What about New York?

Chapter 4

"Natalie its been two weeks."

I peeked out from under the table to see Graham was pinching the bridge of his nose. He looked annoyed and irritated which made me happy deep down inside. "Graham, you gave me this project to fix up and send out let me do it."

He sighed. "I gave it to you because I thought you'd have it fixed faster."

I just huffed as I messed with the wires. I could feel his presence as he swatted down, his cold hands were on my feet causing me to pause for a second. "Let me in there and I'll have it fixed within seconds."

I looked down at him and grinned. "If that's  the case wouldn't you already have it fixed?"

He frowned. "Now is not the time to be cute Natalie."

I shrugged. He clearly did not seem to be in the mood today. "Do I need to move you Natalie?"

Without even thinking about my response the next words to leave my mouth had me mortified. "Only if you're gentle."

Without missing a beat He snorted. "I know for a fact you don't care for gentle my love, now move your ass."

"I'm almost done so back off." I huffed. I was only two more wires away from having this dumb machine fixed. I felt his hands slip up from my foot and tighten around my ankle. I finished the wiring  as he started pulling me out from under it. I reached forward and plugged it in at the same time he yanked me completely out fr under the desk.

I looked up at him. "I said back off."

He leaded forward pressing his hand against my stomach. "You were in my-"

He was cut off by the sound of the computer starying up. His head snapped up as his eyes locked on the screen. "How did you-"

I pushed him away so I could get up. "Practice." I slipped my shoes back on and stood up. We headed out of the office as we made our way back to his.

"You took longer than expected to fix it." He snorted

I rolled my eyes. "I kept having a pest problem."

We were going back and forth our entire walk back to his office. Eventually the conversation turned to my dress attire. Graham unlocked his office and opened the door for me.

"All of the offense, I am not wearing a dress." I huffed flopping into Grahams chair. I watched him walk around his desk and flop in his chair was well.

"That wasn't a suggestion Natalie." He groaned leaning back in his chair.

"I know and like I said before I'm not wearing one."

"This isn't a debate and you aren't five so quit pouting." He looked at me. "We have a dress code and unfortunately for you it is very sexist and wants women in dresses or skirts. Not pants."

I looked away from him. For the pass week and half He has been telling me that I would need to change my attire, and here we are half way through week four and I still haven't done it. It's ridiculous in my opinion. I should not have to be forced into wearing something I don't want to.

Kathleen even tried to scold me this morning about my attire but I just walked passed her and came to the office. "Natalie are you listening?"

"No because I am still going to wear pants."

He sighed. "Natalie..."

"This is ridiculous Graham," I stood up and faced him. "I should be able to wear what I feel powerful in. Not what will make all these horn dogs stare at me."

"Nat-"

"Because believe it or not, whether or not I'm in a dress or a suit, you nasty men stare at me anyways. So, no I will not be exposing my legs for no man." I huffed as a smirk played a crossed his lips.

"You do realize that-"

"Shut up." I snapped.

I placed my hands on my hips as there was a knock at the door. Graham told them to come in and a man with blonde locks and a strong jaw walked through the door.

"Mr. Fitzgerald, I-" He stopped when he saw me. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You're fine Mark, my intern was just complaining about the dress policy."

Mark nodded and closed the file he had opened.  "How so?"

"He says I have to wear a dress, which I feel like is demeaning to me not only as a woman but a person. It's like saying I belong in the kitchen. I feel like I should be able to wear what makes me feel powerful. Good Ole Kathleen tried to say it's because I'm being a distraction. Believe it or not Kathleen whether I wear a dress or not men still stare because they're sick-"

"I agree."

Mark stopped me in the middle of my rant.

Both Graham and I spoke. "What?"

Mark's face went a little red as he cleared his throat. "Men are sick and do like to stare at women. Especially if they're beautiful, independent and powerful. I think you should wear the suit." He shrugged.

He thinks I'm beautiful and powerful. I smiled to myself as I turned to look at Graham. "He gets it." I strutted off to my computer as they went to continue their conversation.

"Ignore her. What can I help you with Mark?"

"For the Howards and Jacobson benefit, I'm having a hard time putting it together sir. Last year was big and eventful, this year has to top that. How do you top elephants?"

"Mark. I gave this assignment to you because I believe you could handle. I trust you'll be able to make it work."

"Its just, I'm not really a planner... I haven't even picked out a theme yet and it's in roughly a month sir."

This poor guy. I turned around and stared at them. "Masquerade."  They looked at me, Grahams face turned into a disapproval look.

"What?"

I got up and walked over to them. "The theme can be masquerade, they'll eat it up. Rich people love nothing more than to be liars."

They both were quiet for a minute. Graham sighed and nodded. "I like, sadly enough because it's true. Natalie you'll help Mark with this project then."