Page 71 of Hate to Love You

“Pace.”

“Do you have an appointment, Mr. Pace?” I ask, pulling Roman’s planner toward me.

“No.”

“Erm, may I ask what it’s concerning, Mr. Pace?”

“Put him on the phone. It’s personal.” He snaps.

Mr. Antonov explicitly said no personal calls at the office, and that if people wanted him, then they’d either get him via the appropriate channels, or they’d fuck off.

“I can’t do that. Mr. Antonov is out of office.” I reply, glancing quickly at Mr. Antonov’s door.

As if reading my mind, he continues.

“You’re new. I know he’s in his office. Go and tell him I’m waiting.”

I roll my eyes, “Of course Mr. Pace, please hold.” I say as I press the hold button, and jump up to knock on my boss’s door.

“Enter,” he yells through the door.

Gently, I push the door open, coming face to face with Mr. Antonov, sitting behind his desk, paperwork piled around him.

“What do you want Abigail?” He spits.

Clearly, he still doesn’t like me very much.

“There’s a gentleman on the line, wishing to discuss something privately with you, regarding a personal matter, Mr. Antonov.”

“For fucks sake, I do not take personal calls at work, Abigail. You were told this when you started!” He sighs irritably, rubbing his temples. “I also told you not to call me Mr. Antonov. You, call me Roman.”

My eyes narrow.

“And,” he continues. “That skirt is too fucking short. Make sure that you don’t wear it again. Burn it if you have to. It’s not professional.”

“Well, you are in a great mood today, Roman,” I sneer at him, my jaw tight. Twirling slowly on the spot, I continue, “Is my skirt distracting for you, Sir?”

I watch as his eyes flash before narrowing at me, making me shiver.

“Yes.” He snaps darkly, still staring at me like he wants to eat me alive.

I hum in response, smirking at him as I turn away. Shrugging, I start to close the door, before peaking my head in at the last minute, causing his eyes to snap up from his desk once more.

“Okay, well I’ll tell Mr. Pace, that you’re unable to take his call.”

“Fuck! Put him through on line one!”

“Yes, Sir!” I finger salute, shooting him my best dazzling smile as I slam the door shut with a bang, hearing him mutter “fuck me” as I walk away.

As I sit back down in my desk chair, I grab the phone, placing it back to my ear, “Mr. Pace?”

“Hello Abby,” he greets in return.

“Thank you so much for holding, Mr. Antonov will speak to you now. You’ll hear a dial tone as it connects, okay?”

“Thank you, Abby.”

“My pleasure, have a great day!”