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Olivia's POV.
"I'm scared you'll let me down like she did? What the hell does that even mean?'' I voice out loud, but Theodore ignores me as he races towards his office. I stand in the elevator shocked and a bit saddened at his reveal. Had someone hurt him? How did she hurt him? Question after question races through my head, but I have no time to think about them more because in a matter of moments, Andrea is shouting at me.
"What are you doing just standing there? You have three meetings to prepare and loads of files to organize!'' She huffs in annoyance.
"Sorry, I-"
"I don't want to hear your excuses. Get to work!'' She growls, before spinning on her stiletto clad foot and walking off.
I roll my eyes at her obvious dislike for me, but do as I'm told. I needed this job and I wouldn't allow Barbie number one to have my ass on the street. How had such a lovely morning end like this?
"Come on Olivia. One step at a time,'' I whisper to myself in motivation.
Setting my purse down and firing up the computer, I ignore Andrea's glare and focus on the files sitting on my desk. I practically groan in pain as I spot what could be a ten pound file and below it a fifteen-pounder.
"Have fun,'' Andrea sings in glee as she starts her own work, a pile much smaller than my own.
I bite my tongue in resignation and get to work. Mama always said to choose one's battles and this was the time to do just that. Andrea could hate me all she wanted. It was Theodore's opinion that mattered.
"Theodore,'' I sigh at the thought of him.
"Did you say something?'' Andrea asks, looking up from her typing.
"No, just lost in thought,'' I lie.
"Don't daydream on the job,'' she glares before getting back to whatever she was typing.
Oh Theodore, who hurt you so badly…
The rest of the morning is filled with paperwork after paperwork. I'm able to finish the ten-pounder, but I'm nowhere near being done. Every once in a while I glance towards Theodore's office, but not once has he made an appearance. He hasn't even asked for a tea or anything, and I'm too much of a coward to go in without an excuse.
"Have you started on Teddy's speech for the gala?'' Andrea asks after being hours of silence.
"Yes, I'm almost finished-"
"I'll have to proofread it and then you can hand it in to him,'' she says, cutting me off. "Do you have something adequate to wear?''
"No-"
"You'll have to get one ASAP. The event is black-tie. Buy something modest and refined. Stick with dark colors and not something bright,'' she practically barks out.
"Modest, refined, and dark,'' I nod.
"Good. I'm heading off to lunch, man-''
"Man the desk,'' I recite back.
"I'll be back in an hour,'' she says, sounding annoyed at being cut off.
I give her a thumbs up before looking back at my files. That woman seriously had a stick up her ass! I wonder how she ever got married…
"It's none of your business,'' I murmur out loud.
As I try focusing on the rest of my work, I hear the distinct sound of heels clicking on the marble floors. Every click sounded like a song. A song full of harmony and rhythm. Looking up, I feel my self-esteem deflate like a balloon on a hot summer's day. Walking into the office was a woman right off of runway. Her platinum locks curled to perfection, not a single hair out of place and her makeup just as impressive. She had striking features that would be difficult to forget and a body many would kill for, especially her spider legs. She reminded me of Mrs. Grey, elegant and refined. Dressed in head to toe designer and carrying a Chanel clutch, it was obvious she was wealthy.
"Good afternoon,'' I greet shyly. "Can I help you?''
"I'm here to see Theo,'' she all but purrs back, her turquoise eyes sizing me up.
"Theo? Oh, Mr. Grey. Do you have an appointment?''
"He knew I would drop by. I'm just going to head in,'' she replies, before dancing her way towards his office.
"No! I need to announce you! You can't just waltz in,'' I shout as I follow her.
"I can announce myself,'' she says and before I can stop her, she opens the door and walks right in.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Grey. She didn't want to be announced,'' I try apologizing.
"It's alright Olivia,'' he says, offering me a small smile. "Ms. Carter is not a patient one.''
Ms. Carter? Where have I heard that name before?
"It's not like you didn't know I was stopping by,'' the blonde retaliates with a huff, before turning to face me. "Amanda Carter,'' she smiles politely.
Amanda Carter, of course! She was the woman in the photos Sydney had showed me.
"Pleasure,'' I mumble back, sounding anything but pleased.
"Amanda, this is Olivia Hart. She will be taking over Andrea's post as executive assistant,'' he says.
"Olivia Hart. What a pretty name,'' she says, smiling like a cat eating the canary.
"Thank you,'' I whisper back, shyly. She's probably laughing at how small and insignificant I appear next to her.
