Page 41 of The Assistant
“I’m sorry,” I say as if it’s an impulse I can’t help. “It’s just that I’m new at this job, and I’m still training, so it’s hard to step away.”
I hear Malik scoff on the other end. I bite my tongue to keep from saying anything else. Lord knows, I’ve already dug my own grave deep enough. I should quit while I’m ahead.
“You know what,” Malik says, his voice still thick with frustration. He clears his throat and lets out a long breath before continuing. This time, his voice is back to what it was before. I never would have known he was angry. “There is no rush. You and I will get together when the time is right.”
Without saying another word, he hangs up the phone. I’m left sitting here in the room dumbfounded about what just happened.
Moments after the call ends, the door opens, and I jump in the seat to turn around and see Dawson standing in my doorway covered in sweat. He takes his shirt off quickly and tosses it in the hamper, approaching me with a curious look in his eyes. He must be able to see the look in my eyes because he takes a step closer and focuses on me.
“What’s going on?” Dawson asks, breathless from his jog.
In a split second, I choose not to tell him. I remember exactly how he acted when he saw the flowers from Malik. I don’t want a repeat of that right now. Dawson told me that I’m his problem right now. That he’s obsessed with me, and I’ve seen him act on that before. I don’t want him getting into any trouble with Malik.
I can handle this on my own.
“Nothing. You just startled me,” I lie, turning back to my laptop and focusing on work while he showers.
Chapter 21
Dawson
I haven’t heardfrom my dad or Malik since we left for North Woods, and for that I’m thankful. It’s officially past the time for Harper’s appointment, but it’s not like I can go back safely without the fear of her being discovered as no longer a virgin. Basically, I just bought Harper and me a few more days.
I still have to figure out a way to convince Malik to give up on this. Or convince my father that this deal doesn’t need to happen. Though if everything Xander said is true, I don’t know if there’s a way to back out.
“Are you guys sure you can’t stay longer?” Ella asks as she and Xander walk us to the car. She’s refusing to let go of Harper’s hand as she holds her close, giving her one final hug as Ian loads our bags into the trunk of the car.
“Duty calls,” I reluctantly say as I give Ella a hug goodbye. Xander stands beside her and shakes my hand.
Harper and Ella walk around to the other side of the car and make plans to talk on the phone every now and then. I’m happyfor Harper to have a friend now. I don’t think she had many of them before.
“Remember what I told you,” Xander says as he holds my hand firm in his. “You never told me why you were asking about Malik, but don’t be a fool. Be careful with that one. If you need any help, you know how to reach me.”
“Thank you. For everything,” I say as I pull my hand away from his. Harper gets in the car, and both of us wave to our gracious hosts one last time before Ian peels out of the driveway and drives us back to the airport.
Harper focuses on the compound as we drive by, still not fully understanding what this place is. If only she knew the line of business Xander was working in, she might have been a lot less comfortable there.
I half expect her to ask me dozens of questions again now that we’re free, but she doesn’t. She keeps her eyes glued to the window and almost refuses to look at me. I watch her, and she pays me no attention.
When we board the plane, it’s the same thing. There’s no banter or conversation at all. We don’t even discuss work.
“What’s on the books when we get back?” I ask, hoping to start some communication between us just to feel out what’s going on.
“I don’t know, Dawson.” She peels her head away from the window and glares at me. “You left work in a hurry without rescheduling any of your meetings, and I’ve sent you emails, asking when to reschedule things, and you haven’t responded. I have no idea what we’re going to be doing when we get back.”
She slumps back in her seat with her arms folded across her chest, clearly upset and stressed about something. I know she doesn’t actually care about work. She’s only doing this because she has to, and she wouldn’t be this upset about canceled meetings. There’s something else she’s not telling me.
“Care to tell me what’s going on?” I say, the annoyance at her demeanor is very clear in my voice.
She stares at me for a moment and barks out a laugh as she shakes her head. “Wouldn’t you like to know? Maybe you can share some stuff with me, and I’ll tell you what’s wrong.”
I cock an eyebrow at her and shake my head. “You know as well as I do that’s not how this works. You’re my employee, I don’t have to tell you anything. You, on the other hand, are being out of line right now.”
She rolls her eyes and looks toward the window again, clearly not willing to tell me what’s bothering her. I watch her for a few moments, trying to figure out how to get this information out of her.
Threatening her pay is not going to do any good because she’s already being paid so little. The pay is purely performative, too. All of her bills are paid, and she eats at my house for free. If I threaten to fire her, she’ll be relieved.
The only way I’ve ever been able to get her to do what I want has been through tormenting her. I think back to all the times I’ve coerced her to say things to me while my hand has been between her legs, and an idea strikes me.
