by Penny Ward
“You’re unable to do it now?”
“Did you hear what I said?”
“Fine, just let me know.”
“That’s the plan.”
I want to call her a bitch to her face, but I also want to keep my job.
So I walk away without saying another word. I can’t let some catty woman get to me.
Maybe she’s sleeping with Christopher and that’s why she’s super territorial?
If she’s sleeping with him, then I can’t blame her for wanting him all to herself.
He’s an amazing lover, my body still tingles in all of the places he touched me.
It’s a night that I’ll never forget and now I’ll be reminded of it every day that I see him.
An hour later, I’m sitting across from Herbert.
Christopher is sitting at the head of the huge oval table, controlling the meeting with his dominant presence.
Sitting closer to him was a great idea in theory but now my body is doing the most embarrassing things. I want to remain focused. I want to think about this job.
But I can’t.
My heartbeat picks up every time he speaks.
Now that we’ve had a pleasant conversation with one another, he looks at me and smiles every so often.
Oh…
My heart skips a beat.
His smile is so gorgeous.
It takes all of my self-control not to swoon like a middle school girl.
At the end of the day, I don’t know what to do with myself. Taking the packed train him, I try to hold back the tears again.
The last two days have been torture, but I refuse to be the overly emotional girl that cries in public. I won’t be the girl sobbing on the train.
I’m so torn.
Seeing him hurts so much.
It hurts in places that Jason couldn’t even touch me. It hurts deep within me.
Damn.
Why did this have to happen?
Just when everything was turning around.
I can’t do it.
I can’t go through this everyday.
I can’t…
As I sit on the train, I hide my tears behind my book…
Chapter 11
“I quit,” I whisper.
“What did you just say?” Miranda asks.
“I said - I quit.”
“Already?”
I nod.
“Most girls make it at least a week.”
“Sorry, this job is not for me.”
“Are you sure?” Miranda confirms.
“Thank you so much for giving me this wonderful opportunity but I don’t think that it’s a good fit for me.”
“I have to say that I’m surprised, Rebecca. I thought you were a tough woman and that’s why I picked you.”
“I am, but this is too much. I’m tough enough to admit when something isn’t going to work out for me. Instead of wasting everyone’s time, I’m bowing out. I apologize.”
“No apology necessary. I’m happy you spoke up sooner than later.”
“I’ll gather my things and get out of here.”
“That’s for the best.”
She provides me a creepy smile.
It almost like she is enjoying the fact that I am not up to her demands.
Before I leave Miranda’s office she calls out to me, “Rebecca, are you leaving because of me? Was I too hard on you?”
“You’re tough, but you’re not the reason. I don’t think I’m equipped to handle this and my personal life. It’s too many changes to juggle at once.”
“I'm sorry to hear that. I wish you the best in all of your endeavors.”
I smile slightly. “Thank you.”
I pick up my purse, put on my coat, and head out of the office. Before I get to the elevator, Sasha crosses my path.
“Good Afternoon, Becky.”
“It’s Rebecca, but you already know that.”
She gives a shrug, “Sorry about that, I guess it slipped my mind.”
“I’m sure that’s what happened,” I reply sarcastically.
“Am I sensing a little bit of attitude?”
“What do you want?”
“I was coming to find you to tell you about the appointment I’ve set up. I penciled you in for his lunch in an hour. He had a client to see, but they canceled. So you’re up.”
“Thanks for the advance notice, you’re so thoughtful.”
“It’s not my job to cater to you or to make your life convenient. I take care of Mr. Walsh.”
“In more ways than one, I’m sure.”
She huffs. “That’s highly inappropriate! You can bet your ass that I’ll be reporting this conversation.”
“Report it all you want. I just quit. Have a good life you miserable bitch.”
“Get out before I call security.”
I press the down button on the elevator, “Ooh scary. You know, we could have been friends if you weren’t so nasty. I feel sorry for you.”
“I have enough friends. You’re just another little girl that couldn’t hack it.”
Her words sting, but I refuse to show her that she’s gotten to me, “If it makes you feel better to believe that, then so be it.”
The melodic sound of the elevator saves me from conversing with the witch any further.
I step onto the elevator and breathe a sigh of relief as the doors close behind me.
Looking down at my hands, I see that they’re visibly shaking.
Bitch.
Quitting this job was the best decision.
I would have punched Sasha if we spent too much time together.
The likelihood of me finding another job like this one is slim to none, but my old job will take me back in a heartbeat.
Going back with my tail between my legs isn’t something that I want to do but I have to pay the bills.
Sometimes, things don’t work out.
I’m learning that the hard way.
Chapter 12
I walk down the hall to my apartment and I see a figure standing in front of my door. The figure makes me freeze in my tracks.
