Dare Me Not | 18+ ✔

14. Sister Alert (Xander)

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

What the hell just happened? Did I almost kiss her? What the hell was I thinking? And why am I turned on when I'm supposed to remind her of the house rules? I quickly adjust my slacks on my crotch as I stride to my chair.

My fucking useless dick.

"The meeting material is set for tomorrow morning. And I have confirmed your and Parker's RSVIP for the charity gala this Friday," says Margie once she opens the door. "And I'm sorry I have to leave now. My son is waiting downstairs." With that, she turns her head and smiles at Parker who -- thank God -- has her blazer back on.

"Charity gala this Friday?" she asks, looking back and forth at me and Margie. "I'm going to a charity gala? Why didn't you inform me earlier?"

I clear my throat. "Right. I forgot. It was your dad who put your name instead of his-"

"Wait," she cuts me, gesturing his hands for me to stop, "just wait. He's sending me to a boring gala with you to replace him because he wants to fuck his secretary?"

I glance at my assistant. "You may leave, Margie. And thank you for today." After the poor woman nods and quickly closes the door behind her, I shift my attention back to Parker. "You may want to tone down your language. Margie is a respectable old lady who wouldn't appreciate that kind of language."

Parker narrows her eyes, both hands on her hips. "Are you implying I'm a disreputable woman who deserves no shit, not even an early notice or question if I can replace someone's task?" She scoffs as her cynical smile grows on the corner of her lips. "Right, a slut doesn't deserve that."

"Park-"

"Your word, not mine," she says while pointing her finger at me. "I'm out of here. You will have my notes for the meeting early in the morning."

Without a glance, she grabs her notes from the coffee table and strides to the door. The sound of a slamming door is followed by her furious clicking high-heels receding into the office corridor.

***

My night was sleepless, and I woke up like a zombie this morning: grunting, trudging, and lifeless. In truth, since the fight with Emma last Friday, my nights have been shit.

I drove around once I left the war zone that night to clear my head, but when I was back at two in the morning, Emma had left, leaving a note on a piece of paper: Do not wait for me. I knew she went to Barb because she didn't have close friends who could take her when she needed a place to crash. Yet I didn't have an intention to reach out to her. I was still pissed.

She came home this morning. She was sitting on the breakfast stool when I woke up, but we didn't have time to say much to each other. However, I'm going to talk to her tonight whether she likes it or not. I'm not good at dealing with this passive-aggressive, silent game she plays. It always turns me into the worst version of myself, and I swear I've created at least one new enemy every time I fought with Emma.

And it's Parker this time.

Regret creeps in as her furious face sneaks into my mind. Why the hell did I say the 'S' word to her yesterday? She has no boundaries, but it's not new for me, and I should be the one who had better self-control. Plus, it's partly because of how fucked up Tim has raised her.

I need to apologize to Parker. And that's the first thing I'm going to do when she turns up today.

I've been waiting for almost an hour, but there's still no sign of Parker's usual footsteps from the corridor. Did Margie forget to notify her that I was expecting her in my office? Maybe she's a bit late today or doesn't plan to show up at all.