Hired (Forbidden Lovers: Rosie Anders)

24 - There's Nothing Left to Say

As soon as I enter the office Monday morning, I want to leave. This time there is no denying what everyone has been talking about. It's clear in the silence and the stares that they are all wondering if Matthew and I really are up to no good. I could walk away right now. I could turn around and walk back out that door, not stopping until I get home, but that will only make it more obvious that something is clearly going on. Plus, I have something to do today.

I meant it when I told Kacey and Chloe that I am done playing his game. Now, it's time for a change of rules and leader. I've been at his beck and call long enough, given him what he wanted so now it's time for him to reciprocate. By the end of the day that promotion is going to be mine! And with any luck, effective immediately.

I take a few steps in and have to look around at everyone now trying to subtly make it seem as if they weren't staring at me seconds ago and head for my desk but am promptly stopped by Freya who manages to move every way I do, not letting me past her, along with another familiar face, who is the reason this all started n the first place.

"Can I get through please?" I try to dodge left but they are both there, milliseconds before I am. I sigh heavily and tilt my head to the side. "What?" I blink rapidly really not in the mood for office gossip, whatever they think they know and however right they may be.

If it was about someone else, I'd probably be all ears, but when you are the centre of such gossip, it is really tedious and childish. Why do they care if I'm sleeping with Matthew or not? Does it affect their lives in some way? Were they hoping it was going to be them in this position?

"We just wanted to ask, if you really did go home with Matthew on Friday. We heard through some people on the lower levels who saw you two exit the building together looking very happy, as they put it." Freya is the first to speak and I take a moment to contemplate telling them the truth.

"So what if I did?" I shrug and fold my arms. "What does it matter to you both?" I stare at them waiting for an answer they don't seem to have.

"We just wondered if you were dating him, that's all." Millie mumbles slightly and I'm glad they suddenly seem scared to talk to me. Hopefully I can make Matthew feel the same way very soon.

"Wonder all you like, but it's none of your business what Matthew and I get up to in our spare time." I take a step back from them. "I am not here to be some bucket of gossip to you. Any of you." I look around the office, everyone now staring at me again. "If you want to believe I'm dating the boss, go ahead, but please do it quietly and on your own time. I am not here to put on a show for you all. My life, particularly my love life, is none of your concern and I don't appreciate the constant questioning. If I want to parade who I'm sleeping with with you all, I'll divulge the information myself. Anyone got a problem with that?" I don't realise how loud I have gotten until I hear the silence fill the room when I've finished. That and Matthew's voice ringing out at me across the room.

"Rosie, my office." He gives me a stern look, something I've never really seen on him before. "Now!" He ducks back into his office and I resist the urge to push past Freya and Millie on my way.

At least I seem to have gotten his attention which is perfect for this moment. Plus, there's my lingering anger at their audacity so now I can unleash the rest of it on him when he no doubt tells me my promotion isn't happening yet.

"You wanted to see me, boss." I put on the sweet, innocent act as I shut the door.

"Care to explain what happened out there?" He looks at me, both eyebrows raised.

I don't say anything but sit opposite him, needing this to feel like real business meeting. Anything to keep me from thinking about what dirty things I could be doing to him for his morning pic me up instead.