Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Is it from the place I like?”
His only saving grace in that line of questioning was that the place he liked was a small, family-run coffee shop, not a big chain. “Of course. I’m well aware of your preferences, sir.”
“Good. Bring it to my office.” He paused when he saw Harvey. “What are you doing here, Mr Park?”
Harvey glanced back at me. “Just a little early-morning chit-chat with my cousin, sir.”
“I don’t believe we pay the Director of Public Relations to chit-chat.” His silver-blue eyes focused with a laser-like precision on my unruly cousin.
“I’m not on the clock yet.” Harvey grinned, completely unfazed by The Bastard’s sharpness. “But I see that my lovely Chloe is, so I’ll leave her be.”
“I’d thank you for your graciousness, but I don’t thank idiots.”
“Twenty-five years of friendship, and you still can’t be nice to me.” Harvey clutched at his chest. “I’m so hurt I think I need a doctor. Maybe I can claim a workplace injury for emotional pain.”
“Mr Park.” Mr Black’s voice was deathly cold. “You’re not on the clock, but my secretaries are. Get lost.”
“You would do well to do as you’re told.” I gathered the files and The Bastard’s coffee. “Or I’ll call your mother.”
Harvey shuddered. “This is workplace abuse, I’m telling you.”
“Please excuse me for a moment, sir,” I said to The Bastard. I set the coffee and files back down and walked around my desk, only to grab Harvey by the arm and yank him towards the large glass doors. “You should focus on your own department, Mr Park.”
He sniffed. “Chlo, you’re so cold to your beloved cousin.”
“Never have I once described you as beloved. Please do not put words into my mouth.” I hauled open the door and pushed him through. “Off you go now.”
“Wait!” He grabbed the edge of the door, and I glared at his fingerprints touching the previously spotless glass. He dropped his grip to the handle with a little squeak and said, “Mum’s sixtieth birthday party is at the end of next month. She said you must show up.”
Ugh.
That meant Aunt Fizz was trying to set me up again.
“I’ll check my schedule. And before you leave…” I walked over to Daniel’s desk and took the glass cleaner and cloth he was already holding out. “Please clean up your mess, Mr Park.”
Harvey took the bottle and cloth from me with a sigh. “Yes, Miss St. James.”
“Thank you.” I spun around on my toes and retrieved the files and coffee. “Shall we, sir?”
The Bastard checked his watch as I opened the door to his office. “I would appreciate if we did.”
I waited for him to enter his office before ducking my head and following him inside. His office had the most beautiful view out over the cityscape of London, but it was far too wet and grey outside to enjoy the beauty it could hold.
It was dreary.
Much like my mood.
The Bastard took a seat behind his desk and cricked his neck. “Read my schedule.”
“There’s a meeting with the board of directors at eight a.m. regarding the quarter financial reports. At ten-thirty you have a meeting with the COO of Greenridge Investments, and at eleven-forty-five, the manager of advertising team one on the Fareham campaign will be submitting their proposal prior to the presentation next Monday.” I put his coffee down in front of him and proceeded to direct his blinds to partially open with one hand while still holding onto the tablet with the other. “Your lunch is from twelve-twenty to twelve-fifty, so please let me know what you’d like to eat today. There’s a conference call with the Duke of Ruxleigh at one p.m.—”
“What does Grandfather want?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have that information.”
“You’re close with him. Why not?”
“He informed me to tell you to shut up and show up, sir.”
“How rude. Does he think it’s acceptable for him to tell my secretary to speak to me that way?”
I offered him my best customer service smile and met his cool gaze. “That’s a question for His Grace. I couldn’t possibly speak on his behalf.”
The Bastard glared at me. “Tell him not to pass petty messages on through you in the future.”
“I highly doubt he will listen to me, but as you wish.” I barely managed to hold my sigh. “You have a gap in your schedule from one-forty until three p.m. when you have a call from the New York office of Black Ink so they can report on the expansion of the publishing business in the United States. The Vancouver office will join at four-fifteen. It’s expected to be done by five-thirty, when you should leave the office for a dinner meeting at La Reina restaurant with President Black.”
He leant forwards and steepled his fingers, touching his lips to his fingertips. “And what exactly is that meeting for, Miss St. James?”