“He’s been insufferable this morning,” Marie confirmed. “Even worse than usual. I’m surprised you lasted until now, to be honest. I expected you to just walk out.”
I shrugged silently. Under any normal circumstances, I would have walked out the first time he snapped his fingers at me as if I was a dog.
“He’s not usually so bad with beautiful women, though,” Dave said with a shrug and I could not help but blush a little at the compliment.
Marie waved her hand dismissively. “Just stand your ground, no matter how much he’s trying to belittle you. As you know, JohnCorp has one of the most rigorous hiring processes. Trust me, if he hired you, you were the best of the best.”
I forced a smile before shoving the last forkful of pasta in my mouth. I knew it was silly because being here had not been my choice, but I couldn’t help but feel like a fraud. I had in no way deserved a job that had been given to me as a punishment.
“So, Ava, tell us about yourself,” Debra suggested, leaning her chin on her hand.
“Oh, there’s not much to say, really.” I shrugged. “I’m from Yorkshire originally, but I’ve been living in London for a few years, and when this temporary position became available—” I shrugged again. “It was fate, I guess.”
Dave opened his mouth to ask more but was interrupted.
“Ms. Byrnes.” Hugo's cold voice turned the noisy cafeteria into a graveyard; all eyes were directed at him as he was glaring at me. “Would you please come back up and do the job you’re actually paid for instead of socializing and…gallivantingon the company’s time?”
Gallivanting?I would have laughed if I didn’t feel the weight of everyone's eyes on me.
I stood up awkwardly, doing my best to keep my mouth shut and not give in to the inflow of words that were at the tip of my tongue. None of them would compliment him.
As I made my way to the door, he swirled around and started to walk briskly down the corridor to the elevator.
I stared at his wide back in his perfectly tailored suit as I followed him closely. Hugo St-John exuded power even with his back turned. It was insane but you’d know how powerful he was just from the way he walked.
Just as he has all the power over me,I thought bitterly as I joined him in the elevator.
He looked at his watch and let out an exasperated sigh. I detailed his profile once again, telling myself I was looking for some similarities with Ethan while fully knowing that I was looking at him simply because I couldn’t stop myself.
How could I miss how aristocratic he was in that club? It was so obvious in the way his perfect black hair was combed to the side in a fifties style, his round black-rimmed glasses, his roman nose, and his chiseled jaw. He was beautiful in a dark and powerful way. The exact opposite of Ethan.
He sighed again as the elevator doors opened on his floor and it irritated me, maybe more than necessary.
“I’ve got the right to eat, you know,” I called as he walked briskly toward his office.
He threw me a glare as he jerked his head toward his office.
“We’re in England, Hugo, not in a sweatshop in a Chinese alley.”
“It’sMr. St-Johnto you,Ms.Byrnes,” he corrected coldly, circling his desk and sitting on his big leather seat. "You need to let me know when you’re going for lunch and it’s not a time to socialize.”
“Actually, it is,” I couldn’t help but answer.
His scowl deepened, causing a deep trench between his eyebrows. “You aremypersonal assistant. You are assistingmeand I don’t appreciate going around looking for you like a mere servant.”
“I need time. I’m eating for two now. I need to be a responsible mother,” I added with a smile.
His nostrils flared with exasperation. I was going to know all his tells very soon, and at least I could have fun with it and get something from his constant bullying.
“Do you intend to use this excuse for everything? Let me tell you right now, it’s bound to get very old very fast.”
“And yet it’s the same exact excuse you used to get me here to torture both me and Ethan.”
“Did my little brother cry on your shoulder?” he mocked.
I shook my head. “He didn’t need to. I care for him so I know how he feels. I know you probably don’t have many people truly caring for you to know what that's like but—”
“I don’t care,” he barked, and despite everything, I was sure I saw the hurt flash in his eyes before he looked down at the papers on his desk.