"How nice it is to put a face to the name,'' Ms. Carter murmurs as she continues to observe me.
I arch a brow at her comment. How nice it is to put a face to the name? Did she know about me? How?
"Amanda, would you like anything to drink or eat?'' Theodore asks her, cutting off anything else she was about to say.
"No, no, I'm not in the mood for anything,'' she continues smiling.
"If there isn't anything you need, Mr. Grey, I'll take my leave,'' I announce, not wanting to be in the same room as them anymore.
"I'm fine for now. Why don't you take an early lunch, Olivia,'' he offers, politely.
I nod and without another word practically stomp my way out of the office, almost slamming the door behind me.
"You're an idiot Olivia! He could have that spider-legged skank and you thought he liked you,'' I huff at my own stupidity.
Collapsing in my soft chair, I feel like crying out how stupid I was. He probably tells all the girls he likes them, but the blonde bimbo would always be his main choice. I mean just look at her. She had it all going for her and here I am. A simple assistant.
"Hi, Liv! Are you going to head to lunch?'' Kelly, one of the interns asks.
"Yeah,'' I mumble, before pushing past her and towards the elevator.
As I try rushing into the now open elevator, I collide with another person and both our belongings go tumbling down.
"Oh!'' She exclaims in surprise.
"I'm so sorry,'' I apologize, bending down to collect her bedazzled cellphone and designer bag.
"It's alright. No blood, no foul,'' she replies in wind-chime voice.
Standing back up, I hand her belongings back and gasp in shock as I see who I had just collided with. Her copper locks and smile are just like her brothers. It's Phoebe Grey. Theodore had mentioned she would be stopping by, but I didn't expect to run her over.
"Ms. Grey! I'm so sorry,'' I apologize once more.
Good job Olivia! First you beat up Theodore and now you tackle his baby sister!
"I assure you I'm fine. Had you knocked down my dad or cousin Ava it would have been a different story,'' she smiles kindly.
"I'm still sorry. I should have watched where I was going. Could I do anything for you?'' I try asking.
"I'm just here to see my brother,'' she responds back, fixing her expensive looking blazer.
"Of course. He's actually in his office with a Ms. Amanda Carter-"
"Oh, Amanda is here? Well then, I'll just show myself in. It was nice meeting you…"
"Olivia. Olivia Hart,'' I smile back at her sweet nature.
"I hope to see you again Olivia and don't run anyone else over,'' she giggles before walking off.
Well, at least she isn't some preppy princess, I smile to myself.
With the last bit of grace I have, I step into the elevator and make my way down. I don't stop to greet or talk to anyone like I usually do and I definitely don't acknowledge some of the glares. Making my way across the lobby, I rush out into the rainy Seattle streets. The smell of fresh air and summer rain clears my head as I breathe it all in. For a minute, I can forget about the platinum blonde and what she and Theodore could have been doing inside the office. Were they kissing or dare I even think it…having sex?
"Whatever they're doing Olivia, it's none of your business,'' I growl.
Shaking away the imaginary sounds of her moaning and him kissing her all over, I go in search of a coffee shop or somewhere I can relax for a bit. Luckily finding a coffee shop isn't difficult in Seattle and in a matter of moments, I'm sipping on a coffee and people watching. Pulling out my phone, I dial the one person who could clear my head completely.
"Hey, Liv! Aren't you working?'' Sydney asks after two rings.
"I took an early lunch,'' I reply.
"Uh oh. Tell me what happened,'' she orders in a soft voice.
And I do. I tell her how Theodore had picked me up and how we had almost kissed, and what he had said. I describe the spider-legged Barbie and how I had even met Phoebe Grey. Every single detail is recited to her.
"And are you sure they looked like they had a thing for each other?'' She asks after I'm done talking.
"Syd, he made me take an early lunch! He probably didn't want the office to hear him fucking her over the desk,'' I snap.
"Whoa! Don't get all snappy at me, Olivia! You're just mad right now, but how do you know they aren't just friends? Besides he already knew his sister was coming over, so I don't think he would-"
"Are you defending him?'' I ask shocked.
"I'm not defending anybody, but I'm saying you shouldn't speculate! Just because they were in a few pictures doesn't mean they're together,'' she says in annoyance and I can almost see her rolling her eyes.
"She called him Theo,'' I pout.
"No! How dare she say his name?'' She teases.
"Shut up! I'm serious Sydney-"
"You're jealous,'' she laughs.
