Chapter 4 - You're Fired
Waking up after having less than four hours' worth of sleep was the worst feeling in the world.
I dragged myself out of bed after debating on whether I should call the office and take a days' absence, but knowing my boss, he'd probably have the cops on my ass launching a full-scale investigation.
I had a quick shower and picked out my black pencil skirt and a dark purple blouse before applying some make up. I left my hair out, the soft curls cascading down my back as I sprayed myself with perfume.
Feeling satisfied with my appearance, I stepped out of the apartment and hailed a cab to take me to work.
It felt strange going to work after an awful night's sleep and not to mention the date last night.
Was it even a date?
I photocopied some documents as I wondered whether Vincent would even turn up this afternoon. My chain of thought was disturbed when my intercom buzzed loudly.
"Scarlett!" Jaspers voice boomed through my office, probably through the entire building, actually.
"Yes, Mr Queen?" I replied keeping my voice steadily calm as I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"Get into my office right now!"
I swung my legs off the desk as I made my way into his office.
"Is something wrong, Mr Queen?" I asked politely as I closed the door behind me. He had the look of hell written all over his face.
"I asked for the investment documents and list of applicants on Friday, where the hell are they?"
I walked up to his desk stiffly, feeling my nose flair, I moved a few sheets around before picking up the pile of sheets clearly labelled 'Applicants' and 'Investment'. I snatched them from the desk and held them out to Jasper.
"If that is all, Mr Queen?" I asked icily, folding my arms.
"You went out with Haynes, didn't you?" He accused, his eyes narrowing into slits.
"Yes. Yes, I did."
"After I specifically told you to stay the hell away from him?" He barked loudly kicking over the trash can beside his desk.
"You do not have any say in my personal affairs, Mr Queen." I said glaring at him in anger. "Was I not clear enough with you the last time we had this discussion? Do you need me to spell it out for you or chant in another language? You do not own me, Mr Queen."
"When he fucks you over Scarlett, don't come running to me," he muttered folding his arms.
"Trust me," I scoffed as I turned on my heel to leave. "You would be the last person I would come running to when he 'fucks me over'."
I sat back in my chair once I'd left Jaspers office eyeing my breakfast distastefully. I turned to my laptop as the sound of fast approaching heels came towards the desk. Within seconds a tall, platinum blonde woman stood in front of me.
"May I help you?" I asked her politely.
"Where's Jasper?" She replied rudely, her voice nasally and irritating.
"He's in his office at the moment, but I could book you in for an appointment if you'd like?"
"No. Just direct me there, we have... Unfinished business." She smirked wickedly as jealousy swirled through my stomach once again.
"Of course. I'll just let him know you're here. Your name is?"
"Chloe."
"Mr Queen." I spoke through the intercom. "You have a visitor. Chloe?"
"Send her through and clear out my schedule for today. I want no disturbances." He said gruffly as Chloe strutted out of the office swinging her hips.
I felt an overwhelming urge to walk into my boss's office and smack him senseless, he was incompetent, insolent and downright rude.
As I attempted to busy myself once more, ten minutes later, a delivery arrived for Jasper which was apparently so urgent he had to receive it now. Sighing heavily, I trudged to his office with the parcel in tow. Just as I was about to knocked, I stopped in my tracks. All I could hear was moaning and grunting from inside as my anger rose considerably.
The asshole has a job to perform yet this is how he uses his time?
I blew out a long breath and knocked loudly on the office door.
"Mr Queen, I have an urgent delivery which must be signed off by you." I said sternly from outside.
"For fuck's sake, I told you I didn't want any disturbances!" He snapped from inside before opening his door a few minutes later. His tie was undone as were a few his shirt buttons, his hair was unruly and there were lipstick stains across his sculpted jaw.
Way to make it any less obvious, I thought sarcastically.
"Well then, perhaps you should have requested this package to be delivered at a time tailored to your very busy schedule Mr Queen," I said raising an eyebrow.
"I pay you to do your job, not run your smart mouth about." He snapped loudly.
"And I work for you not expecting to be insulted at every turn. We can't get everything we want in life Mr Queen, even if some of us are filthy rich." I shoved the package in front of his face as he snatched it out of my hands before slamming the door shut.
