Page 8 of Watch Her Bleed
“None,” I say. “What does that matter?”
“It matters because that’s illegal. Also, guess who the one responsible is if something had happened to you?” he asks. When I don’t answer he continues. “I am the one who would be responsible if you had gotten hurt and sued us.”
“Why does it matter? I’m fine and I’m not suing anyone,” I say.
“Robert was fired this morning,” he says and my mouth falls open.
“For not giving me a break?” I ask.
“No… For habitually not giving you a break. If guests could notice that you were shaking, then he did as well. If you didn’t, then it’s because he’s not paying attention to his employees,” he says. “Maria was promoted to store manager.”
“See? Problem solved. I’ll just continue to work there,” I say.
“Does your family know you are a server?” he asks.
“What is this? Blackmail? No. I’d never hear the end of it,” I snap at him.
“It’s not blackmail, Aurora. My point is, you applied for a reason,” he says softly. “I will say that I’ve never been felt up by my server before, but if I had a problem with it, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
“I did not feel you up,” I frown.
“Finish reading the contract, tesoruccia,” he says with a smile.
I sigh and pick up the contract. I can feel them watching me as I read through the remaining pages. I hate feeling like I’m being watched so my nervous tick holds strong while I read. The contract is pretty straightforward. A few policies are missing that most companies have, like no fraternization between employees. I am painfully curious, but I’m also not stupid enough to ask why it’s not included. I’ve been on this page for entirely too long. I make the mistake of glancing up at him and find that he is smirking at me.
“Questions?” he asks.
“Do you stare at all of your employees like that?” I ask, turning my attention back to the contract.
“Depends. Are you my employee?” he asks. I flip to the next page and see that it’s just for signatures. I sit back in my chair to look at him.
This is a terrible idea. I have no business being his assistant. Not after the touching. Not after how he keeps smiling at me. Men like him don’t want women like me. All I will end up doing is fawning over him and then becoming disappointed when it ends just like I thought it would. But what if?
I sigh and lay the contract on the desk before picking up the pen. I sign my name on the line before I talk myself out of it again. Matt signs his name when I slide the papers over to him, then grabs a paper off the printer and hands it to me.
“It’s an NDA,” he says.
“I see that,” I say as I read over it, then sign.
“This includes your family,” he says cautiously.
“I know how an NDA works,” I say. “Plus, I don’t have much to do with them if I can help it.”
“Like Dad said, you can start on Monday. Just meet me here so I can give you your laptop and login information,” Matt says.
“Alright,” I say. “Anything else?”
“Would you like for me to tell Maria?” Matt asks.
“She knew I had the interview today, but I plan on working this weekend, so I will tell her,” I say.
“They are closing tomorrow for cleaning,” Luca says.
“I will work on Sunday then,” I say. “I will tell Maria.”
“Why are you going to work?” he asks.
“Because I have bills to pay, Mr. Russo,” I say with an attitude and he smiles brighter.
