Layers (33 page)

“You’ve got to hand it to him, though, being so together and successful as he is, given his background,” Tasha says approvingly.
I couldn’t agree more
. “During those years that his mother was undergoing treatments he was passed between different homes. Some friends, some family. Imagine all that lack of stability for a young child.”

Tasha nods, pensive. “Do you think any of that affected, you know, his lifestyle before you came into the picture?” I assess her words, forking another bite of my salad into my mouth, distracted by the redhead beside us asking the waitress for another coffee. I take the chance and order a soda.

“I actually do believe that all these expensive call girls he used to see had to do with his past, but it’s also due to his current success, altogether a giant mess.” I sigh, repulsed by the thought.
This would never be easy to get over.

“But I’m so in love with him, every bit. I know it’s too soon, but I feel as if I really know him and I adore every part of what I’ve gotten to know: the good and the bad.”

“I’m so happy for you, Hales. I could not be happier.” She squeezes my arm.

“Here you go.” The waitress hands me my cold drink.

“So how long are you visiting your parents?” Tasha asks.

“Saturday till Monday.”

“I’m going to ask Ian to stay with me while you’re away.”

I smile, knowing Ian will immediately agree. “Just don’t let our gorgeous man-whore bring anyone to my bed.”

She laughs and places her hand on her heart in oath.

“Talking about our lovely hormonal teen, he’s going to be called in today for the interview.”

“Did I mention jealousy before?” Tasha says, absurdly sullen.

“Lamo …” Tasha wrinkles her pointy nose.

“What’s up, Hales? Am I boring you? Why are you peeping at your watch every other second?”

“It is just that I don’t have much time and all this Daniel talk makes me want to drop by and say hi.”

“So ‘Drop by and say hi’, is what we call it these days, huh?” She backhands playfully.

“Go ahead, Missy. I will take care of the bill.”

