CHAPTER FOUR

Dillon

"Come in," I said as I heard a knock on the door. The day for me, had a rough start and it looks like it's only going to get rougher.

"Good afternoon Mr. Xander," Azzaria said as she entered "You have a meeting with Jess Corporations in about half an hour and your lunch is almost here," she stated.

"Is that all?" She was turned off by my rudeness and overall bravado but when is she never turned off. It was quite unbearable but she came here for one reason, and one reason only— getting her internship done.

"Yes it is," she snapped and walked out of the office.

If my grandparents were in this room right now, they'd lecture me about projecting my problems and I'd tell them "it's just how I'm wired" and my granddad would call me a hardass and we'd laugh. Sometimes, every moment that happens in my life, reminds me of them but on a day like this, remembering them only makes my day worse.

Azzaria went back to her office and decided to send off the reports and prepare the minutes and notices for the next meeting to come. There's a monitoring task software installed on all employee computers, so I could see what each of them were up to. I wasn't interested in what everyone else was up to, just her.

Everyday that goes by, is another day I regret getting married. Sometimes I think I just should've kept my dick in my pants because Annalise finds some way to always make a statement whether it's by being annoying or filing some complaints but all of that will end in short order. I filed for a restraining order to go against her because I'm 100% over her and the bullshit. If she comes even 1 centimetre close to me, I am allowed to harm her and I will.

The lawyers on the phone were telling me bullshit and I got a bit mad, but they can't blame me. We are legally divorced and separated and despite all the things I lost, it came back to me in surplus and I'm getting back on my feet both mentally and emotionally. The biggest thing left to do is move out of the house that we live in but my grandma gifted me that house and Annalise would die in hell before I let her get away with that.

While on the phone, my intern walked in and placed the lunch on my desk. I couldn't help but feel there was something off with her but it wasn't my business to ask her that question.

My call with Jess & co was in a few hours because they had rescheduled as well as I had to go over my speech for the museum opening tomorrow. After months of filing for freelancing, it finally came through and I can now, legally operate a museum and I was even gifted a few hundred artefacts from all around the world. That's one reason why I implore everyone to make good alliances and colleagues because one day, it will all come in handy.

Mara had told me she was leaving a bit early because she had to get things done for her baby and herself and Bryce was set to drop by here in about five minutes because he and Halley were going out of town to see his family.

"Sir?" I heard a faint feminine voice call out.

"Yes?"

"Here are the minutes and notices for all your upcoming meetings. The lancers report is there as well as I tweaked your speech for tomorrow a bit," she said and handed me all the documents.

"Tweaked my speech because?"

"It seemed to have been written by a high schooler failing English. The runs ons as well as it wasn't putting you in the best light. Did you even read it or did you have your writer do it?" She responded.

"My writer and please," I said, showing her the seat, "enlighten me on the changes."

She took her seat on the far end sofa and took the papers from me. "You know I don't bite right?" I asked jokingly.

"I wouldn't be too sure of that." She laughed, "but why did you say that?"

"You took the farthest seat in the room," I noted.

"Professionalism but let's get to the speech. I can come a bit closer if you'd like," she mentioned.

"Please do," I said. There was something different about speaking to her on this level. It wasn't half as bad.

"So, the line where it starts off by saying 'I'm here to speak on...' take that out because what are you five?"

"What would you suggest?" I found myself getting involuntarily close to her, physically I mean.

"Start it off with 'it's always been a dream and goal of mine to open a museum, not just for the publicity but also for the memories and the level of distinguishing distinction, pride and honour it upholds.'"

I was blown away by her wording and the way she spoke. It's not every day you find a college student being this educated; most of them in this city got here because of their parents or generational placement; they never work hard.

"I'm impressed. That sounds a lot better," I admitted.

"I figured as much. I'd also change the last line and put something more attention ending like 'serving the city by upholding artefacts of the world'".

"You sure you don't wanna be a writer instead of a business woman?" I asked her.

"I think I'm good at business and architecture," she smiled "but yes sir, those are my recommendations."

"I appreciate it," I said, sharing a warm smile with her. It was very nice being here with her. No one has ever been as engaging as her and not have a motive.

"It's my job, literally my job," she responded and got up.

Without even realising what I was doing, I gently grabbed her hand and she surprisingly held it and we just stayed there in silence. Her, standing and me sitting with our hands intertwined. I didn't know what to say nor if the words would even be sufficient to say.

"Mr. Xander, I sh-"

"Dillon, my guy," Bryce and Ronan bursted in the office and frightened us. We both jumped in fear and let go of each other's hands. My heart raced and I'm sure hers was too.

"Fucking hell," I shouted "ever heard of knocking?"

"Sorry for interrupting whatever was going on here and also, hey Azzy, Halley's looking for you." Were him and her even friends for him to be calling her "Azzy"? Bryce is always known for overstepping.

"We were working on a speech Bryce and let me go find her," Azzaria spoke and left.

I went to sit around my desk and Bryce sat on the sofa in front. "That was a very close look at the speech," he noted and Ronan just went into the bathroom. He worked at the hospital five minutes away.

"Don't you have a wedding and a family to plan?"

"I do but this is more important. You're not getting feelings for her are you?" This is a tricky thing because I didn't know what any of this was. This could've even been misinterpreted. It's been like what two days of knowing her?

