Hired (Forbidden Lovers: Rosie Anders)

22 - Where Were We?

The end of the day is finally here - well, for most of us - and I silently sit at my computer, clicking randomly and making it look like I am doing something until the last person walks out the door. It's handy that it's not unusual for me to still be here after hours, but given that it's very likely that everyone here now thinks they know what is going on between Matthew and me, I wouldn't be surprised if they think I am waiting for him. Granted, I am, but they don't need to know that.

Except there's one thing I have to do before we leave. He has a truth to tell me before I go anywhere with him. Since Millie told me that she never slept with Matthew, I've been trying to get him to admit to it and the tell me why he lied about it, like that in front of everyone, but he wouldn't budge. Each day this week I've tried coming in on it at a different angle, and I can tell from his expression there is something he isn't telling me, but still he keeps it locked away.

Maybe he doesn't want me to know and therefore in theory I should respect his privacy, but his lie about Millie is what started all this off so in some way I think I deserve to know the truth. And tonight, I intend on finding out what. I don't care if we are at the office all night, at each other's throat's all night, I need to know what secret he is keeping from me.

I shut down my computer and tidy my desk, not wanting to look to keen to leave and go to his. In fact, if I can draw out this conversation long enough, maybe I can get away with going home tonight even though I technically have to be there with him in the morning. That I still don't get - why he needs me to be there in the morning when he wakes up. I know Chloe and Kacey think he's just lonely, but this is a hell of a peculiar way to get a girl to stay with him until the morning. Has he not heard of a one night stand? If he's that desperate he could just go out every Friday night and hook up with some random woman he'll never see again, instead of using the women he works with, even if they are happy to do all manner of things to jump up in the company.

As I turn and head for his office, I see him coming the other way towards me.

"Perfect, you're done. Let's go." He swings his jacket behind him and puts it on. I hate to admit how dashing he looks in his dark grey suit. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen him wear anything remotely casual. Even at the weekend when I've been at his he has worn trousers and a shirt, as if he doesn't own a single pair of jeans or joggers.

"Not yet." I lean back on my desk and fold my arms. "We need to talk and I'm not leaving here, or even considering going home with you, until you give me a straight answer."

He seems unsettled at my tone and I hold back a smile. "Okay..." He sits on the desk opposite me and rests his hands on the edge as if to keep him from falling off.

"Millie." May as well cut straight to the point.

"This again?" He sighs and briefly leans his head back. "Why must you keep on about her? What we did is our business; not yours!"

"It is my business." I keep my voice soft and move closer to him. If I'm going to get through to him, I need emotion on my side. "Millie's so called promotion was the reason I stormed into your office that day and asked you what the fuck was going on. This all started because of that moment." He remains silent and I hope that's because I hit a nerve. "We wouldn't be here now if you hadn't announced to the room that she had a promotion after a few weeks' when everyone here knows there's only one way to get that from you." I sigh heavily and move closer to him, resting my hands on his arms. "I'm not going to judge you, whatever you say the reason is, I just want to know why. Tell me why and I'll never mention it again."

He looks away from me, almost looking a little lost. Maybe he is ashamed of his reasoning or maybe he feels like he can't tell me, but unless he opens up to me even a little, I won't ever be able to figure him out. I used to know him, but he has become something alien to me and if I can find that moment or reason that snapped this side of him into place, maybe I can help him find his way back to the Matthew we all used to know and like.