"No I'm not! I just hate how he tries hitting on me when he already has somebody.''
"You're jealous,'' she persists.
"Am not!''
"Are too!''
"Not!''
"Are!''
"Not!''
"Are!''
"Alright! I am! Is that what you want to hear? I am falling in love with that pompous arrogant man. I want to be the one calling him Theo and kissing him, and for the first time in my life I want to have sex! If he asked me to get on the fucking desk and spread my legs, I might just do it! Are you happy!'' I shout before hanging up on her.
"I'll have sex with you,'' I hear someone say.
Looking up, I see some nerdy teen eyeing me with desire and a bunch of people looking at me in shock. Shit! They had obviously heard my last words. Glaring at all of them, I take my coffee and stomp out of the shop. Pushing my way through the busy streets, I head towards the office in silence until I hear the annoying sound of Sydney's ringtone.
"What!'' I growl.
"I'm calling for a girl's night and I want to hear everything. I'm bringing some high-end wine and all you can eat junk food,'' she says before hanging up in a matter of seconds.
"You just had to tell her you wanted to get fucked…''
Nick's Pov (For all of you who wanted this)
Play it cool Nicholas. Just play it cool, I tell myself as sit in front of the most beautiful of angels.
"What an adorable little place,'' she smiles and I almost swoon like some lovesick puppy. "It reminds me of Tuscany."
"My thoughts exactly,'' I smile back.
"Have you been? To Italy?' She asks as she looks over the menu.
"I have actually. My parents own a villa in Neive.''
"Really?'' She asks in delight. "I was actually there this summer. Neive must be the cutest town I have ever seen.''
"I have great memories from there. My parents would take me and my sister every summer, but with work I barely have time now a days.''
"One must always have time for travel. Life is too short,'' she smiles, her gray eyes shining like stars in the darkest of nights.
"You're right. That's exactly how I feel," I smile back. "My mom calls me a dreamer, she thinks I always have my head in the clouds but I think I just love life too much. If we always concentrated on the negative parts of life we wouldn't be able to make the best out of the good.''
"For a lawyer you aren't what is expected,'' she giggles adorably.
"And what did you expect?'' I tease.
"I hear they call you a piranha in court,'' she arches a brow.
"I'm not at court right now,'' I counter.
"Usually someone with that nickname is rude or cocky,'' she shrugs her shoulders.
"Am I?'' I ask.
"Rude and cocky? No, but I've only just officially met you.''
"So tell me what you think about me at this vey moment,'' I order gently as if I were talking to a client.
"What if I say something you won't like?''
I smile and give her my best "try me" look.
"You're a good liar,'' she says with a smirk.
"Excuse me?''
"I'll bet my favorite pair of Jimmy Choo pumps that you aren't looking to buy art and with the help of my brother got me to go out with you,'' she arches a brow.
I stare at her in shock, surprised at how easily she had figured out Theo's plan. I mean I knew she was no idiot, but she wasn't outsmarted.
"I just got lawyered," I laugh at myself.
"Grandpa Carrick taught me well," she replies in triumph.
"I'm sorry,'' I apologize, hoping she wasn't too angry.
"You'll have to make it up to me,'' she says with an ached brow.
"Anything,'' I reply immediately.
Please ask me to kiss you or be your boyfriend or something along those lines.
"You're going to buy ten pieces of art from me.''
"What? Ten?'' I ask in shock.
"I hope you have a big wallet. The cheapest one starts at fifteen thousand dollars,'' she smirks.
"Fifteen thousand dollars?"
She nods looking pleased with herself. "You wouldn't have gotten into this mess if you had just asked me out yourself," she says. "You might be a piranha but I'm a crocodile and if I remember correctly, crocodiles eat piranhas.''
I laugh loudly at her adorable comment. I had seriously been lawyered by what seemed to be an angelic little thing. If I hadn't been already in love with her, I would have fallen all over again. Never before had someone bested me…
"Ten pieces of art?'' I ask again with what women call my "panty dropping smile." To my surprise and delight her eyes glaze over.
"Ye…Yes,'' she murmurs. "Nine art pieces and one sculpture.''
"A sculpture?''
"It's a very beautiful sculpture and definitely worth the eighteen thousand dollars."
I laugh again at her selling strategy. She really was committed to her job and her love for art. I honestly wouldn't mind paying the money, but I knew she was testing me. How many people had given in to her every whim? She didn't need someone to fall under her, but to be her equal and I would do everything to be just that.
