29: JEALOUSY

JEWEL

I tried not to seethe, watching Delilah’s hand on Cole’s chest as she laughed. The casual touches in front of everyone all too obvious that she was fucking the boss. That fact evident considering they still hadn’t fired her despite some errors on larger important projects such as missing papers that just happened to find their way into a shredder just now.

It was hard to do much from the errands I consistently was sent on when I wasn’t having to help with a new design, but it was important not to do too much anyways. If Delilah complained someone was sabotaging her and it actually looked like sabotage, that was one thing. Openly complaining or accusing when it couldn’t have been another coworker though. That was a whole new reality.

If she wanted Cole, she could have him temporarily. He was the harder brother to retain interest, but he also lost it fairly quickly with whiny and needy women. The thought running through my mind over and over as I thought about Delilah. Remind myself that it might take a lot to crack this woman if she had a mind to stick around.

It might mean more than nasty rumors that were already spreading like wildfire around me. Some coworkers swearing she had been kissing one brother or the other, and might be cheating on each of them. That fact alone making me smirk as I shred the last of the Osterman file Delilah was supposed to have edited. It was really too bad about her computer dumping that particular file and then this copy being shredded.

I hummed happily as the last piece slipped through and I turned back to adjust an image on my computer. Seeing the time slowly tick by as I waited for Seth to enter my office. Knowing it was an appointment he wouldn’t be missing.

Sure enough, within the next five, Cassandra was escorting him in, giving him a sheepish smile and half wave to him as she exited my office. He hardly glanced at her, something that made my heart soar a little. He had eyes for me only right now as he sat across from my desk in a casual manner. Though of course, he had every right to, he was after all one of the bosses that owned everything I sat on and worked with.

“I know I’m here on business but before we get started, there’s been some office gossip. You’re one of the best with their ear to the ground when no one talks to me. What’s going on?”

My eyebrows were raised. Surprised he had caught on so quickly that there had been any gossip at all. He wasn’t outright accusing me of anything, which was good, but his body language told another story. Seth was tense, and defensively so.

~Uh oh.~

“I was wondering when it might get around and… I don’t really want to be the one to say anything. There’s just. Um. Some confusion about that Delilah girl. She was at the party and you guys introduced her as some sort of press, but now she’s in the office working with us and—well there’s just this misunderstanding that she’s sleeping with… one of you.”

“She’s not just sleeping with, she’s in a relationship with,” Seth replied tightly, before clearing his throat slightly. “Anyways it’s not anyone’s business. She does fine work.”

~Bullshit.~

***

I smiled brightly, trying to hide my anger. “I’m sure she does, that’s not the issue. People are just worried about if she’s… messing with your heads and then they might lose their jobs because she’s two-timing.”

Seth frowned, pulling out his suitcase to grab papers. His brows furrowed. Silence filled the room as he flipped through, as if about to begin our meeting.

“Seth,” I said gently. “I didn’t mean to—”

“She’s with me alright? Shut down the fucking rumors. We all know my brother likes to flirt.” His words were like steel. Hard and solidified. As if there were no room for questions.

~Fuck.~

***

My jaw was set as my fists clenched, unable to keep it to myself. “That’s not what he said the night of the party. Seth if you’d just listen—”

“Jewel. Back the fuck off. Our love life doesn’t have anything to do with you, or anyone else for that matter. Shut down the rumors. That’s your job. Don’t ignite them with your petty bullshit. You think I didn’t know it came from you? Maybe people did see us but you're the one that would make it worse when no one talks.”

I swallowed hard, the guilt sliding up my throat like a bitter drink. “That’s not fair.”

“Let's just talk business, I’m here as your boss and not your friend. Got it?”

I felt tears gather in my eyes as I nodded. The bitter taste in my mouth felt like venom I wanted to pierce into my newfound enemy. One I hadn't considered a threat up until this point. Seth was like a lost puppy with a bone now. The only hope I had now was to convince Cole I was worth another night or two.

~Or whisper in his ear to ruin Seth’s relationship again…~

Taking a deep breath, I smiled once more, pushing back the thought for a rainy day. One I knew would come when Cole was lowest again, needing a drinking buddy. “Alright, fine. Business it is.”

One thing they may not have realized about me? I was a patient woman. In the end, the twins would be mine. It couldn’t be that hard to sabotage something Seth was already so defensive about.