MAVERICK
I’d been trying to concentrate back on studying since I got my books from my apartment, but I got distracted by Homer.
“Ma’am, you can’t get in there. I told you Mr. Winston is not here.”
I should have just studied in my room, but the view behind the window was spectacular.
“Then why are you here?” a woman asked, sounding pissed.
I turned my head, about to stand up from the couch, when I recognized that face-the beautiful blonde model.
Shit. I thought she didn’t have access to Lake’s penthouse. Right now, I wanted to flee and disappear. Lake’s personal life was not my business, and it was clearly stated in the agreement.
“I can call the security, and I’m allowed to apprehend you if you make any disturbance or create a scene. This penthouse is private property that my employer can sue you for trespassing. I’m warning you, Miss Wise.”
“He’s not answering my call. He’s not in his office either.”
“He’s a busy person, ma’am. Can I help you out now?”
“I’m not going anywhere until I talk to Lake,” she said stubbornly.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t stay here. That’s my employer’s specific instruction. I have to take you downstairs.”
“Who told you that? I’m your boss’s girlfriend. I’ve been here many times. I’m calling him right now.”
“Do that, but we have to go downstairs, Miss Wise.”
I shut the book close. I lost my interest in reading. It seemed that it took forever before she spoke again. Maybe Lake chose not to pick up her call.
“Why the hell he’s not picking up my call?” I was right, after all.
“Maybe he doesn’t want to talk to you anymore, Miss Wise,” Homer said suggestively.
“Hey, you!” Her voice almost startled me before I heard heels clattering against the floor. “Hey. I’m talking to you?”
I turned to face her. She was definitely speaking to me, rushing in my direction.
“Who are you? Are you the cleaning lady or his errand girl?” She scrutinized me from head to toe, and I wasn’t wearing something fancy like her in her white dress and stilettos. I was only in a t-shirt and jeans.
“I’m Maverick.”
“Where’s your boss?”
“I don’t know, probably at work.” I hid my rings as I crossed a hand over my chest.
“Call your boss. Maybe he will answer it.”
“Not a good idea, Miss Wise. I suggest you to come down with me,” Homer insisted. “Try calling him after working hours. He might pick up at that time.”
“What do you think I’ve been doing for the past three days?” She then turned to me. “What are you doing here?” She just saw my books and papers scattered on the coffee table and the couch.
“I work for Mr. Winston.”
“What do you do exactly?” She stared at me with all her judgment.
“Run his errands.”
Homer just rolled his eyes as he called someone on his phone.
“Call your boss,” Natalie ordered me, not giving up anytime soon.
I picked up my phone on the coffee table and dialed Lake’s number. God, I hoped he wouldn’t pick up, but my prayer wasn’t heard.
“Maverick?”
“Hi-” Before I could finish my words, Natalie had already snatched my phone from me. Great. She was also rude.
“Miss Wise-”
I stopped Homer and smiled tightly. “It’s fine.”
“Hey, baby. I’ve been calling you for days, but why aren’t you answering my calls? Are you dodging me? That’s not nice. I have a surprise for you. Can we meet?” she said in her annoying bedroom voice, pursing her lips.
Baby, huh?
There was a long silence, and I couldn’t listen to it anymore. It was eavesdropping, and it didn’t feel right. It didn’t settle right that my husband’s woman was in his penthouse, either.
I picked up my things and took them with me. “Homer, take my phone once she’s done with it. I’m going upstairs.”
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. She’s been insisting on coming up and started to make a scene downstairs, so I thought I would show her that my boss is not here, and I’m not hiding him from her.”
“It’s fine. It’s not your fault. Your boss should have been upfront and honest if he didn’t want anything with that woman anymore. He should have just broken up with her if he wanted to.” I went up while she was still talking, whatever she said to Lake.
