Fifty Two
For the next twenty minutes, I can barely concentrate because I left Ross out there.
“Do you think he’s still there?” I ask.
“You could check.”
I sigh and stand up as I walk to the front door. Yanking the door open, I hope Ross has left after waiting for too long, but that hope crashes at the sight before me. Ross is standing there, the bouquet of lilies in his hand as he stares at me.
Oh, boy. I hope Dominique is paying him well because this is completely absurd.
“Why are you still here?”
“I told you why, Ma’am. I can’t go back to my boss without getting a yes from you.”
“Right.” I sigh as I cross my arms. “And where’s your boss?”
“In his office.”
“Okay. Give me a minute.” I turn around and unlock the door as I step inside, shutting the door behind me with a groan.
“What’s up?” Monique asks when I reach the living room.
“I’m left with no choice but to go to Dominique myself.”
“Oh, boy. I like that choice,” she grins as she wiggles her eyebrows. “Do you want me to help you pick out a dress?”
“Seriously?” I smile at her and shake my head as I go to my room.
A few minutes later, I emerged from my room with a brown trench coat and I wrapped the belt around my waist. My hair is in a loose wave as usual and my face is bare from any makeup. My feet are in black pumps.
“Damn, girl. You look hot and you weren’t even trying.” Monique says to me, grinning from ear to ear.
“I won’t stay long.”
“You bet you won’t.” She winks at me and I glare at her.
I ignore her and walk toward the door as I open it. Ross is still standing outside my door holding the bouquet. I reach for it and he gives it to me.
“Do me a favor and take me to your boss.”
Ross thinks about it for a second before nodding and turning around to walk toward the elevator. I follow him from behind. We ride the elevator in silence as Ross continues to stare at the wall.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been working for Mr. Gray?”
“Four years.”
“Oh. He must really trust you then.”
Ross glances at me as he looks away. The elevator opens and we step out into the lobby. Ross holds the lobby door for me and I give him a quick “thanks” before slipping through. He walks me to the most expensive car parked in the parking lot of the building and he opens the back door for me. I enter and Ross shuts the door after me.
The ride was short and Ross made it bearable for me by turning on the radio. Ross parks outside a large, tall building as he turns to look at me.
“His office is at the top.” Of course. He’s the boss.
I give him a grateful nod and get out of the car. I watch Ross drive off as I turn to look at the tall building. The Gray Empire is written at the top of the building in bold letters. Taking in a deep breath, I stride inside, passing through the rotating doors as I glance around the lobby. The lobby seems a little busy, with people coming and going. There are three security guards at the corners of the lobby, and on one end is the front desk.
If this place works like my father’s company, then I can’t just step into the elevator and press the top floor button. The elevator will not respond. I need an access card or anyone from the top floor has to give me clearance.
I walk toward the front desk, still holding onto the bouquet. I know I look out of place here because I’m the only one carrying a bouquet.
“Hello,” I say, flashing the guy behind the front desk a smile when he looks up. His nameplate reads Jack.
His eyes fall on the bouquet in my hand. “Who are you, please? Are you here to deliver that?” He says as he tips his chin toward the flowers in my hand.
“Not really. I’m here to see Dominique Gray.”
The man looks at me again as he gives me a quick once over. “Is he expecting you, ma’am?”
“Not really.”
“Then I’m afraid I can’t let you through.”
“Can you call his office and tell him Robyn Denver is here to see him? He’ll let me through.”
The man nods and looks at me again as he picks up his telephone and places a call through. A second or two later, someone picks up.
“Hello, Sir. Robyn Denver is here to see you.” Another second later. “Okay, Sir. I’ll let her through.”
The man sets the telephone down as he meets my eyes and I flash him a big smile.
The man hands me a security card. “Here. It expires the minute you swipe it, in case you have any intention of reusing the card.” I take the card from his hand and flash him a small smile before heading to the elevator.
I press open the elevator and I step in. I scan the card on a scanner close to the panel and the elevator slides shut.
“Going up.” The automated voice says.
For some reason, my heart is beating too fast against my chest and the only explanation for this is because I’m going up to see the one man who does things to my body without really touching me.
After riding the elevator for long minutes, the elevator stops and the elevator doors slide open. I step out into a lobby as I walk toward the desk outside a large corner office. I’m guessing the blonde behind the desk is Dominique’s assistant. I stop by the desk of the woman as she looks up at once. Her nameplate reads “Heather Jones”
“Hi. May I help you please?” The blonde asks as she gives me a slow once over. She looks to be 29.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“Yes. I’m here to see your boss.”
“Mr. Gray won’t be seeing anyone for now. Why don’t you book an appointment and come back later?”
“Let her in, Heather.” A male voice says through her intercom and I recognize that voice anywhere.
“Please go in.”
“Thank you.” I flash Heather a small smile as I walk toward the large door and push it open, stepping inside the luxurious office of Dominique Gray.