The Empath's Mate novel Chapter 4

"I am sorry for her, what are you doing over this way Roni?" I hated the way she sneered my name.

"This is my new office." I said shyly. I wasn't sure, but I had a feeling she was going to blow a gasket. She had been trying to move into this side of the building for the last 3 months. I always thought they kept her in the other hall to keep her away.

"You're..." She said before taking a deep breath I could hear over the side of Nikola who was still standing between us.

"Apology accepted Roni." Nikola spoke directing our attention to him. "Jenny here was just showing me to my office. I guess we are neighbors." He said with a smile turning so Jenny and I could see each other.

"It seems we are. I just need to go speak to Janette, please allow me to get out of your way." I said before Jenny could begin and I hurried down the hall.

"Hey Janette, I don't mean to bother you. I was looking over the contract and I there is an error with my salary." I said handing her the papers.

She flipped to the correct page and looked it over. She picked up another pen from her desk and set it onto the contract in front of me. "There is no mistake, was that your only question? I suggest you sign before someone stops you." She said with a wink.

I was shocked. Thankfully, my body continued to go through the motions. I picked up the pen signing the new contract before Janette notarized it for me. She said the raise would actual be retroactive 30 days. She made a copy of the contract for me before sending me back into my office to finish settling in. I cleaned my morning away scared of what else the day might bring.

By the time lunch came I was starving from all the cleaning I had done. I went downstairs to meet Jeremy excited to share my good news. I was thinking about taking a trip an upcoming weekend with my new retro pay that would be coming in. It had been to long since I just had a night to myself alone. I thought about camping under the stars until I say Jeremy ready at the door. I gave him a quick hug and we were on our way.

We took our entire lunch to go over the morning's events. Jeremy thought it was funny I was busted gossiping like that. He was a little shocked that I decided to speak at all. He felt the need to call his wife while we were eating and tell her about my new contract. She said she was going to send something the following day with Jeremy for my new office.

When I returned from lunch, I peeked into Nikola's office, it was still empty. I was relieved he wasn't in there after I turned away. I had no idea what I would have said. I shook my head before unlocking the office door and heading in. I would see him in 2 hours, I wanted to try to stay busy. After taking an hour to make a good graphic filled email welcoming the 3 fellows to my team, I sent it out. I dove into planning out the team meeting I scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I wasn't sure if there was a specific project that Dr. Chapman, or Peter, wanted us working on. Around 2:30 PM there was a knock on my door. I looked up to see Nikola.

"You're early." I said trying to suppress my smile.

"He is early? How much longer do you want me to keep him busy?" I heard Jenny's voice come from behind him in the doorway. I looked at his eyes and they screamed 'help'. I grinned an evil grin.

"Shit, I didn't mean to upset you. I just assumed you would hand me a map and send me on my way." He was speaking so casually I was taken back. I didn't know what to expect with him. I was trying hard to get a read on him, I seemed to just be wrong, every time.

"I am fine." I tried to assure him.

"You are more than fine." He said in a low seductive voice, I was shocked. I turned as I blushed; I didn't want him to see.

"I was asked to give you a tour and that is exactly what we are going to do. I am ready now if you are." I said standing.

"Can we start with any other place on this campus to get coffee? Jenny is like a hawk over there, I may get a machine for my office." I was not expecting him to be so open about her desperate attempts, maybe he got the wrong idea of me earlier when I was talking about him.

I decided to clear the air. I would just come clean and say I was having a rough morning and I wouldn't normally try to take the attention off myself in that way. Surely, he would understand right? He has to know there are rumors about him out there.