A/N: I noticed there are quite a few more new readers now. Welcome! Thank you so much for reading and please, please don't forget to vote when you're done! It helps boost the story and lets me know that you like what you read.

TW: Sexual assault

Virginie was relaxed. They were halfway through the movie, she had mozzarella sticks and lemonade, and Robert hadn't tried to touch her once. She threw another crispy parmesan and panko encrusted cheese stick in her mouth as she sipped on her drink.

They were in his basement, in his smaller movie theater. It was a large room with white walls and a 3D projector. It had two red plush couches with long tables in front of them.

She was worried though. He hadn't stopped drinking from the bottle to even ask her if she wanted any. She knew something was coming up soon.

Leo's character was having sex on top of a bed of money with Margot Robbie. Robert finally turned to her and Virginie's stomach flipped.

"Come here," he purred, gesturing her to cuddle up next to him. She moved, full of hesitation and anxiety. She wondered why her hesitation only egged him on.

He put his arm around her and she could whiff all of the alcohol he had been ingesting that night. He smelled like a fresh bottle of vodka. It made her want to throw up. He grabbed the remote and paused it. Right on the over top shot of the sex scene, Leo's small white ass visible to the viewer.

"Doesn't this turn you on?" He asked, motioning to the screen. His face was only inches away from hers now and it made her want to turn away.

"Not really, his stroke game is embarrassing," she laughed, hoping that would sway him from whatever nasty thoughts he had at the moment. "It's pretty funny, actually."

Robert put his arm around her waist and tried to pull her body closer to him. "Maybe I could show you mine?"

"Maybe when you're a little bit soberer," she joked, pushing him away and attempting to move back to her original spot on the couch.

But Robert wasn't having it tonight. His hands did not move from their position. He tightened his grip even more and closed the distance between them. "Why must you resist me, Virginie? You know I get what I want, no matter what." His eyes steeled. He moved in to kiss her but Virginie moved her mouth away and he only got her cheek.

The punch that came next was so quick, Virginie didn't have time to react. She fell off the couch and lay on the floor, shocked. Robert picked her up by her choker and put her back on the couch. "Will you behave now?" He went in once again after she didn't respond. Virginie moved away again and Robert slapped her in response. He grabbed her cheeks and forced her to look at him. "Stay still." He smashed his mouth into hers, ignoring their stillness. Virginie closed her eyes as she felt slide his hand sloppily over her breasts. He was practically drooling over her. "You're making me do this. Stop resisting."

There were at least 30 different ways she could kill him from here but she had to act like she couldn't fight back. Men like Robert needed docile women. Women that they thought that they could control. The more he thought he could control her, the more he would open up.

Colette had been right and Virginie knew that. She would want to kill Robert if she found out. That's why she wasn't going to tell her.

As he continued to fumble around and violate her body, she closed her eyes and imagined the fantasy beach that she had created in her mind when she was a child for times where reality was too much.

  ❦  

Alex instinctively rolled over in his bed as he arose, forgetting his new companion. Stephanie had spent her whole day in his penthouse just like the day before, making him watch TV shows with her. He had tried to tell her that he had a briefing to be working on but she wouldn't hear anything of it. There was a brief period of time where he was getting the silent treatment but it was very brief. He was annoyed and behind on his work, which was a nasty combination. She was now sprawled out on his bed, snoring loudly and taking up most of the space. She had crawled into the bed late last night and she didn't wake up early so he knew that he wouldn't be disturbed. He was going to enjoy his first Stephanie free hours in two days.

He turned back to his side and got up. The New York sun was peering at him from beneath the Manhattan skyline, making the sky a breathtaking combination of purple, pink, and orange. He looked at his watch which told him that it was 6:30 AM.

He turned on the stereo in his bathroom and put on Pandora to keep him awake. He did his daily routine, humming to himself, noticing that he had a slight pep in his step.

Virginie.

They were now official colleagues and she was responsible for his life. This filled him with a sense of comfort but he was also curious. They were going to be spending a lot of time together now and hoped that she wouldn't mind them becoming at least friends.

As he dressed, he looked warily at the woman sleeping in his bed and remembered their argument about his new beautiful intern.

❧

"That's my new intern," Alex smiled, his mind on what lovely outfit that she would be wearing on Monday as he stared at the door. He hoped it was a skirt. Her legs were fantastic.

He soon fixed his face as he noticed the growing redness on Stephanie's. "Why couldn't we have talked about this? You should have let me know."

His eyes narrowed. "Why should I involve you in a decision that has to do with my firm?"

Stephanie looked exasperated. "Because it involves a woman, duh!"

"So if one of my clients is a woman, I need to debrief you about her?" Alex snorted. The stupidity and ignorance of her statement was not lost on him. He wanted to put his face in his hand.

"Yes! Especially if she looks like that!"

Like a goddess out of Greek mythology or one of the angels at God's right hand? "Like what?"

"Don't act stupid! You know she looks like she shits sunshine out of her ass and guys would probably hang themselves for her if she asked!"

That's certainly one way to put it. "Listen, if even I was interested, which I'm not, I doubt that she sees me in that way. She seems intent on keeping it professional." Trust me, I've tried.

Stephanie looked a little relieved but he wasn't entirely out of the woods yet. "I still don't like it and you still should've told me."

