Obsession

Chapter 2

When I get to my floor to pack up my things the next morning, my colleague's eyes all follow me closely.

I ignore their stares until I get to my desk and find out why they were watching me.

Mr. Bane, clad in a white long sleeve and black pants this time, is lounging at my now empty desk holding a picture frame.

"Good morning Mr. Bane," I greet him through gritted teeth. I try my best to stuff my agitation back down my throat.

"How many times must I tell you, darling," he smiles, "it's Lawrence."

My face flushes tomato red. Curse the Brits and their godforsaken accents.

"My bodyguard already took care of your things. Only thing you need to carry is this," he hands me my picture. It's from when my family visited the Niagara Falls.

Mr. Bane walks to the elevator and waits for me to meet him there.

His bodyguard is in the elevator when it opens and we both get in. I make sure his bodyguard is between us.

I greet Louise as always and then we get to his office, or for now, our office. His desk was moved to the side nearer to the windows and a smaller one was pushed to the other side. All of my things were packed neatly away just like they were in my cubicle.

I put my bag away immediately and take off my coat, hanging it around the back of my chair, ready to get the day over with. I sit in my seat, adjusting my loose white blouse and wide legged brown pants.

I try my best to get comfortable in the new environment until I notice Mr. Bane in the corner of my eye.

He leans against the wall behind me, just watching me. His usually bright green eyes have gone a shade darker than usual.

As if he doesn't have any work to do.

"Is there something wrong, Mr. Bane?" I ask.

"The next time you call me that I'm docking your pay," he threatens before lifting off of the wall, "That's my father's name not mine."

His constant nagging about calling him Lawrence is getting to me. Why does he care about it so much, it's proper workplace etiquette.

"Alright," I answer, giving up. "What's the problem, Lawrence?" He smiles likes he's won money.

"There we go."

"I'm thirsty," he says, sitting in his chair now.

And that's my problem how?

His grin shrinks and I realize what I've done. Saying something under your breath doesn't mean you're not saying it.

"Letting your temper get out of control again, Ms. Avery? That doesn't look good on you," he says in a sing-song voice. I swear he enjoys toying with me like this.

You know what would look good on you? A black eye.

"I'm sorry, Lawrence, I didn't mean to say that out loud."

Lawrence's expression turns stony, "Get me a water."

"Of course," I reply, practically shaking with rage. You need this job. You need this job. You need this job.

I walk across the room to the mini fridge and stoop to open it. I feel his eyes burning into my back when I get the ice cold bottle.

I return to his desk and put the bottle down a little harder than necessary with a smile. "Here you go."

Lawrence locks eyes with me, an annoying smirk playing at his mouth. Then I go back to my seat and open my files and begin typing away again.

For the rest of the day he doesn't bother me but busies himself with work. Sometimes I catch him staring at me with a curious look in his eyes before he looks away again.

At around seven at night, the workday is done and both Lawrence and I are still in the office.

I pack up to leave and dismiss myself. "Goodnight, Mr. Bane," I say before leaving the room. I get into the elevator but before the elevator doors could close a silver ringed hand slips between the crack, holding it open.

This man is stalking me, I swear.

Lawrence stands next to me in the elevator without the shield of his bodyguard.

His closeness sends fury rushing through my veins but butterflies wreak havoc in my stomach. How dare they.

When the elevator door closes he finally speaks.

"What happened to Lawrence, Ms. Avery?"