assistant; caleb mclaughlin

seven

mila +

i intake a sharp breath before making my way into mr. mclaughlin's office. he's typing away at his computer, probably working on some files. i speak up, hoping that he'll hear me out or even just listen.

"hey, i'm sorry for yesterday. i didn't mean to-"

"i'm busy mila." he coughs through gritted teeth, not even looking away at his computer to engage in this conversation.

"i just wanted to say sorry-" i stammer, getting angry because he cut me off.

"i said i'm busy, don't talk." he shushes me.

i ball my fists, "listen to me!" i basically shout. "i'm sorry for not showing up! i went to my friend noah's house and i lost track of time."

he stops typing and looks up at me, giving me a death glare. "one, don't you dare use that tone with me and two, noah?" 

i nod my head, "noah schnapp. the one who applied here to be an accountant."

"hmm, then i guess i won't hire him. the last things i need is for you to get all distracted." he mutters, rubbing his chin.

"no, no, no, please hire him!" i beg.

after thinking a whole lot last night, i should help noah get this job because he's done so much for me. i wanted to repay him. it's the least that i can do.

"mr. mclaughlin, i promise that i will come over to play basketball tonight." i add, trying to persuade him.

"you had your chance." caleb tells me, flicking his eyes back to the computer screen.

now he is back to his mean ceo self. it's either he's mad at me, or just completely stressed out. i'm one hundred percent sure that he's mad at me, though. i quietly sigh, hanging my bag on the coat rack. i then take a seat in the chair i sit in everyday.

"would you like me to get you some coffee?" i offer, trying to lighten the mood by starting a conversation.

"no, i already got myself a cup." he says in a stale tone.

"caleb." i say softly and his eyes shoot daggers at me. "mr. mclaughlin, i mean." i correct myself. "do you need me to do anything?"

he shakes his head, "everything's been taken care of."

maybe he wants me to leave him alone? where would i even go. if i were to step foot out of this room, he'd fire me in an instant. i just want him to hire my best friend at this point.

"is everything okay, sir?" i bravely ask, knowing that everything's not okay.

"yes, fine. i'm just busy." he shrugs me off and a feeling of sadness runs over me. 

i don't want him to become closed off all over again. he was just becoming playful and everything.

*

i calm my nerves before ringing the bell on the huge double doors which are the entrance to caleb mclaughlin's mansion. in a few seconds, the door is opened by an older women, she's wearing maid attire, so she couldn't possibly be a girlfriend.

she looks at me with a puzzled look, "ma'am?"

"is mr. mclaughlin here?" i ask.

soon, i hear more footsteps, caleb comes to view, placing a hand on the maids shoulder, signaling her that she can leave. i scan his almost six foot figure. he's dressed so casual. it's nothing that i'm used to seeing on him.

"mila? can i help you?" he asks me, making my eyes move up from his t-shirt and grey joggers.

"wanna play some basketball?" i ask.

i really hope he says yes or else this will get super awkward, really fast.

"why?" he bluntly asks.

"i don't know. thought maybe you'd want to play. plus, i'm trying to redeem myself for last night. i'm truly sorry." 

caleb runs a hand through his hair, sighing as he opens the door wider for me to come inside. i gape inside of the giant home that's just for this one man. i wonder if he ever gets lonely.

shaking off the thought, i follow him inside and he leads me out to the back. it's gigantic. he leads me toward the court and there's a metal shelf, holding various basketballs. even a pink one. i place my hand on it, wanting to use it.

"it's for when my sister comes over." his deep voice speaks, making me pull my hand away from it immediately.

i purse my lips and nod my head. i watch as he grabs the pink ball. so i guess we are playing with that one. he spins it on his pointer finger.

"first to twenty one?" caleb asks.

"sure, but i'm going to beat you, just a fair warning." i tell him and he grins.

seems like he isn't mad anymore. he bounces the ball towards me and grabs his shirt by the neck, pulling it off. my eyes widen and i turn so that my back is facing him. he chuckles.

"i'm playing shirtless because i'm going to sweat a lot." he informs me and i nod. "i won't mind if you want to wear you sports bra." he tells me and my eyes widen even more.

i think i'm good in my t-shirt for now. i start to dribble the ball waiting for him. he disappears into the house and returns shortly with two fiji water bottles. caleb hands me one.

"thank you."

i set it on the outdoor table and return back on the court.

"let's start." he says and i pass the ball to him.

fuck, i don't know how i'm going to win because he's very quick and is way bigger than me. i fall back as his built body hits mine, but he grabs my wrist, just in time before i land on my back completely. he misses the hoop entirely.

he yanks me up so i'm face to face with him. he raises an eyebrow.

"are you sure you want to play? i'm competitive and i feel like that's gonna be bad for you in the long run." caleb says.

am i supposed to be offended. we literally just started.

i shrug, "what else would we play?"

"foosball, pool, something less physical.... or more physical." he suggests, giving me a sly grin.

i almost choke on my own spit when i hear him say something more physical. i'm just dirty minded. he finally lets go of my wrist and i back up so there's at least more than six inches between us.

caleb's eyes bore into mine for what feels like forever and his eyes then flick towards my lips, but back up to my eyes quickly. i fell his left hand press against my lower back and his right hand grip my hip.

this feels so wrong, but i want something to happen. he moves closer toward me and begins to lean in. panicking, my eyes widen and i put my hand on his chest.

"i-i'm sorry, i just don't want things to be awkward in the office." i truthfully sigh, a little disappointed that i'm not making out with him this second.

"who cares? let it be awkward in the office." he replies, smashing his lips against mine.

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