preparing my argument in my head.
"I think we should hire him right away. I'm pretty sure he's like both of us combined, in the best way possible. His name's Charlie Burh, he's from England. He could be the right-hand man we're looking for, although he only applied to be a ghostwriter. Also, seeing he's from another country would give us a more international outlook on things!"
"Whoa, whoa, down girl," Leo giggled at my enthusiasm.
Letting go of the helium-like breath I was holding I nodded. "Sorry, I felt inspired again, like when we first started this back in Uni!"
"Jerrie," he interrupted, "we're not at work now, we can talk about this later, OK?"
"You asked about it," I said confused.
"Yeah, but I was expecting a one or two-word answer, not a lecture. I make the final decision on all employees anyway."
"I know," I said dryly.
I secretly hated when he would say things which made me question if he thought of us as equal partners. Not that I ever brought it up with him, we both knew people are his specialty and if the comment was brash, I was sure it was meant with good intention.
"Then relax and don't worry your pretty little head about it," he said placing his empty bowl on his nightstand.
I nodded, a little disappointed because I wanted to talk more about my day and interview with Charlie. I guess it would have to wait.
"At the moment, there's another problem we need to solve," he said deepening his voice and rubbing my thigh.
I turned to look at his face, his cheeks were now flushed, and his eyebrows were low over his squinting eyes. My eyes traveled lower and I saw the noticeable rise beneath his blanket. I let out a small scoff, wondering how he could be in such a mood when he was ill.
"No, no, I'm way too tired," I said moving his hand away.
"I'm tired too, but I can't help it, you know I love that dress."
Not a moment later, I felt his lips on my neck, trying to seduce me.
"No Leo, you're sick, this could be bad for both of us," I reasoned.
He ignored me and pulled me closer.
"If we're both sick who is going to run our business, isn’t that what you said this morning?"
I tried to pull away, and he pushed me down on the bed. He wasn't speaking and I knew he wouldn't listen unless I were to say something in his favor. The drumbeat of my heart started to play like a soundtrack in my ears, loud and primal.
"I'm really not in the mood," I tried again. "Leo," I squeaked out as his large hands roamed my body.
I pushed at his shoulders trying to look in his eyes, when I finally did, I knew he wasn't there anymore. The color, a deep dark gray, like storm clouds. The intensity as ferocious as the creature he was named after, the King of the jungle; and I was his next meal.
"I'm sorry, I need this," he growled yanking up my dress.
The drumbeat stopped.
I began to kick and flail trying to wiggle my way out of his grip, but every move made him more aggressive. I could feel the tears well up in my eyes, but I refused to let them spill. A wicked smile formed on his beautiful face and I couldn't refuse them anymore. He pried my thighs open and held them there with his knees.
"Leo... please," I begged, trying to reason again. He ripped my panties off and penetrated me with full force. I yelped at the painful thrusts still trying to move. He responded by squeezing his hand around my throat, leaving me gasping for air. His gold pendant necklace, modeled after a Caesar coin and depicted a lion’s head on one side and his name on the other, tapped me on the chin every time he moved.
I stopped struggling, there was no point.
After what felt like forever he finally climaxed on my leg, which he cleaned up with my newly shredded underwear before he tossed them into the small trash can next to his bed, with the other fluid-filled rags he'd used earlier. He rolled over, out of breath. My heartbeat moved to my sore eyes, giving me a headache. I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed, readjusting my dress, which was now torn at the seam, and trying to detangle my hair with my fingers.
"Are-Are you mad at me?" Leo asked, almost childlike, after several moments of silence.
"You promised. You said you wouldn't do it again," I said so quietly I was sure he couldn't hear.
"I know, I know baby, and I am so sorry, I don't know what came over me. You have to believe me, Jerrie. Please don't be mad," he begged.
"I'm not mad," I deadpanned. I wished that was a lie, but it wasn't; at least not in the context, he was using. I was numb.
"I promise I'll make it up to you, you can have whatever you want. Hire the guy you were talking about! If you think he's the one, I trust you, ok?" He put his hand on my shoulder.
Leaning over, I grabbed my shoes, purposely escaping his grip. His hand sluggishly dropped to the bed behind me.
"Don't be like that Jer," he said sadly.
I pretended I didn't hear him and walked into his en-suite to make myself presentable. As soon as I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt disgusted, and tears started to well up in my eyes once again, I fought for them not to fall. I opted to give myself a side braid, so I wouldn't have to look at myself any longer. I took a deep breath, slowly meditating to soothe my soul. I could feel myself starting to store the pain away.
"It's after seven, " I said gingerly to Leo when I entered back into the bedroom.
He nodded in response; I knew he was angry. He expected a certain reaction, one which was humanly unreasonable. In his world, if he apologized it was to be accepted right away.
"Could you take me home?"
" I'm not feeling good anymore," he said dryly.
"OH, alright, I'll take a cab then. Will I see you at work tomorrow?"
"Probably not," his face was emotionless. I stood there for a moment while he ignored me, an unwelcoming pang in my chest formed. Why was I the one feeling sorry when I haven't done anything wrong? I grabbed my bag and headed for the door a second later.
"Call me when you get home," he said before I disappeared out of his line of sight. His voice was still monotone, but I felt relieved he cared.
I wanted to care less. I wished he would never call me again. At the same time, I worried he wouldn't.
I was an Idiot.
I was well acquainted with the walk of shame by then, but it always felt terrible. The feeling worsened as I exited Leo's building and realized the same cab driver from earlier was picking me up. He smirked at me in the rearview mirror. I could only imagine what he thought I was doing; or worse, what hewanted to do. The thought made me nauseous. Then I remembered Leo's promise to let me hire whoever I wanted.
And I wanted to hire Charlton Burh.
He was in no position to take back such a promise and I knew how to force his hand. I decided to give Charlie a call, it was better than the cabby staring me down, whilst he got up the courage to ask me about whatever was on his mind. Pulling up his file on my phone I dialed the number.
"Hello," he answered after the second ring, catching me off guard.
"Hello?" he repeated when I still hadn't answered.
"Oh, um," I cleared my voice, "This is Jerrie Howard, from Lion Publishers Group."
"Ah Jerrie, sorry I had to cut our interview short today."
"Oh, it's no problem, life happens," I assured him.
"I appreciate your understanding. Well, why do I have the pleasure of talking to you for the second time today?"
"Actually," I said stretching out the last syllable of the word, "I talked with Mr. Cordell, and we both think