Elliot's POV
I watched Olivia ride me as my mind was elsewhere.
I missed the meeting with Damien Spencer today and I didn't get to approve the construction site downtown.
That's probably going to push back the opening by at least a week.
I groaned in frustration as I held my head.
How could I have forgotten about this?
She moaned before she collapsed beside me.
"Are you finished?" I asked her and she nodded with a smile.
"Are you?" she asked.
"Yeah," I lied as I stood up and began to put on my clothes.
I can't do this anymore.
"Are you leaving?" she asked and I nodded. "To the homeless shelter?"
I nodded again as I tucked my shirt into my pants.
I should probably go back to work and see if Spencer is willing to still have that meeting.
"Don't be out too late," she warned and I nodded before rushing out the door.
Olivia and I are great friends.
We went to the same college and our parents were thrilled. It took them no time to arrange our marriage.
Our families were the top financial groups in Chicago, so an alliance was perfect.
To make things better she even had a crush on me. On the other hand, I didn't.
I've never had a crush on anyone. I've convinced myself that I am asexual or some shit.
That's why I didn't hesitate to marry her. Of course, I told her that we could never be anything more than just friends.
She agreed to our first year of marriage, but then she couldn't. Eventually, I just allowed it.
I want to be a good husband. I really do.
I try.
"Downtown, sir?" my chauffeur, Michael, asked as he held the car door open for me.
"Mmm," I groaned as I read through an email on my phone.
Once I was seated, he shut the door and returned to the driver's seat.
I threw my phone on the ground and instantly regretted it.
This was my third phone for the year and we were only in March.
Michael's eyes looked at me in the front mirror. "Is everything okay, sir?"
"Everything is fine," I angrily mumbled as I reached to grab my phone.
Everything is not fine.
These idiots want to back out of the deal which was already in process.
I relaxed when I saw that my screen didn't crack.
At least I have that.
I looked up when I felt the car slowing down.
In front of us sat a long line of traffic.
Typical Chicago.
"Wake me when we reach, will ya?" I said to Michael even though he knew the drill.
"Of course sir," he smiled.
I folded my arms above my chest and leaned on the door in an attempt to get a quick sleep in.
...
"We are here sir," Michael's voice woke me up from my nap.
I dragged my hand down my face as I sat up straight.
I then grabbed my phone and opened the door.
"I'll text ya when I'm ready," I told him as I closed the door behind me.
I slowly made my way into the building.
The reason why this place is still running is because of me. No one wanted to fund this place and I couldn't see why.
This is a great little setting.
It provides meals and a place to stay for those who have nowhere else to go.
If my money should go anywhere, it should be here.
The publicity and getting away from Olivia for a few hours were just a bonus.
"Elliot," William, the guy in charge of over here greeted me.
"Everything good?" I asked him as I looked around the place.
People were laughing, conversing, and eating.
This place made me feel good.
"Everything's great," he answered proudly. "Some big shot just started volunteering here this afternoon."
I looked at him confused. "Who?"
He pointed east. "There she is."
I followed the direction of his finger to see her giving a blanket to one of the women.
I held my head as I felt an instant headache.
She's so annoying.
He laughed. "What, you know her?"
I nodded. "She just started working at HQ. Her file is impressive. Double masters in finance and business admin by 22."
He looked on me confused. "Is that even possible?"
I shrugged.
I don't know how, but she has it. I remembered when people were fighting over her, yet she ignored them all and picked us.
She's odd.
"Sereia!" Will shouted as he called her over.
She looked on me and forced a smile.
It was so painfully obvious that she was faking that smile, yet she keeps doing it.
She waved to the woman before walking over to us.
She was still wearing her skirt suit from earlier, indicating she came here straight from work.
"Mr. Harrington," she smiled. "I didn't know you were interested in such places."
"My name is on the building," I deadpanned and her smile slightly faded before she gave it her all again.
Will chuckled as he smiled brightly at her. "Your smile is so contagious."
She smiled even harder at his compliment before he tapped her shoulder.
"I need to head back to the kitchen. I'll let you two talk," he said before tapping my shoulder too and rushing off.
"So I'm guessing we have the same interests," she suggested and I folded my arms.
"I'm guessing you're a stalker and you're just trying to get on my good side," I told her.
It wouldn't be the first time that an employee lied about their interests to me.
She finally stopped smiling and scoffed at me.
"Good," I told her.
"What?" she angrily asked.
"You finally stopped that fake act," I said and her shoulders dropped.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she lied.
"Okay," I simply said as I began to walk away.
"Wait," she said as she caught up to me and I sighed.
Why me?
What did I do to deserve being constantly harassed by women?
First, it was Olivia jumping on me now this woman is chasing me down.
"Why isn't your wife with you?" she asked. "Does she not like volunteering?"
I raised an eyebrow. "What? Is a married man not allowed to do activities on his own? Do I need my wife on my tail all the time?"
Her eyes widened and she quickly shook her head. "No, I wasn't suggesting that. I just thought that married couples are usually together."
Oh, how naive she is.
I took a step closer to her, closing in any remaining space left between us and leaned my head to the side.
"Why do you keep asking me about my wife, new girl? Are you sure you're not a stalker?"
I narrowed my eyes as she stared directly into my soul.
Holy shit.
Her brown eyes are mixed with green.
Interesting. I've never seen that one before.
She blinked and I realized that I'd been staring a little longer than I should have.
Before she could answer my last question, I asked another one.
This one I was more interested in.
"Why'd you choose us?" I asked. "Why'd choose to work for the Harrington Group?"
She straightened her back, making sure I knew that I didn't intimidate her.
"Because this company has something the others don't."
Oh now I'm intrigued.
"And what's that?" I searched desperately in those hazel-green eyes for an answer. "Better health benefits? Oh, allowing you to take a percentage of our shares?"
If I could just find out her reasoning, I could attract others just like her.
I want to be the best and have the best with me.
I don't just want to have the best finance company in Chicago, I want the best company in the world.
"I'm afraid my reason is personal, sir."
I nodded as I slowly stepped away from her, creating twice as much space than we had before.
I had gottened carried away.
My greed to know what made our company so special blinded me and maybe even made her uncomfortable.
"I should probably see if William needs some help in the kitchen," I told her before walking off.
This was the longest I've ever spent with an employee. That shouldn't be.
They are the ones usually bombarding me with questions, not the other way around.
I need to stay away from this new girl, she's tempting.
...
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