Chapter 10: Jealousy's Cruel Intentions

(Beth's POV)

Work is going great. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am worth something more than a cashier number. Anthony has given me a lot more than just a new chance at life. Not only am I making amazing money, but he listens to me.

Now don’t get me wrong. Anthony has his downsides that are hard to get over most days. For one, he lies… A lot. Two, I’m beginning to learn that one question asked, is two more that I need to be answered. I’ve often wondered if that’s the main reason I make so much money. Not only that, but he doesn’t let me answer his phone calls like most assistants would do.

I asked Clara a few nights ago if that is typical in this line of work and she openly said no. Having worked in an industry like mine a few years ago, she mentioned to me that I should keep my eyes open and not trust everything I’m told. She tells me every day to be careful.

In a sick sense, I feel like I belong. But I can’t describe the feeling or why. Maybe it is because I’m treated so well. Maybe it’s because I’ve been fangirling over Anthony like I would over one of the many mystery guys in the smut novels I read.

Either way, I’m happy and willing to take the hidden risk that I have yet to discover. What’s the worst-case scenario anyway? Death? Been there, contemplated that. I no longer cared if that happened to me. I’d decided years ago that I would live life to its fullest and enjoy it when I got the chance to.

Which brings me back to the present moment. The only other thing in life that is for certain, besides death, is financial bullsh*t and taxes. Filling out much needed financial papers for Anthony sucked and while I was quick to say yes to anything he tells me, I am currently ready to burn every ounce of dead tree in front of me.

I fill out everything I can besides a few questions that I have no idea how to answer. Leaving the paperwork on his desk, I make my way out to the main bar area and dancefloor. It’s packed full tonight and there are sweaty people everywhere.

Dancing my way through the crowd, for what feels like forever, I finally spot Anthony. He’s no longer with the business associate he said he had a meeting with earlier this evening. Although, I had been and still am very confused about what business the guy had with Anthony. Made me wonder more about Anthony’s potential secret life he refuses to tell me about.

The guy had been older, balding, and slightly heavy as if he were a regular alcohol drinker. He’d looked me over with an interest in his eyes. One that I’d seen before from nasty perverts one too many times.

Anthony had spoken so coldly to him at first. They were talking so low and fast that I couldn’t get much out of the conversation. Not long later, Anthony set me with the task of financial paperwork that I still believe was a punishment. Why? I don’t know. But it felt like it.

As I approached Anthony, I quickly learn that he is preoccupied with another woman. She is perched on his knee, rubbing against him. Blegh. Gag me. His hands are holding her *ss as if it weren’t quite sewed back on correctly when the surgeon inserted the implants.

He’s only my boss. Just my boss. Just my boss. I have zero romantic ties to him. If I did, however, I can imagine myself yanking on her hair and beating her *ss for touching him. I wonder if he would fire me for beating her up and throwing her out of the club.

Why did this have to be so awkward for me? If this is the type of women he is interested in, then I never have a chance. Because I’m not getting plastic surgery. Approaching them, I cross my arms over my chest and purse my lips at Anthony.

The second he sees me, he sets the large glass of liquor down and ushers the whining woman away. I watch as she immediately gets over the loss and starts feeling up another guy at the far side of the bar. Gross.

“Bethany! Where’ve you been? I thought maybe you left for the night.” Anthony greets me eagerly, extending his hands for me to take. Great my boss is drunk. That’s what I need right now.

Rolling my eyes, I remind him, “You don’t remember telling me to fill out all those financial papers for your various nightclubs all along the east coast? I did as much of it as I can. But I’m exhausted and irritated.”

Clarity flashes over his face and he flinches as if I’d slapped him. I haven’t, not yet. “F*ck, Bethany, baby, I’m sorry. I simply meant that to be something for you to do while I was handling business. And Un… I mean, that particular individual is someone I have a lot of problems with. Please forgive me.”

He stares at me with partially glazed eyes and waits for me to say something. It’s like he is being legitimately serious and honest with me for once. He pulls me closer and rests his head against my chest.

“I shouldn’t have started drinking. This is my fault. I can make it better. I have an idea. How about we drink and dance? You’ll be paid as if you were actually doing work and I’ll make sure to compensate you for all the paperwork you did,” he suggests.

That sounds wonderful. “Sure!” I agree. I could use a break. I pluck the glass of amber liquid out of his hands and take a long swig. It burns going down but at the present moment, I don’t care. Anthony watches wide-eyed and grins before dragging me onto the dancefloor.

He spins me around and places his hands on my hips, pulling me flush against him. Almost immediately I can feel how turned on he is. Whether from me or the other woman, I didn’t know.

His lips press against the soft spot just beneath my ear and he chuckles, “Relax into it. I saw you that first day. I watched you dance on the floor with random guys. Have fun with it.”

I shiver as he speaks into my ear and start to relax into it. I will definitely regret this later, but I am going to enjoy every second of it right now. Both of us lose track of time and fall into the heat of the moment and the rhythm of the music. This is a life I can get used to.