Falling For My Playboy Boss
Chapter 16

Cora's

POV

The nerve of that man. I was over at Jerry's office letting him know of a clever idea for the investors which isn't technically my actual job, but I had offered to help out when needed, and what helps Jerry's clients helps our bottom lines, so it really is the same team. I did speak with Christian really quickly, but I literally ran into him when I exited Jerry's office. He helped me get a job here, and I appreciate him sticking his neck out for me when he didn't have to. Collin seemed to think that I spent my time flirting, instead of working, and I was deeply offended. I cannot believe that he would imply that I am unprofessional when he just had s*x again with Maddie the day after he told us that he would stop doing that in the office. I could not stop myself when Catherine told me what he said, and I looked up and straight at him to let him know that I knew what he said. He had kind of an amused smile on his face like he wanted to see me lose my temper. So, I turned my back to him and said "What an a*****e, I was doing work for another department, for the good of the company. I would like to slap that smirk off his stupid face". I felt bad for saying it right after I said it, but he just makes me so mad. I just wanted to scream.

I hear the door open behind me and turn to look at him as he starts talking about this "being a place of work, not a fun zone", and I am seriously trying to keep my anger in check when he looks right at me and says "Or trying to pick people up" is he serious? He is going to call me out for an innocent two-minute conversation, when he is literally having s*x at work, weekly, but I am the problem. My mouth keeps opening and closing and I know I am close to blowing up, so I just look over at Catherine and calm myself down, because I love her, and would do anything for her. But I am quickly suspecting that this job may not be for me. I am glad his blinds are closed now, but I am extremely upset. I can't keep a tear from falling out of the side of my eye as I sit there really contemplating if what I am being put through is worth it. I do need to help my parents with the bills, but at what cost to me and my mental health? Catherine gets up from her chair and brushes the tear off my face with her thumb.

"If at the end of the three weeks, you really can't work for him, I understand. Do not put extra pressure on yourself to try to stay here as his PA, when you can go and do what you love, and are trained for, with Jerry. If you indeed feel like you need to transfer, I can handle it myself. Don't just stay here for me honey. I feel bad for all you have been given and I know the weight on you. As I said, don't worry about me sweet girl. He is different with you, and it almost seemed like he was a little jealous of you over there with Christian, which is weird, with him having Maddie as his girlfriend. Just remember, you don't have to do this for me, honey. I know you are just staying here for me, and I don't want to have to worry about you after I leave. He is just frustrated because he is stressed out that his mom caught him with that awful girl, so he is taking it out on others", Catherine tells me.

"It was just unfair, as I was only over there to help out one of Jerry's people, which in turn helps out the company. I am helping out in another department because I had time to do it, and he is acting like I am all over the place trying to pick men up. That is so insulting to me. I don't date, and I don't sleep with men. In fact, I have never slept with a man, so that is what makes it so very insulting to me. I am waiting for someone that I love to sleep with. I see no reason to jump into bed with just anyone. I guess that he might be stressed, but I can't respect someone that cannot keep his word. He just said he would stop having s*x at work yesterday, and he barely made it past 24 hours. He has no problem yelling at me or assuming the very worst about me when he is literally showing his bad side all the time to me. I am trying Catherine, I am, but working for Collin, I don't know if I am made for this", I tell her.

"If I may say something", I heard from behind me and I turned and saw Ava.

Crap, I totally forgot that she was still there, I didn't see her, and I was so upset I spoke without thinking of the repercussions of what I was saying.

"Please, go ahead, I am so sorry if I offended you with what I have said. I really didn't mean to be ugly, but I am so angry with all his assumptions about me. He thinks the worst about me in every situation. I want to do this for Catherine, as I know that she wants to retire, but Collin is tough to work for. He has a difficult schedule to keep up with, and you really need to be meticulous to keep it all straight and get everything done in a timely manner", I told her.

"Collin was a straight-up jerk, and from knowing him and how his behavior looked, I think he actually might like you; jealousy is what it looked like to me for him to mention not once but twice you were over there flirting. I did not see you flirting at all. You are always professional from what I have observed, even when he didn't deserve it, because we are here today due to hearing of his afternoon delight in his office from last week, and again today. I hate that he is thinking with his little head, instead of the one on his shoulders, but I agree with Catherine, don't keep working for him if it is causing you stress. It isn't worth it" Ava tells me.

The door opens to Collin's office and Marlowe steps out and comes up to me and says "It was a pleasure to meet you, Cora. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about you, and I have to say that I am impressed. I will see you Saturday dear, and I wish you luck on your first runway experience".

