Chapter 52 - 52

True to my suspicion that day was very busy.

It was a lot of panic and chaos until everyone had gotten the messages that the boss was out and to get a hold of Jordan for all their questions, problems, and complaints.

By the end of the week, the hole in my chest had grown and loneliness had taken its place. I missed Reed with every fiber of my being and in the short amount of time I've known him, he had become as important to me as breathing. No matter how angry I was at him I couldn't stop wishing he was there with me, a few times I've even woken up snuggled to the pillow that he slept on when he had been here.

I'd found myself in his office, just staring at his desk wishing he was behind it demanding that I bend over it again. I even missed his voice and his arrogance sadly enough.

I don't know how many times I've stared at the phone begging him to call me because I didn't dare to call him. That problem solved itself easily by mid-week, as my phone dropped itself into a puddle because of course, it had to rain as soon as Reed left.

Lizzie had taken it upon herself to check up on me every few hours making sure I was okay. I finally told her yesterday that I was fine and if she asked one more time, I was going to smack her. Which was probably why I hadn't seen or heard from her all day. I decided it was time to call and apologize and I planned on inviting her out to dinner to top it all off, hoping that maybe that would help whittle the lonely hours away tonight. So, I grabbed my desk phone and gave her a call, she answered right before it went to voice mail.

"Hello?" said a nasally voice on the other end.

"Wow, Lizzie you sound horrible," I said feeling terrible for her.

"I know. I'm so sorry I didn't show up, but Jordan refused to let me. He actually threatened to tie me to the bed if I got up to get dressed one more time," she ended her sentence with a horrible sneeze, and then a pain-filled moan. "I told him I was not going to be tied to a bed unless he was in it and with the way I was feeling I wouldn't be able to do anything.”

I giggled, "Well I'm glad someone is taking care of you, do you need anything?"

"No, he sent over his evil housekeeper to make sure I stayed in bed. I've barely been able to use the bathroom without her coming in here and screaming at me in a foreign language," she whined.

Lizzie was a tough girl, so the very thought of someone taking care of her was baffling to her. I was very thankful someone was finally able to curb that independent spirit she had and to teach her to take some time for herself.

"Well, rest, get better, and if you're a good girl I'll come by after work and bring you some ice cream," I bribed her, maybe that would make her more acceptable to the care she was getting.

"Really?"She whimpered over the phone.

"Yes, get some rest I'll call you later. Love ya, Lizzie." I said laughing.

"You too, Mia."

I hung the phone up and proceeded to pick up some older papers I needed Jordan to sign and headed into his office. He was on the phone and, not wanting to disturb him, I tried to back out. But as soon as he spotted me, he waved me to a chair in front of the desk. I quietly sat down and waited patiently for him to hang up with his call.

"Yes, everything is okay here. Orders are coming in and out just fine, in fact with your suggestions they've been better than ever," Jordan said into the phone.

He began typing something on his computer, then he nodded and continued.

"Yeah, I called Michigan they understand the situation and are willing to wait until you return before discussions of expanding are put to the table.”

He speared me with a glance making me realize he was probably on the phone with Reed.

"Yes, she's fine and apparently she's reverted back to her old wardrobe. Let me tell you I was hoping to continue seeing her in those mini-skirts and heels.”

I gasped and felt heat rise to my cheeks.

"Yeah, she's sitting in front of me right now," he said, then promptly handed me the phone.

"Hello?"

I fervently hoped my voice didn't quiver as much as my hand did as I held the phone.

"Mia. Why are you not answering my phone calls?"

"My phone drowned. It was my third one this year so I have to wait for a few months until I can get a new one. They won't even give me a loaner phone because I broke a few of those last year. I'm sorry, Mr. Callaghan," I ended lamely.

"I see," he said.

"Tell him I'm on it," Jordan said

Then picked up his other phone and went into the other room before I could ask him what he meant so I gave him a confused look and repeated what he said.

"Good, now what have I told you about calling me Mr. Callaghan?" he said sternly into the phone.

I felt myself react unwarranted to the steel in his tone. Just hearing it made me want to kneel immediately. I wanted this kind of domination from a man; on the other hand, the thought that he wasn't going to be the one to give it to me tore my heart to shreds and took my breath away. I hated the fact that he could leave me feeling so broken after he had made me feel so whole in such a short amount of time.. I felt a lump of emotion lodged itself in my throat and try to choke me even as I spoke the words I had been holding on to until he got back.