His Desk
Fenella’s POV
Laird stared at me intently and then glanced at his friend. Okay, I have to admit, I wasn’t ready.
If only Laird had chosen to introduce me as his close friend, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything. I mean, I didn’t know whether Laird would introduce me as his girlfriend or not.
What if Laird didn’t acknowledge me as his girlfriend? Especially now that our statuses are so different. Laird, the son of the firm’s owner, for God’s sake!
“Yeah, she’s my client,” he calmly replied.
What? My heart sank upon hearing Laird’s answer. A client? Just that? I waited for Laird to explain or add more details, but there was nothing.
“Wow, nice to meet you, miss. I’m Derek. Laird must be thrilled to have such a beautiful client like you.” Derek extended his hand to me with a broad smile.
“Oh, um, I’m Fenella,” I murmured.
My heart raced with a forced smile. I shook Derek’s hand, and he gripped it firmly.
He held my hand for a long time and engaged me in conversation about something I couldn’t quite grasp. However, I couldn’t respond with an empty mind. I was too shocked by the reality that Laird acknowledged me only as a client, not a girlfriend.
“Fenella, your name sounds like vanilla; very sweet,” Derek said with a mischievous smile to tease me.
“You’re funny, Derek,” I said with a small, fake laugh because the man clearly didn’t want to let go of my hand.
“That’s enough, Derek. Get your hand off of my girlfriend,” suddenly Laird patted Derek’s chest.
“Ouch, she’s your girlfriend?” Derek asked, releasing my hand.
My eyes widened upon hearing Laird’s words. Oh, thank goodness! A shy smile spread across my lips, replacing the disappointment that had briefly surfaced.
“There’s no need to make announcements. That’s why I didn’t feel like introducing her to you, big mouth,” Laird snorted as he finished brewing his hot coffee.
“Say that you’re embarrassed.” Derek nudged Laird’s waist.
“You’re very lucky, miss. He has a commitment and trust issue. You know, he never sticks with one woman for more than a week.” Derek leaned toward me and whispered loudly.
“So, if you change your mind and want someone more faithful…” Laird slapped Derek’s back hard, causing him to jump and grimace while rubbing his own back.
“Shut up, or I’ll sue you for defamation.” Laird slowly wrapped his arm around my waist to turn and walk away from Derek.
“Hey, I’m still talking to her, Laird,” Derek tried to call out, but Laird still ushered me to leave the pantry with him.
“Ignore him,” Laird grumbled quietly.
“Is he a young lawyer too?” I asked.
“Yeah, we were recruited together,” he said.
Laird and I returned to Laird’s desk. This time, I sat in his chair, and Laird placed a fragrant cup of hot coffee on his desk for me.
“Wait here; I’ll be right back,” he said.
I watched Laird walk away, but suddenly he turned back to the desk to approach me. He leaned down and whispered to me.
“Try not to wander alone anymore. Stay here until I come back. I don’t want you to be approached by perverted people lurking around here.” Laird’s face looked serious, and I blinked.
“Okay,” I said with a nervous chuckle.
“I’m serious,” he said again before he actually walked away, leaving me alone at his desk.Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.
I looked around and noticed other lawyers were busy with their own tasks. I tried to relax by enjoying the coffee Laird had served me while glancing at Laird’s desk. Piles of documents, boxes under the desk, phone charger cables, and several pens were neatly placed in the corners of the desk.
Slowly, I began to realize many people were watching me, and everyone who passed by Laird’s desk had to look at me twice. It was obvious I stood out at Laird’s desk. I started to feel like my decision to come to Laird’s office was a mistake.
Suddenly, a woman walked into the room briskly. She wore a white cropped blazer jacket and a tight black pencil skirt. She wore a decorative belt in white and gold. From top to bottom, her outfit screamed boss status with well-known designer clothes.
The woman moved from desk to desk around Laird’s desk to ask about work progress. Until she walked to me and didn’t find who she was looking for. She stared at me with a furrowed brow and a condescending look in her eyes.
“Have you seen Laird Evans?” she asked me.
“Oh, he’s gone to meet his paralegal to pick up some documents,” I replied, trying to stay calm.
“Is that so?” She stared at me intently and folded her arms in front of her chest.
“Are you a client? Because our clients should be properly entertained in the meeting room, not at a cramped private desk,” she said with a cold tone while looking at the hot coffee on the desk.
“Oh, it’s okay. Laird said he’d be right back, so I’m just here for a moment,” I said, ignoring her arrogant attitude towards me.
“Miss, if you are indeed our client, you shouldn’t wait in this room. Laird should know the rules in this office,” she said, speaking firmly as if giving me an order.
I furrowed my brow in confusion. Okay, I guess I’m still considered a guest, and the access card I wore clearly states that I am a guest. Maybe I should wait in the meeting room or the lounge, as appropriate.
“Sorry, I didn’t know. Maybe Laird thought I’d be comfortable waiting here since I’m alone,” I shrugged.
“Come with me; I’ll take you to the meeting room. This isn’t your place,” she insisted, shaking her head.
Her hand gestured for me to follow her as she stood, waiting for me to walk along with her. Ugh, there’s no other way.
I guess she’s Laird’s boss, which means I shouldn’t rebel here, or Laird will get in trouble too. So, I walked along with her out of the office to another corridor leading to the meeting room.