“I love you to the sky and back.” I hug her tight.

~~~

“Miss Grace, nice to see you again.”

“Hayley, Anne. Call me Hayley.”
Will she ever get it
? “Is he in?” I ask Daniel’s PA at the entrance to his office.

“Yes. He’s with people, but it’s nothing too important.” She pauses, then adds, “In any case, I have an open instruction to pass all your calls or let you in regardless of who’s with him.”

My instant grin could not be wider.

I knock on the door to hear Daniel’s annoyed voice reaching me through it.

“Yes.”

I open the door, somewhat hesitantly.

Meeting my eyes, his light up. “Hales.” A smile grows on his lips.

“Come in.” He rises as I approach him to welcome me with a kiss and a hug.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb, I just came to say hello.” I apologize to the guy sitting across the desk from Daniel’s chair. He shakes his head gesturing ‘no worries’.

“Wait, Hales, we’re almost done.”

“So just send me the complete plan and I’ll review it later on.” At Daniel’s words the guy stands to leave and with Daniel’s nod he does.

“No ‘thank you’?”

“That’s what the salary is for,” he replies, flatly. “This is a nice surprise.” He hugs me harder this time, and starts kissing my neck.

“Not that kind of visit,” I say, not giving it a chance to escalate, and giggle at his immediate fallen expression. “I need to get back to the office; I have a very busy day. Just had lunch with Tash and needed a Daniel fix.” I say, and am gifted with a heart-wobbling smile.

“Fix yourself out.” He pulls me closer, his hand on my butt.

His phone beeps and he answers with the speaker. “Anne,” he snaps.

Bet he pays her a lot, otherwise why would she tolerate him?

“Chris is here to see you,” she says.

Daniel sighs. “Let him in.”

When I try to move aside Daniel doesn’t let go of me. “It doesn’t mean you need to go anywhere.” He kisses my hair.

A tall chubby guy wearing an oversized polo and khakis enters the room, taken aback as he sees me.

“Mr. Stark, just a few moments.”

As he is about to sit down Daniel utters dryly, “A few moments isn’t enough to get comfortable.”

The guy looks completely ill at ease and remains standing. Inwardly I shake my head.

“Shock me,” Daniel says in a dull voice.

“There is progress with the program’s stability, but we still can’t have a full run cycle without a crash.”

Daniel heaves out a long sigh. His jaw starts working under his skin.

“Is it the décor in the room that makes people feel welcomed to piss me off?” he murmurs to himself. “Get everybody in here in thirty,” he says firmly, rubbing his hand over the side of his face. Without waiting for further instruction, Chris nods and leaves the room.

“Troubles?” I question.

“More than I can tolerate.” He answers crossly.

“Well, I’ll let you be. I also have work to do.”

“You are coming tonight.” Daniel states rather than asks.

Knowing how annoyed he is I just let it go. “Okay, I’ll see you tonight.” I hug his neck and press a lingering kiss on his lips. He cooperates quickly, seeming relaxed again.

“I should have you by my side twenty-four seven,” he says and adds, “You are my little blue pill.”

I am not sure if he does have a little blue pill or whether it is just a metaphor, but a pill like that might come in handy here and there.

“Glad to be. Love you.”

“Love you too, Hales.” He breathes, pecks my head and lets me go.

Chapter 33: The Stark Truth

“Gorgeous.” Ian’s familiar grin brightens my cubicle. He’s standing by the entrance with Josh. I inch up to hug him over my desk; Josh is all smiles, even more than usual.

“Let’s go, Ian. We have the interview and the focus group next.” Ian nods and follows him.

“Good luck,” I call after him and he sends me a quick, cocky wink.

Starting to work on my tasks, I get an upsetting call from the editor’s assistant accusing me of not sending a job on time, which gnaws at me as, unfortunately, she’s absolutely right.
Fuck
. I just hope this’ll go down okay with Josh, I hate the thought of disappointing him. A message from Tasha helps fuel my irritation.

Tasha: Hell is starting.

How bad?

Tasha: Snaps, workload and frowns … just peachy.

Hang in there. You did the right thing.

Asshole. Perhaps Daniel should fire him.
I play with the appealing thought.

Through my sheer concentration a few hours pass in the blink of an eye. I pause and head to the kitchen for some water and a needed stretch. Surprised to find Josh and Ian, both with plastic cups in hand, looking far cozier than an interviewer and an interviewee would or should be.

“Hey.” I say, higher than my natural voice, observing them both closely, trying to read the undercurrent I sense going on.

“Hey gorgeous,” Ian steps over to rest his hand on my waist.

“How did it go?” I ask, not sure that now would be the right time to ask with Josh still around, but the words have already left my mouth.

“Quite good,” Josh answers my question, looking pleased.

“Okay. Ian, it was an absolute pleasure. Hayley can see you to the door.”

“Thank you, Joshua.”

Joshua?
They both exchange an enigmatic beam before Josh,
Joshua,
leaves.

“What the hell, Ian?” I whisper behind gritted teeth.

“He totally came on to me.”

“Josh? Are you kidding me?” I whisper even quieter. Ian smirks. “He’s gay?” I ask, just to make sure I understand the clues that have been blinking from all over the place.

“I think that ever since you were Danielized your gaydar hasn’t been working so well. Hell, Hales, most of the left side of your brain isn’t doing such swell work lately either.”

“Hilarious,” I snicker, sneering.

Considering what’s at stake, I warn him, “Ian, for all that’s good in this world,
please
, don’t get involved with my boss.” I air quote ‘involve’.
As if Ian really gets involved with anybody. Ian doesn’t do involved. He just leaves casualties as he swifts by
.

He looks as if he’s actually contemplating my request. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to put your job at risk.”

I hug him.

“And anyway, we both know I don’t go for the Abercrombie type.”

We exchange animated stares that lead to a short laugh.

“Now let’s get you out of here so I can keep doing this thing I do around here that I get paid for.”

Before Ian leaves he tells me that he should get an answer within a couple of weeks.

When I get back to my seat I notice a sticky note on my desk.

Come to see me. Josh

All of a sudden the new revelation about my boss’s sexual preferences becomes nothing but obvious.
How have I missed this?

“Close the door and sit down please,” Josh requests, his expression hard to read. I close the door and sit waiting for him to begin.

“I got a call from Bryan earlier.”

Bryan as in Bryan the editor? Here we go. My first strikeout.
And before he actually says something I interrupt, “I didn’t have the chance to tell you beforehand, but I take complete responsibility. For failing to send the work on time.”

He studies me, making a visible effort when choosing his words.

“That happens, but I expect you to know how to manage people’s expectations, especially with the content unit.” He scratches an invisible spot at the side of his desk, gradually turning to face me. “In other words, Hayley, master the ability to evade any blame sticking to you or to our department.”

Come again … Did he just tell me it’s okay to mess up but not take the blame? This is definitely not what I expected.

“Clear?” His eyes are solid on mine.

“I believe it is,” I say tentatively.
And thank you for the office politics 101
.

And as though that were only a side matter not to be given too much attention, Josh says next, “Ian made quite an impression.”

On whom exactly? You?

“Did the focus group like him?”

Josh grins, “As a matter of fact they did. A lot.” He looks as if he’s enjoying a private joke.

“He is quite the charmer,” I confirm.

I smile fondly, thinking of Ian’s irresistible charisma.

“The two of you are pretty close, aren’t you?”

Where is he taking this? No, don’t worry, we aren’t a couple …

“Yes, we are. He’s one of my closest friends.”

“I see,” he purrs, pensively, pauses for a brief while, perhaps considering further interrogation. But instead he just mutters, “It would be nice if they end up choosing him.”

I nod in confirmation, and need to bite my tongue.
If I could only speak freely in some situations
.
Way too revealing, boss
.

“For you of course,” he adds, a moment too late.

Let’s just say that didn’t sound awkward at all and leave it at that
.

“Yes, I’d be thrilled,” I add.

Not sure anymore if that would be such a good idea after all, given your Cheshire cat grin, boss.

“Okay then, Hayley, have a good evening,” he concludes. He walks me to my station before he heads home.

I am left somewhat cross after Josh leaves. Beginning with the fact that I don’t like having slip-ups with my name on them and continuing with the fact that I don’t like my boss obsessing over my best friend. Nothing good can come out of either of the two.

Checking out the time, I realize it’s already a quarter past six. I decide to work for another hour and then go straight to Daniel’s. Thinking of how the latter part of my evening will probably end, my spirits immediately lift. When I’m deep into my work I’m distracted by my vibrating phone. Still absorbed I answer.

“Hayley, can you come out? I’m in front of your building.”

Daniel? Missed me too much, not able to withstand temptation?
My lips instinctively stretch to a smile
.
“Hey,” I reply. “Why don’t you come in?”

“Just come out, okay,” he snaps, and hangs up.

Okay psycho, coming. What’s eating him?
He sounded kind of tired, I muse as I walk toward the exit, hoping his situation at work isn’t too bad. I hate the thought of him being upset and annoyed.

