Page 21 of Ruthless Mr. Ricco
I’ll never be able to repay my new work ally for all the tips and information he included in the email, but I’ll try.
Starting with arriving on time.I check my watch and join the morning crowd rushing down the sidewalk.
A black sedan pulls up to the curb.The door opens and a gorgeous blonde steps out in front of me.I veer to the side only to bounce off the man beside me and trip over my own foot as I avoid stomping on the woman’s high heel.Pain streaks through my shoulder as I slam into the open car door, but I use my arm as a shield and avoid knocking my head against the edge.
“Hey!Watch where you’re going, bitch.You spilled my coffee!Get off my boyfriend’s car,” the blonde shrieks.
I grit my teeth and breathe through the pain as I pull myself back to my feet, fix my suit coat, and check my briefcase.My entire arm throbs with the deep ache of a forming bruise.I’ll probably be black and blue for a week because I avoided her expensive looking shoes.
Yet she doesn’t give a shit.It figures I’d run into an asshole seconds before clocking in for my new job.
I paste a polite smile onto my lips and snap a few photos with my phone as I step away from the car door, noting the tiny trail of liquid down the side of her iced coffee, the two drops on the back of her hand, the no parking sign, and the open car door blocking the sidewalk.
“What are you doing?”the blonde screeches.
“Evidence for my medical claims,” I shrug and move to the front of the vehicle to snap a photo of the license plate.
Her makeup hides her angry flush, but the flash of hatred in her eyes morphs her pretty features into those of a shrew.She grabs her handbag from her seat and slams her car door before stomping toward me.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she hisses.
I slip my phone back into my pocket and meet her furious eyes with a calmness born of experience.Her glare intensifies.
“Those photos are worthless anyway,” she snorts.
I lift a brow.
“These photos are fully admissible to court.Would you like to test it?”I challenge.
She huffs and looks over her shoulder as the car pulls away.
“Go ahead.My boyfriend’s father is a judge.You can’t touch me,” she declares.
“Ah.I see.Dumb and dumber.Thank you.”
I turn away, ending the altercation and dismissing her without a backward glance.To my dismay, her heels click against the concrete behind me even as I enter the building and approach the front desk.I grit my teeth and ignore her as she continues past the lobby and through the employee security checkpoint.
After checking my credentials and typing a few things into her computer, the front receptionist points me toward a row of chairs against the wall, so I sit and prepare for a few hours of waiting, but the onboarding team completes my registration, hands me a packet with everything I need, offers me a thorough yet understandable orientation, and gives me a quick overview of the building’s layout before guiding me to the appropriate elevator and wishing me luck on my first day, all within forty-five minutes.
My head spins as the elevator ascends.With the main rush of the morning ended, I use the few moments of solitude to adjust my suit, check my hair, and quiet my mind before the doors open.I step out onto my designated floor and bite back a curse.
Behind the opulent front desk sits the lady from the sidewalk.Her professional mask slips and disdain twists her features.
This is going to suck if I’m in the right place.I step forward and plaster a polite smile onto my face.
“Don’t waste your time, honey; you’re obviously in the wrong place.This is the executive floor.Turn around and get back on the elevator,” the blonde says.
Her fake concern grates along my nerves, but I continue toward her as I slip my name badge out of the packet.She scowls until I set the lanyard around my nape and fix the card against my chest for her to read.When her eyes widen with recognition then light with amusement, dread settles in my gut.
Someone warned her of a new assistant aid, so now she feels superior.Great.By the glint in her eyes, Jennifer Lynn, as her name tag declares, plans to make my life a living hell.
Chair wheels ghost across the floor before Mr.Brunswick emerges from around the corner.
“Good morning, Ms.Simons.You made it right on time; Mr.Ricco has you penned in to discuss your addenda requests in about five minutes,” he says.
I return his greeting and reluctantly approve of my new boss’s ruthlessness.He either put full faith in his onboarding team or planned to rush me through my requests.Either way, he can claim he gave me the opportunity to plead my case.
When Mr.Brunswick gestures for me to follow him, I turn the corner and trail after him.Several offices line the left wall while the right side contains an open-concept area for meetings, complete with a massive conference table, several lounge areas tucked away for smaller gatherings, and a snack and drink bar.