"Yes, I am excited. I am also going to tell you, as you know my name, that I will be going by my middle name, which is Shae. I don't want anyone to realize it is me, or cause any bad publicity to my workplace, so just in case I do something embarrassing, like a trip and fall, it won't reflect badly on the company. So don't be surprised if you hear someone call me Shae while we are there. Ava, don't forget to stay after the show, I am going to introduce you to Mateo, as he is always looking for curvy girls like me, to show off his clothing line", I told her.

"Thank you so much, Cora, I would love to have the opportunity to do that," Ava tells me smiling a huge smile. "That would be a dream come true, I have always wanted to walk the runway, but even if I don't get it, I will be OK, I will still get to meet a designer, and I already love his clothing line. I already have a few pieces".

"It will be my pleasure to do it for you. I am excited and scared at the same time, but knowing that I have friends there supporting me, really does make it easier for me to do this. Be sure to put my number in your phone and if you lose the address, text me and I will send it to you. I also got seats for Nicolas, Dalton, and Dalton's sister and mother, so if you want to, you can all sit together in a row", I told them.

"That is so sweet of you to do, Cora. I wanted to see his new line, and I must say you look fabulous in that dress. I heard my son had called you dowdy and frumpy. I may need to see if he needs to go in and get an eye exam. You are anything but that", Marlowe says

to me.

"We will see you there on Saturday, Cora. Do not worry about anything, you are going to be the main attraction. I can just feel it. Even without makeup, you are a beautiful woman, so I know when you come out, that you will be a showstopper", Ava tells me and gives me a quick hug before she leaves. Ave continues "You just remember to keep your head up and remember that Collin's bark is much worse than his bite. If he goes too far, you can expect another visit from his family".

The rest of the week went fairly smoothly, until after lunch on Friday. Catherine had stepped out to go to use the restroom about 5 minutes ago when I saw Lyra exit the elevator. She had two interoffice envelopes with her, and she tried to walk past me to go into Collin's office. I stopped her at his door and asked what I could help her with.

"You can help me by getting your fat a*s out of my way," Lyra tells me.

"You are not supposed to enter without being announced and Collin has a meeting starting in less than five minutes, so you can leave the interoffice envelopes with me, and I will see that he gets them after the meeting," I told her.

"No, I am going to deliver them to Collin, and you have no business stopping me from entering," Lyra tells me.

"Actually, I do, it is my job, and as I said, we are expecting three bankers here in the next few minutes. You are causing a scene and Collin is reading up on the reports for this meeting and cannot be disturbed. Please give me the envelopes and I will make sure that he gets them after the meeting", I told her.

The elevator sounds again and as I turn to look and see who was arriving, Lyra hits me on my left side and then pushes me out of the way, before opening the door and entering Collin's office. I went to greet the bankers and see Catherine standing at the corner of Collin's office, and I don't know how long she had been there, but I hope she heard at least half of that conversation because Collin is going to be furious that she even entered his office.

"Please let me tell CEO Lauder that you are here for the meeting, Gentlemen," I said before heading to Collin's door and knocking.

I didn't hear anything for about a minute, and then I heard "Come in" from Collin.

He is wiping lipstick from his mouth and looking furious at Lyra.

"Please tell me why she is in here trying to kiss me when I have a meeting that should be starting now Cora?" Collin asks me.

"I tried to stop her, but when I turned to see who was getting off the elevator, she hit me in the side and then shoved me out of the way to enter your office without knocking," I tell him. "That is a lie, you never tried to stop me, and I didn't hit or shove you," Lyra tells me.

"That is a lie, Lyra, and you know it. I told you he had a meeting that was about to start and to give me the envelopes and I would give them to him later, after the meeting. So, please leave, and go back to your desk as these bankers are waiting for their meeting to begin, this is very unprofessional of you, their time is extremely important, and you are wasting it by not leaving right now", I told her as I exited. I stepped up to the bankers and told the men that they could now follow me to the conference room for the meeting and that CEO Lauder would be right with them.

I get their coffee orders and go to the first floor to get their coffee. I get them all a coffee, and one for Collin as well and put it on our account. I knock before entering the conference room and deliver their coffee while they continue to speak, before shutting the door when I exit.

I went to check my email when I saw that the Director of Human Resources sent me an email to come to his office to discuss the altercation between myself and Lyra. I stood up and told Catherine that I would be back in a little bit because I had been summoned to Human Resources.