|3| hot whispers

They mistook my kindness

For weakness.

~ Lana del Rey

____________

The meeting comes to an end in a painfully slow manner, I'm almost falling asleep by the end of it to the point I feel a bump on my leg, glancing up I realize Mr. Huxley bumped his leg into mine, his expression is tight 'stay awake' he mouths

'Sorry' I mouth back before turning away from him

I instantly feel my cheeks go pink in embarrassment, I clear my throat sitting straighter trying to prevent myself from dozing off once again, I have insomnia and usually have a hard time falling asleep...which results in me constantly feeling tired at work.

The meeting finally comes to an end, wren is currently finishing up 'her' project in front of the board

Throughout it I watch everyone in the room smile slightly and nod along to the idea, I hold my breath hoping they consider the idea I've been thinking about for months, I never thought to bring it up to anyone in fear of rejection or feeling like my idea wasn't good enough, but there facial expressions make me wish I brought the idea up sooner,

Yet when I take a glance at Mr. Huxley i see a tight expression on his face, his jaw is clenched and brows furrowed, I slump slightly in my seat realizing maybe the idea wasn't as good as the room made it out to be, especially if Mr. Huxley doesn't look impressed about it whatsoever

"And that's my project" she smiles proudly watching everyone smile and nod along

I notice she makes no effort to even say I helped with it or anything,

I mean the idea I had for the rooftop of the building, with using it for meetings and events for better business opportunities was a good idea...maybe even great,

I had a whole layout planned to make the space an efficient way for new possible clients, I wanted a bar to the side, some beautiful couches, and some plants, I felt it would be the perfect use for the space that's been ignored all the time, clients can wind down and relax and make business deals, then maybe some food would be made,

I love baking and cooking it's something I love doing after a long day of work so I could've made the food myself,

It would be a perfect way for Mr.Huxley to get great business deals on the rooftop since clients can be more compliant and more likely to agree to a deal when there surrounded by a nice environment, winding down with food and a drink.

But I didn't get credit, I mean I didn't ask for it but I thought since I made the whole project from scratch that she would say something, at least maybe a thank you, but I was very wrong, she played it like she made the whole thing up herself, as if she spent hours writing it and making the boards and the designs on how the rooftop would've looked like,

"Wow this is a fantastic idea," one of the many men in the room says, his face holds shock as well as almost what seems to be a well great amount of respect in a way,

the sinking feeling in my chest further goes to the ground in the knowledge that my idea is being sold as her own,

I want to scream out that it's my idea, that I worked so many hours on it months ago, and that I worked long and hard writing it for wren, granted she never specified that she would give credit but I thought it was common knowledge to at least thank someone for there hard work,

But as I watch everyone nodding and smiling along to her talking, them getting engaged and excited over the idea I think maybe, it doesn't matter who's idea it is...as long is it gets built and is put to good use I guess it doesn't matter who's idea it was after all,

Yet No matter what I tell myself I can't help the pinch in my heart hearing the positive feedback...it may be the way no one glances at me or acknowledges my existence since I'm 'just an assistant' it may even be because wren continues to act like she did the whole thing herself, but I can't help but feel foolish in saying yes to doing it for her.

"Why thank you, I thought It sounded like a great idea" wren smiles

"I wasn't aware you cooked and baked....maybe you'll have to do it sometime for me," another man says smirking

Wren takes a brief glance my way then back at the man "of course" she laughs lightly

I feel a hot gaze on the side of my face, I slowly turn my head to see Mr. Huxley watching me with an unknown expression, he suddenly faces wren

"So what inspired this project of yours?" Mr.Huxley says eyebrows raised as he puts his pen down

An almost sick type of feeling rests in my stomach as wren takes a glance at me, I truly wish the ground could swallow me up whole so I'm unable to be in this room,

"Well you know I wanted a nice place for future clients... as I wrote in the project" she laughs scratching her neck in clear discomfort

Mr.Huxley hums in amusement, his eyes briefly find mine before I look away, I take deeps breaths hoping nausea subsides,

I look back at Mr. Huxley and plead with my eyes, hoping he doesn't say anything, embarrassment coats my skin at the thought of him saying anything, but his hardened expression makes my posture stiffen and nausea strengthen

"And when did you have all the time to do the project with that important lunch meeting you had to go to?" He says taking his eyes off mine and directing them at wren, his expression is deadly as he talks, all in the room sit straighter and barely blink as they hear the sternness in his voice.