It’s a figure that I know very well.
What is he doing here?
What does he want?
So many mixed emotions fill my body.
Should I be happy or annoyed that Jason is standing at my door?
“What do you want?” I ask, as I get closer.
He smiles nervously. “I was coming to see you.”
“Why are you here in the middle of the day? I would be working at this time.”
“You usually work the night shift at the hotel,” he says as he shifts to another foot.
“That shows just how much you listen to me. I started a new job on Monday. I told you that a thousand times.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot.”
“Clearly,” I mumble as I put my key in the door.
“Can I come in?”
“Sure, but make it quick. You left a few things here, you can take them with you.”
We walk into the apartment and sit in the kitchen. He stands up leaning against the counter with a stupid expression on his face.
“What do you want?”
He runs a hand through his disheveled hair, “I’m here to apologize for the way that I acted on Friday. That was incredibly rude of me. I was still irritated with you from the morning and I took it out on you.”
“Why were you irritated with me?”
“I didn’t want to go to that restaurant. I knew everyone would look at me, expecting me to pay your bill, and I couldn’t afford it. I tried to tell you not to pick that expensive place.”
“So, because you couldn’t afford the bill for a restaurant, you embarrassed the shit out of me in front of all of my friends on my birthday?”
“I know it sounds stupid now but…”
“No, there is no but at the end of that sentence. It sounds idiotic because it is idiotic. There’s no excuse for it. I told you. I TOLD you that I would pay for
the both of us. You knew I was paying the bill and you let your insecurity get the best of you. You ruined my birthday and embarrassed in front of everyone.”
“Please, let me make it up to you.”
I scoff.
“Make it up to me? There is no making it up to me. We’re over. We’re done. I know you’re not good at listening but hear this loud and clear – We are done.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do, this time I really mean it. I forgive you for what happened because you don’t know any better. However, I will not forget. I’m done putting up with your antics. Do you want me to bring you the box with your things in it?”
“Wait, aren’t you going to give me another chance?”
“A second chance? Are you serious? You’ve already had fifteen chances. No, I’m not giving you another one. I deserve better than that and I’ve given you far too many. Now, it’s time for me to move on.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. What, are you already screwing someone else? I should have known! I’ve always known that you were cheating on me.”
“I’ve never cheated on you.”
He laughs cynically.
“I guess that makes sense. No one else is going to want you. Without me, you’ll be lost. You’ll be single for the rest of your life. And you’ll be begging me to take you back.”
“You arrogant prick. See that’s where you’re wrong. I’ve been getting a splendid look in the mirror lately. I don’t know why I’ve been dating a loser like you for so long.”
“Wow, someone has grown a backbone.”
“You’re right. Now get the hell out of my house. You can come pick up your crap from the dumpster tomorrow.”
“I can’t believe I wasted my time coming here and talking to a tramp like you. Enjoy being single.”
“I can’t believe it either. The next time you get the idea to come back here and beg to be back with me, know that the answer is no and it will always be no. You are a prick, Jason. A egotistical, self-centered prick.”
He shakes his head. “Bye, bitch.”
“For once, I’m not so sad about you calling me a bitch. I’ll gladly wear the title. Now get the hell out.”
Slamming the door behind him feels great.
It’s the end of an era.
Yes!
That feels so good.
I’m riding that high on emotion, feeling great about myself again…
But it’s soon over.
It’s been an emotionally exhausting few days and I just want some cookies and cream ice cream.
Me, my spoon, and the sugary goodness have a date.
At six thirty Angela walks through the door. I’m lying on the couch binge watching the latest drama series.
“Hello, my love,” Angela damn near sings as she walks through the door, “How was your day?”
She walks over and her face falls when she sees the mounds of used tissues that surround me.
The sympathetic look on her face brings my horrible morning back to remembrance and I tear up again.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“I quit today,” I sob, “I couldn’t do it.”
“Aww, honey,” she lowers to the floor and strokes my hair, “What happened?”
“Miranda wanted me to shadow Christopher this evening and just the thought of it made me want to throw up. I can’t be around him every day. I can’t see him every day knowing that he doesn’t remember me. It hurts so badly. I know that it was supposed to be a one-night stand, but this is so fucking hard.”
I sob into her shoulder.
“Don’t feel down about it, you made the right decision for yourself. People do one-night stands because they never have to see the other person again. In this case, you would have to see him at least five times a week. I’m so sorry that I brought you into this mess.”
“I can’t help but think that I’ve lost a perfect job and the perfect man. It’s so stupid! But he’s so nice, it would be even nicer if he remembered me.”
Angela opens her mouth to say something that I’m sure could be featured in an inspiring movie, but a knock on our door interrupts her.
“Goodness, that better not be Jason,” I groan.
