Taming Mariella by Dara Girard Read Free Book Online

shaking his head then wrapping his hands around his neck and miming a gagging reflex. “I’ll save this for later. Now wipe your eyes and get back to work.”
    She smiled and left.
    Ian lifted the lump to his nose and sniffed. “This smells like—”
    “And tastes like it, too,” Nelson added.
    Ian wrapped it in a napkin. “I’ll give it to Candy instead.” As he was about to return to his office, he spotted another employee, Leonard Mills, cleaning out the coffeepot. His tie was tossed over his shoulder, his shirt disheveled and his sleeves rolled up. “What are you doing?”
    “Remaking the coffee,” Leonard said, vigorously rinsing the pot out. “Ms. Duvall said it didn’t taste fresh.”
    “Who makes the coffee here?”
    “I do. I make a fresh pot every morning.”
    “It’s still morning. Why are you making another one?”
    “Because she said it didn’t taste fresh.”
    “And you agree with her?”
    Leonard hesitated. “No, but—”
    “Then why are you making a new pot?”
    “Because of the way she said it.”
    “But she doesn’t work here and I’m not paying you to make coffee.”
    “She can be very forceful.”
    “Then tell her to make it herself.”
    He shivered. “I’d rather make more coffee.”
    Ian glanced toward the office, then walked briskly over to the display where Mariella was instructing Serita Brickman, a recent hire in a peasant blouse with a plastic daisy in her hair. “Put it back, Ms. Brickman,” he said.
    Serita sent a nervous glance at Mariella then looked at Ian. “But—”
    Ian enunciated every word. “Put. It. Back.”
    Mariella turned and looked at him. “I don’t think the way you have the display is correct. I thought it was best to have it this way.” She continued adjusting the display. The office fell silent. No one moved.
    Ian kept his gaze on Serita. “I’m glad you are diligent in your task, but leave things as they are unless I instruct you.”
    Mariella moved toward him. “Mr. Cooper—”
    Ian continued to address Serita. “Don’t let anything distract you from your task. Nelson will help you.”
    Mariella stepped in front of him. “Mr. Cooper, I am speaking to you.”
    Ian looked past her. “And when Ms. Duvall arrives, please let me know.” He turned, then disappeared into his office.
    Mariella stared at the closed door, stunned, but within seconds her surprise turned to mortification then rage. She’d never been ignored in her life! People always paid attention to her. Always. He had the arrogance to look right past her. Her. Mariella Duvall. Her rage almost became a tangible creature taking over her body, making her skin burn, her hands tremble and closing her throat against words. However, with superior effort she managed to keep her face composed.
    Nelson’s voice cracked when he spoke. “The coffee’s almost done.”
    Mariella didn’t hear him. She couldn’t. Rage had deafened her and narrowed her vision. All she saw was the closed door. Nobody shut a door in her face and got away with it. Mariella adjusted her jacket and skirt and retrieved her taupe leather portfolio that was sitting in the lounge chair. She marched up to the door and turned the knob. It didn’t move. He’d locked the door. That’s when her rage became fury and she did something she’d never done before. She pounded on the door, and at the top of her lungs shouted, “Open up this instant! I will not be treated this way. Do you hear me?”
    Silence followed.
    She pounded the door again until her fist ached. “Now!”
    When the door didn’t open, Nelson gingerly approached her. “Can I make a suggestion?”
    She spun around and glared at him. “No. You may not. I’m leaving. I will not stand being treated this way.”
    “Should I make another appointment?”
    She paused then said in a low acid-laden voice, “Are you trying to be funny?”
    “No, I just thought that after you’d calmed down…” His words trailed off as the fire in her eyes became