"Three pieces of art and the sculpture," I offer.
"No deal,'' she replies strongly. "You buy everything.''
"Five pieces of art,'' I counter.
"Eight and the sculpture,'' she retaliates.
"Five and the sculpture.''
"Seven and a bust,'' she shoots back.
"A bust? Since when is that part of the deal?'' I laugh.
"Since when is it right to trick a girl into a lunch date?''
"It's not a lunch date,'' I reply. "We aren't eating yet."
She arches a brow and calls over the waiter. "I'll have the shrimp Alfredo with penne pasta and the peach lemonade.''
"I'll have the steak ravioli and a glass of Barbera,'' I order after regaining my equilibrium.
The waiter gives a polite nod and walks off to place our order, but my eyes are only on the smiling copper-haired beauty.
"Still not a lunch date?'' She smirks once more.
"I would still have to pay,'' I smirk back.
"I forgot my wallet,'' she all but laughs, enjoying our game.
"Sucks for you,'' I tease.
She makes a shocked face but I can tell she's only playing. Her face filled with childlike wonder and delight.
"Are you really going to sell me ten pieces of art?'' I ask.
"Depends. Do you even have a new apartment?'' She giggles.
"I'm actually looking for one,'' I reply.
"Seriously?''
"Yeah. I'm going to see a few places this week."
"Fine. Get your apartment and I'll sell you three pieces,'' she offers.
"Two-"
"Two and a four thousand dollar bust,'' she says ruthlessly and I can't help but chuckle at her tone. She was a kitten trying to be a tiger. An art major trying to best the law major.
I sigh in mock disappointment. "Two and a four thousand dollar bust."
She claps happily and shrieks in glee at her sale. Money be damned! I didn't even care what the pieces looked like as long as she kept the smile on her face.
"You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Grey.''
"It was nice doing business with you Mr. Holden," she looks at me from under her eyelashes and I swear I almost swoon. God, I'm a total pansy.
"So you knew all along?'' I ask her about Theo's plan.
"He kept mentioning you to me, and when I found out you were the one planning to buy art I figured it out, but…''
"But what?'' I ask.
"I can't say I wasn't happy to know it was you,'' she whispers shyly.
I smile widely as I hear every single word she had just said. I knew she felt the connection back at GEH. I knew it wasn't just me. It was like one of those chick-flicks my sister made me watch when we were younger.
"You have a pretty smile,'' she murmurs, blushing as she realizes what she had just said.
"Do I?'' I smirk.
She rolls her eyes but otherwise smiles once more.
"Yes, but I'm sure you already knew that. As a matter of fact, I think you use that smile of yours to get your way more often than not.''
"When you're a lawyer you have to use everything that you have to win," I laugh.
"So I'm a prize to be won?'' she arches an elegant brow. "Aren't you a just a typical man? How romantic, I may just swoon.''
"Winning a woman's heart doesn't make someone a man, learning to treasure that heart after it's won is what makes someone a real man," I recite, smiling as I see her eyes soften.
"My, you must have all the ladies falling for such romanticism. However, I always disliked poetry. I always found it to be…'' she waves her hand as she searches for the proper word. "I find it false. People tend to say what others want to hear and that's why I find it difficult to believe such pretty phrases.''
"They say poetry is the way into one's heart," I offer.
"Words are blinding. A man can tell a woman she's pretty because it's what she wants to hear but when the wooing is over and the phrases are all said, what is left?'' she counters.
I let out a soft laugh at the young woman in front of me. She truly was a breath of fresh air, so honest and pure.
"So if not poetry, what is the way to your heart?"
"Art," she says simply. "Art speaks where words are unable to explain.''
"The world is a canvas to our imagination," I smile.
"Exactly.''
"So no poetry?''
"No poetry.''
"Art?''
She nods, studying my face as if wanting to know everything about me.
"I've never been particularly good at art…''
"Then you'll just have to work harder won't you?''
"Infinitely so," I murmur.
Her smile grows at my promise and whether or not we work out in the end, I'll make sure she knows that I did everything in my power to make her fall in love with me. She'd see that I was more than just some high-end corporate lawyer.
As we enjoy our delicious lunch together, we get to know one another more. She tells me about her latest travels and her new job, and I get to see the girl I have fallen for. She's more than her pretty face and wealth, and I fall harder for her sweet nature. I tell her about my family and to my surprise and somewhat annoyance, I find out my sister and her are friends. I had spent years after her and my little sister had never mentioned they were yoga buddies. Darcy was so dead when I got my hands on her.