It was afternoon already, and I had to go to work at the Bazz. I changed to a new set of casual outfits. I grabbed the black designer crossbody bag and put my wallet and keys inside before I headed down, but I made sure that bitch wasn’t in the penthouse anymore.
I knew this would happen, and it didn’t occur to me that it would be awkward and somehow hurt.
“Did she leave?”
“Yeah.” Homer looked distraught as he gave me my phone back. “Boss is pissed off.”
“At you?”
“Yes.”
“Why would he? If anyone should be pissed with, it’s him or me.”
“He didn’t see it that way.”
“If he fires you, let me know, and I will break his nose and knee him in his nutsack.”
Homer’s dark eyes lit up. “Let me take you to your work.”
“Oh no. I’m good.”
“He insists.”
I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess, if I resist, he threatens to fire you.”
“Something like that.”
“Fine, but because I don’t want you to lose your job.”
Forty-five minutes later, we arrived at the Bazz.
“You can go home. I’ll be fine,” I said as Homer helped me out of the car.
“Call me if you need anything, Mrs. Winston.”
“Mrs. Winston is Lake’s mother. Thanks, Homer.”
“She dropped the Winston a long time ago. She’s Miss Braddson now.”
I smiled before I got in the staff door. “Bye, Homer.”
The bar was packed even if it wasn’t the weekend. The noise and vibe from the group of guys at the corner were contagious, and they looked like they had just come out from a successful multi-billion dollar deal. They seemed to have a lot of fun.
And my nosiness got the best of me. An attractive man in his early thirties just raised a glass of beer at me. I smiled back politely before I took another order.
“What can I-?” Shit. Lake stared at me intensely for seconds, looking furious, his jaw ticking. “What can I get you, sir?”
His nose flared. “Something stronger. Neat.”
“Right away.” I poured him a single malt whisky and slid the glass before him. “On the house.”
“Why did you fucking do that?” He took a sip and grimaced. He asked for it. Then he had it.
“Do what?” I asked casually because I didn’t want to cause a scene, and he looked like he was about to explode.
“Can we talk somewhere private?”
“That would be later at your penthouse.”
“Fine.” He grunted. “Don’t ever let someone order you to do that again. Nobody owns you. You’re not anyone’s slave to do what they want. Do you understand me?”
“You’re furious because of that? Or you’re furious because you’ve been dodging her calls, but she managed to come to your penthouse. Tell her to fuck off if you don’t need her anymore. If she’s smart enough, she’ll get it.” I also started to get angry, my face burning.
Lake looked taken aback. Instead of answering me, he gulped down his whisky empty. “Another.”
“No. You’re still young to destroy your liver. Go home, Lake.”
“Did you just refuse a customer’s order?” His eyes narrowed, but if I read it right, he was more amused than insulted.
“Not as a jerk customer, but as my husband. Now go home, Winston.”
“Better than Mr. Winston. I take it. I’ll talk to your manager and tell him to fire you.”
I leaned over the counter to look at him in the eye. “You’re expecting me to call you baby like she does? Even if the hell freezes over, Big Bunny.”
I saw a small smile curve up his full lips. I was about to tell him to shut it, but someone had just cleared a throat behind me.
“Is everything okay?” Great. Rocco just came in, shifting his gaze between me and Lake.
“Yeah. I have a complaint. Your bartender over here is rude to me.” Lake pointed at me. “I asked for another shot, but she told me to go home instead. Fire her. She needs to learn her place, Mr.-?”
Shit. Rocco wasn’t aware of my arrangement with Lake. If he fired me, Lake just won, making me quit my job.
“Rocco Cordoso, Mr. Winston. I’m the Bazz Village’s owner and manager, but I can’t do that. She may have a reason why she told you to go home. She’s the best bartender I’ve got, and I can’t fire my best employee for being concerned for your well-being.”
“Good.” He grabbed his wallet, took a one hundred dollar bill, and slammed it on the counter. “Because if you ever fire my wife, I’m going to use everything I got to ruin your life.”