I wasn't sure how long I was going to be able to put up with his irrational moods, I was seriously beginning to get really pissed off with him.
I stalked back to my office where on my chair sat Vincent, holding a bunch of red tulips in front of him.
"Hi." I smiled as he stood up.
"Hey." He smiled back as he handed me the tulips. "I hope you like them."
I hated tulips.
"They're lovely. Just let me put them into some water and we'll get going."
"Sure. Nice office you've got here Scarlett, this place isn't how I remember it."
"Familiar with the office?"
"Yes, Jasper's sister and I used to hang out in here."
"He never mentioned..." I said trailing off.
"He never mixes private with personal Scarlett, never has and never will. Anyway, shall we?" He smiled offering me his arm.
"Where are we going?"
"Ah, now that would be telling!" He teased as we left the building.
"Wherever it is, we'd best hurry, I've got to be back in forty-five minutes."
"Typical Jasper," he said bitterly as I looked at him in confusion. "You look absolutely beautiful Scarlett."
"You don't look too bad yourself mister," I grinned at him.
"Tell me something I don't know," he said cockily
"Ever the modest aren't we Mr Haynes?"
"That's my middle name! Actually, it's David." He said rolling his eyes as I laughed at him. "Ta-da!" He exclaimed suddenly, pointing to the lavish new restaurant in front of us.
"Wow, it looks lovely," I smiled as we got out of his car and headed inside.
"I called ahead and made a reservation, I hope this is okay."
"Yes, it's perfect."
He grinned as he confirmed our reservation before we were seated.
"You look like you're having an awful day today, Scarlett," he said raising an eyebrow.
"There's just a lot to do I suppose," I shrugged nonchalantly. I may have been incredibly annoyed with my ass of a boss, but I always remained professional and would only bitch about him to Melissa.
"As long as you're okay, I reckon you should just chill out for a day, forget the office. Just relax, do something spontaneous!"
"I'm not that kind of person if I'm being honest," I said while eyeing the menu.
"You've got to learn to go with the flow Scarlett! Life's an adventure not a warzone," he said as he signalled for a waitress.
"Oh, you'd be surprised," I remarked dryly before allowing the waitress to take my order.
***
Lunch went by fairly smoothly, Vincent was still trying to convince me to rebel against life but ended up giving up like everyone usually did with me.
"Thanks for lunch," I told him getting out of the car.
"Sure you don't want me to walk you in?"
"No thank you, it's fine, see you later." I smiled as I walked into the building.
"Scarlett, where the hell were you?" Christine asked as I walked past the reception.
"I went out to lunch Christine, what's going on?"
"Jasper was looking for you and he is pissed off, he just fired Samuel for Christ's sake!"
"What?" I asked in shock.
Jasper might be one difficult person to work with but had he really fired a valued member of the company?
"A simple 'you're fired' and that was that. What the hell?" She muttered, shaking her head.
"Oh, God." I mumbled before turning on my heel. "I'll see you later."
The walk to my office never felt so long.
I really was not sure what had gotten into Jasper recently. I hung my coat up and put away my handbag before I turned to see Jasper storming in.
"Decided to come back to work did you then, Scarlett?" He snapped as he slammed the door shut behind him.
"I am entitled to a lunch break, Mr Queen," I replied coolly though my heart was thumping loudly in my chest.
"Who told you, you could invite fucking Vincent into my building?"
"He came to drive me to lunch, Mr Queen, I didn't invite him," I said through gritted teeth
"Oh, so now he's your boyfriend, is that it?"
"Again, none of your business. I will no longer leave for lunch nor have any visitors see me in your office." I said curtly as I walked out of the office.
"Glad to hear it," he snapped as I continued to walk down to his office to pick up some papers from, opening the door to see a half-naked Chloe sprawled out suggestively on his desk.
Shit! I cussed in my head as she squealed.
Jasper quickly came up beside me, cringing visibly as he rushed into the office.
I decided the papers could wait, so turning around I made a beeline for reception, I needed Christine to double check the appointments made for Jasper anyway.
"Is everything okay?" Christine frowned. "What has gotten into him today?"
"God only knows, Christine."
"Are you okay?" She asked warmly as I nodded. "As long are you're sure, Scarlett."
Of course, I'm sure. I've always been sure.