23. Ella

CHAPTER 23

ELLA

"It's school holidays, bitch!" Millie yells from across the library as she comes running over to me. Thankfully, my boss isn't here and it's just me. Not that it would have stopped Millie, but I would've copped it for the inappropriateness.

"Jesus, Millie, say it any louder, why don't you?" I laugh as she plonks down on my desk.

"IT'S SCHOOL HOL— hmph ." I slap my hand over her mouth to shut her up.

"You're gonna get me in trouble, so shush!" I say.She licks my hand to make me let go."Ew! You're so fucking weird." I laugh.

"I can't help it. It's last day of the year, and I'm so fucking excited to not have to step foot in this place for six weeks!"

"Amen to that," I say. I'm so glad the year is over. It has been a very stressful year and I'll be glad to not have to see my boss for a while. My little anxious brain will get some time to recover a bit before starting all over again after the break.

"I am so excited for this Christmas party," Millie exclaims, her eyes lighting up with mischief. "We are gonna get so fucked up."

"Oh, are we? I thought you weren't drinking as much these days, with the whole baby making thing." It's been so long since Millie and I had more than a glass of wine or two together. No binge drinking allowed during baby making season, she told me.

She slumps her shoulders, and for a second, her sparkle is dimmed. "Yes well, it's been almost a year and we have had zero luck. I'm tired. I just need a break from thinking about ovulation and pregnancy tests and those stupid little pink lines. I need a proper night out, you know?"

I grab her hand and squeeze. "Whatever you need to do, I am here, and I will support you. Even if that means shots." I tell her.

She laughs. "Plus, I get to finally meet Xavier."

"Please do not embarrass me. And play it cool. We're just friends, remember? I don't need anyone on staff talking shit about me. Plus, I'm pretty sure Xavier wants to keep this ‘situation' between us, so keep it subtle," I say. I can't think of anything more mortifying than the conservative old farts on staff thinking I'm sleeping with the bar manager for perks. Sleeping with the bar manager IS the perk, but they don't need to know that.

"Okay, okay. So I just need to subtly tell him that if he fucks with you, he has to deal with me. Got it." She winks.

"Millie…"

She sighs. "Fine, I'll behave. But I can't make any promises once I'm 10 drinks deep. I apologise in advance for my behaviour."

"Thank you. And same, I have no idea what tonight is going to bring, but I'm so excited to drink away the shit show that was this year with you. Tonight is our night!" I say.

"Fuck yeah. We just have to get through a full day of boring speeches and training." We both groan. Because the party was moved from lunch to dinner, school management decided to throw in some extra professional development to get us through the day. On the sanctity of religion, of all things.

"Want to make things interesting and get a head start on the party?" Millie says as she opens her bag and shows me her flask. I laugh. Millie is probably the most chaotic person I know, so it shouldn't surprise me that she has a flask hidden in her bag.

"Yeah, fuck it. Why not? I'll need something to get us through three hours of religious education." We sneak around the corner and each take a few sips from the flask. I nearly choke on the first mouthful.

"Okay, I wasn't expecting tequila. That'll probably do me until we head off to the party or I'll be slut dropping to the lord's prayer during chapel," I say.

Millie snorts so hard tequila comes out of her nose. I start laughing so hard my stomach cramps.

"Oh my God, Ell, I would pay to see that. The image I'm conjuring up will live rent free in my brain for the rest of my life," she says, wiping tequila from her face. "Seeing tequila come out of your nose just now was probably the best thing I've ever seen. This day is starting off much better than I thought it would."

She cleans herself up and we give each other a pep talk to behave as best as we can before the dinner. We have five hours to go. We can do this.

We only just got through the day without being kicked out. We sat in the back row and kept laughing and chatting like naughty middle school kids. The snooty English teachers very predictably kept judging us and shushing us, and we did get a stern word from the deputy principal after lunch to behave ourselves and "save the shenanigans for later". We plan to take that literally.

Finally, we are on our way to Jimmies for the party. I've been looking forward to this night for so long. Xavier came over on Wednesday night to confirm all of the details of the event. He could have done it over the phone, but after the photo I sent him on Saturday, he couldn't resist confirming it in person. One thing obviously led to another and he did exactly what he said he would do the next time he saw me—he spanked me and buried himself deep inside me. I could still feel his hand prints on my arse the next day, and it made sitting at my desk a fun challenge. He did say, though, that it wasn't the revenge he promised to give me and to stay on my toes. I'm equal parts excited and scared as to what he has in store for tonight.

"I am so excited to meet Xavier," Millie says. She's pretty much bouncing in her seat in the Uber. "I'm keen to see if he's as hot as you say he is."