"We're not actually dating! You pushed yourself onto me last night. I wasn't even planning to have you here. Friday's dinner was supposed to be just a one time thing. You're the one who roped me into this. You act like we've been together for months and I've been keeping a secret from you!"

She looked so hurt that Alex almost wanted to take it back. Almost. She took a deep breath. "Where's she from?"

Alex opened his mouth but nothing came out. He didn't know anything about her other than her name. Even that was hard to get from her. "I don't know much about her. The firm hired her and assigned her to me. She emailed me about meeting beforehand to discuss her duties and I obliged."

"But why your house? Why did she have to come here?"
He shrugged. "I didn't feel like going out to meet her somewhere. I like to spend my weekends at home."

She rolled her eyes and plopped back on the couch. "Whatever."

"Is there anything else that you need to know?"

Stephanie didn't answer. She turned on the TV and watched Dance Moms, as she said she was going to do.

Is she ignoring me? He decided to try one more time. "Hello? Stephanie?"

She still didn't answer.

Yes, thank God! I can get some work done. Alex turned around with a triumphant smile and headed up the stairs to his home office.

❧

Alex checked himself in his immense mirror. He was wearing his favorite purple tie that paired well with his grey suit. He had trimmed his beard to make it look like he had just got a fresh razor shave from his barber. He put on his favorite cologne and his curls were defined and shiny. He flashed his white teeth in the mirror and smiled. He was ready.

He checked his watch. It was already 7:55. He was going to be late. He quickly ran upstairs to his office to pack his things and grab his briefcase. He slipped his phone and wallet in his jacket pocket and headed out of the door without saying a single word to Stephanie.

He whistled as he came out of his elevator and gave a wave and smile to his doorman.

Andrew beamed at him, dipping his hat in his direction. The boy was young and often played games too much during his shift but he meant well and was attentive. "You seem to be a good mood today, sir."

"It's a good morning. The sun is shining and God gave me another day. I don't see what there isn't to be happy about," he smiled. He was trying to convince himself that his good mood didn't completely stem from Virginie.

"You're right, sir," he nodded. "I hope you have a good day!"

"You too," Alex replied as he headed out of the glass double doors.

The Drip wasn't too far from his building so he got there in about 10 minutes. He was somewhat surprised that they were still open and were able to replace the glass over the weekend. He looked through the window, trying to see if she was there. He wanted to get a good look at her so he wasn't gawking when he got inside.

Virginie was standing near the pickup counter, chatting easily with the barista who was working on someone's drink. Her back was turned but he could find that body shape anywhere. Today she was wearing a white silk blouse that had a knot at the neck, nude pencil skirt, brown belt, white pointed heels. She had small gold hoops and a couple of bracelets on her arm.

Her waving broke him from his haze. She had noticed him. He blushed and ducked inside, clearing his throat. "I see you followed my instructions," he bellowed.

Virginie looked amused. "Yes, I did. I wasn't planning on my new boss coming 10 minutes late, though. Isn't that a bit unprofessional? Not to mention, you were very clearly looking at my ass. I know it's nice but don't stare. Got it?" She raised a curious brow. A couple of patrons had noticed the exchange and chuckled. Alex was glad that his skin was dark enough that his blushes couldn't be seen. She knew how to embarrass him too well.

"I wasn't star―" He shook his head. There was no point in denying it. "My apologies. In reference to my tardiness, I woke up a little bit late this morning. I will be more punctual from now on."

"What? Your girlfriend not giving it to you good enough for a restful sleep? Too bad," she retorted, taking a sip of her tea.

Alex coughed. "I have no idea what you're talking about. If you're done with the ridiculous banter, I need to get my Americano before I get angry." He moved to the counter to make his order, but the barista only asked for his card. He had already started making the drink from the moment he walked in.

Virginie laughed and gave him a seductive wink. "Now that I'd like to see."

Why does she have to make everything sound so hot? He swallowed as he walked towards the pickup bar where Virginie still stood. The barista slid his drink towards him and Alex grabbed it without a word.

Virginie's hand caught his before he could leave. "What the hell is wrong with you? Say thank you and wish him a good day."

He was at a loss for words. He just stared at her eyes. He noticed they had flecks of a deeper blue within them that looked like the churny waters of the Atlantic.

"Hello! Thank him! They just lost a coworker for Christ's sake and they make coffee for your stuck up ass every morning. At least thank them!"

The barista seemed quite pleased by all of this and just smiled at Alex when he thanked him. Virginie snorted as she picked up her light brown briefcase and walked out with Alex trailing her like a pet.

"Where to?" She asked, standing confidently on the sidewalk. She looked like she was going be on the cover of Elle for an article on how to look sexy and professional in the workplace.

"We're going to catch a cab," he answered, waving to the yellow car that was about to pass them. "My office is kind of a far walk from here."

Virginie gave him a surprised look as they climbed into the vehicle.

"What? You didn't think that I rode 'public' transportation?" He was a little offended that she thought so little of him.

"Good morning, where are you two heading today?" The cab driver asked.

"Good morning, sir. Borden Law Firm, LLC on Broadway, please," he replied.

A/N: What do you think is going to happen on Virginie's first day?