Page 39 of Alex

I wait for him to tell me what I already know- he’s following up with me regarding the voicemail I left him twenty minutes ago.

“I’m so sorry. Is there anything that I can do to make sure this merger happens on the intended day?”

He lets out a small sigh and says, “I’m leaving for the day. If you’re able to get me the corrected contract before my office opens in the morning, I’ll resubmit the paperwork as soon as I get in. I’ll try to pull some strings for Phillip because I know he’s dealing with the break in and fire.”

It’s the first time anyone has ever uttered Mr. Strickland’s first name on a work call, but I guess when you’re a family friend as well as his lawyer, you have certain permissions that others don’t.

“Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help in this matter.”

I was hoping to have a decent meal and get to bed early tonight, but that’s not going to happen. It’s going to take me all night to redo the entire contract. Hopefully, it won’t be for nothing.

Mr. Strickland has been working longer hours now that we’re working from his home office, and since I’m his executive assistant, I have to be ready to help him with anything that may pop up.

But now, I have to go interrupt him and tell him about my fuck up. I feel like a kid being sent to the principal’s office.

Will he be angry?

If the merger is pushed back, then he has every right to be, but this is my first time.

And only time.

I don’t plan on fucking up like this again.

Walking down the carpeted hallway, I get to the elegant French doors of Mr. Strickland’s office and knock on the door.

I try to swallow the saliva in my mouth, but I can’t. A huge lump forms in my throat and my palms slicken with sweat.

He’s on the phone, but waves me into his office. I quietly take a seat on the couch that’s in front of his desk and wait for his phone call to end.

Gazing into his deep brown eyes, I can see that he’s confused about whatever the other person is saying. I don’t know who he’s talking to, but if it has anything to do with my mistake, then I can understand the confusion.

I guess my face is the definition of guilt because he takes one look at me and tells the person on the phone, “Let me get back to you in a few minutes.”

He hangs up the phone and turns his attention to me. “Is there something you want to tell me about the contracts?”

My gaze immediately falls to the floor. I can’t stand to see what I know will be disappointment and anger in his eyes. “I’m so sorry. I messed up, but I will make things right and get the merger back on track.”

His voice is smooth and comes out like silk. “Look at me.”

I do what he says, hoping he doesn’t fire me.

“What’s going on?”

His eyebrows are narrow and his gaze is cold and calculating, like he’s about to fire me.

I could make excuses about not sleeping enough because I’m working too much and not enjoying life or tell him I’m dreaming of fucking his son again. I haven’t been home in days because of these ridiculously long hours.

Luckily, Alex brought me home to grab a bag of clothes and necessities. I’ve slept the past few nights in his bed, while he has slept on the couch in his room. It’s been strictly platonic- not even a kiss or a longing glance across the room.

Or I can tell Mr. Strickland the truth about how I’m drowning in debt and do not know how to fix things, but I stay silent.

Excuses never help in these types of situations, and I refuse to make excuses for my mistakes.

Mr. Strickland stares at me for what seems like an eternity, without saying a word. He studies my face for any clue as to what I’m thinking. When I don’t say anything, he nods his head slightly and sends me on my way.

I head back to my temporary desk to get started on the new documents. It’s much slower this time around, but I want to make sure they are correct.

Alex pops his head through the door to my temporary office. His eyes widen as he glances from me to my computer and back to me. “You’re still working? Don’t you have a quitting sense?”

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