Deceptive Allure: Bound by Lies

Chapter 5: Skye

The next month passed without much fanfare. I had quickly found a groove working with Dominic figuring out his quirks. It didn't help that he was a quiet man, he kept to himself. When he did grace my presence, he simply glared at me. I shrugged off his icy glare finally concluding that, that was just how he looked. It was when he smiled that I grew scared, that was when I knew something was wrong. Dominic made it his mission to avoid me, which was fine by me. Most of the time I was too focused on keeping Mama off my back.

My nerves had slowly started to settle having not received any unknown texts. It seems that my stalker had grown bored, or perhaps busy stalking someone else. Shuddering the thought out of my mind I double check the numberplate of the car that had pulled up on the sidewalk, I climb inside. The refreshing aircon blows into my face as I offer the driver a smile. During the entire ride I anxiously look outside watching people blur past us.

I think back to the texts I received from Mama last night, she made it clear that I did not have the luxury of time. Groaning I smack my head back against the headrest catching sight of the looming office building as we pull up.

Saying my thanks, I tip the driver and clamber out of the car. My nerves settle as I ascend into the sky, at least there was security here. I was probably safer here than I was at home. Approaching my desk, I am taken aback by a white box. Instantly my mind assumes it's a booby trap. It probably has a severed finger in it.

As I inch closer, I see there is a note on the front. A replacement.

I let out the breath I was holding now seeing that the box contains a new phone. I had managed to put up with my smashed one for too long. The elevator chimes and I glance up in time to lock eyes with Dominic. I offer him a sweet smile feeling dusky redness creeping up my neck. My eyes greedily soak him in. Today he is wearing a three-piece suit. I am lost for words by the time he walks up to my desk, a look of bemusement across his features as he offers me another wolfish smile.

'Everything okay Skye?' He asks.

I try not to stumble over my words, 'peachy,' I offer noticing the breathlessness in my reply. Dominic stalks into his office and I flop myself into my chair plugging the phone into my computer booting it up. It takes me longer than I am willing to admit transferring my information across to the new phone having not used this brand before. I suddenly feel like technology is leaping forward whilst I flail in the deep end. Before I can use the new phone, Dominic is barking orders and I shoot towards the printer.

By the time I am done for the day my feet are killing me. Dominic was barricaded in his office having one of the longest meetings I have ever witnessed. The elevator chime catches my attention. A young woman came sauntering out.

She offers me a smile as she crosses the expanse towards my desk. As she approaches, she is holding out a perfectly manicured hand. 'Skye?' She asks. There is an accent clinging to her lips, but I can't figure out where it's from.

'Ah yes,' I reply clearly caught off guard. I take the woman's hand and she beamed a warm smile. 'Emily,' she offers as way of explanation. As realisation washes across my face, she laughs. Her laugh is soft and warm, and I selfishly embrace it.

'From accounting?' I asked as she nods excitedly. Emily and I had been swapping emails all day after I had asked her a question about using a corporate credit card to purchase stationary. I had no idea that the woman on the other end of my emails was a bombshell of a redhead who would put Jessica Rabbit to shame.

'I wanted to invite you to our Friday night drinks.' Her words cause me to blink a few times. Was it that obvious that I had no friends? 'Me and a couple of the girls on my floor like to unwind, I also wanted to introduce you to the beauty of Manhattan.' Finally, the other shoe dropped, and I realise we had emailed back and forth briefly about being new to the city. My shoulders relax now realising it's not because she assumed I was a looser with no friends, even if that was true.