3

Like the day before, my heart races, I miss the air and I am completely under the influence of his bearing. He is so imposing, his muscular frame and his dark gaze make me melt like ice cream in the sun, as simply as that. His eyes linger on me for a few seconds that feel like hours before completely ignoring me. He does not address a single word to me, nor even a smile, and I find myself totally stupid to have been able to even imagine that he was not making the semblance of a kind gesture towards me. It's Thalion Wolfsbane after all! He continues on his way and enters his office.

The silence that reigns in my own office leaves me speechless. Until he was there, everything was fine, but now I know he is a few feet away from me. What is he doing ? What is he thinking?

"Why should I care, anyway?" I wonder to myself.

It's true after all, he shouldn't be in my thoughts, only my work has to occupy me and I get into action. I get the CEO out of my head and get to work. I spend all day reading workbooks, trying software commands to see if I understand correctly. My veggie sandwich is devoured for lunch while ingesting information. Thalion doesn't leave the office all day, whether it's to eat or come and give me work. At the end of the day that is coming, to my surprise, faster than expected, I am almost operational for all the minor tasks that are requested. It's 6 p.m. when I leave my post and still no trace of Mr. Wolfsbane. I sigh and walk out of the building passing quite a few people leaving work as well.

The bus ride home is pretty quick and Dad isn't home. So I make myself instant noodles so I don't have to do the dishes. I sit in front of the TV and fall asleep after a few minutes.

The next day when I arrive at work, the first thing I notice is the impressive pile of files on my desk, as well as many post-its on them. Including a rather threatening: "Work to do for the day, otherwise no need to come back tomorrow". Simple, clear and precise. In one written sentence, Thalion Wolfsbane managed to scare the crap out of me, awesome, we love it. My tasks are related to what I learned yesterday. I have to type reports, answer e-mails, as well as mail. However, the CEO of Wolfsbane Enterprise receives a lot of mail, to put it mildly.

This can be partnership requests, threatening or love letters. I'm totally shocked that he can receive this kind of stuff. In addition, it is I who will have to answer it. Finally, fortunately one of the post-its tells me that apart from - and I'm saving myself a long list to list - a few companies or associations, answer negatively for everyone. So I try to do whatever is asked of me.

I answer emails, then mail, and I have to skip lunch if I want to finish writing handwritten meeting summaries by who knows who. With this impressive workload, I don't see the clock ticking and once I finish at 6:30 p.m., which is half an hour after the end of my working hours, I notice that I haven't seen Thalion Wolfsbane today. I don't even know if he's there, in his office. The last post-it is clear: "The work must be on my desk when finished".

So I muster up my courage, grab the files and knock on the door of the CEO's office. After a second of silence, a "Come in" sounded, making my heart beat faster. He was there all this time and didn't come out, like yesterday. Is he doing this only because I'm here, or has he been living as a hermit for a long time? I cannot say...

I finally walk in and the first thing I notice is how attractive this man is. A strand of hair falls in front of his eyes riveted on a document. His concentrated face tenses as I enter and he asks if I've finished the job he asked me to do.

“All the tasks are done, I assure him.

- GOOD. You can dispose. Of course, your extra half hour will be paid to you.

I stay silent, because I had no thought about it. He continues to skim lines and lines regarding the company without giving me a look. He wets his lips and a sudden urge to kiss takes me. Shit ! What is that ? Why do I feel this? It's totally weird! He suddenly raises his eyes and squints. I then notice that I'm standing there like a fool, so I leave the room without asking for my rest.

I quickly exit the building and call Phoebe on her cell. I need to talk to her about how I feel, she will be able to cheer me up and play down the situation. It's like an innate gift in her. My best friend picks up on the second ring.

- So you remember that I exist? she greets me with a laugh.

I haven't called him for two days, an eternity. I apologize and ask her if she has time for me.

- For you ? Always ! Shall we meet at the cafe?

I find her ten minutes later in our favorite Starbucks, the one two minutes walk from the beach. From where we are, we can watch some surfers who face the waves and vacationers who do not want to leave the sea. The sun is setting and offers us a spectacular view of its setting.

Phoebe is sitting across from me, her slender face resting on her hand. Her green eyes stare at me insistently and her long blond hair threatens to soak in her black coffee.

“I'm disappointed you didn't call me before to tell me you'd found a job, frankly Kaileen… We could have watered it down properly!

I giggle and take a sip of my iced tea. I explain to him why and how and above all, I dwell on Thalion Wolfsbane and his horrible character. She asks me for details, even some that I would never have thought to communicate to her, as if my boss has a nice behind. I insist on the effect it has on me.

- It's normal, my dear. How long have you been single?

- You know very well that it's been three months since Patrick left me, I growl.

She rolls her eyes and tells me it was a rhetorical question. Of course she knows about my previous relationship. How can we forget Patrick? That bastard Patrick who, after being able to sleep with me, vanished. No more text messages, nothing. Totally gone. If only he had been kidnapped or murdered, but a few days later we saw him in the arms of a pretty girl. Much more beautiful than me in everything. After all, who would find a little redhead with freckles and a crushed nose attractive? Looks like I hit a wall, no kidding...

