Unorthodox Therapy (22 page)

“I’ve got an announcement to make. It will be officially published in our newsletter in a few days but today is as good as any day.” She looked at me nervously and shifted her gaze away to a spot on the wall. “As you all know, Marielle Johnson is quitting her position as head of the Android/iOS department effective from next week for a start up of her own. She'll stay long enough to show the ropes to her replacement.” There was a long, uncomfortable pause. I heard some people near me whispering. My gaze shifted from Lina to the person I was afraid of.

We agreed I'd never dominate her into altering her professional decisions, especially those that affected the company. Business was separate from pleasure, and yet for a moment, the temptation was so strong, with the usual excuse that it would be for the greater good.

It was a cliché that power was corrupting, but true nevertheless.

All philosophy faded from my brain as Lina said her next words.

“I've been reviewing your work over the last few months. After Marielle conducted some interviews and gave me her personal recommendations, my choice fell on Thomas Jett.”

Coffee practically flew out of my mouth and I coughed violently, too shocked to even acknowledge Dianne's gentle hand when she patted my back.

What kind of games was Lina playing?

It didn't dawn on me she had promoted me until a bunch of my best friends took turns to congratulate me, pull me in for bear hugs and bump their fists against mine. My stupor was slowly cracking. Two emotions one rarely experiences in such a favorable situation poured their poison in my veins – insecurity and anger.

Did she think she could tip the power scales by showing me who was in charge? It was up to her whether I was promoted, transferred or fired. It may have been silly and petty but I couldn’t overcome the suspicion.

The object of my fears spoke in a loud, booming voice.

“Excuse me, Lina.” It was Seth Anderson, a senior developer, one of those who had been employed by the company right from its opening. He was one of the best programmers I'd ever worked with. From what I’d learned from Lina, they used to be co-eds at MIT. Seth had dropped out due to his many personality issues and frequent clashes with different professors and other authority figures. To say he had a huge chip on his shoulder and unresolved anger problems was like saying Katrina had been a light, peaceful breeze.

The guy was a genius, but nevertheless, one of the most self-centered, power hungry individuals I'd ever met. Given some authority, Seth would release his bully tendencies and turn everyone's life into a nightmare. If he crossed the line, his position would be compromised but the damage would still be done.

It was a mystery to me why Lina had decided to hire him in the first place.

“Yes, Seth?” She closed her legs tighter and gave him a fake smile. She was her usual polite self but I knew her well enough to see she was on edge.

“Why did you consider Thomas of all people?” He crossed his muscular arms in front of his chest and glared at Lina with open hostility. His six foot, broad figure was a frequent sight in my nightmares. Seth could pass for handsome but for the constant wrath distorting his features. There hadn’t been a moment when I’d seen his eyes express an emotion that wasn’t irritation or contempt. I didn’t think he’d ever been caught smiling. Sometimes I looked at his thick, bushy eyebrows and broad jaw, and his large, hairy hands, and I had a hard time believing Seth was an intelligent, rational human being, a product of civilization. There was something savage and raw about him. And if his nasty personality wasn’t enough, he was also built like a professional fighter.

It had taken me ages to get over the initial intimidation he provoked in me.

“It's obvious you’ve got a soft spot for him,” Seth spat with venom and threw me a look of utter disgust. Once, the frown of his notorious eyebrows and sinister hazel eyes would have had me trembling like a leaf. “However, he’s only been working full time with us for the last two years. His coding skills are decent,” he added begrudgingly. “But he’s got no vision. He doesn't know the first thing about leading a project. There are programmers with so much more insight into a successful product. Why the hell would you choose a kid who isn't yet dry behind the ears?”

Lina narrowed her eyes into slits and crossed her arms over her chest. She took a step forward and all awkwardness disappeared from her posture. Her calm, moderate tone of voice sounded much more convincing than his hateful rant. I turned my eyes to Seth for a moment. The vein in his forehead was throbbing with fury.

“You make a good point, Seth. Thomas may not have the longest work experience, but he’s one of our most talented programmers. His skills have progressed greatly since the time I hired him. I'm confident he can make up for the lack of years. His input into the last few projects he’s been involved with has been invaluable. The software improvement was largely due to Thomas's contribution.” Her words reassured me and made me swell with pride but I still felt uneasy.

“Besides...” Lina took a small pause to consider her words. “He has excellent communication skills. The rest of the team like and trust him. Also, Marielle–”

“He’s just some stupid boy you had me train, of all things!” The room fell silent at Seth's angry roar of protest. During my first days as a developer at ChaosTech Solutions, such an incident would have dampened my whole day. Now, I simply wanted to punch him and put him in his place. “I taught him everything. I turned him into what he is today and you're telling me I have to put up with him as my boss? Forget it, Lina.”

I looked around the room and saw many angry eyes staring at Seth.

Indeed, he was one of the experts who trained me. Seth was like an overly aggressive coach or a brutal military superior who degrades you for every error. I had nightmares about him for nearly a year. Each time the sound of his heavy steps echoed across the room, my body would swim in cool sweat. However, I survived his intimidating methods and swore the asshole would never break me. My reward came when I caught an error he had made on one of our projects. You wouldn't believe the look of pure hatred that crossed his features then. Seth hated everyone equally but since that moment, I’d taken a special place in his heart.

Lina gritted her teeth and left her
iPad
on the table behind her. The occasions on which she had showed her anger were rare but memorable.

“Seth, keep your tone down. We're all adults in here and I won't tolerate you yelling and making us all uncomfortable.” She raised her voice an octave as she approached him and fixed her eyes on his sullen face. “You've been warned to watch your temper. One more outburst like this and I’ll have to take measures.”

