conversation I had with Rachel several weeks ago.
I’ll be the first to admit that Trevor can be difficult to handle, especially as a boss. Maybe this isn’t about my panties, after all!
“It’s okay, Erica, whatever you say will stay between us,” I urge her on.
When she looks at me, she’s blushing. Her fingers find stray strands of hair across her forehead, and she tucks them in behind her ears.
“It’s just that I don’t want to sound like a gossip.”
“I’m not going to judge you for what you have to say,” I insist, and she nods.
“I just think very highly of you, Ms. Crawford. I admire you for your success and all your achievements.”
“Thank you very much, Erica. I’m so glad to hear that.”
“But it’s because I admire you that I don’t want you to be taken advantage of.”
Now she has my full attention. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean; you’ll have to be more direct with what you’re saying.”
She clears her throat. “I don’t want you to think I’m spying. I just…have an idea that maybe there’s something going on between Mr. Davenport and you. I’m so sorry if there isn’t. I don’t want to make assumptions.”
I look her up and down closely, trying my best to assess the situation. Honestly, she is a stranger to me. This is the first time we’ve ever spoken at length. Why should I tell her anything? Admit anything. She’s not even one of my employees. She’s not my responsibility. However, she has piqued my curiosity.
“I’m not saying that there is, but I still want to hear what you have to say,” I reply, and she nods.
“I guess you could say that my suspicions have been raised because it wouldn’t be the first time something like this has happened in this office.”
My heart stops. I can feel an ache in the center of my chest.
I glare at Erica. I don’t want her to stop talking. She looks up at me meekly. I can see she’s unsure of herself. She knows she’s crossing a line, being disloyal to her boss and employer.
“Okay, we can’t talk here, not now. Why don’t we have coffee later? Six? Will you be done by then?” I suggest.
She nods, and I throw another look at Trevor’s office door.
“I’ll meet you at Mario’s around the block at six,” I say and walk away.
She can’t see my face, so she has no idea how lost I feel.
Erica is waiting for me at a discreet corner table in the cafe. I’ve been running late. I don’t even know why I’m meeting her. I should probably stay out of this. It’s none of my business, right?
It’s not like I’m marrying Trevor or tying myself to him for life. Do I really need to know every detail of his history?
And yet, here I am, walking towards Erica, who looks at me with a faint smile on her face.
“I’m sorry for being late. There’s a whole shitstorm brewing in my office that I’ve had to deal with all day.”
We make some unnecessary small talk as I settle in a chair across from her. I order a coffee, and finally, I look at her questioningly.
“There was something you were trying to tell me this morning; what was it exactly?”
She glances at the cafe door like she’s expecting Trevor to walk in at any moment.
“I guess I just wanted to warn you, Ms. Crawford.”
“You can call me Blaire, please.”
“I know how hard you have worked in your career. I’ve read up about you and everything you’ve achieved. I only hope I can say the same when I’m thirty.”
I smile, but only briefly. This isn’t about me.
She breathes in deeply and shakes her head. “I have noticed other…women in Mr. Davenport’s office before. I know you both work closely together…”
“Not that closely,” I interrupt, and she smiles.
“And I got the feeling that maybe you are attracted to him.”
It’s my turn to clear my throat.
“I’m sorry, Blaire, I’m making you uncomfortable.”
I shake my head. “It’s fine, I need to hear this. I know you know. You saw something…personal.”
We both look away. We both know what I’m talking about.
“Anyway, who were these other women you’ve seen in Trevor’s office?”
“Female employees or CEOs of other companies he has worked with in the past.”
“So, basically other women in the same position as me?”
She says nothing but just stares and that is enough.
“And he’s been in relationships with them?” I ask and she shrugs.
“I don’t know. I haven’t paid as much attention.