“Jayden’s father and everything about him is none of your business.”
“Are you sure you want to put it that way? I heard you’re in the middle of a custody suit and need a steady job as much as scientists need to start searching for a stupidity cure.”
“How did you…? Wait, was it Aspen?”
“Doesn’t matter. Your employment status does.”
I bite my lower lip but remain silent.
He watches me for a beat, maintaining merciless eye contact as if his reason for living is to make me squirm. I don’t, holding my own and staring right back.
It’s exhausting, though. Being Daniel’s target, his nemesis, his enemy has always been so fucking tiring and I’m not sure just how long I’ll be able to take this.
How long before that final nail is dug into my coffin?
Daniel raises a brow. “Aren’t you going to convince me to take you back?”
“Are you willing to be convinced? I thought I was incompetent and the worst assistant you’ve ever had.”
He lifts his arrogant damn nose in the air. “I’m in the mood for charity. So thank your lucky stars and start the convincing session. In case you’ve forgotten, my time happens to be the goose that lays golden eggs.”
“Why don’t you spare us both the trouble and tell me what you want? Surely you came all the way here for something.”
A small smile grazes his lips and a hint of his dimples appear on both his cheeks. “You were always a clever little minx.”
“Glad to shatter all the blonde stereotypes.”
“Not all.” He watches me closely. “What are you willing to do to have the permanent assistant position as well as legal advice?”
“Anything.”
“Including becoming my sex toy?”
My heart drops to my knees and I clutch the railing behind me in a death grip. “N-not that.”
His face remains unchanging. “Why? You have a boyfriend who would oppose the idea?”
“I oppose the idea. I don’t want to sleep with you.”
Or anyone for that matter.
“Why not?”
“It’d kill our professional relationship.”
“We never had any sort of professional anything, Nicole.”
“I just…can’t do it.” Please don’t make me do it.
I nearly beg but swallow the words at the last second.
“Do I disgust you that much?” There’s no accusation in his tone. It’s flat, almost deadpan.
“Maybe tales of your endless shagging does.”
“You might want to wipe that jealousy off your face. You’re drooling with it.”
“You’re the last man I would feel jealous of, Daniel. You’re nothing but a mere blip in my past.” Lies, lies, and more lies.
I feel no different from young Nicole who spouted nonsense left and right. And that’s dangerous.
That would lead me down a destructive path similar to the one from back then.
“I see.”
He’s still speaking in that toneless way, no inflection whatsoever. His face is just as closed off, an absolute mask that I can’t read what’s lurking behind.
A metaphorical weight squeezes my windpipe, and panic starts to settle in. For all of my brave talk, I can’t lose this job.
Maybe if I close my eyes and pretend—
No. Nope. That’s not going to happen.
“Daniel, I—”
“Start by making me dinner,” he cuts me off. “You’ve been doing it for a week anyway. I should’ve suspected it from the Lolli name. Bit predictable, no? You had to include your lollipops.”
My lips fall open, then closed. “Start? And then what?”
“We’ll figure it out along the way.”
“I told you I’m not going to sleep with you.”
“It’s called fucking. I doubt any sleeping will be happening. And we’ll see about that.”
“No, we won’t. Why the hell do you even want me?”
His lips press in a line, but that slight show of affection quickly disappears. “No reason. It’s just a business transaction.”
I wish I could throw him over the balcony from this height and watch his gorgeous face get smashed to pieces. I hate how small he can make me feel.
How insignificant.
“Business or not, I won’t be doing it. The sleeping or the fucking.”
“You said a crude word. That’s progress.”
“That’s a warning. Don’t come near me.”
“Not while you’re so uptight about it, but you’ll come around.”
“No, I won’t, Daniel.”
“It’s sir to you.” He opens the balcony door. “And I’m hungry. Make the dinner quick.”
I wish I could make his death quick, but oh well, it doesn't work that way in real life.
Jayden is waiting for us inside. He was pretending to do homework and play with Lolli earlier while he watched our every move.
Or Daniel’s, to be more specific.
He approaches us while carrying Lolli as a weapon, which she can be under certain circumstances. “Are you going to let Nikki keep her job?”
“Depends on how well she does. And stop calling her that, it’s juvenile.”
“Maybe if you stop having her call you sir. It’s demeaning.”
I suppress a smile, impossibly proud of my baby brother. The little rascal is so mature for his age.
Daniel raises a brow. “Jay, was it?”
“Jayden. You didn’t get the okay to call me Jay.”
“Not asking for it in this lifetime.”
My brother lifts his shoulder. “Your loss. When I become something important in the future, you’ll want my favor.”
“Doubt it.”
“I’m going to make dinner,” I announce, putting a halt to their bickering.
“Is he invited?” Jay cocks his head to Daniel like he’s a fly that won’t go away.
Daniel fixates him with a stare. “It’s one of the conditions for her keeping the job.”
“Nikki’s food is a luxury that not just anyone can afford.”
The corner of Daniel’s eye twitches and I’m not sure if it’s displeasure or amusement. “I can.”
“Do you pay her extra for it?”
“He does,” I answer on Daniel’s behalf as I put on my apron.
“How much extra? As much as the expensive restaurant you dine at?”
“Jay!”
“Well, it’s the same level. He has to pay well.”
“I will.” Daniel slides his gaze to me. “Double Katerina’s.”
My fingers pause on the strap and I stare at him, dumbfounded. Did he just say my food is worth double what Katerina—a professional chef with a few restaurant chains under her belt—cooks?
“Not enough?” Daniel muses. “Triple it then.”
Holy…
“Still not enough?”
“No, it’s fine,” I choke on the words.
“Silly.” Jay scrunches his nose at me. “You could’ve gotten more. Never say it’s enough.”
“That’s right. You’re intelligent,” Daniel tells him.