Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“She wouldn’t, she doesn’t see me that way.”
“For your sake, I hope that’s true.”
“It is.”
“Remove her before it’s too late.”
“I don’t think I can. It might destroy me.”
His words have me staggering back. I might destroy him by leaving? What a weight on my conscience. Why did I have to stay and listen?
I rush away, trying to be quiet as I head back up to my room, pacing and clicking my fingers.
“Are you okay?” Mr. C asks, standing in the doorway. How long has he been there? Does he know what I heard? “You’ve been pacing for a while.”
“I’m okay,” I breathe, still clicking my fingers. He takes a step towards me and I take one back.
“Mom made breakfast.”
“I’ll be down soon.”
I take another step back when he takes another step forward. When he realizes I’m not going to allow him to approach, he scratches the handsome stubble on his jaw and shoves his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans.
“Take your time,” he mutters and leaves.
I can breathe again.
There is so much drama going on in my life right now and all of it centers around WhyTech, Pax, and Mr. C. I’ll be devastated to leave but I think it’s best. I might even use what money I’ve saved to go elsewhere. Leave LA and maybe even head to NYC or Washington. There are other WhyTech branches there. Maybe Robert knows somebody looking for a PA?
I’ll make the hard choice for him, I’ll decide.
I pull out my laptop and start typing out my notice ready for work tomorrow.
I’ve got enough saved to keep me going for a while and I decided last night to get the money from insurance for my car. There’s no use buying a new one until I know where I’m going and what I’m doing.
This is going to kill me.
Why am I being punished for the minds of others?
I head downstairs after brushing my teeth and getting dressed. I’ve been stalling, taking my time.
Luckily, when I enter the kitchen, everybody is sitting around a large round table. By everybody I mean, Izabella, Mario, Mrs. Conti, Maria, and Ezra.
“Morning,” Izabella calls and Maria comes rushing to me to give me a hug.
“Morning,” I reply, hugging the girl back. I don’t meet their eyes as I take my seat.
“You look like you’ve had a rough couple of days,” Mrs. Conti tells me, her polite way of saying I look like shit.
“I made you a card.” Maria hands me a beautifully crafted handmade card with the words,
“Sorry you’re sad”
This time I smile for real. “I’m not sad. Not now that you’re here.”
She hugs me again and I catch Ezra’s eyes over her shoulder but quickly look away. I notice Mrs. Conti put her hand on his and watch him bring it to his lips and kiss it. Maria returns to her seat and I pick at a piece of bacon on my plate beside poached eggs.
“You should eat,” Izabella instructs softly.
“You didn’t eat on the plane yesterday or at the airport,” Ezra points out, frowning at me.
“Keeping tabs on her, are you, husband?” Mrs. Conti asks, raising a brow at her husband and Izabella looks down at her plate.
“Yes,” he replies simply, and she pulls her hand from his.
Already I’m causing issues and I haven’t even done anything yet.
I retract that yet and end that sentence on anything.
“So, your car…”
“Already sorted,” Mario announces looking proud, “we got a cleaning crew to tackle the paint too.”
“And she’s going to stay here until he’s dealt with,” Ezra insists.
“How are you so sure it’s him?” Izabella asks. “Are there no other suspects?”
“I don’t have enemies,” I mutter. “He’s the only one. Though it does seem a bit desperate even for him.”
“Psychotic men are capable of anything,” Mrs. Conti puts in, shrugging her shoulders.
“True.”
It just all feels so surreal.
“Thank you for all your help. I don’t know what I would have done…”
“Anytime, sweet girl.” Izabella holds my hand and Mario winks at me.
Mrs. Conti glares at me from across the table, though she schools her features when I look at her. I don’t think she realizes I probably have better eyesight than she does now. My peripheral vision is amazing, but I think that has a lot to do with my photographic memory.
“You’re not going to be able to take me to soccer practice,” Maria cries and I realize in this moment just how much I’ll be giving up for Mr. Conti’s family and future.
Chapter Twenty-Four
He’s in love with me. ME.
My life is in shambles and Pax has been suspended while HR investigate. He hasn’t contacted me yet but I’m waiting for it. People are gossiping, everybody has heard about my car and apartment. I feel like the hot topic which isn’t a good thing.
I miss my invisible days when nobody cared what I was doing or where I was going.