"Yeah, we've taken the same yoga and cycling class together for almost two years I think. She's super sweet and so is her boyfriend.''
The hell! She even knew Mason?
"I'm so going to kill her," I murmur to myself.
"Sorry?''
"My sister. She could've at least mentioned you guys talked," I pout as I pay our bill.
"Or maybe you could have asked me out when we first met," she throws a smirk over her shoulder as we walk out of the restaurant.
"Would you have said yes?''
"Maybe," she replies coyly.
"Miss Grey," her bodyguard greets, opening the door to the backseat.
"Can I see you again?'' I ask, taking her small hand in mine.
"You can always ask Teddy to set up something for us," she teases, making me laugh.
"No. I think I'd like to ask you out myself.''
"Then my answer is yes," she murmurs before rising on her toes and placing a soft kiss on my cheek. "I would have said yes three years ago.''
I stare at her in awe as she pulls away to get into the SUV, my heart racing faster than ever at not only her words but at the feeling of her lips so close to my own.
"Will you save a dance for me at the gala this weekend?'' I call out to her before her driver closes the door.
"I'll save you two. Good day Mr. Holden," she purrs as the door closes, leaving me to see my reflection through the tinted window.
As the car pulls away, I feel a stupid smile grace my face. Today couldn't have gone any bet –
Ring. Ring. Ring.
I groan as I spot my bosses name on the caller id.
"Mr. Phillips –"
"Where the fuck are you Holden!''
And just like that my mood is almost ruined…almost...
Olivia's POV.
"Thank you all for the kind and generous support towards GEH over the years," Andrea recites as she finishes reading the speech I had written for Theodore.
"Good?'' I ask, taking the paper back from her.
"It'll do," she says with a purse of her lips.
"I'll give it to Theo –''
She arches a brow at my lack of propriety towards Theodore and immediately correct myself.
"I'll give it to Mr. Grey right away.''
"Don't put your attentions where they shouldn't be dear," she murmurs before returning back to her own work.
I hold back the need to snap at her and make my way towards Theodore's office, knowing well this wasn't a battle I wanted to fight. I was tired of trying to understand all these people and what they wanted from me. I never seemed to do anything right in anyone's eyes here.
With a deep breath, I knock on the wooden door.
"Come in," I hear him say in nothing more than a soft whisper.
Pushing the door open, I step into his lair. The office is deadly silent and not in a comforting way. For some odd reason, I feel a sadness floating through the large space. A sadness coming from him. My heels click against the marble flooring, making too much noise for the otherwise silent space.
"I finished your speech,'' I whisper, placing the papers on his desk.
He looks up at me tiredly and then at the papers in boredom. "Thank you," he says.
"Don't you want to see what I wrote?'' I ask with a frown as he places the papers in a drawer.
"Later," he murmurs.
"Maybe I wrote something embarrassing or rude," I try teasing, trying to get a smile out of him.
"I'm sure Andrea has already read them and you and I both know, you would be fired if you even tried to pull such a stunt. In the end, you would be the only one embarrassed and without a job.''
I step back as though I had been slapped. Gone was the Theodore from this morning. He looked at me as if though I were nothing but an irritating piece of lint on his designer suit. As his focus returns to something on his computer, I put back all my walls. Why do I even try with this man? He needed a fucking therapist with all these mood swings.
"Right. Is there anything else I can do for you Mr. Grey?''
At the sound of his last name on my lips, he immediately looks up. His eyes soften as if though he hadn't realized he had been talking to me, but I have nothing of that. My walls are back up and I'd do myself a favor by listening to Andrea's warning.
"I'm sorry Olivia – ''
"No. You're right. I would lose much more than you would," I say, referring to much more than the joke about his speech. "Is that all Mr. Grey.''
He nods before looking back at his computer. His eyes lost on something that seemed worlds away. With a huff, I quickly make my exit and rush back towards my desk, ignoring Andrea's questioning gaze. Every time we went one step forward, he took steps back! There was just no way around that man. I just didn't know what else to do. Amanda Carter would know.
I know it's been a year since I last updated, but I had a very good reason for it. I was able to study abroad in Italy and fell even harder for my love of art. I was so proud to continue my art history studies in such a beautiful and lively country. If you guys have never been to Italy, I highly recommend going one day. Anyway, I promise to update more often now that I am back in the states! Please review.