the future. This job saved me after my divorce and made it possible to have the freedom I gained, but if I’m let go, I’ll be in an even worse position. “Sticking with it is usually for the best. I’ve heard he can be …” I deliberately let my voice trail, waiting for Andrea to pick up where I left off.
She gives me nothing, tilting her head with her perfectly plucked brow raised and her hands folded in her lap. Touché. I finish it myself. “A bit … ruthless.”
“I would agree with that at times.”
She nods and I do as well … neither of us giving the other anything.
“If you’ve worked for him for that many years, you must have seen him take over a number of companies like this.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh, yes. It can be unsettling for the people who have been there the longest. Adrian insists on changing things where they need to be changed instead of sticking with the status quo. It means a lot of shuffling around at the beginning.”
I wince. “That’s what I’ve heard … the shuffling, though, that’s—”
“Ruthless.” Now she finishes it.
* * *
Hearing about a powerful man like Adrian shuffling people around doesn’t soothe me when it comes to my own job. He’s merciless when we have sex, and he must be the same way when it comes to business. He won’t keep me on if it’s not the right thing for the company. My throat tightens at the thought of being let go by him. Stomach turning, I breathe deeply to keep myself in check. I’ve had to do this many times over the years, working with men who didn’t know how to listen to a woman.
Oddly, the thought of being fired for my job isn’t the only thing at the forefront of my mind. Adrian is there as well. If I’m let go from this position, there will be no more meeting up at six for discreet activities. So his secretary’s words aren’t very reassuring. I hadn’t considered how I might lose my job and Adrian at the same time. Though it’s a bit presumptuous to think there’s such a thing as losing Adrian when what we have is a fuck-buddy agreement.
“You work till six,” she comments and now it’s my turn for my expression to pinch.
“I do.”
“I only noticed because of the submissions.”
I pause, nodding but not contributing; it’s her turn to show her cards.
“Mr. Bradford seems to have changed his habits,” she says and leans back in her chair. “He never used to stay late. Once it was five o’clock, he went home. But it seems his preference, for this company only, is now six.”
“Oh?” The back of my neck tingles.
“Mm-hmm,” she hums.
“Well, that’s something.” Does she know? It’s all I can think as she stares up at me. She’s older, wiser maybe. I don’t know. But everything in me is screaming that she knows.
“I’m sure he won’t let you go,” the secretary says, her expression innocent. “Seems to me you’ve been doing quite a bit for this company.”
“I’ve done a lot of work,” is my distracted reply. She might not let me in to see him, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less hungry for information. I’m not sure how to phrase it, though.
“Can I tell you something?” she asks.
“Of course,” I reply and my nervous voice betrays me.
“He seems to be distracted lately.”
“Oh? I’m sure I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
She takes in my red cheeks. “Hmm. I think you might. I’m good friends with his driver.”
I blush deeper. “I see.”
Reaching for her glasses, she barely contains her cat-ate-the-canary grin. “If it were up to me, I’d let you in there, love, but I can’t.”
“Oh, I’m not—I don’t do this kind of thing.” A numbness creeps through me. How long have I worked here, only to potentially have my reputation ruined by the rumor mill? I have no idea if I can trust this woman in the least, although she seems friendly. I did just lie to her face, though.
Restlessly, I shift my weight from one foot to the next. I stop as soon as the secretary notices. “I really don’t do this,” I say again.