Episode Two

Episode Two

The rest of the week is pretty much the same. Although there are no more encounters alone with Mr Cole. In fact I try my hardest not to be alone with him. He frightens me. I know there is something dark about him.

I’m glad for the weekend to finally be here. A few days away from the intense work environment is welcomed. I swear my heart is suffering big time. What is it about this man that makes me feel this way? Is it because I don’t understand anything he says or is it because he’s words have a double meaning?

Either way, I don’t want to find out. I climb into bed and get myself comfortable. I am in desperate need of sleep. My whole body feels drained, I think that’s because I have never worked full time before. I close my eyes and if on cue my thoughts begin to think of dark blue eyes and half naked Mr Cole. What is wrong with me? Not only does he invade my days, but he is now invading my nights? I sit up and switch my bedside lamp on. I bring my knees up to my chest and hug them hard.

Maybe I should look up what Rosie said… That is just stupid, researching my boss. Or maybe he has some sort of disorder. He could be an OCD or suffer from other mental illness. Either it makes my head hurt just dealing with his mood swings and demanding behaviour.

I lay back on my bed and stare up at the ceiling. I need to forget about work for a few days and relax. After all there might not be a reason for the way he is. For all I know the power and successful maybe just be his ego boast and he likes treating people the way he does. I really don’t know a thing about the man I work for. Then again I don’t really want to become his friend.

My phone begins to beep and I lean over to get it. Just when I thought I escaped reality hits it. It’s a message and its from him. I look over at my clock, its almost ten at night. I click open the message and begin to read…

CALL ME… NOW!

What? Is he serious? It’s the weekend, well Friday night the beginning of the weekend. Then his words hit me, ‘I will be able to contact you at any moment.’ I believe he has stuck to his word.  Contact me for what? Obviously meetings aren’t conducted at this time of night. After a little debate I hit his ‘preferred’ out of hours contact number. Yep, there was another list. On the second ring he asks, his voice cold and clipped.

“Cole,”

“Mr Cole, its Abby… Miss Robinson” I hesitant.

“Perfect” he snaps. “I need you to pick me up. I’ve had slightly more than I planned to drink and unable to drive home.”

WHAT?  He can’t be serious, where in my job description did it say personal driver? I’m not doing this and I doubt my ten year old Clio would live up to his standards. I run my hands through my hair and try to find the courage to basically tell him where to go.

“Miss Robinson,” he says again. His voice low and he almost hisses my name. god, I hate it when he does that. My head swoons immediately and forget about everything. “I’m at the Randolf hotel in the bar. I’ll expect you within twenty minutes.”

The line goes dead… NO! Now I have to do it and I really don’t want to. SHIT  Why me? Doesn’t he have anyone else? I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and stand up. I quickly pull on some jeans and a sweat top over my head. I don’t have time for make-up and my hair will have to do with a ponytail.

I grab my car keys off my desk and leave my room. I’m hardly dressed appropriately for some fancy hotel, but itdoesn’t matter I don’t plan on staying.

“Rosie,” I call out and theres no answer. She’s proberly not back from work. I leave my flat and head towards my car. My beautiful silver Clio who is my pride of joy. Okay, she’s ten years old and a little run down. She’s mine. I climb inside and start the engine. All the whole drive I am curious about what I will find.

He didn’t sound drunk over the phone. Then again  he seems to gain control from everything. My mind thinks back to seeing half naked. You have admit he is good looking.  Any woman would be crazy not to fancy him. I am terrfied of him. Just with a look he can make me feel as if I’m nothing. I have spent most of my life living in the shadows of others. Made to feel bad because I’m not your perfect  blonde size 8. I like my deep red hair and I like my curves. Over the years I have began to accept myself, but around him I lose all self confidence. That’s what bothers me the most.

I pull up outside the hotel, which is exactly 15 minutes drive from my flat on the Cowley Road. A porter is standing outside the enterance and he gives me a funny look.

“Miss” he holds out his hands. “I’m sorry about ….”

I roll my eyes and hold my wn hand up. “I know my clothes and the trainers. I’m only here to pick up Mr Cole from the bar. I wil be less than 2 minutes.” He nods and hands gestures for me to walk in. Phew, that was easier than I thought.   I walk through the grand lobby, there's a sign that indicates the bar is through the next door. I take in a deep breath, push open the door and step in. The place is filled with chatter and laughter. I tug at my sweat top as I begin to feel awkward about how I’m dressed. My eyes linger across the room and that’s when I see him. Sat at the bar on a stool, his shirt shelves rolled up to his elbows, tie loosely around his neck and his hair slightly mused from him running his fingers through it all day. He lefts his eyes from his drink and they lock with mine. Those icy blue eyes which are slightly red now. I walk towards him, my heart beating through my chest. His eyes watch my every movement and the muscle in his jaw twitches and I think I know why.

“Miss Robinson” he mumbles, picking up his glass and downing the last bit. “Please take a seat.”

“I can’t” I quickly reply. “I told the man I was only here to pick you up.”