Seth clenched his large hands into fists and glared at Lina. His hazel eyes were filled with a dangerous flame. He was on the verge of a more violent outburst than simple yelling. I felt the old insipid taste of fear that had assaulted me when I first met Seth. I hurried to suppress it, though. There was no time to revert to my previous self.

I didn’t want to fight battles for Lina. She was more than capable of handling Seth on her own, but I'd be damned if I’d stand there like some voiceless pawn while this unstable asshole bullied me. It was my battle as well.

“If you’ll allow me to cut in...” I kept my voice quiet in contrast with His Neanderthal Majesty. “This situation can be resolved in a more efficient way.”

“Shut the fuck up, Thomas.” He growled and raised his fists. I nearly wished Seth would make the first move. “I'm sick of the sight of you crawling after her, kissing her ass like a bitch boy. Pathetic!”

Ah, Seth, if you only knew.

“I trust Lina's judgment and I'll do what it takes to meet her expectations, as well as those of all of you.” I turned to everyone in the room. Seth must have been desperate if he thought I'd fall for his cheap provocation. “I've been interested in this job for some time. I’ve got many ideas about our future work. However, if all of you feel the same way as Seth does...”

He hissed under his breath at my complete dismissal and clenched his fists harder. Lina was looking at me with curiosity.

“… then I won't take the job. I think it's only fair.”

“Excellent thought, Thomas.” She uncrossed her arms and moved away from both Seth and me. “Does anyone object to my decision? Is there anyone else who believes Thomas is too young and inexperienced to handle the position? It's your one and only chance to say if it bothers you. However, I'll not tolerate further speculations on my decisions after today. So? Anyone?”

I was positive Seth wouldn't get any support but the silence of my co-workers still filled me with relief. It went on for a little more than a minute that passed agonizingly slowly, or at least, it passed that way for Seth. His expression of defeat and fury was too cute and I couldn't help but gloat on the inside.

Finally, Lina cleared her throat.

“It's settled. Your new contract will be drawn up by tomorrow, Thomas. I'm releasing you from your current tasks for the week until you’ve had your full induction from Marielle.”

Seth slammed his cup down on the table and leaned in to Lina with raised fists. I was about to jump to her rescue when the bastard retreated. He looked at her with contempt and uttered through gritted teeth,

“Congratulations, Lina. You're officially turning in to everything you used to hate.”

He stormed out of the room. Lina turned her eyes back to the
iPad
and gripped it for support. She'd been confident and steady until Seth’s last words but now her expression was crestfallen.

I was torn between the conflicting desires to hold and comfort her and give her a rough spanking in front of everyone for allowing that low life's words to get to her. Either option would have been inappropriate so I satisfied myself with merely expressing my gratitude for the career opportunity.

CHAPTER TEN

Thomas

The rest of the day went by in a blur as I went through my professional transition. It was hard to concentrate on anything, especially when my thoughts were overcrowded with images of Lina. Was she really playing games or was that my own insecurity speaking? The hours until the moment I could be alone with her and get all the answers I wanted were dragging. My intense desires didn't make waiting any easier.

My friends from the department offered to go out to celebrate my promotion. Dianne would be there as well. She was even more impressed with me now because of my new job and standing up to Seth. I'd have to gently let her off the hook before her innocent admiration turned into more. When she congratulated me, she said something about my nemesis, which stirred up my anxiety again.

“Please, don't tell anyone I've said it...” She stared at her nails as she spoke. “But that guy Seth scares the hell out of me. Just the way he stares at us...”

“Wait, has he done something?” I placed a hand on her shoulder in the hope she wouldn't misunderstand my gesture. She needed some comfort so she'd relax and open up. “You must report him if he did anything inappropriate. Senior or not, he has no right to harass you.”

“No, the thing is...” She turned to me with a nervous smile. “He never made a pass or anything. I don’t think it's even sexual. He doesn't even check us out like a sleazeball. Just, whenever I catch him staring at me, I get the feeling he wants to butcher me.”

Lina was my priority right now. I'd have to push the thoughts of Seth out of my mind for the time being. Eventually, I'd have to find a way to rule him out of the equation.

I told the guys they should text me the bar address and I'd join them a bit later. Ideally, I'd be celebrating with Lina dancing in my lap first, with my hands leaving red marks all over her ass and thighs. But I couldn't have it all in one day.

When I entered her office, she was standing next to her desk staring at the laptop screen, clutching the backrest of her chair. It was a little after 8pm and we wouldn't be bothered by anyone. I'd got attached to working way past business hours.

“You don't have to keep the waiting position in the evenings, gorgeous,” I said with a smirk and closed the door behind me. “Though I really love finding you bent over and soaking wet for me.”

Lina raised her eyes and glared at me with open irritation.

“Do you think I can sit comfortably after you shoved this up my ass?” she hissed so quietly I barely understood her words. “And keep your voice down, damn it. Someone may hear.”

“Everybody's gone, Lina.” I leaned against the door and tapped my fingers on the handle. “If someone has something urgent to tell you we'll say we’re discussing my unexpected promotion.”

Lina shuffled in her place nervously and stood up to face me.

“What was that all about?” We needed to clear the promotion matter up, even if my inner caveman urged me to rip her skirt off and fuck her into oblivion. I breathed in and continued with a firm tone. “I hope you weren't so foolish as to promote me because of our arrangement. You know I'm ambitious but I don't want to fuck my way up the ladder. Did you promote me because you think I deserved it or so you could show me how powerful you are?”

“What?” The indignation on her face was so genuine I regretted ever doubting her. Lina put her clenched fists on her hips and marched to me in a few strides. Her eyes were throwing blue flames as she met me head on.