Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 9

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."

"Shut up, and don't lecture me about my attitude. You're a maid, not my mother. Why don't you get out of my sight and go make me a cup of coffee!"

I was over the edge and couldn't believe what I'd just said to her; 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 was crying.

What's wrong with you Ethan?

I went in the kitchen after her and stood quietly at the door. She wiped her glasses before wiping her eyes.

See what you've done? You made her cry! You fool!

She placed the coffee on a tray. 

I entered the kitchen and she looked at me as if she had seen the devil. She rested the tray down and ran away as quickly as possible.

I felt horrible. I knew 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 monster who would eat them, bones and all.

My employees at Hollen Tower were 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 and I had managed to traumatise her into a state where she actually ran away from me.

I went back to her door. I knocked and she opened it again.

"Emma, I'm sorry. I never should of lash out on you like that."

She nodded 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 just too big for her small oval face, but she was beautiful-- naturally beautiful. 

A heat rushed through me, something I had never felt before. It struck like a bolt of electricity through my body. I pulled her closer towards me with one arm, since the other was holding my coffee.

"Emma. Do you accept my apology?"

"Yes, sir," she finally spoke.