Chapter 1 Mr. Simmons

Emma's POV:

I paused and took a steadying breath before knocking on my boss's office door, unsure what kind of mood I'd be facing today.

"Who is it?" His sharp reply gave me all the answer I needed.

"It's Emma," I replied.

"Sorry. Come in." He sighed, voice softening.

I eased the door open and stepped inside his office. He stood with his back to me, eyes fixed on the city skyline beyond the window. I crossed the room toward his desk, the sound of my heels echoing in the quiet space. He finally turned his chair around to face me. The exhaustion on his face said everything. He looked like he hadn't slept, probably out drinking again, the way he'd started doing after his life turned upside down. He used to be so different. Everything changed about six months ago, after his wife left him for someone he barely even knew. Since then, nothing about him had been the same.

"How are you feeling today? Is there anything I can get for you?" I asked.

"You know, just the usual misery on a new day. Coffee and some painkillers would be a good place to start," he responded.

"Of course, sir." I managed a gentle smile.

I was just about to leave his office and get what he'd asked for when his voice stopped me at the door.

"Emma, have you ever had your heart broken?" he asked.

I turned back to him slowly. He looked so defeated, all the old confidence gone. There was a time when he used to light up every room, laughing loud, never short on charm. Now, he only seemed empty, drifting from one meaningless night to the next. The hope he used to carry had faded, replaced by something heavy and dark.

"Yes," I answered quietly.

"How did you get over it?" he asked.

"I don't think I ever really did. You just figure out how to live with it. I hope you'll meet someone who can take that pain away, even if it feels impossible right now," I muttered.

"That's not very encouraging." He let out a heavy sigh, fingers pushing through his dark hair.

"Unfortunately, it's just part of life, sir," I replied softly.

"I guess you're right. Anyway, that's all. You can go now." His voice was flat, emotionless.

I nodded and stepped out, heading to the staff room to get his coffee. The other assistants were gathered around, giggling as they gossiped about Mr. Simmons.

"Was he any good? I've heard he's amazing in bed," Brenda Martel asked, flashing a sly grin.

"Oh, he's excellent," Eloisa Jones said with a laugh.

I rolled my eyes at their conversation.

They acted like he was some kind of prize, but he needed to pay attention to his work, not keep wrecking things for himself. I might have been the only one in the building who never looked at him that way. To me, he was just my boss, and I was here to do my job. Sure, he was handsome-gorgeous, even-but getting involved would be wrong.

I left the break room without saying a word, like always. I didn't really talk to the others or get involved in their games. Most days, I spent all my time with Mr. Simmons, handling whatever he needed.

When I returned to his office, I knocked lightly and waited for permission to enter. He was already on the phone when I came in. I set his coffee and painkillers on his desk and started to head out, but he reached out and motioned for me to wait.

"Okay, Mom, I'll be there." He let out a long sigh, rolling his eyes before ending the call. Then he turned his attention to me. "Emma, can you sit for a moment? I need to talk to you about something," he said, his voice more serious than before.

I took a seat across from him, trying to hide my nerves.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on me in a way that felt almost searching.

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked quietly, worry creeping in.

"No, it's not that. I need a favor. You've been working with me for two years now, right?" he questioned.

I nodded, keeping my gaze steady.

"We work well together, don't we?" he continued, and I nodded again. "There's a level of trust between us, right?"

"Yes, of course," I replied, feeling the weight of whatever he was about to say hanging in the air between us.

"I need to ask you a big favor," he said, and for a second, his voice wavered. He seemed almost nervous about whatever he was about to ask.

"A favor? What sort of favor?" I asked, curiosity mixing with confusion.

"I need you to be my date for the Gala on Saturday," he said, blurting it out like he wanted to get it over with.

His date? Did he really just ask me to be his date? I blinked, not sure I'd heard him right.

"Your date? Why me? You have plenty of other employees who'd be thrilled to go with you," I replied, struggling to hide my surprise.

"That's exactly why I'm asking you. You're not like the others. You don't look at me the way they do. I need someone who isn't trying to seduce me, someone I won't end up in bed with by the end of the night. Just one night, Emma. All I'm asking is that you pretend to be my girlfriend so my mother will stop bothering me about settling down. Besides, Leona Blakely's going to be there with her husband, and I'm tired of showing up to these things alone. You know how people talk. I know what they say behind my back," he explained.

"You know she can't stand me, right? Leona, I mean?" I said. It was the truth-she had disliked me from the first day. She'd even tried to have Mr. Simmons fire me, and I'd never understood why. I was the only one who'd never even looked at him that way.

"I know. That's actually another reason I want you there. It'll get under her skin," he replied, his lips curving in a wry smile.

"I never understood what her problem was. She's always hated me, but I never gave her a reason."

"She was jealous, Emma. She convinced herself that you were the one woman who could pull me away from her, the one who'd make me have an affair," he said.

"Why would she think that? Anyone could see you loved her more than anything. You treated her like she was the only one in the world. Why would she even imagine you'd have an affair, and with me of all people? I was never interested in you that way," I remarked.

"Because you're more beautiful and more elegant than anyone else here. And we spent so much time together. You saw me as much as she did," he said, his voice dropping a little.

I heard the strain in his words when he talked about her. I would never understand how she could leave him after everything he did for her. He gave her all his love and loyalty, and she still walked away for someone who wasn't even half the man he was. I had nothing against the new man, but Brandon was on a different level- not just in looks, but in every possible way.

"Anyway. About this Gala party-would you do me the favor and come with me?" he asked, clearing his throat.

"Mr. Simmons, I really don't know if that's a good idea."

"Please, Emma? You're the only person here I actually trust. It's just for one night. Can't you do that for me? Just one night?" he pleaded.

I wanted to turn him down, but there was something in his eyes-a mix of hope and desperation-that made me pause.

"Alright, just for one night." I agreed quietly.

"Thank you, Emma. I owe you one," he replied, the weight in his voice lifting just a little as he managed a small smile.

"Yes, it really is."

"How about dinner?" he asked.

I shot him a questioning look, unsure what he meant by that.

"It's just a thank you, nothing else. I promise." He laughed, sensing my hesitation.

"Alright, just let me know when and where," I stammered, returning his smile.

"How about tonight, eight o'clock, at Leonardo's-the little Italian place?" he suggested.

"Sure, that's fine with me. I should get back to work. Let me know if you need anything else, sir," I muttered, standing up.

"I will. Thanks again, Emma." He smiled warmly.

I nodded and stepped out, heading back to my desk, knowing I still had a pile of work to get through.

If anyone saw Mr. Simmons and me together outside of work twice in one week, it would only fuel the rumors. I just hoped agreeing to dinner wouldn't make things harder for me around here.