“Why would Jason be at our door?”
“He came by earlier for a second chance.”
“Okay, you’re going to have to fill me in about that,” she says as she stands up and opens the door.
“Ummm, Rebecca,” she calls out, “You have a guest.”
“Who?”
“A guy named Christopher.”
Chapter 13
I hop up from the couch, wipe my face, and try to straighten up my clothes.
What was he doing at my door?
At this time?
I walk to the door, “Hello?”
He looks fantastic as usual and I look a complete sobbing mess.
“I know it’s rude to drop by unannounced but I tried to call you with the number that we have on file. Can I come in?”
“Umm… ok,” I reply and look at Angela.
She gets the hint. “I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
“Thanks.”
I begin, “I’m sorry about the way that I quit today. I guess that’s the reason you stopped by?”
“I don’t blame you for quitting,” he replies, “I’ve been a complete asshole to you.”
“You’ve been nothing but nice.”
“Come on, I practically ignored you. I deserved to be slapped in the face.”
Is he talking about the night we had together?
I don’t want to bring it up in case he doesn’t remember. Maybe he wouldn’t even believe me if I did bring it up?
“What do you mean?” I ask.
He raises his eyebrows, “Really? I pretended to not know you. I still can’t believe you let me get away that with that.”
“So you did remember me!” I blurt out.
Oh, how embarrassing.
“Of course I remembered you,” he smiles, “How could I ever forget? We had the most amazing night and then there you were, my new assistant. I didn’t know how to handle the situation so I did the only thing I could think of, I ignored you. It’s so childish and I just came by to say I’m truly sorry.”
“Thank you for the apology, I needed to hear that. I know that we had a one-night stand and that there are rules and blah blah blah, but I couldn’t work under those conditions.”
“I don’t expect you to. It was my first one-night stand and I didn’t know how to react.”
He has to be kidding me!
His first one-night stand?
I don’t believe it.
He’s a sex king and he wants me to believe he hasn’t been spreading his powers to other kingdoms?
“Please don’t look at me like that,” he blushes. “I know it sounds absurd, I just haven’t had much time to do that sort of thing. I’ve also found sex to be more satisfying when in a relationship. My father is a tight ass, but he’s always been a good man to my mother. I want to be that for someone one day. Having meaningless encounters won’t get me that.”
“Wow, I’m kind of speechless right now.”
“Please just say you’ll give the job another chance. I promise I won’t act like a jerk. I won’t let anyone know what happened between us, but that’s only because I want to protect you.”
“You seem so young to be a CEO of such a large company?”
“Unfortunately my dad is very ill and he’ll never recover enough to take over the reigns again. I’m his oldest son and he didn’t trust anyone else. I have a huge team of advisors to keep me on the right path, but I do most of the decision making.”
“Wow, that’s incredible. I admire you for that and I’m sorry to hear about your father. However, thank you but no thank you. I can’t possibly work with you again. It’s far too weird of a situation. You’re a great guy and you seem easy to work for, but that will drive me crazy. Just like you, it isn’t som
ething that I normally do. In fact, it’s the first time that I’ve done it too. I don’t need a constant reminder of my recklessness, that’s what got me into this position in the first place. Also, I’m pretty sure I’ll get reported by your personal assistant for my behavior if I show my face around there again.”
He chuckles, “I’ve heard about that. Not many women are willing to call Sasha a bitch to her face.”
“Why do you keep that evil girl around?”
“She’s a family friend and really annoying. However, she needed a job and I offered her the position. When she’s not being a witch, she’s pretty good. I’ve talked to her about her behavior and now we have an understanding. I feel so terrible about the way that everything has worked out. How about you take a position at another one of my buildings? That way you won’t have to see my face and I’ll make sure that the salary is comparable?”
“You would do that for me?”
“Of course, it’s the least I can do. I’ll see what openings we have and put you in something that suits you or that you’re interested in. You have a degree and I’m sure you can pick up quickly. You don’t want to sit around dictating notes all damned day anyway.”
I laugh, “I wasn’t going to say anything but that was the worst.”
“So we’re okay now?”
“Yes we’re okay.”
“Great, I’ll have human resources call you in the morning and we can get all of this sorted out. If you run into any snags, call me directly.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a business card, “This is my personal line.”
“I wouldn’t think of sharing it.”
“Great, enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“You too.”
I open the door and watch his cute butt walk away.
Chapter 14
I’m happy that everything has worked out, but it hurts that he didn’t ask me out.
Maybe he didn’t like me as much as I liked him?
Maybe he wanted just a one-night stand and nothing more?
Of course, he could have any girl he wanted. He is smart, dashing, charming, suave and rich. He could pick anyone.
Why would he bother with me?
