My breath started to get short. Veronica looked at me and then up at Louis as well. It must've clicked because the next thing I know she was standing in front of me.
"Louis, hello, we're super busy today, can you please leave?"
"Why? I'm just greeting our new paralegal" he looked at me, "Stand up, Pia. Don't be rude love. Americans are so rude"
"Louis was there something the legal department could help you with" I heard a familiar voice but it was different. It had anger behind it and authority
Louis looked up at him. He smirked and stepped toward me. I stood up and moved backward. Harry stepped out of the doorway to his office and toward me.
"Veronica please take Pia into my office and get her her files for me, love"
She nodded and took me by the arm.
"Was there something I could do for you?" Harry asked
Louis watched me and then turned his head back to Harry.
"Nope, what I was looking for, I found" he laughed before leaving the office lobby.
I watched Harry walk into his office, stop and stand at the door. Veronica nodded and left, closing it behind her as he sat down at his desk. He pointed to the seats in front of his desk. I looked down and sat, trying not to wince. He was staring at me.
I looked at him. I couldn't read his face. I looked away from his green eyes. I wasn't sure of where I should look.
"Are you okay?" he asked
"I...I didn't know you were my boss"
"It's a small town" he laughed
"I didn't......I'll apply for a different job. I'm sorry" I stood up and went for the door.
"Stop now" his voice boomed
My body stopped moving.
"You don't have to leave this job. You can stay here. I'm not going to tell anyone anything and nor will Veronica. Veronica has been in a similar situation which is why I asked her specifically"
I turned around and looked at him. He was closer to me than I thought he would be.
"Your bruises are covered" he looked me over
I nodded.
"She did a good job" I mumbled
"She's had experience like I stated previously" he cleared his throat, "Your desk is right in front of mine"
He pointed to the now empty desk.
"Thank you" I told him
He walked over to his desk and then back to me.
"Here are your files, there are legal pads in your desk. Everything is fully stocked"
I took the files and folders, nodding before leaving to sit at my desk. I sat my jacket on the chair and tried to calm down.
I knew I couldn't stay here.
The Mac on my desk lit up and a new message displayed. I looked around before moving the cursor to open it.
From: H_Styles@legal.KitPublishFirm.com
Subject: Empty
I know you can't stay here because of him but he won't be here for much longer.
I promise you this.
H. Styles
I closed the email. I wasn't sure how he read my mind but I needed a moment to process everything. I stood up suddenly, catching Veronica's attention.
"Pia?" she stood up concern written all over her face.
"The bathroom? Where is it?" I asked trying to steady my voice
"Right around the corner" I watched her point
Harry.
I watched her stand up and Veronica did the same.
What was going on?
I saw her point and heard the word bathroom. Veronica watched her leave for it before knocking on my door. She opened the door slightly.
"Come in"
"Mr. Styles..."
"How is she? Where is she going?" I asked just to confirm what I had heard
"Bathroom....but you were right. He did a number on her"
I pursed my lips together, resting my chin on my hand, running my thumb over my bottom lip.
"I know" I sighed, "I want him arrested but she won't go to the police"
"She washed all forensic evidence off this morning"
"What?"
"She was showering when I came in to help her"
I nodded.
"She has the physical abuse" I stated
"But we all know how that works. He said, she said or he could argue she wanted it rough, even liked it that way" she mumbled
"I know" I tried to calm down.
I didn't want to snap at Veronica for stating the truth. If we went to the police the case would definitely bring her attention she wouldn't want and jeopardize her job.
"What are you going to do?" she asked
"Get him fired"
"But he's in a different department"
"Remember Olsen?" I looked at her
She nodded.
"Nothing is impossible" I told her, "But that'll be all. We have to prep for our meeting at 3pm"
She nodded and left.
I sat back down and stared out of my glass walls waiting for Pia to return. My phone started to ring. I clicked the button and picked up the receiver.
"Styles"
"Styles, it's Whitman"
"Hello, sir."
"Great, would you mind coming up to my office. Me and the boys need to talk to you regarding something"
"Of course" I told him
"Great, see you in 5 minutes"
We hung up. I grabbed my jacket from off the chair and slipped it on. Veronica returned and asked if everything was okay as she watched me put my blazer on.
"I've got a meeting with Whitman"
"I'm sorry sir" she scurried through her iPad, "I didn't get that email. I'm sure I must've delete something. I'm so sorry. I'm just a screw up"
"Veronica" I stopped and picked her chin up, bringing her eyes to me, "Stop. It was just last minute. He just called", I glanced at my watch, "I have four minutes. You did nothing wrong. You're perfect, love"
She smiled. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. I don't know what it was now, but suddenly I felt weird about my platonic display of affection for Veronica.
"I'll see you soon" I told her, leaving her standing in my office.
