Free Confidence (A Stepbrother Romance) by Emma Johnson Page A

hated myself for it. I had to do it or else I'd be stuck living with my parents for the rest of my life. It would only be temporary, I told myself. Only until I can get a job somewhere else.
     
    I drove to the city, deciding that a face-to-face with Drake would be a lot better than a phone call. I wanted him to see that I wasn't broken down yet, show him that I'm still strong and can fend for myself.
     
    I got out of the car, lifted my head, put my hand up to block the sun, and took in the view of the tall skyscraper. Atlas in big letters dominated the top of the building. It was more impressive in person than in the pictures in magazines. I had never visited Drake at his work before and he never asked me.
     
    I entered the tower and approached the blond receptionist sitting at a large stone desk.
     
    “What can I do for you?” she asked, chewing bubblegum and not making eye contact with me. I watched for a moment as she twirled her hair and typed away on the computer.
     
    “I'm here to see Drake Taylor,” I said softly.
     
    “Do you have an appointment?”
     
    “No but he'll want to see me.”
     
    “What's your name?” the girl asked.
     
    “Sophia,” I replied softly.
     
    The receptionist slowly looked up from her computer and made eye contact with me. She realized who she was talking with now. “Let me ask him right away.”
     
    I turned away from her as she began dialing the number. The lobby took up the entire floor and other than a few fake plants, the receptionist was the only thing down here. Classic Drake. They couldn't fit anything else in the lobby because his ego was so big.
     
    The receptionist hung up the phone. “Miss, Drake will see you now.” She pointed over to the elevator that had just opened. “Hit the button for level thirty-two.”
     
    I nodded and entered the elevator. I pushed the button and waited patiently as we climbed and climbed. The doors opened to a 360-degree view of the entire downtown skyline. I stepped off the elevator and marveled at the scenery. A large oak desk stood in one corner of the room and was surrounded with a library of old books.
     
    Drake sat at the desk, sipping a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper. “Well this is quite a surprise, Sophia,” he said, folding the newspaper away.
     
    “Yeah I know,” I replied.
     
    “I didn't think you would ever step foot in this building.” Drake motioned for me to sit down in front of the desk.
     
    I sat down in a comfy chair and became instantly relaxed. My body sunk into the cushions and it felt like I was floating. “I needed to talk to you about something.”
     
    Drake put his elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “I have a meeting in ten minutes so cut to the chase.”
     
    He almost always showed no emotion. It was like talking to a robot. I clenched my fists and breathed deeply. “I need a job.”
     
    Drake leaned back in his seat and grinned. “Oh really. And I'm just going to give you one?”
     
    “Come on, Drake. I've never asked you for anything before. You know how hard this is for me to do.”
     
    “I always knew you'd come crawling in here begging for a job.”
     
    “You always were a cocky bastard. Forget this,” I said, seething with anger. It took every ounce of willpower to not slap him in the face. I stood up and walked away.
     
    I pushed the button for the elevator. I could hear it whirling its way upwards. The doors opened and Drake spoke up, “I need an executive assistant. My last one quit.”
     
    I stepped into the elevator and turned towards him. Our eyes met and I stared at him for awhile. “I can start tomorrow.” I pushed the button for the ground floor and the doors closed cutting off our eye contact.
     
     

Chapter Three

 
     
    My first day at Atlas as Drake's executive assistant turned out to be nothing like I expected. He wasn't even around. I wasn't too excited to work as a secretary considering I just graduated with a Bachelor's degree but it