Chapter 7: My skirt did it?

Paula POV

Honestly, If I don't get rex to sign this papers. I might just kill my boss if he fires me. This is totally stupid.

I had to go all the way to the Bronx and in this unpredictable weather. Thank God I got my umbrella it might just decide to pour at any time.

I got to Mr, Rex apartment or so I think. After much running around I think I got it. It was a tall building with apartments , much like the one me and Olivia occupy in Brooklyn. I got in and headed to the front desk.

"Morning , can I please know the apartment Mr rex is staying in. I'm here to give him some papers" I said. I made it seem like I knew rex. Well you have to make it seem that way or else, she's going to ring him and I might just be thrown out."

She smiled. "Fifth floor , the first door to your right." I smiled back.

"Thank you kate" she looked surprised.

I pointed at her chest at her ID card. Realization washed on her face and she nodded with a smile.

I took the elevator to the fifth door. My palm was sweating, I was shaking, I'm so nervous. I got to the floor and knocked on the door.

It took a while and nobody made so much as a sound. I knocked again. That's when I heard footsteps approaching the door. I adjusted myself with a smile on my face.

The door opened, a very tall tan man stood in front of me. He was wearing sweatpants and a shirt. He raised his brow at me. Hell he is gorgeous, he's got serious baby face but I know he's older. His chiseled jaw and muscles. Damn it only thing is Ethan was way sexier and more cute for sure.

Paula did you just compare him to Ethan? Stupid.

You compare everyone to him. I almost rolled my eyes.

The guy almost shut the door in my face , I mean I was just staring at him like I was a psycho. I snapped back and used my leg to stop the door.

"Mr Rex”He walked back and stared at me.

"Yes, who are you?" I smiled widely. I hope my chubby cheek looks cute. Mother and Olivia says they do; calling on all cuteness right now.

"I am Paula, Can I speak to you for a few minute?" He eyed me from head to toe. Then nodded.

"Okay" he walked back and I walked in the apartment with him. He was sitting on the couch while I stared at the house in awe.

It was Neatly decorated with paintings finished and unfinished. I stopped myself from going further and just get to the reason I'm here.

I sat down opposite him and breathed in.

" Mr Rex, I am Paula Rayes from Andrea enterprise and I'm here so you can sign this papers" I placed the papers on his center table. " the papers will allow the company display your paintings at the opening of museum . It's a great opportunity for you and the company and I belie" he cut me off.

" I'm not signing those papers. If that's all please take your leave" he said reluctantly.

Okay how am I going to do this. This guy already made up his mind.

" sir, may I ask your reasons for not wanting your paintings displayed?" I adjusted myself forward. God he has to sign.

He just stared at me for while before saying "The owner of that company , your boss. He's an ass, He's a monster and all who works for him." I nodded my head in agreement. Well fair enough.

" well, that's true" i agreed. he looked shocked and eyed me careful. I just agreed my boss was an ass.

" you are agreeing to it?" I nodded.

"Why wouldn't I, my boss is an ass but you got it all wrong with some of the employees." He just rolled his eyes.

" Look, pretty lady, I blushed. "You are the only goon he has sent that I don't hate. They all come here acting like they will be doing me a favor displaying my paintings. And it is exactly as Ethan acts. so you are all alike" he said.

I only heard the pretty lady part. He thinks I'm pretty? Being a chubby girl who had been bullied all her life. Every compliment made me blush for real.

"You've only met a handful of us, like you said i am not like that" I said. Before I was done he already stood up showing me the way out.

"I'm not signing miss Paula" he stated firmly.

I didn't know what to say , I stood up, he already made up his mind. So many thoughts were going through my head, I will loose the job I got yesterday. The bills , my fashion house. I was so lost I didn't notice the unfinished painting ahead of me close to the door.

My boot got cut and I collided with it and *thump* I crashed directly on the painting. My body landed with a thump on the floor.

Sharp pain erupted from my head and left knee.

"What the, miss are you okay" I heard Rex say. I tried to hold my legs to stop the throbbing pain but I couldn't.

I sat on my butt after much struggle with the painting.

He rushed to the kitchen and returned with an ice pack.

Everything just snapped inside of me. Why do I have to struggle for every single thing in life?

I felt my tears coming. This fall reminded me of all the times I fell and people made fun of me.

“Look the fat girl fell”

Rex bent down to my level to place the pack on my leg and I stopped him.