~~~

Daniel leans on the parked Viper as he waits for me. Glad to see him I quicken my pace, though as I get closer I’m taken aback by the cold expression veiling his face. He is his usual radiant self though something is completely different about the way he looks at me; there is a hazel storm brewing in his eyes. I hate what I’m seeing.

Rather surprised by the fact that he doesn’t leave his position at the car, I get closer and give him an awkward hug that he doesn’t return.
That’s a first
.
What’s going on?

“Aren’t you in the middle of a busy day?” I try to sound casual to hide the dread building up in the pit of my stomach.

“I am,” he grunts.

“But yet you came to see me?” I smile wholeheartedly.

“Just don’t,” he says in a stone cold voice that makes my heart hitch. I watch him, trying to understand what’s wrong. In return he studies me coldly as if I were a stranger.

“What’s going on, Daniel? You’re scaring me.” My teeth dig into my bottom lip, not sure what to think of his sudden inexplicable distance. He examines me for the longest, most excruciating few seconds and then pulls a white paper out of his back pocket. I watch him, trying to figure out what’s going on while fear crawls slowly up my spine. He hands the paper to me.

“Read it out loud,” he instructs in a grave tone, his eyes unnervingly burning into me.

I unfold the paper, literally shaking inside, glancing at him to check his expression once more, only to find it still unchanged.
Something is so immensely wrong.
I look at the paper and try to comprehend what I’m seeing.