Part 21 - Clearing The Air

It's been a week and things are going well. Me and Malcolm are really taking things slow. We're not a couple, like we've already talked about, we're just spending more time together and sharing some romantic moments but we're not having any sex or anything like that. It's part of taking things slow. We're not telling people about us yet to avoid any confusion. It's not like we have much to tell them anyway.

We're now at the office coming closer and closer to the end of the day. I have plans with Malcolm after work to grab a bite and then maybe a drink depending on the mood. For now I'm in my office working on some things and a knock on my door catches my attention. I believe it's Malcolm so I welcome him in and it's when he reached my desk that I look at him. But it's not him, it's Downey. What is he doing here?

"What are you doing here?" I ask sternly.

"Is this how you greet your friends?" he asks and leans on my desk with his strong arms.

"We are not friends" I say laughing.

"Right, we're lovers" he says cockily.

"We're definitely not lovers" I say coldly.

"We were last week" he smirks.

"Is there something you need from me, Downey? If not please get out of my office" I say desperately.

"Let's go for a drink after work, I'm free" he slowly comes behind me.

"You are insane if you think I'm going out with you ever again" I refuse immediately.

"Don't be stubborn, you know you want this" he whispers and rests his hands strongly on my shoulders.

"Get off, Downey, I said no" I push his hands away.

He doesn't give up and immediately he rests them on my sides and leans down to place his lips on the back of my neck.

"Anyone could walk in any minute, what do you think you're doing?" I whisper shout and stand up to be away from him.

"By anyone you mean your boyfriend?" he asks and looks at me dead in the eyes.

"How many times do I have to tell you that my relationship with Malcolm is none of your business?" I hiss.

"You had your fun with him, don't tell me you'll continue this act. Come back to me" he says clenching his jaw and stretches his arms to pull me into him.

"Do you even realize how pathetic you sound?" I avoid him and roll my eyes.

"Just come with me after work. Don't tell me you haven't missed me at all" he says proudly and caresses my cheek with the back of his palm seductively.

"I couldn't even if I wanted to, I've already made plans. Now please leave before anyone suspects anything" I groan and slap his hand away.

"Fine, I get it. You want to play hard to get" he exhales and starts walking away.

When he leaves and shuts his door I take deep breaths to calm myself down. I can't be like this when I see Malcolm again. He'll realize something's off. I don't talk to him until it's time to leave and then I go to his office to see if he's ready to go. I knock on his door and when he lets me in I get inside and see him still sitting behind his desk with his stuff all over the place.

"What are you still doing? It's time to go" I say.

"I'm sorry" he sighs and throws his hands in the air.

"What is it?" I stand behind him.

"Downey just sent me a pile of files, I won't make it tonight" he says with a very apologetic tone.

"He did what?" I ask shocked.

"It's about something he's been working on. He needs help just like when he needed you, I wish I knew sooner" he sighs.

No, honey, it's not about that. He's just an as*hole and wants to mess with me.

"I'll stay and help you" I say and place my purse on the floor.

"No, I don't want to torture you with work after hours. We'll reschedule for tomorrow"

"We had plans together, I'm sticking with them. We can even get a pizza or something"

"You really don't have to do this" he tries to change my mind but it's pointless.

"It's fine, I want to. Just give me a few minutes, I'll be right back" he nods and I get out of his office.

I wipe the happy expression off my face and let my true colours show. I hate Downey so much. I furiously walk over to his office and since it's after 5 Claire is not there so I storm inside it. He turns to the sound of the door opening like that and gives me a confused face.

"What the hell are you doing? I'm your boss, you have to show respect to me" he dares to say seriously.

I laugh ironically and go quickly over to his desk after shutting the door. He has stood up from his chair and he's now looking at me with a bossy look and body language.

"I have no reason to show respect to you" I hiss.

"How about the fact that I can have you fired?" he asks angrily.

"How about the fact that I can have you divorced?" I reply and he clentches his jaw.

"Just because your ego is hurt doesn't mean you'll take it out on Malcolm. Can't you simply realize we're over?" I'm so pissed, I just want to hit his pretty face.

"I couldn't care less about him" he replies.

"Oh really? That's why you sent him a pile of files to work on just before we called it a day? You mean to tell me that it has nothing to do with the fact that we had plans for after work?" my heart is beating so fast.

"Calm down, Ms. Beck. I simply sent him some work to do, there are no conspiracy theories behind that. It's his duty as an employee of this company to help whenever he's needed. Besides, how could I even know it was him you had plans with?" he asks now calmer and moves next to me.

"I'm not falling for your bullsh*t excuse, Downey" I shake my head in disbelief.

"Frankly, I don't care" he shrugs his shoulders.

"You're a piece of sh*t" I say madly.

"I never said I'm not. But that didn't stop you from screwing me before" even now he has his stupid grin.

"Listen to me clearly, I don't want to hear from you again unless it's strictly for work" I say sternly.

"Say what you need to say, Liv. Your actions are the only things that matter in the end"

What did he just call me?

"Don't ever call me that again" I groan.

"Would you rather me calling you Princess? That can happen too" he smirks.

"Just stay out of my life" I say loudly.

He sees how angry I am at him but instead of letting me go like a normal person he grabs the back of my neck and pulls me in for a hot kiss. His lips are devouring mine powerfully while I'm trying in every way that I can to push him away. His grip though is too strong and I don't get free until he lets me go.

"Don't ever do that again. I don't want to have to do anything with you anymore" I say breathing heavily and hitting his chest.

"I like my women rough" is his little comment to all this.

"I am not your woman" I say slowly and clearly.

"Go out with me, I'm sure we can figure things out. Your plans changed, you don't have anything better to do" he says relaxed.

"My plans changed but I have plenty of things to do. Anything is better than going out with you" I reply now calmer.

"You're just lying now" he chuckles.

"I'll be in Malcolm's office helping him out with work in case you need me for something work related. Other than that I think I made myself clear with you" I exhale sharply wanting to wrap things up.

"If you want to ruin your night that's on you. You have my number if you come to your senses" he says with disappointment.

"I sure will" I fake smile at him and leave his office.

By the time I'm back to Malcolm's office I've calmed my nerves down and I'm back to normal. He's working on the files and I join him after pulling a chair next to his. Time goes by and no one interrupts us. It's not like anyone's here after all. Only the work addicts and the poor victims of Downey. And by that I mean me and Malcolm. I feel bad for him having to do all this work because of me so I put real effort on helping him.

Around an hour later I hear some footsteps coming from the hallway and look over there. I see it's Downey all dressed up and ready to leave. He looks straight back at me from distance and looks like he's waiting for me. I keep the eye contact going for a couple of seconds and then I seductively turn to Malcolm and pull him in for a steamy kiss. When we break it I see that Downey has left and I feel proud of myself.

"What was that about?" Malcolm asks me smiling.

"I just felt like kissing you" I smile back at him.

"You're welcome to feel that way anytime" he chuckles and we go back to work.

A/NLet me know what you think about the current storyline and maybe your thoughts about the future! Thank you for your support🥰