{RILEY}
Carrying his coffee, I approach his office with trepidation. I knock, entering only when he bids me to come in. I had made that mistake once and will never do it again. His biting remarks had stung for days over that infraction.
I make sure my hand doesn't shake as I place his coffee in front of him and ready my notebook, waiting on his instructions.
"Sit down, Miss Le Fay."
My heart begins to hammer. Has he finally convinced Ruzek to let him fire me? I know he's been trying since the first week I worked for him. I try to keep my breathing even. I can't lose this job. I need it.
I sit down before my legs give out and clear my throat. "Is there a problem, Mr. Hayes?"
He waves his finger in the space between us. "What we discuss in this office, I trust it remains confidential?"
"Yes, sir."
He nods and reaches for his mug, sipping the beverage in silence.
"I need to speak with you on a personal matter."
I am confused. He never speaks to me about anything unless it is to shout out his demands.
"All right?"
He glances around, looking uncharacteristically nervous. I take a moment to study him as he gathers his thoughts. He is ridiculously handsome. Well over six feet tall, his shoulders are broad, his waist trim—he is the poster child for how to make a suit look good.
He is clean- shaven most of the time; although on occasion, like today, his jaw bore a day or two's growth, which highlights his strong profile. He keeps his light brown hair short on the sides, but longer on top, and has a cowlick, causing one patch to fall over his forehead. An imperfection, which only make him more perfect. He yanks on it when he gets agitated, which is how he is acting at this moment. His mouth is wide, his teeth bright white, and his lips were so full I know many women envy them. His hazel eyes lift to mine, and he straightens his shoulders, once again in control.
"I need to ask something of you. In doing so, I will be placing a huge amount of trust in your discretion. I need to know you will honor my trust."
I blink at him. He wants to ask me something? He isn't firing me?
A small shudder of relief flows through me; my body relaxes a little.
"Of course, sir. Whatever I can do."
His eyes lock on mine. I had never noticed how the colors swirl in his eyes under the lights—a mixture of gray, green, and blue. Often they were so dark with anger, I never held his gaze for more than a second or two.
He seems to study me for a moment, then nods.
He reaches for one of his cards and writes something on the back, handing it to me.
"I need you to come to this address this evening. Can you be there at seven?"
I glance at the card, noting the address isn't far from the home where I would visit Penny after work. To get there by seven, however, my stay would have to be short.
"Is there a problem?" he asks, his voice void of the usual hostility.
I lift my gaze to his and decide to be honest. "I have an appointment after work. I'm not sure I can make it for seven."
I expect his ire. For him to sweep his hand in the air, and demand I cancel whatever plans I have and be where he needs me to be at seven. I am shocked when he only shrugs.
"Seven-thirty? Eight? Can you work with that?"
"Seven-thirty will be doable."
"Fine. I'll see you at seven-thirty." He rises to his feet, indicating this strange meeting is over. "I'll make sure my doorman knows you'll be arriving. He'll send you up right away."
It is all I can do not to gasp. His doorman? He is asking me to his home?
I stand up, disconcerted. "Mr. Hayes, is everything all right?"
He regards me with a strange look on his face. "With your cooperation, it will be, Miss Le Fay." He glances at his watch. "Now, excuse me, I have a one o'clock meeting to attend."
He picks up his mug. "Thank you for the coffee and your time."
He leaves me staring after him, wondering if I have entered an alternate universe.
Never once in the year I worked for him had he ever said thank you to me.
What the hell is going on?