"Bryce, I just met her and we're simply doing our jobs. It's not that hard to understand," I said to him. He needed to drop this and quite frankly, I wasn't even paying attention. Every word he said to me sounded like gibberish. All I could hear was the sound of her voice.

"Okay, well how's the bill going?"

"Great. Museum opens soon. How's your life going?"

"Too good," Bryce noted "something's gonna fuck it up soon."

"As long as you don't keep fucking that secretary, everything will go as it should," Ronan shouted from the bathroom.

"That was one time. Halley and I weren't even dating then," he defended.

"Ah yes and did you tell Halley about that?" I asked. It was always normal to make our friends' lives a living hell. We got enjoyment from it.

"She doesn't need to know. It was before her."

"Secrets ruin marriages. I should know. That's why I'm divorced," I chuckled.

Bryce, Ronan and I sat down and had several drinks and conversation before Ronan decided that it was time for him to head back to the clinic and Bryce decided it was time for him and Halley to leave.

Azzaria

Holy shit. Maybe he's not the assshole I always thought he was..

I should've just left the speech as it was because I'm even two days into being an intern, and I'm already fucking it up. I won't lie, that moment was good, a little too good which is how I know it'll never happen again. Good things hardly last in my life, and speaking of good things, I'm currently ringing Halley's phone. I want to go with her and Abigail later but given her busy life, I'm sure she'll blow me off.

"Hey girl," I said as she answered the phone.

"Hey ZZ, what's up?"

"Wanna go out tomorrow night? Could really use some drinks at the bar near my place," I said and laughed.

Halley sighed, "I wish I could but Bryce and I have to go out tomorrow night for his sister's birthday," she said.

"I hope that goes well. When will you be available?"

"I don't even know. He and I have things to do for the next few weeks, so maybe after that?"

"No, no, it's fine," I said in response and Halley could notice how much her tone shifted.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, long day at the internship but I have to go now, bye," I said and hung up.

Nothing hurts more than feeling the loss of your best friend . I knew that Halley was getting her life settled but I never anticipated that it would test our friendship this much. It's never a fair fight between Bryce and I because he'll always win and that sucks because there's no man I'd ever put before her.

There's no point in crying over this, so I just texted Abigail to ask if she wanted to hang out. It would've been the three of us but Abigail is just as good by herself as she is in a group. We bestfriends didn't exactly hang out as much because Abi is a frequent traveller. I mean this girl saves for the sole purpose of travelling. But we saw each other whenever we could.

Abigail Ann🤎

hey, what's up?

heyyy! Azz how are you??

I just got back in town and

was going to give you a call.

lmao. I was just gonna text and ask if you

wanted to hang out tomorrow

night after I get home from my internship?

definitely and we could even sleep over, if you want.

i would love that, bye girl love you

love you more azzy<3

I was glad that Abigail was available and just like that, my weekend plans were set. I'm not big on partying, but after this long week, I definitely needed that. Being his interim assistant wasn't hard, the hard parts were keeping up with his temperament and lack of bravado at times but I can't really bash him because I'm the exact same.

"Hey," she said and smiled.

"Hi Halley, what's up?"

She paused and looked at me. "I'm here to see you because I missed you."

"Oh. Good to know but I'm busy right now. Long day and all."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure Dillon won't mind if you just stop working for a few minutes and this isn't even a real job," she shallowly chuckled and took a seat.

I felt the heat rushing to my face and not because I was happy, because I was pissed. "Not all of us can fuck our way to wealth, some of us have to go through college and get it the hard way."

Her expression fell. "Why are you acting like a bitch?" It's crazy how the tables turn.

"I'm not acting like a bitch. I told you the truth and I told you that I had a long day. The world doesn't revolve around you," I mumbled.

"Are you mad because I can't hang out?" She asked and scoffed.

"No, I'm going out with Abigail instead. You're busy with your new family and I'm never going to be in the way of that," I harshly spoke and went to sit around my desk.

"Azzy, I-"

"Halley, don't bother. It's fine. Have fun at the birthday party or wherever you said you're going tomorrow."

"But you're mad at me," she said in a soft voice.

"That's never stopped you before. The only reason you care now is because I'm going out with Abigail and you fear being replaced even though you're always the one replacing people," I snapped.

"That's not true," she said and gasped.

"It's not what you want to believe, so of course it's not true. I have work to do, so you can leave whenever you want. Have a good trip," I faux smiled and left her in the office standing by herself.

Some air was definitely needed and I didn't want to be in that space anymore. The more I looked back, the more I realised that my friendship with her was becoming more and more toxic. It definitely wasn't the first time she's done this, it's something repetitive and I love her to death but I can't let another person come into my life and completely ruin me. It doesn't work that way.

"Mr. Xander," I said and walked into his office "I'm stepping out to get a coffee, do you want one?" This wasn't a planned question but for some reason I saw him as less of a boss and more of a person now.

"Sure."

"Where's Halley?" Bryce asked.

"I don't know," I said and walked out of the room.

I didn't hate Bryce especially because he made her happy but I was entitled to feel this way. Before there was a Bryce or even a guy, there was me. I've seen Halley through everything and it just sucks being replaced but once it's making her happy, I guess I have to support it, no matter how badly it hurts me.