“And I said sit” he says forcefully. I watch as that lip twitches again. He rests his elbow on the bar and leans slightly back as if to take a better look at me. “Did I wake you?”

“No.”

“But you were at home?”

“Yes.”

I cross my arms across my chest and begin to tap my foot impatiently. I really just want to drop him off and go home. I don’t understand why he is dragging this out. I hear him give  little chuckle and I raise an eyebrow.

“Have a drink with me?” He asks.

“I don’t drink.”

“Ever?”

“No!” His questions are really beginning to get on my nerves. “Please, Mr Cole. Let me just drop you home, please.”

He waits a second, stands up from his seat and grabs his jacket resting on the bar. He slightly wobbles and I find myself reaching out to hold him steady. He looks down at me and I feel some charge flow through my body. What is that? A smile curls across his lips and we begin to walk out of the bar. He doesn’t say one word and seems keen to let me guide him to my car.He is heavy and the walk seems to go on forever.

. Once by my car, I rest him against it and fumble opening the door. “This is what you drive?” he tone is off beat and his eyes move over the length of my most precious procession.

“Yes,” I reply weakly, somehow managing to open the door with shaky hands.

“At Cole publication we do offer company cars” he mutters as he climbs inside. I roll my eyes as I close the door behind him. I bet they do offer company cars and I bet there is a list to go along with it. I walk round to my side and climb inside myself. It then hits me that I am in a small confide space with him. I slowly look over at him, elbow rested on the window and his hand cupping his face. He has some stupid smirk on his face and I have a funny feeling the alcohol is taking affect.

I switch the engine on and begin to drive as he watches my every move. “Where am I dropping you off?” I ask, not daring to take my eyes off the road. Him being this close is already disrupting my concentration.

“Abingdon, Miss Robinson” his words are beginning to slur. He reaches out and switches on my car stereo. I hate music when driving, but on this one occasion I will let it slide. Although, truthfully I’m little scared at what he would do if I said no. I bet people always give it to him. No one shell deny the king!

“Tell me..” he sits back in his seat. “Are you enjoying your job?”

Great, now he’s making small chit chat. “Yes.”

“How are you finding your colleagues?”

I bite down on my lip as I make the turning for the M4, this is the quickest way I know. I really don’t want to spend much more time with him. I can feel the heat from his glaring and every now and then I hear him tuting. He obviously disapproves of my driving.

“They’re fine” I lie. So far everyone I meet looks down their noses at me. It’s like being a new kid at school. No one thinks your cool enough to join their gang. Then again, life has always been that way for me. I’ve never fitted in anywhere.

“Turn left” he says as we approach the crossroad. He rests his head on the back of the seat and lets out a little sigh. “I was actually meant to meet someone tonight.”

“Yes and what happened to them?” I ask out of curiosity. This whole situations doesn’t feel right. I am completely on edge and making sure not to show my horrible driving habits. I want to be perfect. I want to prove to him I am compliable.

“I had a change of mind” he casually says, while running his fingers through his hair. Why do I feel that reply requires an answer, before I can say anything he's instructed me the way to his home.

We pull up outside a small quaint house. I expecting some mansion with arches of land and a drive way. Outside looks humble and homely. I cut the engine and sit back in my seat. Glad that I didn’t crash.  He makes no attempt to get out of my car. He turns his whole body towards me and those icy eyes make me squirm in my seat. My breathing is audibly heavier and my heart races. How does he do that?

“I would like you to come inside with me” he orders.

“I can’t” I whine. “I should really be heading back home.”

A lazy grin spreads across his lips. “Why do you have someone there?”

“Well… no!” Like that is his business.

“Tell me one thing, Miss Robinson. Are you gay?” What! My jaw drops open and I just stare at him blinking rapidly. “Okay, how about are you a virgin?”

Seriously, you can’t ask people personal questions like that. I shut my mouth, close my eyes and take in a deep breath. I swallow back my anger and look back at him. His head is tilted and he is actually waiting for an answer.

I roll my eyes. “No, Mr. Cole I am not gay and I am not a virgin. It begs to differ why you would ask such intrusive questions.”

A little humor crosses over his face. “Because I can, Miss Robinson.” We just stare at one another, either one giving in. I’m not sure what he's expecting to happen; I don’t even know what’s going to happen. All I want him to do is get out of my god damn car.

“Come inside, please” his voice is huskier than I have ever heard. “Please, just for a moment.”

“I…”

He lifts his hand and places his forefinger against my lips. Wow, a shoot of electric bolts through me and gravitates to my groin. I feel muscles down below cramp up in anticipation. The feeling is wondrous and unexpected. He raises an eyebrow and then slowly moves away getting out of my car. Maybe I should go inside with him, just to see what all this fuss is about.

Also seeing his home may give me a better understand. I take in a deep breath and climb out of the car myself. I follow him towards the front door and that fear begins. I have a strange feeling I am going to regret this…..

He is heavy and the walk seems to go on forever.