Hot Coffee (The Hollens)

Ethan's POV

I've already had a shitty ass morning at home and a terrible day in the office. I lost a very important deal that I was looking forward to for six months. Lunch was a drag-- I didn't enjoy it-- and Sharon wouldn't shut up about the Bahamas. I told her I would take her, that was before she got bitten by a mosquito. I lost my cool at the damn restaurant and yelled at her; one could only imagine what I had said to her. To my surprise, she didn't respond. She just got up and kissed my cheek and told me she'd be at the house when I calmed down.

Arriving home, I remembered the conversation I had with Agnes before hiring Emma.

I had Emma prepare another cup of coffee and met her in the kitchen for it where the others were assemble as well.

I'd let go Agnes. Why? Because she was getting up there in age had spoken to me about her retirement plan. She knew the drill. I had already placed a large sum of money in her account for the years she had served me. She'd served her time well. Even though it appeared I did it over the salt, I only did that to teach the other women a lesson. The fear in their eyes, especially Emma's, was priceless. 

The supermarket manager had already informed me that there had been a mixed up batch of milk from the manufacturer. So, it wasn't any of my employees' fault, so I couldn't fire anyone for that.

Having Agnes leave, didn't have much affect on me. I barely was at home and barely ate there. I would usually go to a restaurant with Sharon or grab something while out, and I was always traveling to different countries.

I went to my study. The files I had for my COO to look over were missing. I'd had those files on the desk yesterday and now they were fucking missing! Someone must have been in here.

I went to locate Halley and Emma. They had already finished their duties for the day so they should've been in their rooms.

I knocked on Emma's door. "Emma, were you in my office," I asked when she opened it, "and don't you fucking lie to me!" I couldn't control my anger and I seemed to have scared her.

"No, sir."

"Emma, there were some very important files on my desk and now I can't find them. WHERE ARE THEY?"

"Sir, I don't know. Under no circumstances did you want us in the office, and I've never entered it."

"Why is it that I don't believe you? You've been here for some days and you have already screwed up so many times."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know about any files."

"You're indeed incompetent. Exactly what do you really know, Emma?"

"Sir, please don't talk to me like that. I don't like your attitude."

lecture me about my attitude. You're a maid, not my mother. Why don't

but that's the funny thing about words. Once they leave your mouth, you can't erase the damage done. Before I could even apologise, she scurried to the kitchen and I was certain she

wrong with you

kitchen after her and stood quietly at the

what you've done? You

placed the coffee on a

if she had seen the devil.

I was the boss. I made the rules and wanted them abided, but I didn't want them to fear me as if I was a damn

very close with me, yet they respected me. We were friends. But, lately, I had been lashing out at everyone there and now I was doing it to Emma. She had been here less than a week

her door. I knocked and she opened it

sorry. I never should of

her head, maybe she was too afraid to speak up again. She lowered her head, avoiding my eyes. I lifted her chin gently. Her eyes matched her silky caramel skin, which was always covered in over-sized clothes. She looked afraid. Her full lips were quivering and her palms were sweaty and cold; she kept wiping them along her clothes. Her thick hair was pulled back and her glasses were

through my body. I pulled

you

sir," she finally spoke.

"Are we alright now?"

"Yes, sir."

me sir all

"Yes, sir."

eyes, then I couldn't stop myself anymore. I claimed her lips

she just stood there.

that," I

go

Good night."

let go of her and went upstairs, face palming myself as

_______

knock

"It's me, sir."

"It's open."