Page 49 of Love is So Mean
“Boss, you’ve got some lipstick…”
I lift my hand to smooth my hair but it’s out and unruly. “Where’s my hair tie?” I search around for a minute before finding it.
Bending over, I pick it up and I feel the sensation of Enrique’s fingertips on my ass.
“Concentrate,” I say to him.
“Let me just,” Jeeves starts as he pulls out a handkerchief and wipes my lipstick off of Enrique. “So, more than just a business arrangement?”
“What?” I ask because I don’t know what that means.
“Mind your business,” Enrique grumbles then smacks Jeeve’s hand and turns to check himself out in the elevator’s mirror.
“What headlines?” Enrique prompts to move the conversation back to the reason for this clandestine meeting.
“The ones that suggest that you’re a gold digger,” Jeeves interjects.
“Gold digger? Why?” I ask.
“His net worth.” Jeeves responds.
“My net worth?” Enrique responds.
“Yeah, and I quote,” Matthew pulls his phone out and scrolls. “75.4 Billion dollars to be exact.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Enrique exclaims, shocking me.
“What happened?” I ask. “What’s the problem? Did you not look at your account?”
“I would have been alerted if that much money hit my bank,” Enrique shakes his head in disbelief. “And you said 75.4billion?”He asks again, looking at me with big eyes.
“I said half, didn’t I?”
“I think I need some air. Maybe you should have spoken in numbers instead of portions. I didn’t know your net worth.”
“I don’t know the details of this arrangement but it would have been the first thing I would have checked,” Jeeves admits while reading something on his phone.
“You don’t know my net worth? You’re-were-my CFO. I know yours. Hell, I know your shoe size.” I say. I’m not sure what I am but shocked isn’t the word, maybe just confused by the fact that he didn’t check if I held up my end of the contract. “Why didn’t you double check if I kept up my end?”
“It only mattered how the company was doing.” He tells me as he bends at the knees like it’s considering sitting. “I know the numbers for thecompany.”
“Enrique? Are you…having a moment?” Isn’t this what people ask? This is not my element and I don’t know if I’m supposed to pat his back or give him space. I look at Matthew so he can do what is necessary.
“Yasmeena, If this is too much for Enrique, I’m single,” Jeeves tells me although I’m not sure if it’s a joke.
“Shut up, Jeeves,” Enrique grumbles as he fans himself like it’s hot.
“Enrique, do you have elevator trauma, or wait, are you claustrophobic? Maybe an anxiety attack? This is a moment, isn’t it, Matthew?”
Chapter 29
Enrique
Matthew pauses the elevator when I hunch over and drop my hands to my knees. I can’t breathe. I’m pretty sure I’m having an anxiety attack or something. Abillionaire? I knew they were a prominent family and Yasmeena made her own fortune but I never looked into the details; it felt intrusive.
I was so shocked about her proposal that although I heardhalf, I never considered what was thewhole.My shortness of breath makes me pant and I swear my little freak out is amusing Jeeves.
“You have to take some of that back, Yas. That’s too much.” I clutch at my collar but I’m not wearing a tie. I need some air or something. “I had no idea…” I say to myself more than anyone.