My Sweet Punishment by Amelia Brooks (best book club books of all time .TXT) 📕

        “It’s just a nightmare!” What?! I got nervous. Did she somehow find out about me and Collins? But from whom?

        “What’s happened?” I tried to sound calm.

        “Argh, that jerk, Ben,” Oh, this is the “friend” with whom she went to the Islands and I sighed with relief. “Not only I almost paid for everything, but also the next night I caught him in the room with two half-naked girls!! Could you imagine?!”

        “Um…” I don’t even know how to comment on what I heard.

        “Why do I have to meet only assholes?” the girl sighed heavily, plopping down on a chair in the kitchen.

       “Olivia, I think you’re letting men get close to you too quickly.” I opened the cupboard to make some coffee for us.

        “Maybe it’s true,” she agreed and continued with a sad voice, “but, Mia, I’m so afraid of being left alone.”

        “Don’t be silly, you will never be alone,” I smiled at the girl, trying to cheer her up. “Look how beautiful you are. The boys are constantly running after you.”

        “Yes, you’re right,” my bestie “modestly” agreed with me and I chuckled. “Anyway, I think I need a mature man, not some another pretty-boy brat. I’m sure Henry would never do that to me!”

       And when I heard the name of my nightmare, I suddenly dropped my spoon in fright and immediately blushed from head to toe.

       “What’s with you?” Olivia looked at me in surprise.

       “Just don’t get enough sleep,” I quickly picked up the spoon and threw it into the sink.

        The girl just shrugged and continued.

        “So, I decided that I should take decisive actions for now. Henry will be mine! Thursday is his birthday, and my father is already invited to the party.”

        “Are you sure he’ll take you with him?” But all I was thinking about right now was wondering who would accompany Collins. Um... Amanda? That red-haired girl or maybe Melissa?

       “Of course, he will,” the girl rolled her eyes. “After all, there will be a lot of people at the party, and as my dad said, including my “potential suitors”.

        For about half an hour, we chatted with Olivia about various things. She complained about that asshole Ben again and romantically sighed for Collins, wondering what she could present him on Thursday. I also shared with the girl the disturbing news about my brother and assured her that everything was already fine. My bestie supported me and said that I can always rely on her.

        I didn’t tell Olivia about Collins. I just don’t know how to do it right now. After everything that happened.

       “Hey, Olivia, the man you’re falling for offered me a million dollars for a night with him and I agreed to save my sick brother.” Yeah, I grinned. That definitely doesn’t sound good. Besides, I will leave the company as soon as these mad days are over.

        I got to work on time as usual, even though I didn’t get much sleep that night. I prayed so much that this week would pass, just like the last one. After all, then Collins almost did not call me and even avoided. But my wishes were not to be fulfilled.

        As soon as I walked into the office, Amanda’s voice came out of the intercom, saying that Mr. Collins was calling me urgently. Well, think of the devil, and the devil appears…

      Closing my door, I slowly made my way to my torturer’s office, trying to delay the moment of our inevitable meeting. But a few minutes later I was already standing in front of the ill-fated door marked “CEO”. I knocked it softly and went into the office.

       “What took you so long?” I was met by the annoyed boss’s voice and froze in place.

        He was sitting at his place and looked me straight in the eye, burning through. I looked down a little and came across his dark, large desk. That table that my sick imagination moved into my dream today. I remembered again those very realistic images from my dream and blushed like a boiled crab again.

        “I’m sorry. The key’s jammed,” I mumbled. Well, I can’t tell him that I came later just because I didn’t want to see him.

       “Ms. Brown,” the man began in an imperious, dryly tone, “if I’m calling you, it means I need you now! Is that clear?”

       “Yes, Mr. Collins, I’m sorry.” Hate him. I hate him so much!

        When I went to his office, I expected anything. Teasing and even harassment. But certainly not that he’s going to tell me off because I’m a minute late. It can’t even be called late. He just wanted to pitch into me. That asshole!

       “Well, now you have to go to Brooklyn and take these documents to Mr. Downes,” the man said, handing me a folder that I immediately grabbed, but he didn’t let it go. Collins looked at me sternly, “but before that, you have to stop at “Edison coffee” and bring me a latte. The one made here is just disgusting.” And he winced. But this coffee shop is almost on the other side of town! And by the time I get there, the coffee will definitely be cold. He’s definitely fucking kidding me!