Wren immediately gets flustered and looks at me

"What lunch meeting?" She laughs quietly sitting straighter and sending glares my way

"You know, the very one you told Miss Alder you had so she could do the project for you" Mr. Huxley's voice is calm as he talks...way too calm, my skin feels hot and nerves dance their way into my stomach as I see the glances people send my way

"You piece of shit" She hisses at me trying to be quiet hoping no one hears her comment, but by the clench in Mr. Huxley's jaw...I know he heard it

"I assure you Aaron that whatever lies Vanessa fed you aren't true, I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this project" she batts her lashes, her sudden change in attitude makes me uncomfortably shift in my chair

"It's Mr.Huxley to you wren...and I know for a fact you didn't do the project, I checked the security cameras and saw you going to Vanessa's office with a USB drive and then leaving with some man that was waiting in the lobby," he says sternly

I-" wren immediately starts choking over her words, red coats her cheeks and she looks like she may explode in embarrassment of being caught

I feel bile rising in my throat at the realization that it's partly my fault, maybe if I lied better Mr. Huxley wouldn't have noticed she didn't make the project, maybe if I brought a change of clothes this could've been avoided.

Mr.Huxley looks over at me "I want you to present the project since it's your idea, I'm sure you have more things to add that you didn't write down" he nods over for me to stand up to present

Oh no...this is why I didn't want him doing anything, all attention goes to me, I can almost feel wrens heated looks and glares she's sending my way, I hate feeling cornered and I also dislike it when people hate me especially for a choice I may have made,

And I know with all certainty Wren now hates me for this, and it hurts slightly a small part of me thought maybe we could've been friends, that all the times she came to my office was because she wanted to talk to me and not because she wanted something,

But it's becoming clear to me as time passes that all I was to her was someone she could use to get her work done,

"You're kidding me! You're choosing your stupid assistant over me? And believing her lies?" Wren raises her voice, the embarrassment long gone as anger takes over her features

"Vanessa's anything but stupid...clearly since you had her do your work and then taking credit for it" he raises a brow daring her to lie once more to him,

There's uncomfortable energy in the room, I suddenly feel horrible, its hot and the space seems smaller than it did when we first came in, my nausea doesn't subside as the minute's pass,

"Miss Adler's taking over the project for the rooftop and Wren...you're fired," he says while writing something down

People's eyes widen and some mouths are slightly agape as they watch the scene unfolding in front of us, some glares are sent my way by people who liked wren, and whispers are heard across the room

"WHAT! I have worked here for 3 years you can't just fire me, after all, my hard work" she says with anger laced in her tone, her nails claw at the end of the table and her face is red in fury, her eyes briefly meet mine, my lungs collapse in the realization people must think I'm a snitch, now I'm not likely to make friends here because they wont trust me, even though I had no friend here to begin with, there's no chance with them thinking I might go to Mr. Huxley for everything they tell me,

"Yeah I very much can, I'll have someone escort you out of the building with your stuff, you may leave" his tone is final and his expression too calm for his usual self,

I don't realize I'm barely breathing nor do I realize my knee shaking until a warm big hand rests on my thigh, my eyes land on Mr. Huxley's and his almost soften when he looks at me, his hand squeezes my thigh slightly telling me to breathe without words, telling me I'm fine without words,

"GO TO HELL VANESSA, you will pay for this" she screams at me as she walks out of the board room

I flinch as the door closes with force

"What in the soap opera just happened" a woman whispers

"What just happened," a man says his brows furrowed and he looks lost, a man beside him snorts and whispers a 'dumbass'

"Well looks like I'm not getting that free dinner" one of the men rolls his eyes with a scoff

"Told you the hot ones are always crazy," someone tells the man next to him in a hushed tone

"Cut it out all of you" Mr. Huxley bites out to everyone

"So Vanessa was it?" One of the men says to me after a moment of silence

I nod still shocked at the fact Mr.Huxley just fired wren

"So who would make the food? Would we cater a company or something" the man continues

I clear my throat and grab my journal in my bag, it has meetings written in it, ideas, client names, pretty much anything I need to remember, I try breathing as I flip it open, Mr. Huxley's hand continues to rest on my thigh rubbing in slow motions almost trying to calm me, and I thank God himself that He's doing it because I can focus on something other than the raging headache and nausea building when the realization of everything that happened floods back,

"Originally I thought, I could start by making appetizers along with little desserts myself, then, later on, we could hire a company to make things when you have bigger clients, Mr. Huxley could host parties up there for more clients to get to know each other, if they get to know each other there's a higher chance they would want to work with him , he could also host meetings and even events, you can send out invites to big companies around the world making it a big deal to expose your brand to not only top tier companies in other states but you also have a higher chance of expanding your work elsewhere" when I finish speaking I realize I'd become more confident in my words,

my nervous small voice disappeared after a moment and I was lost in my idea, after coming back down to reality I feel the squeeze on my thigh, I look over to Mr. Huxley to see a ghost of a smile tug its way on the corner of his mouth to where no one can see it,

It makes me blush and look away when thinking he gave a slight smile just for me to see

Lots of the men are grinning another is smirking and then one is oddly staring straight at my chest?

What the heck...

I mean Gosh I don't have much to look at but still...

