by Nikki Bopp
“Miss Grant! I'm so glad you could join us!”
“What is this about Jennifer?” Daniel demands, standing up to glare at me over his desk. If I wasn't pissed about being kept in the dark about this meeting I might have been turned on by his power play, but at this rate, I just want to slap him.
“I'm confused,” Nicholas interjects, looking between myself and the other executives with a quizzical expression. “Shouldn't she be here? Since she's the one who lodged the complaint?”
“What complaint?” My question isn't a ruse. I honestly have no idea what he's talking about at this point but given the guilty expression on Edward’s face, I can easily figure out who lodged this ‘complaint’.
“Cut the shit Nicholas,” Daniel sighs, dropping into his chair. “You've gone too far with this one. Take your severance pay and that'll be the end of this.” Daniel’s words are curious. Edward told me before that he's attempted to force himself on others before, but they’ve been unable to fire him because he's threatened to sue for discriminatory reasons. I don't know if that's the whole story but I wouldn't put it past him to come up with some sort of bullshit. It is surprising to hear that Daniel’s offered him a severance pay just to get him to leave without any foul play.
Nicholas’ head cocks to the side at Dan’s words, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Why would I leave? I've done nothing wrong.”
“Done nothing wrong?” I snap, outraged at the blatant lie to my face.. Patrick gets up and crosses the room to wrap an arm around my shoulders. “You helped a coworker's wife cheat!”
“Well now, that's not the first time that's happened. After all, Sierra is very loose with her legs. Isn't that correct, Daniel?” Nicholas asks, his head lolling back with a shit eating grin. “And, it looks like you might be doing the same thing.”
My eyes immediately snap to Daniel but he refuses to meet mine, instead, he's focused on the top of his desk. His face is ghostly white and set in an expression I’ve never seen before but altogether is enough of an answer, but I want to hear it from him directly. I don't even care to address the second part of his comment about my relationship with the executives.
“Look at me, Daniel.” I demand, charging forward like I could actually imagine attacking the man. It's not until I'm towering over his desk, and his nearly cowering form that he dares a look up at me, the truth so clear in his eyes but when he opens his mouth, I can feel the final piece of my heart shattering to pieces on his perfectly polished desk.
“It's true.”
My stare doesn't move from his for another moment or two, almost as though I'm hoping I've somehow heard him wrong but eventually, my mind kicks into gear. Choking back the sobs I can feel that are wanting to burst from my chest, I straighten to my full height and give him the fakest smile I can possibly muster.
“I see. Well then, I'll just be seeing myself out.” Turning on my heel, I make a beeline directly for the door, refusing to meet Ed or Pat’s eyes along the way. My purse is still sitting on top of my desk so there's no need to gather my things. It's not until I'm standing in front of the elevator, pushing the button like my life depends on it that Patrick calls my name.
“Please wait,” he huffs out a breath, leaning on the wall for support. “Let me drive you home.”
The tears I've been holding at bay are beginning to spill over at his kindness so I simply nod my head and step into the elevator when the doors open. I'm a little surprised when we exit into a gloomy underground garage, but that’s nothing compared to the Honda Civic that Patrick leads me too. Ever the gentlemen, he holds the door open and helps me into the comfortable black interior before sliding in beside me.
“This is unexpected,” I murmur, not sure if I should be sobbing at breaking up with Daniel or the hilarity of this ridiculously rich guy driving a freaking Honda Civic.
“What do you mean?” Patrick asks, flashing me a grin as the car hums to life with a reasonable purr. Putting the car in gear, he backs out of the parking space and directs the car towards the gate to traffic outside.
“I don't know, I guess I just expected you to have a driver, and a really expensive car.”
“This is an expensive car!” Patrick gasps in mock horror patting the hood of the car which makes me laugh. “The truth is, after paying off all my school debt, this is the first car that I've been able to buy brand new. I didn't want a fancy sports car, or a driver like Daniel and Edward. I think that this car keeps me grounded to who I am and who I used to be.”
