Hired (Forbidden Lovers: Rosie Anders)

8 - You Should Go

The end of the day has finally rolled around. Well, actually for everyone else it rolled around three hours ago, but I needed to stay for longer. Okay, so that isn't totally true. I wanted to stay for one specific reason. Or person is more like it. I want to understand Matthew more. He's such a closed book and at the moment, I am probably the only one who is going to get so close to him. Not just physically but I feel like sometimes he will talk to me too. I just need to get through to him somehow.

I turn off my computer and pack up my things. I'm going to talk to him before I leave. Firstly, to thank him again for the weekend. He really saved our arses when we emerged late at night, drunk from the bar over the road.

Plus, I feel like I didn't reprimand him enough for not giving me anything earlier. Why does he get all the fun and excitement and I have to be the provider? I know I signed a contract, but what exactly is in it for me? Sexually, I mean. Of course, the end goal is already laid out for me. Assuming he sticks to it which I'm pretty sure he will. Of course, he will. If he doesn't, he'll lose one of his best workers.

Although, I'm sure he'd have no problem replacing me with another sucker stupid enough to fall for his tricks. And then he'd soon learn that he can't jut hire any old body to do this work – he needs members of staff with drive, skill and determination. By the time he's figured that out, it'll all be too late, and his company will come crashing down. Not that I'd be happy if it did. Still, then I could say 'I told you so' at just the right time.

"Rosie?"

My heart skips a beat at his voice, and I turn slowly to face him. "Matthew." I give him a wide smile. "I was just coming to see you."

"Oh?" He raises an eyebrow and I know what he is thinking.

"Not for that." I fold my arms. "I wanted to talk."

"Let me guess, you've decided to reconsider agreeing to the contract." He matches my stance, but perches on the desk beside him.

I furrow my brow. "No." I move forward, trying to ignore his smile.

"Good, because I need to ask you something." He stands and closes the gap between us. "I need to check if you booked an appointment for your health check yet."

I take a small step back, not expecting that to be his question. "Uh, not yet. I didn't have time to do it - I'll do it first thing tomorrow though."

He nods. "Okay." He turns on the spot to head back to his office and I know I can't leave it at that. "What?" He stops and faces me again.

How he knew I was watching I have no idea. I move forward, saying nothing until I reach him. "I just... are you really going to go back to work? It's gone past nine already – don't you want to go home and relax?"

He seems to stiffen at the idea. "Not really. There are always things I have to do after everyone leaves. Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today – that is my motto." I raise an eyebrow and he lets out a light laugh. "Okay, so it's not my motto, but maybe it should be. It makes good sense."

I nod and move closer, daring to place a hand on his arm. "Yes, but what about don't work so hard at making a living that you forget how to make a life." I keep my eyes on his and something shifts within them. Some hurt, but there's something else. Like he is afraid he has finally been seen. Not that I know what he thinks I have seen.

"What are you trying to say?"

I breathe out slowly. "I'm just saying, don't live to work." I move a step forward and place my other hand on his arm, sliding them both up slightly. "You spend so much of your time here – don't forget to make time for yourself; for your dreams; your goals; your life outside of this place." I give him a small smile. "There are so many wonders in this world you are missing out on by being here all the time."