That Girl On a Motorcycle

S e v e n

He had caught her completely off guard, and for what seemed like a long, long time, Maude stood staring at him. Gaping. The frostiness she always donned before him melted. The concealed resentment replaced by confusion and shame and utter mortification.

Her face was hot. She was absolutely aghast by the turn of things.

But she was Maude Zamora, THE Maude Zamora, and thus she was quick to pull herself together. She stood straighter. Clutched the folder tighter. Closed her eyes. She took one deep breathe. Took another calming one. And then she opened her eyes to find her boss silently studying her. Warm brown eyes. Thoughtful brown eyes. Waiting.

She cleared her throat, and she swore he was enjoying her unease. "I will take my leave, sir."

Thankfully, she sounded indifferent. Her voice did not reflect her inner turmoil. Ulric Sebastian said nothing, simply gestured for her to go.

Her feet felt wooden. However, as soon as his door was closed behind her, she broke into a sprint. She rushed to her desk, her head reeling from the encounter. It was preposterous. Was he real? Could all of this real?

Her heart was beating loudly, her breathing fast. She couldn't believe it! She had always known she was brash, rude even, but today, she totally lost all sense of decorum.

She. Yelled. At. Her. Boss.

She. Ridiculed. Him.

No matter how aggravated she was, she ought to have kept her thoughts to herself. But then, he laughed at her. That meant he was okay with it. He seemed pleased even. He said she passed with flying colors or whatever that meant. Still, the moment she allowed anger to rule her was not something to take pride of.

He had dismissed her for the day, but she couldn't leave without an apology. She owed him at least that much. With his confession - if it was true, but her gut feeling told her it was - she had to show him that she was trustworthy, that she knew where the line was drawn, that she was a professional.

Just one sorry, and then she leaves. She could do this.

A shiver ran through her body. Dread.

"One sorry," she muttered lowly before squaring her shoulders. She left his CV on her table and marched back into his office. She didn't bother to knock. "Sir, I'm so - "

She froze.

He was no longer on his table. Ulric was standing in front of the glass wall overlooking the city, his back against her, his shoulders strong and proud. She never noticed it before, but he had such a huge and intimidating presence that it was impossible not to cower before him.

When he turned to face her, his expression was solemn and contemplating. Every inch a brooding business man. A sexy and brooding business man. "Yes?"

It was like she was seeing him in a new light. Or like, seeing a new man. Could he really be the same insufferable toff from the past few days?

She slammed the door shut and leaned against it. Her breathing was coming in short gasps. She pressed her knuckles on her mouth. Shit, shit, shit! What the hell was she doing? What the hell was she thinking?

Her brain was melting. She was no longer sure what she came to say in the first place!

The door opened behind her. She let out a shrill cry as she fell backwards. Ulric caught her before she did something as embarrassing as falling on her ass. However, as soon as he touched her waist, she felt like he had electrocuted her.

She jumped away from him, eyes wide and frantic. "Sorry!"

He regarded her carefully. "Are you all right, Ms. Zamora?"