Chapter 4 A Long Night

• Chapter 4
• A Long Night
• Peter Fletcher returned home, exhausted from work but preoccupied. Allyson Mitchell lingered in his thoughts. What could she need that her job at his firm couldn’t provide? Lying in bed, Peter picked up his phone and searched her social media profiles. Her photos were ordinary, beach pictures, selfies, no sign of a boyfriend.
• Was she hiding one?
• Or was she single?
• He spent hours scrolling through her posts, intrigued and unable to shake her image from his mind.
• The next morning, Peter discovered Allyson wasn’t at work yet. He searched her file and learned that she interned in the afternoons because she studied law at Yale in the mornings. A busy schedule for someone so young. Deciding to take action, Peter requested her transfer to his office as his personal secretary. He told himself it was to learn more about her, but the truth was, she had captivated him.
• "Lisa," he called over the intercom. His assistant entered promptly. "Clear Miss Mitchell’s desk and bring her belongings to my office," he instructed. Lisa hesitated. "Sir, if you don’t mind me asking—" "I do mind, Lisa," Peter interrupted sharply. She lowered her head and left to complete the task.
• By the time Allyson arrived, Peter had been glancing at the clock for hours. When she appeared, he feigned indifference. "Mitchell!" he called. She entered nervously, clearly fearing reprimand. "You’ve been promoted," he said. "You’ll now work directly with me. Whatever I ask, you’ll do promptly. Understood?" "Of course, sir," she replied sweetly.
• Peter tried to focus on work, but her presence stirred memories of the pink-masked dancer at the Venus Club. Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Sir, should I follow up on the Denver contract?" "Yes. Call to arrange a continuation," he replied curtly, masking his emotions.
• Later, as Peter prepared for lunch, Allyson asked, "Would you like me to take your calls while you’re out?" "Yes. I won’t be long," he said, leaving the office.
• When he returned, he found Allyson arguing with Lisa. "I’m not Mr. Fletcher’s mistress!" Allyson said sharply, stopping when she noticed Peter at the door. Lisa attempted to leave, but Peter shut the door. "Do I allow this kind of behavior in my office?" he demanded. Lisa shrank under his glare. Allyson, however, grabbed her bag and headed for the elevator, tears streaming down her face.
• Peter caught up to her. "Miss Mitchell, don’t let others’ judgments dictate your actions," he said, trying to keep calm. "I can’t stay," she sobbed. "They think I’m your mistress!"
• Peter reassured her, urging her to return. Reluctantly, she agreed. Back in his office, he summoned Lisa. "Lisa," he began coldly, "do you think accusations and gossip are acceptable here?" "No, sir," she replied quietly. "This is a law firm. I could accuse you of defamation on Miss Mitchell’s behalf."
• Lisa turned to Allyson, who responded with kindness. "I won’t press charges, Lisa," she said softly. Peter dismissed Lisa, though he knew her resentment would linger.
• Turning to Allyson, he asked, "You’re studying to be a lawyer, correct?" "Yes, sir." "Then remember this: a lawyer never retreats unless there’s no chance of winning. Don’t let others corner you."
• "Understood, Mr. Fletcher," she replied.
• Peter watched her return to work, knowing challenges awaited her, and that he was determined to protect her, even from himself.
• He opened a folder on his desk, pretending to review its contents while his thoughts drifted. The image of her on stage at the Venus Club flashed in his mind again. Her confidence and elegance under those neon lights had been mesmerizing, but the vulnerability she’d shown in his office was equally striking. It was a contradiction he couldn’t ignore.
• The soft buzz of Allyson’s voice broke his thoughts. She was on the phone, speaking politely but firmly to a client. Her professionalism impressed him, but he could see the subtle stiffness in her movements. She was holding back tears, or perhaps frustration, from her earlier confrontation with Lisa.
• Peter stood abruptly, startling Allyson. “Miss Mitchell,” he said, his tone softer than usual. “Come with me.”
• She hesitated, glancing nervously at the stack of files on her desk. “Is there something wrong, sir?”
• “Not at all. You’ve had a difficult morning. I think a change of scenery will do you good. Bring your notepad.”
• Allyson obeyed, following him out of the office. As they walked past their colleagues, Peter ignored the curious stares and hushed murmurs. He led her to a private meeting room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
• “Take a seat,” he said, gesturing to the table. He closed the door and sat across from her, loosening his tie.
• “Sir, if this is about...”
• “It’s not about the incident earlier,” he interrupted. “I simply wanted to check in on you. How are you holding up?”
• Allyson blinked, caught off guard by his question. “I’m fine,” she said, though her voice wavered slightly.
• “You’re not,” Peter replied bluntly. “And that’s understandable. Lisa was out of line, and I’ve already dealt with her. But this isn’t just about her, is it?”
• Allyson’s fingers tightened around the notepad in her lap. “No, sir. It’s... It’s everything. This job, my studies, the expectations...” She hesitated, then added, “And now, being here—working directly for you—makes things... complicated.”
• Peter raised an eyebrow. “Complicated how?”
• “People talk,” she said quietly. “They assume things. It’s hard to stay focused when I feel like I’m constantly being judged.”
• Peter leaned forward, his gaze steady. “Let them talk. You’re here because you’ve proven yourself capable, and I don’t regret my decision. As for the gossip, it’ll fade. What matters is how you handle yourself.”
• Allyson met his eyes, her expression conflicted. “I appreciate the opportunity, sir. But I don’t want to be seen as someone who... takes advantage of her position.”
• “You’re not,” Peter said firmly. “You’ve earned this, Allyson. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”
• For a moment, silence filled the room, and Peter saw a flicker of determination in her eyes. She nodded slowly. “Thank you, Mr. Fletcher. I’ll do my best.”
• “Good.” He stood, straightening his tie. “Now, let’s get back to work. We have deadlines to meet.”
• As they returned to the office, Peter felt a surge of satisfaction. Allyson was strong—stronger than she gave herself credit for. But he also knew he needed to tread carefully. His growing feelings for her were undeniable, and the last thing he wanted was to jeopardize her career or his own integrity.
• For now, he would focus on guiding her through the challenges ahead. But deep down, he couldn’t ignore the pull she had on him, the way she stirred something in him he hadn’t felt in years. It was dangerous, but Peter Fletcher had never been one to shy away from danger. After all, full moon was coming!