Kiss, Cry, or Dream
.
Chapter 3
.
I walk into the doors of the publishing office, Big Apple Publishing, where I work as an editor. I do most of my work at my apartment, sitting on my couch editing manuscripts, so a couple of people give me some weird looks as I approach my boss's office.
I'm kind of nervous…if this doesn't work out what am I gonna do? I have to move to Capeside, Pacey can't leave the Icehouse, it's way too important to him…I suppose I could try to find a new job there, but I don't know…well here we go.
"Why hello there Miss Potter, what brings you to the office on a Saturday afternoon? Not that I'm not thrilled to see your beautiful face every once in a while, it certainly brightens up this place. But I'm guessing you didn't just come here to see my handsome mug."
"Hi Mr. Dodd. I just have a bit of a situation that I need to discuss with you."
"Please, please, call me Frank, I don't know how many times I have to tell you that. Alright Miss Potter, let's just step into my office."
So we step into his office and he shuts the door and closes the blinds. What's he closing the blinds for? I don't think this really requires that much privacy.
"Mr. Dodd–uh, I mean Frank…so you know I recently started dating a man from my hometown, Capeside, and we're pretty serious. Well, he owns a restaurant back in Capeside, and he can't really be away from it for too much longer, so he has to move back, and I would really like to move back with him. I really love my job here, and I would hate to lose that. So I was wondering if there is any possible way that I could be relocated to Capeside, Massachusetts? Don't we have a branch of the company near there? I'll do whatever it takes to keep my job when I move."
Nerves get the best of me and I kind of rush through my little proposal. I hope that doesn't mess this up for me. I really, really need this.
"Oh Miss Potter, that is quite the situation you have there. You said you'll do whatever it takes to keep your job? I think I may be able to help you out…"
Mr. Dodd walks over to the door and locks it as he's talking. Uh oh.
"…and I think you might also be able to help me out."
He walks over to me and wraps his hand firmly around my waist. He's a strong guy, there's no way I could get out of his grip if I tried. This isn't looking too good for me right now.
*Ring, ring*
*Ring, ring*
I'm so consumed in the events taking place that it takes me a minute to realize my phone is ringing, but I'm paralyzed. Mr. Dodd lightly trails his fingers down my waist and reaches into my pocket and pulls out my phone. This is getting uncomfortable, how did I get myself into this? I mean, Frank Dodd is a good-looking man - tall, tan, muscular. Shaggy brown hair, dark green eyes. Gorgeous smile. All the women at the office fawn over him regularly, and I can't say that I haven't checked out his tight ass myself once or twice. But he's just one of those fantasies that you imagine yourself with, like Brad Pitt or Orlando Bloom. I never actually thought, or really even wanted, anything to happen with him. And since I started dating Pacey again I haven't had one sexual thought about Frank, he's my boss.
"It's an unknown number, and they'll just have to wait. Don't you know it's rude for your phone to ring during a meeting, Miss Potter?"
The slow and deliberate way he says the word "Miss" sends chills down my spine.
"Mr. Dodd, I think I've changed my mind about this whole arrangement, I will just find a new job when I get back to Capeside."
My sentence barely comes out as a whisper.
"Well Miss Potter, I think it's a bit late for you to back out on this agreement now."
As he says this he drags me over towards his desk. He clears it off with one swipe of a hand, and lays me gently on top as he hovers over me.
"What exactly are you doing, Mr. Dodd?"
Although at this point I know exactly what Mr. Dodd is planning on doing, and I don't have any way to stop him…
"Well, I thought that was a bit obvious Miss Potter. I've had my eye on you since you joined this company, and before you leave our little establishment, I'd just like to say my proper…goodbye."
As he says this last word he brushes his hand down my cheekbone and leans his lips towards mine. I can feel his warm breath against my mouth and it stuns me. He tightens his hold on my waist with one hand as his other grabs my thigh, hitching it around his waist, and I gasp. His lips are about to touch mine…
*Knock, knock, knock*
Suddenly someone starts knocking on the door. Finally my brain starts working again and I realize that this is it, this is my one chance to maybe get myself out of this mess.
"Mr. Dodd?"
The muffled voice of a man comes through the door, and it sounds pretty urgent.
"Mr. Dodd, I know you're busy, but there's someone here to see you, and she says it's very important."
"Dammit," Dodd curses under his breath. "Who's here to see me, Lou? I'm really busy, can't it wait?" he yells through the door.
"Well sir…it's your wife."
"Bitch," Dodd mutters. "Miss Potter, this will only take a minute. You stay in here and we will resume this meeting shortly."
He lifts himself off of me and walks out of his office. I hear him lock it from the outside, damn. I start to panic, but then I glance over to the floor and see my phone. Perfect. I'll just call for help.
I flip my phone up and see that I have a voicemail. I guess I have a few minutes, so I decide to listen to it.
"You have one new message. First new message:
Miss Josephine Potter, this is the hospital calling. You are listed as the emergency contact for a Mr. Pacey Witter. We are calling to notify you that he has been in a terrible car accident, and you need to come to the hospital as quickly as possible."
.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
.