Chasing the boss

Lexi 

I got home seething with rage, slamming my apartment door so hard that the neighbor’s dog started barking. “How dare he bring his girlfriend over like that?” I growled, kicking off my shoes with unnecessary violence.  

Mia looked up from the couch, a spoonful of my Ben & Jerry's frozen midway to her mouth. “Whoa. Someone pissed in your cereal?” 

“That arrogant, smug, infuriating…” I gritted.

“Ah.” Mia nodded sagely. “You met the billionaire again.” She licked the spoon clean. “Did he flash his abs or something? That usually gets you flustered.”  

I threw a couch pillow at her. “He flashed his fiancée! Right in the middle of…ugh!” I collapsed onto the couch, stealing the ice cream carton from her. “She called me a slut, Mia. To my face!”  

Mia's eyes lit up with unholy glee. “No. Freaking. Way.” She snatched her phone. “What's her name? I'm looking her up right now.”

“Giselle something… I don't care.” I hissed. “She's probably a model. Her skin was flawless.” I admitted.

Mia's fingers flew across her screen. Then she whistled. “Ohhh-kay. Giselle Laurent. French model. Net worth... Jesus. And…” She turned the phone to show me a paparazzi shot of Lucian and Giselle at some red carpet event, his arm around her waist. “They were engaged. Lucian called it off last year.”  

I shoved another spoonful of ice cream in my mouth. “Don't care.”  

“You so care.” Mia poked my cheek. “You're doing that thing where you pretend not to care, which means you super care.” 

“I care that I have to go back there tomorrow and pretend like today didn't happen!” I yelled. 

Mia tsked. “Why are you so worked up though? You like him?” She winked.

I pushed her head away. “Hell. No. You know I hate those  billionaires.”

“Hmm,” Mia nodded, not buying what I just said.

“Just go to your own house.” I said, pushing her away.

“Oh, come on. Can I spend the night?” She hugged me, pouting.

“No way!” I kicked her out.

The next morning, I walked into my office at The Daily Buzz. Frank cornered me the second I walked in. “Well? Where's my scoop on Cross?”  

I slumped into my chair, still exhausted from my mental replay of yesterday's disaster. “He has a girlfriend. Ex-girlfriend. Whatever. Her name's Giselle.” 

Frank blinked. “That's your big reveal?” He threw his hands up. “The whole world knows about Giselle Laurent! They broke up last year!” 

My head shot up. “Hmm…they did?” I asked, pretending like I didn't know.

“Yeah, messy divorce settlement too.” Frank narrowed his eyes. “Are you telling me you got nothing after all that access?” 

I... didn't know why that information made my shoulders relax. Maybe because it meant Lucian wasn't currently entangled with Human Barbie. Not that it mattered.  

“I'm working on it,” I muttered, opening my laptop to avoid Frank's glare.

“Better get to work!” He walked out. 

Mia slid into the chair next to me, grinning. “Sooo... you're relieved he's single?”  

“I'm relieved I don't have to deal with his psycho ex again,” I said, clicking random keys.  

Mia just hummed, knowing better.  

I turned to her. “I actually don't care.” I voiced.

Mia smiled. “Hmm…”

“See, whatever.” I waved her off.

I debated not showing up at Lucian’s company. Really, I did. But rent wasn't going to pay itself.  

I stood outside Cross Tower, squinting up at the stupidly tall building that probably had golden toilets inside. My stomach growled like a hungry bear, because who has time for breakfast when you're selling your soul to a billionaire?  

“Morning, sunshine,” I muttered to myself, adjusting my cheap blazer. That's all I got. “Welcome to corporate hell.”  

The lobby was all marble and glass. A security guard eyed my scuffed boots like they'd personally offended him.  

“Lexi Carter,” I announced. “Here to see the devil himself.” 

The guard's eyebrow twitched. “Identification?”

I flashed my new employee badge, the one some poor intern had messengered to my apartment at 6 AM. The photo looked like a mugshot.  

The elevator ride to the 80th floor took approximately forever. I practiced my best ‘I'm not impressed’ face in the mirrored walls.  

Ding.  

The doors slid open to reveal...  

“Holy shit.” I muttered. 

The entire floor was one massive office. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed the entire city sprawled out below like Lucian's personal playground. And there he was, leaning against a stupidly expensive desk, looking like he'd stepped out of a GQ cover shoot.  

“Nine-0-three,” Lucian noted without looking up from his phone. “I was beginning to think you'd chickened out.”  

I stomped in, dropping my bag on a chair that probably cost more than my life. “Traffic. Also, I stopped to rescue a kitten. Also, I hate you.” 

That got his attention. His lips quirked as he finally looked up. “Good to know where I stand.”  

Gregory appeared like a butler ghost. “Your schedule, sir. And... coffee for Miss Carter.” He set down a cup with a sneer.  

“Thanks.” I took a sip. Ugh. This is amazing. Damn it.”  

Lucian smirked. “Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Single origin.”

“I hate that I like it.” I rolled my eyes. 

“Noted.” He stood, straightening his cuffs. “Tour time. Try to keep up.”    

My brows furrowed. “What? You want to take me on a tour yourself?” 

He turned to me. “Don’t pretend you don't like it?” He smirked.

I hate it when he smirks. 

I rolled my eyes. They are probably going to fall off if I keep rolling them. 

“Well… I don't. You can just tell your assistant to do that. I don't want your employees thinking…”

“Thinking what?” He interrupted, looking unfairly gorgeous in his navy blue suit. “They know better.”

I shot him a dead glare. “That's rude.”

“Can we just go, Lexi.” I pointed to the door. “I have meetings to attend.”

“I hate you.” I replied. 

I loved the way my name sounded on his lips though. No one can say it better. 

“I'm aware, Lexi.” He replied, stepping out.

I followed after him, trying to meet his pace.

People watched, and stared as we walked past. But no one dared to whisper or take pictures. That would be the end of them, maybe.

He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry about the lady yesterday.” His face turned dark. “I don't know what Gregory was doing, letting that slut into my office.” 

Holy shit.

What could she have done to him?

Could that be the secret he’s hiding?

“It's okay, Mr. Cross, I don't care anyways.” I replied, my bag dangling in my hand.

“Good.” He replied, his expression unreadable.

Our first stop was the media room. A wall of screens showing every news channel globally. 

“This is where we monitor…”Lucian started.

“…how much the world worships you? Got it.” I replied, marveled. 

Lucian shot me a glare. “I just need to stay updated.”

Our next stop was The innovation lab. A tech playground that made my inner nerd drool. “Is that a hologram projector?” 

“Don't touch that,” Lucian caught my wrist. His fingers were warm. “It’s worth more than your life.”

I pulled my hands back. “I thought you were into entertainment only?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

“Yeah,” he looked around and I could see how proud he was. “Not everyone knows about this. Entertainment is the main part, but I might venture into tech soon if my projects work out.”

I nodded, impressed. “Hmm,” 

“So…you're not writing about this yet.” He said.

“Of course, I'm not.” I scoffed. “There's nothing fun about tech.”

“Good. There are those who would kill me to have these.” He pointed.

“Oh…”

My phone buzzed with a message, interrupting me.

Lucian’s face landed on my screen. 

“Ethan Shaw?” His brows furrowed. “You know him?” He asked.

I didn't reply.

“Let's get out of here.” He ordered his expression grim.