Essence

"And where were you guys" a low voice called

Shit

I close my eyes and turn to where the voice had come from, I open them slightly to see a relaxed Killian sitting on the singular chair his legs spread out and his arms across his body

His sleeves were rolled up showing his veins popping out and the white knuckles of his right hand that was crossed over the other, part of his wasn't relaxed

I looked at Fraser and then decided to just speak up first surprisingly I was pretty good at lying I had plenty of practice if I needed to I was going to lay a lie "We were out" I simply said making it seem harmless

His eyes narrowed as his arm flexed a bit "Together? At six fucking thirty?" He gritted, was he mad? What am I saying of course he was, I should have just walked around the building instead

"Yeah, I wanted fresh air since you know I'm cooped up in this apartment all day" It was my turn to cross my arms around my chest

He hummed at my response and stood up he looked between the both of us. Did he think—

It wouldn't hurt to play with him. "Fraser was
kind enough to come with me" I smiled looking over at Fraser's tense stance "he was just the perfect gentleman" I ran my hand down his arm fluttering my lashes up at him.

His eyes remained fixed on Killian's, their silent exchange speaking volumes.

"Yeah, well, anything for the boss's girl," Fraser quickly interjected before hurrying off to the back, surprising me with his sudden timidity.

I threw my hands up in exasperation. "I don't know what girl you're talking about but it isn't me," I said, following Fraser, only to be stopped and pulled into a warm, firm chest.

"Personal space, buddy," I pushed back, losing my footing, his hands caught my waist before I got a chance to fall holding me steady."I'm good now," I said firmly, meeting his gaze, but he continued to study me intently, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You have quite the attitude, Miss Roslyn," he remarked, emphasizing my last name with a knowing smirk.

"That I do, Mr. Lorenzo," I retorted, matching his smirk. His gaze lingered on my outfit, and he leaned in close, his breath tickling my ear as he whispered, "Nice hoodie."

"It's ok," I shrug.

"Get ready," he said suddenly walking away. I ignore the disappointment that flows through me when his hands leave my body.

"I don't have to do anything" I yelled back halting his steps. Turning head towards me he raises a brow.

"I thought you didn't want to be cooped up in this apartment all day" he pitched his voice higher to mimic me. This man.

"Ok, that is not how I sound," I say crossing my arms.

"Yes it is, and dress pretty," he said once more. Dress pretty?

I walked to the room mumbling insults about Killian to myself making sure to get in every curse word possible. "Stupid fucking idiot," I say grabbing the suitcase that was under the bed and thrashing it on the bed.

Picking out the most revealing clothes I owned I couldn't help but laugh to myself thinking of the reaction I'd receive. I made sure the black skirt I picked out was high-waisted and the shirt was long enough that it didn't show my stomach.

There were scars from under my boobs to my pelvic bone. Places that nobody would see. It was exactly the reason why my ex placed them there. Nobody will see them. He said every time a burn or scratch appeared.

I grabbed a Jean jacket before walking out with a small smirk I couldn't help but let out. Throwing my hair into a ponytail I walked out to see Killian waiting at the door for me with Fraser beside him. They both look me up and down immediately stopping at my legs.

Killian looked at Fraser and then back at me with a scowl "Change" he gritted through his teeth, I scrunched my face at him walking closer with a nonchalant shrug.

"No" I breathed out "You aren't the boss of me" he raised his brows as if he were about to challenge me "We aren't at work," I reminded him.

"Change," he said once again before looking at Fraser from the corner of his eyes. Shaking his head he sighs rubbing his forehead. "pants please" Fraser's eyes widen but remain forward. He was still, so still that the only things moving were his eyelids.

"Since you asked so nicely" I cupped my hands together "No," I said walking past them only to have my body ripped from the ground and lifted into the air. I gasped when Killian's hands landed at the bottom of my skirt keeping it down so I wasn't fully exposed.

"Excuse me did I say you could touch me?" I yelled slapping his back continuously.

"You've never complained before" he retorted making me gasp and hit him harder, son of a-

"Bitch" I mumbled in the elevator, he slowly turned his head to meet mine a dark glare grazing his features. Somehow I found myself enjoying it when he was mad. Getting under his skin was now my favourite hobby.

"Language," he said calmly though he was everything but.

"And it was such a cute fucking skirt too," I said a bit louder making sure he heard the curse word. Fraser stood in the middle of us frozen with his hands behind his back and his lips in between his teeth.

"Language!" He was about to bust— I smiled at him sweetly before sighing "Questa ragazza sarà la mia morte," he mumbled shaking his head.

I yawn, "I'm just so fucking tired from waking up so early today, aren't you Fraser" I looked up to see his wide eyes staring forward refusing to make any eye contact with me.

"Essence!" The way it rolled off his tongue laced with anger made my whole body shiver, I never really thought of my name as anything special but when he said it even yelled it, it sounded so perfect "language." The doors slide open.

"Sorry," I shrug with a smile walking out of the elevator—where was I supposed to go?

They both passed me Killian a little frustrated than usual and Fraser holding in a laugh. Fraser slows down next to me "Are you tryna get me murdered," he busted out in a quiet fit of laughter making me join along. Killian's eyes flicker back to us still angry as ever

The ride to the building is quiet as music blasts through the car the entire time. Killian hadn't talked to me until we walked into a random building instructing me to stay by his side. I wanted to argue purely just to fight with him but when Fraser gave me a serious look I knew that I shouldn't speak.

I sigh with boredom in the elevator now standing in the middle of Fraser and Killian. I might as well have stayed in the apartment.

Finally, a moment later we reach the highest level of the building. Both men start walking leaving me again to follow behind struggling to keep up with their pace. I trail them until we reach the end of the hallway. Killian unlocks the large door holding it open for me to enter first.

My mouth gapes at the huge room with windows on every wall taking up the entire room. with all this natural light he didn't even need an electrical one, but in the middle of the room, a big chandelier hung from the ceiling.

"Woah" I breathe out. Killian not seeming to be affected walked towards a large black desk grabbed some files on the top and handed them to Fraser.

"Tell all of the men written on the first page to be in room seven in five, the meeting will start in ten and I rather them be early than late," Killian says to Fraser before turning to me "You stay in here. I have a quick meeting I must attend."

"Your idea of not keeping me cooped in an apartment is to keep me cooped in an office," I say in disbelief.

"A big one" he commented. Was he serious? when I don't respond to him he rolls his eyes and continues  "It'll be half an hour just relax I'm here and then we'll leave, ok?" He asks sincerely taking a few steps towards me.

I nod turning around before he can come close to me. He leaves a second later closing the door behind him with a sigh.

Dick.

I walk to a bookshelf along one of the walls running my hands across the dusty shelves. Everything looked untouched. Did he even read? I grab one of the books before sliding old my shoes and laying down on the large couch in the corner and stretching out my body. Thank god I didn't wear a skirt.