At Her Beck And Call

Harrison had never felt as involved with someone as he now was with Mandy, even though she was his ex-wife. He wanted to cherish and protect her. Both instincts had always been there, he reasoned, but had maybe been dormant.

When she said she had a condition, and he agreed readily, he almost didn't recognize himself. She could have asked for the impossible, and he would have done his damnest to provide it to her still. 

Harrison then realized his dire mistake towards the end of his conversation with Mandy. Sam was indeed a woman, and no doubt the same Samantha Anthony had met. He had gotten the response he had fretted so long over – Mandy hadn't left him for a paramour.

That had the knack to put his heart and mind at peace.

But then, another question came to torment him: if not for a paramour, why the eagerness for a divorce? He couldn't possibly have become repulsive to her overnight, could he?

What could he have done, whether it be willingly or unconsciously?

He kept Mandy by his side, and then called for his current PA.

"Yes, Mr. Michaelson," she eyed Mandy with something akin to contempt and that made him struggle to contain himself.

"You're dismissed," he announced matter-of-factly.

"Dismissed how?" She tilted her head to the side even as her face paled noticeably.

"Dismissed as in fired," he deadpanned.

"But you can't…" she objected in a panicky tone.

Was she really trying to bargain with him? 

"You violated the internal chart. You're also so incompetent, I now understand why David Corp was going through a financial crisis. You'll get your 3-month compensation. On your way out, tell the other employees to be careful with their mouths."

She blushed deeply at that, shot Mandy a fleeting glare, and then was on her way out of his office.

"Weren't you a little bit too harsh, Harrison?" Mandy asked in a concern-filled tone.

"She came onto me too strong. She gets paid to do a job. What she attempted to do wasn't part of the job," he let out simply, explaining to her why he had fired the woman, when he wouldn't have bothered had it been someone else asking. Then, with a wink, he added, "You'll learn not to question my judgement when it comes to business."

"Yes, Mr. Michaelson," she answered with a nod, mock deference, and an eye-roll that only cemented his belief that she was playing him.

"Keep up the tough act, Mandy, and I won't hesitate to show you why I have earned my title and reputation," he threatened but there was no heat to his words.

** ** ** ** ** **

Over the course of the next few days, after a thorough examination of past reports, some observation, and a few one-to-ones, a lot of employees were summoned into Harrison's office, only to leave, minutes later, in tears or nearly in hysterics.

Oh, how he hated when people acted that way.

They were so desperate to keep their jobs, the pleading was starting to get old. He could understand where that came from, if he were to be honest. What he couldn't fathom was how someone who claimed to need the job didn't do said job properly.

Mandy proved herself worthy of the trust he put in her. She was a hard-working PA and a quick learner at that. It helped that she knew some of his patterns as well, like how he liked his coffee.

He found himself wishing her desk was closer so he could sneak a glance at her every now and then.

He felt like such a hormone-struck teenager with his first crush, when he was most certainly not. He also had this nagging feeling that she might disappear on him at the first given chance… the way she had turned her back on their marriage.

Indeed, the mystery remained as to why she had been so distant in the weeks preceding their divorce, and then so eager for the divorce itself. 

Being a naturally curious person, not knowing was killing him. But they had found some kind of balance, somewhere between caring and professional indifference, and he didn't want to rush it.

It will come to light soon enough, he told himself. Give it time, Harrison.

There was something, however, which he couldn't ignore. And it was the man pursuing Mandy.

He was from the marketing department, and Harrison couldn't find fault in his work to get rid of him. He also couldn't possibly tell her how irritated he was by her having lunch everyday with Jonathan – that was the admirer's name.

One day, Harrison was about to head out to his other company offices, when he saw that Jonathan had stopped by Mandy's desk, having brought croissants to her on their coffee break.

It was all he could do to restrain himself.

"Are you heading out, Mr. Michaelson?" Mandy asked him matter-of-factly, even as she bit into her croissant with obvious glee. 

"Yes, I am. And you'll be coming with me." He sensed that she was about to object, and thus he went on, "It's a last-minute meeting I must attend. Be ready in 10." 

"Yes, sir," she nodded at him, even as her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Oh, hell and damnation, she knew him too much.

Nevertheless, she neither made a fuss nor the slightest scene at the office, and left quietly with him, after thanking Jonathan for the delicacies and waving him goodbye.

"You're so sweet to him, one could be led to believe you're actually into him," Harrison let out once they were in the car, almost as if he couldn't help himself from voicing out his bitterness.

"Is there a no-fraternization rule I should be aware of?" She retorted with an eye-roll.

"Don't lead the man on," he then told her matter-of-factlly.

"I'm not," she denied immediately.

"I beg to differ," he scoffed.

"Is it so hard to believe that I can fall for someone else?" She then taunted him.

At that, Harrison saw red, and was no longer in full control of himself. She had taunted the lion in him. She better not complain about the consequences later on, for he would not be held responsible.

He grabbed her by the neck, pulled her to him, and then crushed her soft delicate lips under his.