for a second, wondering how likely I am to get off with an insanity plea if I snap and strangle him with his tie.
“Yes, sir. Stephanie will meet everyone in reception and show them to the conference room for you. I’ll have refreshments ready once everyone is seated.”
“Hmm…let’s hope you’re more successful in your duties today than last time then,” he says as he turns away, clearly dismissing me.
What a fucking tool.
I see myself out, catch up on unanswered emails, and keep my head down when twenty minutes later, Graham leaves his office. Thankfully, he ignores me as he heads to the elevator. I finish my tasks before checking the time and decide to get the drinks set up now so I don't disturb everyone once the meeting has started.
I make it to the conference room before anyone else and line up the cups on saucers with shiny silver teaspoons beside each cup. I hear the door open and voices talking as the room begins to fill behind me. Shutting it out, I concentrate on my task at hand, pouring coffee into each of the eight cups. I figure instead of just asking how everyone takes theirs, I will add the sugar bowl and the jug with the creamer to the table so people can help themselves.
Sensing that everyone is seated, I pick up a cup in each hand, plaster on a fake smile, and turn to the table when I catch sight of who is sitting beside Graham.
I’m so shocked I stumble, tripping over my own feet and watch in horrified slow motion as the cups fly through the air, dousing both Graham and Asher in hot coffee.
I land hard on my hands and knees to the cacophony of shouting and curse words. I risk looking up, my eyes clashing with the indigo blue ones that had previously stared into mine with lust as he moved inside me.
Now they hold nothing but anger and frustration. What they don’t show is an apology. Even more soul-destroying is that there is no flicker of recognition either.
“Get your stuff and get the fuck out of my building. You’re fired,” Graham’s voice spits angrily from beside him, drawing my attention away from Asher.
I drop my head in defeat.
A hand appears in front of me belonging to an older man with a frown on his face that’s aimed at the two assholes, not me. I take it gratefully, offering him a shaky smile and allow him to help me stand.
My knees throb and my palms sting, but I ignore it, thanking the only man in the room who showed me some kindness and head toward the door. I pull it open and then close it behind me, without looking back. I take a deep breath and wait for everything to hit me, because at the moment, all I feel is utter relief.
I move on autopilot toward my desk. Collecting my things, I turn to leave when a thought occurs to me. I sit in the office chair for what will be the last time and write a note titled Dear future secretary and hide it in the memo list that only the secretaries access.
Standing again, this time with a smile, I grab my jacket and my bag and head back toward the elevators, mulling over the words I left for the unlucky soul that comes after me.
Dear future secretary,
It's not you; it's 100% him. Hold your head up high and smile, then pick up your bag, stride out in your fabulous shoes, and treat yourself to a cocktail. You deserve better than to be treated like a nobody. Life is way too short to be treated as one by a man who will never appreciate you, whether that man is your boss, your father, or your partner.
Stand tall in those fabulous shoes and walk the fuck away.
I smile as the elevator doors slide open, feeling lighter somehow, freer. I walk over to the receptionist who never smiles and wait until she looks up at me.
“Can you send a message to Mr. Morgan, please?”
She nods, taking out a pen and paper. “What do you need me to tell him?” she questions, ever efficient.
“Tell him, Linda says, fuck you.” I smile, turn on my heel, and leave Morgan Financial Holdings for the last time.
I don’t look back, but as the glass door closes behind me and I turn to walk away, I catch sight of the receptionist's lip twitch before a broad smile splits her face.
Four
Asher
After