This scene niggled at me until I got out of bed and turned back on my laptop to write it.
No copyright infringement is intended.
Word Prompt: Rush
Dialogue Flex: "He doesn't want to be bothered right now," she said.
Rose stepped out of Mr Masen's office, closing the door softly behind her. Emmett swivelled around and made to stand up. Rose raised her hand in an entreaty for him to wait.
"He doesn't want to be bothered right now," she said.
Emmett landed heavily in the chair and raked his fingers roughly through his hair.
"Well, fuck."
Rose hovered beside him, uncertain what to say. All she could think of was the resigned look of disappointment on Mr Masen's face. This was the man who took on employees thrown on the rejection pile, the man who had given her a job when she turned up desperate in response to his advertisement and admitted that she couldn't continue to pay her rent without this job. Her loyalty lay with him.
And yet the sight of the cocky Emmett McCarty-Masen slumped at her desk, muttering to himself, tugged at the soft places inside her.
"Did he - Did he say anything else?"
He looked up at her with honey-brown eyes and Rose felt a rush pass through her at his gaze. Emmett McCarty looked good when he dropped the bastard act.
"He looked upset. He just said he couldn't see you today. Maybe… Maybe you can try again tomorrow?"
At her words, Emmett's face closed down. It was startling to see the transformation, as if a chink of light had been swiftly extinguished.
"I asked you what my father said. I didn't ask for your opinion. I don't think you're paid to give your opinion, are you Miss Hale?"
His words were like a slap in the face and they woke Rose from whatever spell she had been under.
"I am your father's employee, Mr McCarty. What he pays me for is none of your business."
Rose regretted her words the moment they left her mouth. Emmett smirked as she flushed, satisfied that he had trapped her into an embarrassingly poor choice of words. He stood to his full height, which suddenly seemed much taller than before.
"My coat, if you please."
Rose retrieved his coat and watched silently while he donned it. He snatched his umbrella from her hand and turned to leave. Rose drew a shaky breath.
"Oh. And Miss Hale? My father doesn't pay you. I do. So what you do is very much my business."
