Page 21 of Bossed Around By the Bratva

My day went by slowly. I walked around brooding and didn’t get much of anything done. Every time I sat down to work, my mind flew out the window.

After work, I tried to catch up with her to offer her a ride home. But as I pulled up to the front of the building, I saw her getting into a cab. Since we returned, she hasn’t been coming in her own car.

All I could think was that she was still shaken from the ambush. I wanted to talk to her about it, but couldn’t do it at work. Heading home, I decided to talk to her early in the morning.

I awoke with fierce anger this morning. I was losing my mind. Heading into the office, I knew something had to be done about this silence between us. I was in before anyone else and hoped she would be early as well.

Making a fresh pot of coffee, my mind drifted back to our day spent in bed. I was pulled from my thoughts as the staff started arriving. Walking through the office, I didn’t see Zhen.

After the morning briefing, I spotted her talking to a client in reception. The day is still young, I told myself as I went back to my office. I will find a time to talk to her.

It’s day five since we returned, and I’ve had about as much as I could take of being ignored. I felt frustrated and annoyed that she had been avoiding me. Yesterday, she only brought me one coffee, and today, I haven’t even had one.

Everywhere I went, she seemed to leave as soon as I entered. We have been communicating via email and messages. She wouldn’t even sit with me for a morning meeting. Deepdown, I knew the reason for it. This was exactly the reason I never got involved with my staff. It always ended up making things harder.

Needing to speak with her and clear the air between us, I went looking. She wasn’t in the front part of the office, and I had barely seen her all day. This wasn’t working. Stopping at the front desk, I spoke as the receptionist looked up. “You see my PA?”

“I think she’s getting something from the panty,” she replied, smiling.

“She’s getting what from where?” I huffed. I could feel the smoke coming out of my ears.

“Oh no,” the receptionist said, getting up. “I’m so sorry, that wasn’t what I meant.” I could see the shock even on her face at her own words. “I meant the pantry, sir.”

Nodding my thanks, I walked to the kitchen. The pantry door was open. I could see Zhen. The picture before me instantly lit a fire inside. One of the Chernykh men was chatting her up. He was smiling and gesturing with his hands.

As he lightly leaned forward and seemingly accidentally touched her hand, I knew I had to move in. Taking a slow, deep breath, I tried staying calm as I entered the pantry.

“Didn’t I assign you enough work?” I asked him calmly. He nodded but didn’t seem to be in a rush to leave. Stepping closer, I spoke more softly so Zhen wouldn’t hear me. “The work I sent needs to be done by morning, do you understand?”

He nodded, and I could see he understood me. “Excuse me,” he said, glancing at Zhen. “I forgot about something I had to get done. Have a nice day.”

She was reaching for something from one of the higher shelves. Glancing back, she replied spontaneously. “Okay, see you later.”

Turning my attention back to Zhen, I stepped closer, cornering her. I spoke in a seductive tone as she turned to face me. “So, tell me why you have been avoiding me?”

She turned her head to the side. I could see her swallowing hard as her throat tightened and released. Walking closer, I tried getting her attention, but she was avoiding my gaze.

Taking hold of her chin, I forced her to look at me as I continued. “Are you going to give me an answer?”

“I have nothing to say,” she replied blandly.

Stepping closer, I held onto her chin and leaned in. Our lips were inches apart as I spoke. “There is always something to be said. So don’t tell me you have nothing to say.”

Looking into her eyes, I could see the desire in her growing. I knew she wanted to kiss me. But she wouldn’t say it. Letting go of her chin, I moved in more. She stepped back until she was up against the back wall.

There was no more room and nowhere to go. Placing my hands on the wall beside her head, I studied her. Her chest was moving rapidly as her breathing became heavier.

“So, are you going to say something? Or are you going to be a scared little puppy tucking its tail between its legs before running off?” I asked in a low tone.

She opened her mouth to speak, but I stopped her by placing my finger over her lips. Leaning in, I whispered in her ear. “Shhh…, I do not think you have enough backbone to talk to me, little girl.”

Stepping back, I turned and started walking away. I had barely taken three steps when she spoke behind me. “You’re right, but I don’t have to tell a goody two-shoes what to do, do I?”

I smiled, hearing her tone rising. Turning slowly, I looked at her for a bit. “Me, a goody two-shoes? You clearly know nothing about me,” I said, walking back to her.

Zhen stepped back again, retreating to the wall. Stopping before her, I straightened myself out to tower over her. “Now,” I said, breathing in hard. “Tell me again, but do it to my face.”

She straightened out as well, pushing her chest against mine as she replied. “I have to say, you’ve done a nice job of building your body, considering that everything you consume is fed to you on a silver spoon.”

---