Santiago runs his finger over my bottom lip and my red lipstick slightly smudges.
"Santi," I hiss. He leans down and nicks my bottom lip in return.
"It's Mr. Alvaro to you, secretary," he rumbles. He ran his hand that was resting on my hips down to...
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I've been told my mouth would get me in trouble all my life.
"Ko waha e ke kaikamahine moopuna. E hoʻokomo iā ʻoe i ka pilikia nui" My Grandmother used to always say. |Hawaiian- Your mouth, granddaughter. It will put you in a lot of trouble.|
My first day on the job and I already slipped up.
Ethan and Nathan hustle out the door. I stand there, suddenly very shy under the gaze of Mr. Alvaro.
"Well, that doesn't seem like it's going well, does it?"
Santiago's eyes slide over me while he leans back in his seat.
"Do you know why I remain well-respected, Ms. Mahelona?" he asks.
But I focus on his lips instead. His nice, pink, and plump lips. And the Spanish accent that pokes out with every little word he says.
No wonder all his assistants want him.
"I believe I asked you a question," he says, raising an eyebrow.
I try to clear my throat subtly, but it just sounds like I'm holding back a cough. "Y-Yeah. Of course."
The problem is, I can't remember what his question was.
"There are many things a person can do to be successful in my line of business. But there are just as many ways to destroy it. Especially when the people you work with or work above want to stray away from the company's foundation," Santiago says. "Do you understand what I'm trying to say, Ms. Mahelona?"
Eh. Not really and I'm tired of him beating around the bush.
"Would you mind getting to what precisely you mean?" I ask.
I see his lip quirk up in amusement before it settles down again. "My point is that you are my assistant. Ethan and Nathanial are my co-workers. They don't need to hear you undermine me in my own office. Are we clear?"
"I wasn't trying to--"
"Are. we. clear."
I shut my mouth. "Crystal," I grit, through a fake smile.
"Excellent," he says. "You're done for the day. I'll see you tomorrow, Ms. Mahelona."
Ms. Mahelona.
For some reason, it sounded like an insult.
I held in a reply and left his office. I return to my office and pack up to go.
"Knock knock," Camille says as she enters my office. She eyes my purse. "You leaving? Don't you have like an hour left of your shift?"
I blow a raspberry and shrug. "The big boss dismissed me."