Mr.Huxley's eyes drifts in the direction my discomfort is coming from "is Vanessa's chest more interesting than the meeting" he raises a brow at the man

The embarrassment comes back harsher and almost slaps me in the face as I listen to Mr. Huxley talk, it shouldn't be embarrassing since he's standing up for me, but the thought that now everyone knows someone was looking there makes the atmosphere feel heavier,

He clears his throat "sorry can't help it she's hot" he says adjusting his tie

"Don't be a disgusting pig and respect her like anyone else presenting a project, she's not an object, I will not have this behavior in my building, you will apologize for your behavior immediately and if I see it again you will be fired and trust me I see and hear everything" Mr.Huxley says with so much anger laced in his voice that even I get scared

The man clears his throat once again clearly uncomfortable and slightly mortified "right sorry Miss Adler" he says not quite meeting my eyes

I nod slightly but don't say it's okay because it's not... it's not okay for people to make you feel uncomfortable at work or even in general, men shouldn't treat women as an object or make justifications for their actions by blaming the girl's outfit or how she was acting.

"Now Miss Alder you may continue" Mr. Huxley nods at me

I spent the next 15 minutes answering their questions about the project, more little ideas here and there, and then before I know it the meetings over

And I'm in a full panic of realizing everything that's happened in the past hour,

Everyone leaves the room saying how excited they are to see the roof when it's finished

I feel a sense of power and confidence in the fact my idea was liked.

Now that it's just Mr.Huxley and me in the room, I exhale in relief that the meeting is done

"I want you the head of this project Vanessa," Mr.Huxley says looking directly at me, his hand left my thigh a while ago after I stood up in the meeting to put the pictures I designed on my computer up on the board, but strangely I still feel the pressure and presence of his hand tightly and oh so warmly resting on my thigh, and it makes my cheeks warm when realizing he was doing it.

"Wait? Me..." I say in disbelief

I thought he was joking about me being the head of the project...

"No I meant the other Vanessa in the room" he raises a brow and tilts his head to the side in amusement

"I've never been responsible for a big project before what if I mess up?" I say nerves lacing my words

I've helped with small projects here and there, but I haven't been responsible for one before

"Then I'll help you," he says nonchalantly gathering his things

"I wouldn't want you taking up extra time just to help me," I say shaking my head grabbing my things

"It's fine to assign someone else to it" I shrug making sure he knows I won't be offended in any way if he thinks someone is more capable for the job

"I want you" he leans back in his chair his things long forgotten as he puts them back down

that sounded pretty nice coming out of his mouth,

his mouth is pretty nice...his plump pinkish lips and that deadly smirk that can make anyone faint on the spot,

What? Am I crazy that's my boss

I shake my head and lock any thoughts of my boss that are highly inappropriate away, my brain feels confused as I try to wrap my head around what it is I'm feeling,

Sure I've worked for him for two years...and I find him incredibly attractive, but I can't have a crush on my boss...

I won't, I can't, it would be inappropriate and not right.

"I-" I start but close my mouth due to confusion and shock

"We can go to lunch tomorrow and discuss more later, you may go home now," he says finally getting up, grabbing some files and his coffee off the table

Every emotion I felt just a second ago gets replaced with even more shock and confusion

Because he's inviting me to lunch...outside of work?

"I don't think you would want to spend your day off with your assistant, I'm sure you have a girlfriend or someone that would want to spend time with you off work " I shake my head trying to end this conversation as I stand and grab my bag

"Wasn't aware I had a girlfriend" he nods and raises a brow in pure Amusement at my comment

"Well doesn't matter I don't think you would want to spend extra time with me outside of work" I laugh with a slight shrug, trying to not blush to much at the realization that he's single

Sure I've never seen any women come by the building, nor any pictures of anyone that looks like a girlfriend in his office, but I know a lot of people don't mix there work life with there personal so I couldn't exactly be sure if he was single or not,

He walks towards me and with each step he takes forward I take a step back until I feel my back meet the wall, He grabs my chin so that I'm staring right at him, its gentle yet commanding, his piercing blue eyes staring at me with intensity makes me take a deep breath in, his scent covers me as he stands so close, All I can focus on is wood, spice and a hint of vanilla, he smells sexy and expensive, and oh so addicting that I wish more than anything I could take another step back,

"And tell me when have I ever done something I didn't want to do?" He smirks leaning in, his scent overwhelms me, it surrounds me until all my focus and attention is on him and him alone,

I don't say anything because he's right if he doesn't want to do something he simply will not, with the Exception of work even if he hates the hours or person he will go knowing it's good for business.

His face inches towards mine and my breath immediately gets caught in my throat

I feel his hot breathe on my ear "something to remember about me Miss Alder is I'll alway's want your company" he places a light kiss on my ear right Before walking towards the door

As he turns the doorknob to leave he turns his head to me "see you at lunch tomorrow" he smirks before leaving me in the board room in shock from what just happened

My legs feel like pure jello, My breathing is going insane and I feel my blood pressure rise,

All I know is,

I'm definitely in trouble when it comes to Mr.Huxley because from a simple whisper in my ear, and touch I feel faint.

------notes-------

Hope this chapter was alright (I'm not gonna lie I hate it😭)

Vote and comment! ♡︎

Word count: 3449