These scribbles are mine. No copyright infringement is intended.
Word prompt: bistro
The amount of work Rose was left to deal with meant that she had to work through lunch. The incessantly ringing phone didn't help her concentration either, as she took message after message for Emmett, who had been sequestered with his evil minions since his conference call earlier.
She tried to remain focused, but the look on Emmett's face dogged her thoughts. She couldn't deny the thrill of desire that coursed through her body at the memory. In quiet moments, when she was alone and vulnerable, she thought of Emmett McCarty. It was his eyes that she dreamt of when she fell asleep at night, and his name she had cried aloud when her fingers brought her to completion. He had given her no reason to admire him, but the seed of attraction bloomed within her, almost in spite of herself.
She was on the phone ordering a cake for Mr Masen when Emmett finally emerged from the little-used boardroom. He tapped his foot impatiently while she recited her credit card number and gave directions to the firm.
"Conducting personal business on company time, Ms Hale? Really?"
"Ordering a cake for your father on his last day, Mr McCarty. Celebrating the hard work of a man dedicated to his business and his employees for the past 40 years. I'm sure even you can understand that."
Rose hated the tone of his voice and the unpleasant sneer on his face. It was amazing to her how such a handsome man could appear so ugly.
To her surprise, Emmett swallowed audibly and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Be sure to bill it to the company, Ms Hale. I'm sure my father will appreciate the gesture."
She felt uncomfortable at his gesture, but Emmett's next words reminded her that he was a man uninterested in exciting the compassion of others.
"As this is my father's last day, it should be yours also. You can finish up here today. Don't worry, I'll pay you until your contract runs out next week."
Rose clenched her fists in her lap and gritted her teeth.
"I'm perfectly happy to work until the end of next week, Mr McCarty. There is still paperwork to be sorted through and packing to be done. I am, after all, your employee."
"I have other employees more than capable of completing the job, Ms Hale. I know you like to appear indispensable, but what you're selling isn't a rare commodity."
Rose couldn't withhold her gasp at the harshness of his words. The fire that she had seen earlier in his gaze had been replaced by a cold, black wasteland of hostility. She felt her temper rising, but struggled to contain it. She stood and faced Emmett head-on.
"I understand, Mr McCarty. I'll vacate my desk by this evening."
She stared into his hard, uncompromising eyes until he was forced to look away and take a step back. In that moment, Rose knew that she was witnessing a man deliberately self-destructing and it pained her.
She offered him one final olive branch.
"Your father's cake is due to arrive in an hour and I've asked the others to stay behind to give him a proper send-off. I hope you will join us. I've ordered the cake from Frank's bistro, your father's favourite."
He met her gaze again, but his expression was unyielding.
"Actually, no. I have a prior engagement this afternoon. Goodbye Ms Hale."
He held out his hand and shook hers stiffly. Rose looked on, as if from a great distance, as Emmett McCarty walked out of the office and out of her life.
