He winces after I say Mr. Payne's name and sucks in a breath.
"Oh ... No!" The gorgeous one exclaims.
Chapter 4 - THE Paperwork ...
Edgar's mouth is wide open as his eyes stay fixed on me. Perhaps he's having a stroke as he hasn't moved for about a minute now, just staring. I wave my hand in front of his face, which seems to snap him out of his catatonic state.
"I'm sorry. No one should have to suffer with the Payne. Well, to apologize for my sex and for this company for making you have to work daily with the Payne, I must take you out to lunch. And don't think of saying no because then I will be forced to stalk you until you agree. I don't know if you will like being woken up in the middle of the night with rocks being thrown at your window."
I relax a bit and laugh, finally something good without fear being attached to it. Nodding my head with a smile, glad I have already made a friend at the company who happens to be pretty eye candy.
I sigh ... so pretty.
Edgar takes me to a little French restaurant around the corner that makes crepes. I have only ever had sweet crepes, but they serve savory ones too. I learn a valuable lesson at that restaurant; crepes are a necessary part of the four food groups. Well, my four food groups: Cake, Wine, Chocolate and now Crepes. Nutrition is nothing to laugh at!
At lunch Edgar informs me of the ups and downs and ins and outs of the company while his eyes attach themselves to every attractive woman in range. He is nice and funny, but I have the feeling he likes the ladies a lot.
Edgar tells me how he's known Mr. Payne since college. They were roommates at Northwestern. Edgar explains Mr. Payne wasn't always the Payne; he used to be a fun if not slightly nerdy guy.
His exact words, "Henrik was a bit of a nerd. Always playing video games and constantly quoting comedy movies. Right after we graduated my brother created this company. Since I majored in computer science he asked me to help bring the company on-line to the masses. I brought Henrik with me and he talked himself into every investor's office you could imagine. The man can sell bottled water to a drowning person. Then something happened in Henrik's personal life a few years later and he morphed into the terrible Payne he is today."
I wondered what happened that changed Mr. Payne so drastically. Just to let everyone know, I'm a nosy person. I know it's none of my business and I should let sleeping dogs lie and curiosity killed the cat BUT I'm not a dog or cat so that really doesn't apply to me! Now I feel it's my mission to find out what makes Henrik Payne, aka my boss, aka the Payne, aka Paynefully Sexy (Like that one? I thought it was quite clever if I do say so myself.), aka riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma to be slowly undressed by me (eyebrows move up and down in a seductive manner), tick.
My thoughts are still on figuring Mr. Payne out mind and body when I realize Edgar has brought me back to the office and deposits me in front of the HR door. I thank him for lunch and head inside.
"Well, well, well, you chose to stay and work for the devil. I respect a woman who faces her worst nightmare and lives to tell about it."
I search the room for the female voice and find it coming from a desk to my left. It's the blonde who gave me the envelope of confusion earlier today. Looking at the nameplate on her desk, her name is Evaleen Bechmann. I chant the name so I remember it this time: Evaleen Bechmann! Evaleen Bechmann, Evaleen Bechmann!
"Yes, Ms. Drake that is my name."
Oops, I must have said it out loud.
"Mr. Payne sent me here to fill out paperwork. I start tomorrow."
She gives me her sympathetic smile again and tells me to have a seat, motioning to the chair in front of her desk.
"Got it right here."
I walk over and sit as she places the large yellow envelope on her desk in front of me with a thud.
"Wow, that's a thick envelope. I guess the employee manual and other company manuals are in there too?"
Her finger shoots into the air, her face awash with revelation.
"Oh, almost forgot. Thanks for reminding me. Here are the manuals. The envelope is just the paperwork."
Evaleen gets up, after pulling three large books from her desk, and walks over to me placing them in my lap. They must weigh fifteen pounds at least.
As she walks back to her seat she waves me off.
"Just bring the paperwork back tomorrow."
I struggle to get up and lug my heavy items with me, but she stops me just as I reach the door.
"Oh, Ms. Drake, did Mr. Payne mention to you about the incident?"
Oh no! How did he find out?