- At least you had a good part of legs in the air for free!

— If only... I breathe.

There is a blank moment before we both burst out laughing. Besides, I'm not even in bad faith! I've definitely known better.

— Anyway, Hank is still single and often asks me about you...

His innuendo makes me uncomfortable. Hank is Phoebe's cousin. He's not particularly attractive and a little dopey and he has his sights set on me. Phoebe would be so happy, because we would be part of the same family. I love Phoebe like my sister, but no thanks, Hank is not the kind of man I want at all.

“It's nice Phoebe, say hello to her for me.

"Why don't you do it yourself?" He should be home soon! Then we could visit him, he lives in Orlando, it's only a few hours from Miami. Let's go!

His enthusiasm drives me mad and I want by all means to make him forget this idea. I then try to suggest that she do something that would be fun instead.

- Hum ... Let's water your new job!

She suddenly gets up and grabs my hand. We head for his car, a small gray convertible. The engine growls and she starts with a bang. I ask him where we are going.

- In a box of course!

- What ? But we are in the middle of the week! You are completely crazy!

She rolls her eyes and speeds up.

- Your boss is a poorly fucked idiot! If it's not the dark circles under your eyes that he will be able to criticize tomorrow, it will be something else.

I know for a fact that she's not wrong, but I can't help but be worried. Half an hour later, we arrive at Phoebe's. She prepares salads and we eat quickly in order to prepare. Phoebe lends me a tight dress that I'm absolutely not comfortable in, but I don't comment. She seems so happy that I dare not upset her.

Phoebe takes the time to curl my long hair in a pretty way and helps me with my makeup. My eyes are accented with a nice shade of brown that doesn't make me feel like a panda. Phoebe meanwhile, dares a dress that hides practically nothing of her anatomy and left her hair down. I help her make her patches and also blend the black eyeshadow. Her smokey eye is very pretty.

I put on my heels that have been torturing me all day and Phoebe finds similar ones, but higher. We are ready. Of course, since we are girls, it took us several hours to get ready and the nightclubs are open at this time. I already regret my awakening tomorrow, if there will be one.

- Let's go! The night is ours ! Phoebe shouts over the music in the box.

The room is completely dark and I can hardly make out the faces of the people present. Sometimes a beam of light hits someone's head and Phoebe drags me to the bar. We order several glasses that we drink one after the other. We drink more than necessary, but I can't stop. My day has exhausted me and I absolutely want to relax after this.

Then my best friend takes me to the floor where many people are dancing. Phoebe hugs me and we burst out laughing as we dance. A few minutes later, a man accosted her and she left me with a smile. I'm happy for her and not surprised, because Phoebe is a very pretty girl. Some find her vulgar, but they don't know what kind of adorable girl she is.

I continue to dance a bit more when two huge hands grab my waist. Completely torn from the booze, I giggle and move sensually. Please don't make me look ridiculous.

The man seems happy that I don't push him away, as he becomes more enterprising. He draws me close to him and I can say without being mistaken that he is immense, a mountain. His mouth deposits a multitude of kisses on my bare shoulder, as well as my neck. My skin is covered with goosebumps and I feel my private parts pulsating. Holy shit, but how does this guy make me feel like this? Totally intoxicated by the sensations that assail me, I pass my arms over my face and manage to grab the neck of this orgasmic man. I feel like vibrations in his chest and I guess it's because of the very loud music.

I feel his teeth pass over my skin and far from worrying, it excites me more than reason. Am I crazy? In any case, I become one, that's for sure! I moan in spite of myself, my moan is lost in the infernal noise of the box. I manage to pull the man's hair a bit and turn around.

I can't make out his face, but I don't care. I forget for a moment Patrick and the pain caused by his ploy to put me in his bed. This man is my whole body calling for him and, Lord, if he doesn't invite me to end the evening at his place, I'm going to throw myself into the ocean of despair.

I try to get closer to his face, but he increases the pressure on my waist, digging his nails into my skin. I'm screaming in pain, because that motherfucker hurt me. But isn't he well too? What's all gotta be weird in this town? I frown and try to pull away, but he's holding me too tightly. I push him away, but he won't let go.

"If you don't let me go, I'm going to scream, you fucking asshole.

I know for a fact he can't hear me, but I hope that will be enough for him to understand. Unfortunately, this is not the case and I push him away violently. He finally lets go of me and I stagger from the effects of the alcohol. I growl and back away from my zombie gait. I don't quite understand where I'm going, but a few minutes later, I finally find myself outside.

The alley is silent, because the walls of the box are well soundproofed. Only the sound of cars and cats meowing in the night reaches my ears. I take a few uncertain steps and laugh at my condition before losing my balance. I curse and get up not without difficulty.

- Phoe...beeeee! Where the fuck are you?

I hold on to the wall which receives me harshly. I'm never going to make it home. I straighten up and take a step before a pain in the skull is felt, then the black hole.