“Yes.”
“Good.” Adam sat himself down in Mr. Kender’s big leather high-backed chair and leaned against his fingers forming a temple at his chin. “What do you do here, Olivia?”
“I’m Mr. Kender’s PA,” I said, swallowing hard. “Um…that is, I’m his personal assistant.”
“I know what PA stands for,” he snapped, glaring at me again. “How long have you worked for Mr. Kender?”
“Three weeks,” I responded. “My friend Melody got me this job when…”
“Did I ask you about the hiring process?”
“Um…no.”
“Then don’t talk to me about it.”
I could feel heat rising up my face, and I knew I was turning bright pink. Adam gazed at me for a moment before continuing.
“Next question, Olivia.” Adam’s voice was calm and smooth again. “Are you sleeping with him?”
“What?” I gasped. “No!”
“Good.” Adam got up from the chair and leaned back over Mr. Kender’s laptop.
I just stood there with what had to be a totally inane look of disbelief on my face and my mouth hanging wide open. When I realized I was probably going to start drooling on myself, I snapped it shut.
Adam tapped on the laptop’s keyboard furiously for a few minutes. Then he stopped. Then he clattered about again. His eyes flashed over the screen, narrowing slightly. Then they moved over to me, and the intensity of his stare made me take a half step backwards.
“Do you have a laptop?” Adam asked.
“Um…yes?” I stammered again.
“Are you asking yourself a question this time?”
“No,” I said softly.
“So you do have a laptop?” he smirked.
“Yes,” I said, a little louder. “I have a laptop.”
“Where?”
“The desk outside this office.”
“Go and retrieve your laptop,” Adam said. “Bring it back here to me. Don’t stray, baby, okay?”
“Okay,” I said, and turned around to walk out the door.
“Want me to go with her?” I heard the bald man speak.
“It’s okay, Cole,” Adam said. “She’s coming right back. Aren’t you, baby?”
“Yes,” I said. I walked swiftly out into the office, wondering why I was simply complying with everything this man said.
Maybe because he’s telling you exactly what he wants you to do instead of asking for your opinion?
I tried to push that thought aside, but it just wasn’t willing to budge.
I went to my desk and tried not to look at Frank the Monster Man standing next to the elevators with his arms crossed over his chest and spinning his gun, which was looped around one finger. My laptop was still on with the screen saver running, so I closed the cover with a quiet click, undocked it from the docking station, and carried it back into Mr. Kender’s office. Adam looked up and smiled at me when I walked back in.