Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“This is what I’m here for,” she responds, extending her hand to shake Helena’s. “Mr. Petrov,” she says with a tight smile, “it was a pleasure meeting you.”
My hand extends to shake hers, and unlike before, I squeeze her hand just a touch. “We will be in touch.”
She lets go of my hand, but it feels like she’s still holding it as my hand falls to my side. “Well, whatever it will be. Congratulations on the engagement and the best of luck for the wedding.”
I nod at her and look at Helena, putting my hand at the base of her back and ushering her out of the place. The door closes behind me and it takes everything I have not to look back. “We aren’t using her.”
sofia
I wait for the door to close and then literally count to ten before I let out the huge breath I have been holding in. I look up to the ceiling, blinking as I breathe in and out to get my heart rate down. I’m surprised I didn’t have a fucking heart attack. “What. The. Actual. Fuck,” I curse out loud as the adrenaline I had running through me slowly leaves and the reality hits me. “This is not happening.” I walk on shaky knees, looking in the offices and seeing no one is there. I hear chatter coming from the end of the hallway and walk into our makeshift conference room.
The three of them sit around the round table, each looking down at the paper in front of them. I walk in and place the manila folder on the table. “I quit,” I declare to all of them, pulling out a chair and sitting in it because my knees are going to give out. I’m so filled with nerves I quickly get back up and start pacing the room. “I’m not doing that.” I point at the file on the table and feel like it’s a ticking time bomb before quickly exiting the room.
“Oh, shit,” I hear Presley say from behind me as the sound of the three of them getting up fills the room.
“She needs some of the sweet tea,” Clarabella says in a whisper but not really whispering.
“This does not bode well,” Shelby says under her breath.
“That I do.” I point at them. “That is exactly what I need.” My feet make their way straight into my office and toward the bottle of sweet tea I keep hidden in the closet for emergency situations. Grabbing the bottle, I unscrew the gold cap before I take a swig of the liquid. It tastes sweet but it burns all the way down. I put the bottle on my desk and slip off my jacket when I feel suddenly hot.
“Oh, shit,” I hear from behind me again when I see Presley walk into my office and going to sit down on one of the pink chairs facing my desk. She crosses her legs and just waits for me to say something.
“Is this code purple?” Shelby asks, not sure what to do as she comes into the room with her hands in front of her, wringing them together.
“Everyone needs to calm down,” Clarabella says, her voice coming out smooth, as she walks over and turns one of the pink chairs around for me to sit. “Why don’t you have a seat?” Clarabella is trying to remain calm, but from the way she is breathing heavily, she is not relaxed.
“Yes, let’s sit down,” Presley urges, patting the chair beside her. “Just so you know, you can’t just quit.” She laughs nervously, trying not to panic. I can tell all three of them are slowly starting to panic as they share a look with each other.
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this,” Clarabella says, “but Presley is right.” She looks at Presley, who blows on her nails and wipes them on the white silk shirt she is wearing. “You can’t just quit.”
I wish it was that easy. I wish she was right. But fuck me, seeing Matthew again, after all this time, was a shock. It also felt like someone wound up and kicked me right in the vagina using a soccer cleat.
“Whatever happened,” Shelby soothes in a soft motherly voice, “we can recover from it.”
“I don’t think so,” I fire back, picking up the bottle and having another swig. This time the burn doesn’t really get to me, which should be an indicator that I should not be drinking anything more.
“It’s not as bad as you think it is,” Clarabella says quietly, waiting for me. I put my head back and close my eyes, but then I just see Matthew’s face again and no one needs that right now.
“It really is,” I finally reply, looking at all three of them.
“I can assure you it’s not.” Shelby walks to me and puts her hands on my arms and smiles at me.