Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
She had helped several young girls as well. She got them moved to better places. From time to time, she would check up on them to make sure they were happy and safe.
Did the elevator usually take so long?
Whenever she went up to the top floor, she often spoke with Mrs. Burns. Trudy was Gabriel’s personal assistant and one of the sweetest women Nora knew. She had four kids, a demanding husband, and loved her job. She was also not terrified of Gabriel, which made her kind of like a superhero to Nora. The woman was so damn sweet, and she loved her.
Now, as she entered that floor, Trudy was there. “What on earth has happened?”
“We’d like a change of clothes, some coffee, and would you order lunch, and please hold all meetings,” Gabriel said, his voice firm.
Trudy didn’t argue and got to work.
They walked into his office, and Nora was a little taken aback. She already knew from previous visits that his office space was huge, she just didn’t realize how big it was until she stood inside it. He commanded a great deal of business in this one room. She was aware of the other offices he held as well. This was incredible.
“You need to take off your clothes so we can see the damage,” he said.
“It’s fine. Honestly.”
“You spilled hot coffee on yourself.”
“And it’s getting cold now.” She wanted to ask about her job. She glanced down at her body, at the mess the coffee had made. “Would it be okay if I went home, changed, and came back? I could do overtime.” This was her very subtle attempt of asking him if she still had her job.
She nibbled her lip and waited for him to tell her the bad news.
“You don’t have to worry about any of that. Trudy will bring you a change of clothes, but I want to make sure you’re … taken care of.”
This was a new feeling. The only other people in her life that had taken care of her were her parents. Both of whom she missed very much.
She didn’t have anything under her clothes but a bra—one of her most recent purchases, which she adored. How did she check to see if she was … clean … while he was here?
Gabriel chuckled, but it wasn’t an evil sound.
“Here,” he said, removing his pristine Italian jacket. “Remove your clothes, and we can check to see if you need medical attention.”
“I can do that.”
He nodded, removed his jacket, and then turned away.
Nora didn’t have much time. All the blinds in his office were open, and anyone could walk in at any second. Should she argue with the boss? She didn’t see a problem with just checking herself over. The coffee had been hot.
Scrambling with the tiny buttons of her shirt, she started to open them. The coffee had made her skin slightly red, but other than that, there were no actual burn marks. She wriggled out of her shirt and reached for his jacket. She expected it not to fit, but it did in fact swamp her. The man was made of muscle. Even through his crisp white shirt, she saw that. Buttoning the three buttons in the middle, she held the top together.
“No burns and no need for medical attention,” she said.
Gabriel turned to look at her, and for a second, it was like neither of them moved or breathed.
Nora was trapped within his gaze.
“I’d like your skirt as well, to dry-clean it.”
****
Gabriel had noticed the little brunette several weeks ago. The first time he saw her was after hearing her laughter from a joke Trudy had told her. It was through that one interaction, where he’d watched her talk with his PA, that had piqued his interest. From that point on, he’d learned everything there was to know about her, with Trudy’s help, of course.
His PA was a very dear friend of his, who had stayed by his side when those closet to him had threatened to take it all away. In his world, his parents had been vultures, wanting to circle and strike, to take what he had. He didn’t know how many parents were so jealous of their children, they would attempt to destroy their company, or take it over.
His father would have run his company into the ground, just as he had the main Williams Corporation. Scandal after scandal followed his parents, while nothing but good press and amazing decisions followed his. He learned from his grandfather, who had already figured out his son was going to be a disaster. Also, Gabriel had other ideas, and with his grandfather’s investment, had made a name for himself. That money built the very foundation of Gabriel Enterprises. He was proud of what he had achieved.
Without Trudy, his parents had nearly taken it all away, by that very claim and investment his grandfather made. It would seem his grandfather knew it would come, which is why he also hired Trudy. That was the one condition his grandfather had. No matter what he did, he would hire the PA who would stay with him indefinitely. That was Trudy Burns. From what he could tell, his grandfather had a soft spot for the young woman, who once worked for him. She had his back, and if it wasn’t for the supporting documents given to her, some of his company would already be long gone.