"There's no need to care, you only met me for some minutes and you categorized me as a beast. Oh of course my boss is a jerk but I didn't do anything wrong to be cut in the middle. Did I?" my eyes were filled already.

"I just got this job yesterday and was told to do this , I will be fired if you don't sign but still I'm the monster. You are all monsters! I follow orders , I will get fired and so will the next. We are just pawns in the game." I stood up and the pain shot up my legs causing me to stagger. He tried to help me but I didn't take his hand.

"I hope you display your paintings in your house and eat it up! knowing fully well people got fired because of you" I grabbed my bag and headed for the door. Pain consumed me as I walked to the door. I know I was sounding selfish, it was his painting his choice; but I couldn’t help myself. I had to vent. Let me have just this one episode.

"Wait, I will sign" I stopped immediately.

What? He will sign? Cause I cause a bit of drama.

I quickly turned to him before she changes his mind.

My heart leapt for joy but I tried not to show, he stood with the ice pack.

"Can you come sit so I can see your knee, then I will sign." I walked back to the couch and he bent in front of me and raised my skirt to my knees. I blushed and turned away. He definitely saw that cause he smirked.

He placed the icepack on my knee and held it down. I took over as he went back to couch opposite me.

"I didn't want to sign because Ethan is an ass but I guess he has always been like that. Threatening your employees that is the typical him. I will look at the bigger picture. Which is you. No other employee just you , I sign you keep your job right?" He asked.

I nodded.

"I will sign but" ugh here it comes. The conditions , men can't do anything for free. There is always a but.

"You have to go on a date with me" he said smirking.

I was dumbfounded. What.

"Huh?" He smiled.

"I'm saving your job Paula, you owe me a date" he took a pen and grabbed the papers. He placed his hands on it ready to sign. He stared back at me raising a brow.

I nodded. Then he gently started signing the papers. Its just a date right?

After much talking I left Rex's house, he got my number. I learned a great deal about him. He's a talker. He didn't tell me what Ethan did to him but honestly I'm not going to rush it because I frankly don't care. My boss is a conceited jerk. It won't be surprising.

I had a huge smile on my face as I made my way back to the office. Incompetent? Well it turns out I'm damn qualified for this job. I can't wait to see the look on his face when I drop the bomb on him today. I don't need to wait till Wednesday.

I got in the office and matched straight to his door. I knocked and after his sweet time he replied. "Come in" I was limping because of my injured knee but I tried to keep my walking professional.

I placed the papers on his desk and walked some few inches away from his desk. He picked it up and checked.

He dropped it back on his desk like it was nothing.

I waited for him to say something, anything but he didn't. He just went back to work. I stood there , I didn't know what to say.

So he is just going to dismiss it like this?

"What are you waiting for?" I just stared back at him speechless .

", you want me to congratulate you for doing your job?" he stood and walked to the front of his desk and leaned on it. Making me take a step back. I can't handle being close to him.

"That's why you get paid Paula, when you do your job you get paid. Stop acting like you conquered a huge deal. Besides your skirt did the trick." He rolled his eyes and adjusted himself on the desk.

I was shocked. What has any of this got to do with my skirt. " sir, I don't get you" I said calmly.

"Rex is a man and like any man he likes women. That's why you were sent. He will sign because you're a woman. Anything in a skirt will make Rex sign. I just never thought he likes your type" he went back to sit behind his desk.

He used me. Wait, my type. What's my type chubby?

"Show yourself out Paula" he said not sparing me a look.

I quietly turned to go still limping after standing for a long time it got sour , my eyes got filled with tears. He shouldn't affect me but he does and it hurts so much.

"What happened to your legs, why are you limping"he said sounding some what concerned. One would think he actually cares.

I didn't turn around. I don't want him seeing just how much he affects me. The tears in my eyes especially.

"Nothing, I was just doing my job" I walked out of his office and rushed to the restroom.

I looked at myself in the mirror. My type ?

He shouldn't get to me he's just an ass but he does.

Even back in highschool , when he bullied me with his words it hurts more than the physical beatings I got.

I have always had a crush on him so it hurts more.

I washed my face, clearing the gathered tears and fixing myself up.

I walked back to my desk and began working again.

He stared at me from his office but I just looked away. He can really go fuck himself.

He has an appointment today at the company site. Its the latest building the company is constructing. He has to go over see it for a week. I don't know if I will be going with him.

I just want to go home and crawl in my bed.