Chapter 8

• E.I.G.H.T.
• Sterling looked behind Faith to see the figure standing there, he could feel the bitter taste of jealousy in his mouth. Sterling clenched his jaw and barely managed to keep a calm composure.
• "S_sir" Faith stammered, pulling Sterling's attention from the man behind her. As much as Sterling was pissed off by the both of them, his heart still managed to twinge at the sight of her. Her face would remain the most beautiful he'd ever seen, his hands urged to de-tangle her brown messy bun. Her long shapely legs through her skirt were all but a temptation. And the shape of her breast through her shirt___ What wouldn't he do to make her his?
• Nothing.
• "I should have told you that there's no need to pick me up, Dan will bring me to work."
• Sterling met Dan's stare, he could openly see the man's animosity towards him, the feeling was mutual, or even worse because Sterling hated him more. It had taken everything in him not to get rid of Dan most easily and more quickly. Faith words further managed to annoy Sterling, he could see the satisfaction in Dan's gaze and nearly sneered.
• Faith wouldn't be his for long! Sterling fumed inwardly. If not anything but to annoy Dan, Sterling gazed at his wristwatch.
• "What's the hurry, since I'm here, can you make me a cup of coffee? You know I only drink if you make it by yourself." Sterling could see the confusion in Faith's eyes, without giving her a chance to respond, he paved his way inside her small apartment, their shoulders and thighs brushing as he did so.
• "You can't just walk in like you own this place! This is not your mansion or company Sterling!"
• Sterling met Dan's glare, he could almost see the steam leaving Dan and almost smirked in satisfaction.
• Uncomfortable and irritated was exactly how he wanted Dan to feel.
• "I'm sure my secretary doesn't mind, she's been mine for four years, you are just new, I think you don't know our relationship, Ms. Jameson, tell your little boyfriend how many times I've been to this place with you preparing my coffee."
• Sterling looked to see Faith's legs twitching, her face was red, and she looked uneasy. Sterling could feel a little bit of pleasure, it was little revenge for making him so frustrated, the other part of his plans for revenge included her being tied to his bed, naked, all spread and ready for him.
• Sterling couldn't wait.
• "Faith, he may be your boss but you don't have to do as he says in your own home! You're not his goddamned servant!" Dan bit out unpleasantly.
• Sterling made himself comfortable on the sofa, he could feel Faith's reluctant stare, she looked like she wanted to say something but decided against it at the last moment.
• "I'll go make the coffee." She muttered under her breath but Sterling heard her. As she marched into the kitchen, Sterling's gaze followed her.
• She would never know how much her obedience pleased him.
• Sterling sat in silence until Dan approached him wearing a bothered and angry expression.
• "I know exactly what you want, but you won't get it!"
• Sterling quirked a brow at Dan's statement. "If you're talking about the land agreement, the dealings I have is with your father, it doesn't concern you."
• Sterling's words seemed to provoke Dan further as he spat.
• "Even if you succeed in getting the land, you won't have her, Faith is my girlfriend!"
• Sterling chuckled and met Dan's stare, it was Dan who spoke again.
• "You're not denying that you have your eyes on her? You can wait for eternity but Faith is my girlfriend, she won't ever be yours!"
• Sterling narrowed his gaze slightly, he could hear the insecurities in Dan's voice, he was afraid that Faith would want him. Sterling smiled to himself, if Dan was already doubting Faith, there was no need not to add fuel to the flames.
• "You can't want something that is already yours." Sterling spoke and watched as Dan's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
• "What the hell are you trying to say?"
• Sterling straightened to his feet, standing taller than Dan by some good inches. " I thought you were intelligent, I didn't think I would have to spell it out for you." Sterling shook his head and Dan steamed, looking insulted.
• "That's enough! Say it clearly, you bastard!" Dan suddenly gripped Sterling's suit, Sterling was all too calm by the whole situation.
• "What's going on here! Dan let go of him!" Sterling turned to see Faith standing in the doorway, her expression horrified. She quickly approached them, the steaming mug of coffee still in her hand.
• "Do you know what this bastard son of a bitch is insinuating?!" Dan yelled and Faith screamed right back.
• "Don't call him that! Let go of him! Right now!"
• Faith pulled against Dan's hand who reluctantly let go of Sterling and in the process, she lost control of the mug of coffee, and the hot liquid poured against her hand.
• Her hiss of pain had Sterling snatching the cup from her immediately, he grabbed her hand to see the skin already turning red.
• "Damn! I'm taking you to the hospital!" Faith didn't get the chance to decline his offer when he suddenly lifted her bridal style, a surprised gasp escaped her mouth as she wrapped her arms around him for fear that she was going to fall.
• Sterling held her in his arms and walked out the front door.
• *
• *
• Faith stared at her hand as Sterling drove them to the company, the pain from the burn was barely even there anymore.
• "I'm really sorry about what happened earlier, Dan is just___ I don't know what to say." Faith broke the silence, she had been horrified beyond words to see Dan aggressively grasping Sterling. What the hell had happened in the few minutes she went to prepare coffee.
• "I guess your boyfriend didn't like that you were preparing coffee for me__" Sterling met her stare and lowered his voice. "He thinks otherwise of our relationship, he claims that I want you, what do you say about that, Ms. Jameson?"
• Faith blushed furiously unable to meet his stare, how could Dan say that to him? She knew being jealous was one thing, but confronting her innocent boss was too much! Didn't he care how awkward and embarrassing it would be for her?
• "I'm so sorry sir, I want to apologize on his behalf!
• Thinking about it now, Faith admitted that Sterling's words had been a little too much when he had asked her to make coffee. It couldn't be that he'd tried to irritate Dan on purpose?
• What was she thinking?
• Her boss would never stoop down to such a level!
• Remembering another important matter, Faith turned to Sterling who was facing the window.
• "About the meeting this morning, can I not go?"
• Sterling didn't answer for some seconds and Faith felt her heart skip when he finally did.
• "Why?" He still didn't turn around to face her.
• Faith sighed inwardly, how could she explain that she didn't want to meet the agent because she was afraid that Dan might be there. She didn't want to be there when the deal about the land was finalized. It would be so awkward.
• Now, she was regretting Sterling's offer to send her home after they left the hospital.
• What the heck had prompted her to tell him that she could still work?
• "You're refusing to work because it's a case related to your boyfriend, isn't it?" Sterling turned to face her, Faith met his eyes and felt her heart sink to her stomach by their sharpness.
• He looked annoyed.
• How did he even know the exact reason she was asking not to go? Faith thought.
• "It's actually tough for me, as your assistant, I know exactly how much this deal means to you, but I also feel for Dan, that was his mother's only property, I just think it will be best if I don't attend the meeting."
• Faith swallowed at the way Sterling deeply narrowed his gaze at her.
• "Are you escaping your responsibilities?!" He barked and Faith flinched from the harshness of his tone.
• "Didn't I tell you not to allow your relationship to mess with your work ethics! I'm very disappointed with this behavior, Faith! It's barely even a few days, is this your way of telling me you're no longer interested in your job?"
• Faith didn't know if it was the blunt use of her name or the disappointed look in his eyes or perhaps the threat of firing her. She swallowed hard, blinking back tears. Why was she crying? She wasn't a baby anymore.
• Was it that she wasn't used to Sterling Hunter sounding so upset and disappointed with her?
• "Of course not, sir, I'll go with you." She muttered.
• "Good." Sterling spoke, and that was the end of their conversation for the rest of the drive.