Beauty and the Beast

Chapter 3.

"So, tell me about yourself," He doesn't look at me, but it's obvious who he's talking to.

"What don't you know?" I snapped. His words from earlier replying over and over again in my head. He keeps his head down, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "Why is that funny, Mr. Reedus?"

"I know about you, Miss Monroe, not about who you are. I don't know about what movies you like or what your favorite color is. I don't know about your childhood or your first love. That is what I mean by, 'So tell me about yourself,'." He stands up from his seat, tossing his napkin onto his plate. "The playful dinner is over, thank yourself for that. I need you in my office in five minutes, don't make me wait." He turns on his heel, walking down the dark hallway.

"Yes, sir," I nod with a frown. Why is he always so fucking rude? Like I said, his mood swings are giving me whiplash. By now I should be wearing a neckbrace.

"Alexis," Diane interrupts my thoughts. "Don't mind him, sweetie. He really is a sweet man,"

"I'll believe that when I see it," I huff, crossing my arms as she takes my plate.

"You will soon, dear." She mumbles under her breath before moving into the kitchen. I will soon? What's that suppose to mean?

"Um, Diane, could I talk to you?" I quickly stand, grabbing a plate from her hands.

"Of course, dear, but after you see Mr. Reedus, he doesn't like to be kept waiting."

I huff, placing the plate back into her hands. I don't want to do this, I don't want to know what he's going to do to me in his office.

Following Mr. Reedus' footsteps, I follow the dark hallway until I reach the end of it, the only way to go now, is left. The hallway seems to go on for miles until I reach a large cream colored door. I take a deep breath, balling my hand into a fist. I knock twice, no more, no less.

"Come in," He calls from behind it. I push it open, only to be greeted by his harsh words. "I told you not to make me wait, what were you doing that was so important?"

"I was- I was just helping Diane clean-"

"Diane?" He chuckles. "It's Mrs. Somers to you, do you understand? You know how I feel about first names, Miss Monroe," He slams his palm down onto his desk, making me jump.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Reedus, I didn't-"

"Please stop talking, your voice annoys me," He holds his hand up for me to stop. I bite my lip, trying to hold back a few tears. "Sit." He commands. I do as asked and take a seat on the white couch.

"Why are you such a dick?" My hand flies up to meet my mouth, the words flying out before I could bite my tongue.

"Excuse me?" He presses his lips together in a tight line. "Please, ask that again?" He grins a devilish grin.

Prick.

"I said," I take a deep breath. What can he do? Fire me? I don't even care anymore. At this rate, I would love for him to fire me. "Why- are you- such- a dick?" I take short pauses in between my words. I smile widely and bat my eyes.

"A dick?" He chuckles softly, standing from his chair.

"Yes," I assured him. "Ever since I met you, all you've done is hurt my feelings, lead me on, and say weird things to me like how you want to treat me like the trashy whore I supposedly am. You're a dick. No one likes you, Mr. Reedus, I can assure that."

"You like me." He says confidently. I choke on my own saliva, coughing viciously.

"No, Mr. Reedus, I do not, in any way, like you." I laugh loudly. Shit, he knows I'm lying. He steps closer, leaning down so that his eyes are level with mine. He places his hands on either side of the leather chair, barricading me in.

"Are you sure, Ms. Monroe?" His face is inches from mine, and if I knew any better, I'd say he wanted to kiss me. "How do you feel right now? How does me being inches away from you feel?"

"I-I.." I swallow hard, forget me trying to sound stronger. What has gotten into me? "Excuse me," I quickly push him away, standing from my seat. "I'd like to leave now."

"No, please stay, I am sorry for my behavior, but I am not sorry for the things I've said. I honestly wouldn't love anything more than to bend you over this couch and spank you for talking back, or make you choke on my cock for calling me names," He shakes his head, rubbing his chin with his forefinger. He sighs, rubbing his temples. "I would still like for you to work in my library, please, I'l even help you with bills and your damn student loans."

"I-I don't think that's a good idea, Mr. Reedus," God, he's so attractive, and his words make me cringe in pleasure. I've never had anyone talk me the way he's talking to me.

I love it.

"Please, Alexis," So, now he wants to use first names? "I want you to work for me," His eyes are begging my to say yes. Why does he want me to work for him so bad? I don't understand why he can't just ask one of the other girls. "I need you to work for me."

"No, that's the end of this," I shake my head, clearing my throat in the process. I need to get myself together. "I do not want to work for you. You're rude, you're very bipolar, and your words do things to me that I don't want any part of. I'm leaving, thank you for dinner." I leave the room before he has another chance to talk. What part of 'no' does he not understand?

"Alexis," Diane greets me with a smile. "Will I be seeing you soon, dear?" Her eyes follow her smile, they're so warming and welcoming. She's such a beautiful woman.

"Um, no, I don't think so," I frown. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, dear. Norman is something else, he's hard to work with, trust me," She laughs. "Don't take his words to heart, okay? Come see me sometime." She reaches up, pressing her lips to my cheek. I smile and nod.

"Of course."

*

I sniffle and wipe my eyes. I'm such a sucker for a good romantic movie. The Notebook, such a cliché, but so damn good. I click off the television, setting the remote neatly beside my lamp. I check my phone, making sure all my alarms are set for in the morning.

5:00 a.m.

5:30 a.m.

6:00 a.m.

6:45 a.m.

7:00 a.m.

7:15 a.m.

God, I'm such a perfectionist. Hair and makeup must be done everyday, no if, ands, or buts, about it. I sigh and lay flat on my back, looking up at my dark ceiling.

Why does Mr. Reedus act like that? He's so.. weird. And the way he talks to me, sexually and rudely. Someone should treat him like that for a day and see how he likes it. No, no. That's no way to be. Two wrongs don't make a right. Kill him with kindness.

God, that's so hard to do. He's so fucking rude. I like people, always have, always will. I'm just a people person, but Mr. Reedus? It's very obvious that he is not. But why is he like that? Why must he be so mean? How does Diane put up with him? I would assume that someone made him that way and he just needs a kind heart to show him that not all people are like that. Maybe I can show him, maybe if I just forgive him for being mean and act as if he doesn't effect me, he'll see that I am a kind hearted person.

I just hope me being kind hearted isn't going to get me hurt.