Chapter 5

It was lunchtime the next day, and I was just about to go downstairs to the cafeteria when Jenna walked in.

"Hi Ashley, is Mr Carlton here?" She asked, looking nervous. She was wringing her hands together and looking around everywhere like as if Mr. Carlton might pop out from behind the shelf any minute to surprise her.

"No. He went to court he won't be back until after lunch." I told her. I took out my wallet, making sure I had enough money to buy myself some food before I stood up to leave. "Did you want something, Jenna?" I asked her. I was really hungry, so I was feeling impatient towards her as she just stood there, not saying anything.

She sighed, looking like she really didn't want to be here. Then slowly, she slipped her hands inside her pants pocket and took out another slip, offering it to me.

I looked at the piece of paper in her hand and then at her face. She looked pretty upset. Like she really didn't want to be doing this. I sighed as well, as I, too, didn't want to be in the middle of this, and I also hated having to turn people away.

"I'm sorry, Jenna, I can't take that." I told her. She gave me a panicked look when I said that. " Mr. Carlton told me to throw away anything else you sent him."

"But you have to take this! You don't understand, I'll get fired if I'm unable to get this delivered to Mr Carlton!" She said in a panicked tone, really confusing me.

"Wait. These aren't from you?" I asked her, reaching out for the paper. She gasped, her eyes going wide. She snatched the paper from me and almost ran out of the office without a word.

This has got to be the weirdest office ever. Passing notes to your boss, making passes at him, and getting fired if you don't do those things? I thought this was a law firm, not a dating show. There is absolutely no professionalism here. Sometimes, I wonder if Mr. Carlton and I are the only ones who actually did any work around here.

Well, anyhow, I'm hungry, so I just shrugged those thoughts away, hurrying towards the elevator to go get my lunch.

...........

"Ashley, can you get me all the files on Hampton's case and also try to get him on the phone right away, please?" Mr Carlton said, bursting into the office like a tornado, two hours later striding towards his office without a glance towards me.

"Right away, sir," getting up immediately from my desk to collect everything he needed before getting his client on the phone.

But just as I was about to, the door burst open again, and Sasha Richards, daughter of Mr Richards, Mr Carlton's partner, breezed in. She was a beautiful woman in her early thirties, with long jet black hair and smooth and flawless fair skin.

She was dressed in an elegant white dress which reached up to her mid thighs.

I had seen her only once. She was with her father right outside this building, getting in the car with him. I had no idea what she was like, though.

"Ollie baby, I don't like your secretary here, she is not compatible with her job, you should fire her." She said, giving an introduction of herself pretty nicely for me. I was left with my jaw hanging, staring after her.

She went right up to Mr Carlton, pressing her body against him, wrapping one arm around his neck and placing the other on his chest, looking up at him through long thick lashes and smiling flirtatiously up at him.

That's so much good looks wasted on someone I thought as I took an instant dislike to her. I don't do that normally, but I'll make an exception this time. She just threatened my job after all.

"You know, I can help you get a more competent secretary. I know how busy you are, I could help." She purred in a sexy voice. God, this woman! I couldn't help giving her a disgusted look behind her back. Her one long finger was traveling down his chest.

It didn't seem to bother her that Mr Carlton was standing there rigid with a look of annoyance on his face. I couldn't help glaring at that finger, traveling further down his chest.

Mr. Carlton seemed to be getting angrier the further it went down until he suddenly looked up and saw me glaring. I blushed in embarrassment at being caught and looked away, but not before I saw the slight smirk on his face as he looked at me.

Mr. Carlton removed both her arms from him and stepped back, earning a pout from her. "My secretary is incompetent?" He asked her coldly, raising an eyebrowat her. "What made you come to that conclusion?"

"She can't deliver a simple message! How incapable can one person be!" She whined. God, I'm hating this woman more and more each second. I kept my face turned away cause I couldn't erase the look of annoyance from it.

"Oh, you mean you want to put a little puppet of yours in here to do your bidding and spy on me, huh?" He said to her bitterly, his eyes were so cold. I felt my forehead perspire in dread even though his cold attitude wasn't towards me. I never ever want it to be either.

But Sasha didn't look the least bit phased. She again tried going near him, only for him to step back again. "Oh baby, it's not like that. Daddy said we would be married soon, so I thought I would need someone here whom I know is more capable of taking care of my husband."

My breath hitch hearing what she said. Married? Husband? Sasha and Mr Carlton were going to get married! I looked at them both. They looked perfect together.  Both are equally gorgeous and coming from the same background, same status. They were made for each other, so I couldn't understand this dull pain that had started deep in my chest, making it difficult for me to breathe.

What's wrong with me? What does them getting married have to do with me? Other than the fact that I am going to have to tolerate this woman's overbearing attitude on a daily basis now. That also, if I have this job. It doesn't look like I would if she had a say in it.

I heard Mr. Carlton give out a sigh. "Come into my office Sasha." He said before he pivoted on his heel and strode towards his office.

Sasha gave a coy smile before she sashayed her way towards him who was waiting for her by the door.

I quickly ran to get the file that Mr. Carlton had asked for. Didn't want to stand here looking like I'm eavesdropping or anything when that woman had just put my job on the line.

Just as I stepped back in the office, I saw a very angry looking Sasha come out, banging the door shut before glaring daggers at me and storming out, but not before shoving me out of her way. Very mature, I thought.

I stood there staring after her, rubbing my throbbing shoulder where it had hit the wall when she shoved me.

"You are not leaving Ashley." I heard him say, making me freeze. I hadn't even heard him come out.

"Are you ok?" I heard Mr Carlton ask. Turning around, I was startled to find him standing very close to me. By reflex, I stepped back, but as I did, my heel caught on the carpeted floor, making me stumble.

Mr. Carlton was quick to grab my arms, preventing me from falling. Flustered, I steadied myself on my feet, stepping away from him. I felt those sparks again where he touched me, sending shivers down my spine.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine." I told him quickly.

"Ok then. Let's get back to work." He said, clearing his throat. He turned to leave for his office but stopped mid-stride, turning back.

"I'm sorry about Sasha. She has been a bit  indulged by her parents, so she can become somewhat headstrong?" He said it, unsure himself. "But don't worry about her. Your job is safe. And thanks for taking care of Jenna for me." He said with a grin.

You could say that I was star-struck seeing him smiling for the first time. It lit up his entire face. The little crinkles that appeared at the corners of his eyes when he smiled made his dark gray eyes even more beautiful.

"Ashley?" He said, breaking me out of my trance.

"Yes?" I said blinking, trying to get my brain to focus, and also trying to prevent a blush from appearing. Sometimes, I can be so embarrassing, I thought disappointed in myself.

"The files?" He asked.

"What? Oh yes, the files. Here it is Mr Carlton." I said, handing him the file that was in my hand, giving up on stopping that blush from appearing as I embarrass myself further.

I hurried out of the office again, getting away from him being my only solution. Dear lord, what has gotten into me? I'm acting like as high girl in a crush. That also with a man who was spoken for...