"He is. To me . I won't hear any other opinions." So, we might have had more tequila throughout the day, and I'm already a little bit buzzed. "I don't know if he's your type though. He's not even my type, or what I would normally go for, anyway."

"You mean he's not boring."

"Ouch, Mills."

"You know I'm right."

"I mean, a little bit…" I say.

We pull up to the front of Jimmies and I'm suddenly nervous. So far, this thing with Xavier has just been between us—our own little secret bubble of fuckery, if you will. Millie knows every single detail of our friendship, but for her to actually meet him in person is a whole different story. Especially given how confusing our relationship actually is. I don't really understand why I'm nervous. It feels like when you introduce your boyfriend to your family, only he's not my boyfriend. And Millie is Millie. I need another drink.

We walk into the bar and head out the back to the beer garden. This time of year, it is set up with fairy lights and Christmas garlands, including a few cheeky sprigs of mistletoe (fake of course, this is Australia). The place looks gorgeous and is exactly the kind of vibe I was hoping for. I look around but can't see Xavier yet, so I figure he must still be in his office. Lena also isn't working. Millie and I walk up to the bar, and we order a sparkling wine each.

"Cheers to another year over," I say.

"Thank fuck for that," Millie replies. We raise our glasses and take a drink.

"Excuse me," I say to the young guy behind the bar. "Is Xavier around?"

He doesn't respond, just looks over my shoulder and nods. I turn around and there he is. I don't know if it's the alcohol enhancing my senses, but damn does he look mighty fine tonight. He's standing not too far away, with the principal, probably going over the plans for the evening. He must sense that I'm looking because he peers over in my direction. Our eyes meet, and pleasure floods my body. He's still talking to the principal, who is completely oblivious, as his eyes roam up and down my outfit, taking everything in.

I decided to go for a fun and flirty look tonight. I'm wearing a white sundress with puffed sleeves that sit just off my shoulders. My hair is curled, and I decided to put on a red lip. I don't know what it is about red lipstick, but it makes me feel so bold and confident. Sexy too. Three virtues I don't normally have but wanted to have tonight. When I looked in the mirror before I left the house, I felt so fucking good.

Once Xavier finishes his perusal of my body, his eyes meet mine again and I go weak at the knees. His eyes have darkened, and he looks simply ravenous.

"Ella… helloooo?" Mille is tapping me on the shoulder, breaking me free from Xavier's gaze. "What are you staring—oh. Is that him?"

"Yep," I say, looking back at Xav. He hasn't stopped staring at me, but now he has a smirk plastered on his face, his dimple making an appearance.

"Jesus Christ, Ella. The man might as well be fucking you with his eyes," Millie says as she looks between the two of us.

"Yeah." I breathe. I am completely under this man's spell.

"Okay… let's go get a seat. He can come find us later." She grabs my arm, breaking my stupor and drags me over to one of the tables in the corner. One of the wait staff comes past with a tray full of arancini and suddenly I'm no longer hungry for Xavier, but for deep fried rice balls.

"Yeah, you better eat a few of those if you're going to be downing drinks like you did with that prosecco," Millie adds, putting a few on a plate and pushing them towards me. I don't hesitate.

"You're not wrong," I say around a mouthful of rice. These are bloody delicious. She is right though. I've barely eaten today, and I really need to fill my stomach with something other than booze.

"So, what was that all about just now?" she asks.

"What do you mean? "

"I mean, the way Xavier was looking at you just now—it didn't exactly scream ‘we're just friends'. That was pure want in his eyes."

"It's… complicated."

"Explain." She demands.

I sigh.

"We are just friends. But our physical chemistry is beyond anything I've experienced. The man does things to me, Mills. What you saw was him giving me horny eyes, that's all. I've told you everything there is to know. He wants my body, I want his. It's a mutual wanting."

What I haven't told her is how every time I see him, my walls start to crack just a little bit more.

"Okay, just be careful. I know you, remember? He better not fuck you over, or I'll ruin him," she says, glaring in his direction.

"Oh my God, stop. Down girl." I laugh and swat at her. I look over and Xavier is heading our way with two more drinks in hand.

"Hello, ladies," he drawls. "I had one of my guys whip up a cocktail for the two of you, seeing as you planned this whole event. I hope you like it." He hands Millie and I a cocktail that looks something like a margarita. I take a sip and yep, watermelon margarita. Delicious .

"Well damn, at least these guys recognise our efforts. Thanks! I'm Millie by the way." Millie puts her hand out to shake Xavier's, which he gladly takes.

"Xavier. Nice to finally meet you." He looks at me and I blush like an imbecile. "Having fun yet?"

"Oh. So much fun." Millie smirks at me.

"Yep, loads of fun." I pipe up. "Do you want to sit with us? Or do you have to go be a boss?"

