Angel

Chapter 9

Mattie

I headed down to the contracts pool to see what Trish wanted. "Well, if it isn't the golden girl," she sneered.

"Hello, Trish. Lydia said you needed to see me." I didn't even bother to reply to her comment. I could already tell she was trying to get under my skin.

"Well, since you are helping on the Meadows files, I need to review your work. We can't have you messing up this deal like you almost did the last one." She made a sour face, "Not to mention, even though you're in a temporary office, I'm still your immediate supervisor. Imagine my surprise when I learned you had taken a day off without filling out the proper request forms. You know that's coming out of your paycheck, right?"

"Trish, I believe you're mistaken. Mr. Henshaw himself authorized my personal day. As for the files, you will need to speak to Mr. Henshaw. I am not allowed to remove them from the office and am required to turn in the key to one of the three partners before leaving the building each day."

"You're lying," she spat. "You think if you spread your slutty little legs you'll make it to the top, but let me tell you, those men run through women and assistants like they're water. Everyone knows what kind of womanizers they are. You're nothing special, Matilda. Just another notch in their belt."

I felt tears prickling in my eyes and knew the other paralegals had heard her words. The room had fallen to a deathly still hush only to be broken by a cold voice. "Ms. Quire, you have exactly fifteen minutes to clear out your desk. These guards will assist and then escort you from the building. Be sure to return any keys or badges in your possession before leaving," Corey informed her.

She spun around, eyes wide as she tried to talk her way out of this, "Mr. Henshaw, I don't know what you think you heard, but, I assure you it can be explained."

He took a single step closer to her, his voice low and dangerous sounding, "No Ms. Quire, it cannot be explained. I'm beginning to now understand why this department is always riddled with problems. For a supervisor, no for a human being to treat another human being with such disregard is reprehensible. That type of behavior cannot be tolerated. Additionally, Ms. Quire, you will not be receiving any sort of reference from our firm. Now please gather your belongings and leave immediately. You now have ten minutes left."

She quickly ran down the hall to her office and began placing items in the box the guard had handed her. I looked away, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Back to work, ladies and gentlemen," Corey said. "Raj, Kevin, can you two please get things situated? I'll need a full report of outstanding files and I want to know every transaction Ms. Quire was currently involved with. Thank you, gentlemen." They nodded and started moving throughout the room. "Ms. Theriot, with me, please," he said and took my elbow, guiding me down the hallway to my tiny office.

"Sit," he said and handed me a bottle of water. "Now drink." I did as he said. When I had finished most of the bottle he pulled me into his arms. "I am so proud of you, little one," he told me as he stroked my hair. "You stood your ground and didn't let her get under your skin. That takes real strength, love."

I let my body lean into him as I rested my head on his chest. "Thank you, but five more minutes and I'd have pulled her fake blonde hair out," I giggled. I let out a squeak when his hand landed on my ass. My lip jutted out, "What? She had it coming, I'm not a damn notch in anyone's belt."

He growled and slammed his mouth against mine, sucking on my lip until I let out a low moan. He cupped my face and lifted my chin when the kiss ended, "You are most definitely not a notch in our belts. What she said wasn't true, Mattie. I mean, yes we do go through assistants, but it's because they try throwing themselves at us, not because we sleep with them. We have always had a no work relationships strict rule."