I’m not sure what it is about Renee that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. She’s very pretty and looks totally killer in a chic business suit, but it’s not like she’s done anything awful to me. I’ve maybe exchanged four whole sentences with her since starting here, all of it business related, yet I feel strangely…
Territorial.
The question remains: am I feeling territorial over my workspace, or over a certain bossy someone?
“Where’s Hunter?” she asks, ignoring me.
I don’t appreciate how casually she uses his name. It rattles me more than it should. “Mr. Strideis in a very important meeting right now. Did you want me to give him a message?”
“I’d rather tell him in person,” she says. “It’s confidential stuff. Super urgent.”
“I’m his personal assistant,” I point out. “It’s my job to handle all his correspondence. I have the clearance to handle all confidential material.”
“I’ll just come back later.”
“But you said it was super urgent.”
Renee looks me up and down. There’s nothing friendly in her expression. “How old are you?” she asks after a moment.
I frown.What the fuck is her problem?“I don’t see how that’s relevant.”
“Your last name is Spencer. Do I have that right?”
“Yes,” I answer slowly.
“How have you been liking the job so far? Are you settling in nicely?”
On the surface, I’m sure someone might mistake this for friendly banter between colleagues. I know better. Each and every single one of her words has an edge to it. Her tone is sickly sweet to the point of suspicion. I don’t know what Renee’s endgame is, but I know I don’t want to be a player in any shape or form.
“I don’t know about you, Renee, but I have a lot of work to do. Kindly see yourself out.”
She clicks her tongue before giving me another once over. Without another word, she turns on her stiletto heels and leaves.
It’s official: I don’t like Renee Thatch from finance. It’s probably best if I give her a wide berth from here on out.
I’m just about to stand up and go back to my corner of the office when something catches my eye. The top drawer to Hunter’s desk is open. Normally, I wouldn’t pay it any mind, but I spot a bright red color inside. Curious, I pull the drawer open further.
It’s a red envelope. A whole pile of them, in fact.
Then I remember the day Hunter received one of these, hidden among some documents Renee brought in to sign. He was quick to change the subject and I admittedly forgot all about them.
Hunter’s probably going to be mad at me for shifting through his private things, but I can’t seem to stop myself. I gather them up in my hands and read through them, my eyes widening as the messages get more and more deranged.
I loved the red tie you wore yesterday.
Saw you out on your morning run. Was it a good workout?
I bought a bottle of your cologne to spray on my pillow.
I think about you day and night. Do you think about me, too?
We’ll be together forever one day, my love.
I shiver, a gnawing feeling at the nape of my neck. Are these from a girlfriend? No, that’s not the impression I’m getting. It feels more… invasive than that.
“What are you doing?”
I look up and find Hunter quickly closing the space between us. He takes the red envelopes from me and shoves them away.