"As much as I would love to sit here and chat with you both, I'm on the clock, and my dad is still here. So, I should probably do some work. But if you need anything, just come find me. I'll look after you." He looks at me as he says this, and I might as well just melt into a fucking puddle at his feet.

"Thanks. We will. Have a fun shift!" Millie kicks me under the table and breaks me out of whatever trance I was in .

"Ouch! I mean, yeah. Have fun. I'll talk to you later." I rub my shin.

"Perfect." He walks away with a smile on his face.

"You're fucking hopeless, Ella." Millie laughs.

"Oh, I know. I'm royally fucked."

"Is he taking you home tonight?"

"Not sure, I haven't asked. He will probably offer to drive me back, though. He's a gentleman like that."

My phone buzzes with a message and I look down to check it.

Xavier

You look so hot today. That dress? Big yes from me.

I smile at my phone as blush rushes to my cheeks once again. Looking up, I see him watching me from the bar. He winks at me, and my smile widens even further.

"Yeah, you really are royally fucked." Millie laughs.

As the evening goes on, I gorge myself on an array of cocktail foods and prosecco. Xavier manages to slip us one more margarita each, but the principal kept eyeing us suspiciously, so we stuck to what was on the bar tab after that. Everyone is having a great time and I'm so relieved. This event is so different to our usual formal sit-down lunch, but it seems as though a more casual approach is working well. I'm definitely feeling a little bit drunk, but a good, fun drunk. Not a gross messy drunk. I ask Xavier if we can play some music and so he puts on a classic 80s playlist. Soon enough, the beer garden is full of drunk and dancing school staff. It's a blast.

I've just finished an incredible rendition of ‘Living on a Prayer' when I find Millie sitting in the corner, hoovering down another slice of pizza. I hand her a fresh drink and we tap glasses again.

"Fuck, we're good," I say.

"Yeah, we are," she replies, mouth full of pizza. I laugh. I take a big drink when my phone buzzes again. I look down and open the message and it takes me so off guard that the prosecco comes spraying out of my mouth and all over Millie. She squeals and then laughs. I apologise and tell her the drink went down the wrong way. I help clean her up and then excuse myself from the table.

I find a quiet corner inside to open the message again and yep, there it is. Xavier has decided now was the time to get back at me for sending him that photo of me in a thong, by sending me a nude. He's standing in front of the mirror, gloriously naked, gloriously hard. I look around the room until I find him behind the bar, and of course he's watching me with the smuggest look on his face. He picks up his phone and sends another message.

Xavier

I told you I'd get you back. This is what you do to me.

Ella

That was so, so cruel.

Xavier

Now you know how I felt ;)

I don't know if it's the alcohol, the red lipstick, or just some newfound confidence I've picked up, but a plan starts forming in my head. I plaster on a serious face, because I know he is probably still looking at me, then I send a message.

Ella

Can we meet in your office? I need to talk to you about something.

I look up and he is still looking at me. His smirk is gone, and his face is etched with concern. I put on a mask of uncertainty, just to throw him off even further. I'm such a good actress.

Xavier

Everything okay? I'll take my break in 10 minutes, so meet me by the bar.

Ella

Everything's fine. I just need to talk to you and not have any of my colleagues being snoopy. See you soon.

I head back outside to Millie and finish off my drink. She wants to dance, but I tell her I need to go to the bathroom, and I'll join her when I get back. She doesn't argue and joins the small crowd on the makeshift dance floor.

I head back inside and find Xavier leaning up against the bar, looking sexy as hell. He sees me coming and stands up straight.

"Hi Xavier, are we able to go over the final invoices for the event before I go home?" I ask.

He looks at me, confused as hell. I just look at him, urging him to play along. The last thing I want is for my colleagues to see me sneaking off into his office, so I need a good cover.

"Um, sure. Why don't you come into my office, and we'll get them sorted."

He leads the way, past the bar and down a short hallway, into a small room. There's not much in it,other than a large mahogany desk and black leather chair, a bookshelf crammed full of old books and knickknacks, a brown suede couch, and some filing cabinets. Once we are in, I close the door behind me.

"Does this lock work?" I ask.

"Yes," he responds, wearily.

"Good."

I turn the lock on the door and pull on the handle, just to make sure. I don't want anyone interrupting what I'm about to do. I turn and face him.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asks me. I can tell he's nervous by the way he's furrowing his brow.

"Absolutely sure," I say. I saunter over to him and grab a fistful of his shirt and pull his mouth down to mine. He's stunned at first, but then relaxes into it and kisses me back. I walk us back until we hit the wall, and then my hand starts to wander. I slowly trail it down his stomach until I get to his belt.

"You thought you were getting revenge, did you?" I breathe. Time to show him exactly what he does to me, as well.