Turning back to Finn, I say, “Unless it’s work-related, I think it would be best if we don’t interact with each other again.”
“You’re making a mistake,” he warns me, darkness lacing his words.
I made a mistake when I ignored my gut instinct the first night I worked late with him, and I definitely shouldn’t have come tonight.
Crap, this is a mess.
Just wanting to end the uncomfortable conversation, I say, “I hope you enjoy the function, Mr. Byrne. Have a good evening.”
The second the Ferrari pulls up, I open the passenger door and take my bag from it. My spine is stiff from Finn’s eyes burning on me as I walk toward the road so I can hail a cab.
God, I hope this doesn’t become a problem.
Just keep calm. You’re not the first woman to deal with something like this at the workplace. Just do your job, and they won’t have a reason to fire you.
It’s hard to process what just happened.
Did I do something wrong? Did I do something to make Finn think I’m interested in him?
Just as I reach the pavement, Finn grabs hold of my arm, yanking me to a stop. Leaning threateningly into my personal space, he growls, “Careful, Kiara. You leave and you’ll regret it.”
I pull my arm free. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. That wasn’t my intention. I’m going home now, and I hope we can forget this happened.”
My heart is hammering wildly in my chest as I rush toward a cab that’s pulling up to the curb, and not looking back at Finn, I get into the vehicle.
Only when we’re driving away does my mind catch up to what happened. Confusion, frustration, and fear explode into a chaotic mess in my chest.
Shit, I can’t believe that happened.
And now Finn’s upset because I rejected him.
Dammit! Why did this have to happen?
Is it going to affect my work?
Probably.
Shit.
My heart’s still beating a mile a minute when the cab pulls up to my apartment building. I rush inside, and when I finally get to lock my front door behind me, I slump down on the couch.
God, what am I going to do?
Hopefully, nothing will come of this, and Finn will just let it go and ignore me.
Chapter 6
Kiara
My stomach is burning with tension. I hardly slept from all the worry, and this morning it really sunk in. I spent the entire weekend trying to come up with a solution, but I have nothing.
Only the damn worry eating at my insides while I get ready for work.
I have no idea what Finn’s going to do, and I’m at a total loss on how to handle this situation.
Do I just ignore it?
Would it work if I avoided Finn?
Should I report it?
I’ve researched sexual harassment in the workplace, but the fact that I don’t have any proof and it’s my word against his leaves me hesitant to go to HR with the problem. After all, I’ve only been with the company a month where Finn’s the owner’s brother.
God.
With no other option but to go to work and hope for the best, I leave my apartment.
Finn had a lot to drink on Friday night. Maybe he won’t even remember what happened.
Ha, you should be that lucky.
By the time I walk into the lobby, I can’t keep my hands from trembling, and my stomach feels raw.
“Morning,” Denise greets with her usual warm smile. “How was the event?”
“Morning.” I place my bag in the bottom drawer, then answer, “It was okay. I can’t remember half the names of the people I met.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to confide in Denise, but deciding against it, I say, “I’ll make us coffee.”
Feeling anxious, I keep glancing around me as if Finn will appear out of thin air. After preparing the coffee, I take my seat behind the counter and focus on checking the schedules.
“You’re quiet today,” Denise mentions. “How was your weekend?”
“Good. I just stayed home and got some rest,” I answer, forcing a smile to my face. “How was yours?”
“Boring,” she chuckles. “I can’t wait for payday.”
“Just two more days.”
Denise’s eyes widen, then she whispers, “Just smile. The CEO is here.”
My head snaps up, and even though Denise told me to smile, it drops right off my face at the sight of the CEO. I have to blink a couple of times because the man looks exactly like Charlie Hunnam.
Holy shit.
His steps are filled with confidence, the three-piece suit fitting his muscled frame like a second skin. I always thought I preferred dark-haired men, but taking in Liam's dark blonde hair, I have to admit, he’s the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
My sensitive stomach starts to spin with nerves and something unknown as he walks in our direction.
Smile.
Smile, dammit!
My lips curve up in a trembling smile, my entire body now humming with nerves and an emotion I’ve never felt before.