“That's a good way to think about it,” I murmur thinking back on the type of person I used to be. It certainly isn't the person I am today. While I'm glad for the most part, there are certain parts of me that I wish hadn’t changed. The largest part being the friendship piece. I have let down the one person who has stood by me for decades, and all it took was a moment of uncertainty on my part to destroy it all. I wouldn't be surprised if she never forgives me and I wouldn't fault her for it one bit.
But I refuse to keep this from her for one more day.
“Hey,” Patrick’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “What's on your mind?”
A harsh laugh slips out from between my lips almost on instinct, as though I'm not really sure if he's being serious or not but when I see him wince, I can assume it's the former and not the latter.
“Pat, there's so much going on in my mind right now, you don't even want to know…,” my words sputter to an end with a sob. Reigning in my emotions, I give him the best smile that I can before twisting my body towards the window in hopes that he won't want to talk anymore. It's nothing against him. I just want to go home and be by myself when everything finally hits rather than having this amazing man watch me fall apart.
After a few moments of strained silence, Patrick lets out a long sigh. “If it makes you feel better, I knew that Daniel had slept with someone’s wife within the company, I just didn't know who. He said he didn't know she was married until afterward.” When I don't respond, he shifts in his seat, the sound loud in the quiet car. When he pulls up outside of my building, I'm quick to grab my purse, but before I can get out of the car, his next words halt me like none of the others before. “He really struggled with it morally. He decided it would be better to take himself out of the picture rather than ruin a marriage.”
“Thanks, Pat,” I murmur over my shoulder. Pushing open the door, I make my way up the steps and let myself in the building with only a moment to spare before all the emotions I've been holding at bay coming rushing to the surface.
My bag falls to the floor, my knees following just as swiftly until I’m curled forward with my head on the hardwood, my nails digging into the boards with every ounce of strength I can manage.
A scream rolls up my throat until my entire being feels raw and limp. It's only when my body starts to ache a couple of hours later from the hard floor that I pull myself up from the ground and drag myself to the couch so I can pass out for the rest of the day.
When a knock comes at the door, I simply roll over and ignore it, figuring that the person will go away when they realize no one is home. Then another knock sounds, and another, and another until the person is banging on the door so loudly it sounds as though they’re going to break down the damn thing and come barging in at any minute.
“Hang on!” I yell, rolling to my feet with a grumbled curse. Wrapping my blanket around my shoulders, I throw open the front door prepared to lay into a salesperson for a loss of common sense or some other idiotic reason because they must’ve lost their damn mind. The last person I expect to find on the other side is Mia, glaring at me with a pissed-off expression.
“This is how you answer the door for your best friend now?” All the fight leaves me in one breath, my shoulders slumping with the loss. Waving her in, I make my way back to the couch and the pit of sorrow it’s currently become.
“Come in and join me in my suffering.” Without waiting for a response, I slump into the cushions, cocooning myself in the blankets.
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“Really…,” Mia drawls, planting herself in front of me, hands on her hips. “What's with the pity party?”
“I'm a terrible friend,” I murmur after a moment of attempting and failing to control my emotions, tears begin to roll down my cheeks. “I...I...I-” My attempt at speaking folds beneath the sobs that rip from my chest until I can hardly breathe.
Every betrayal, lie or mean thought that has ever gone through my head culminates into this very moment whereas a human being, I can't understand why anyone else could even stand me, would also be willing to call me a friend. It's not until Mia’s coos of comfort and warmth seeps into me how much I really love her. She's my best friend and has been since we were children. Even when Jonathan forced me to sever contact, and forbade me from going to her wedding, she never gave up on me. And yet, I gave up on her the minute those men walked into my life because I was scared about how I was going to tell her.
Pulling away from Mia, I wipe my eyes clear of my tears and clear my throat. I want her to see the sincerity and truth in me when I tell her everything. “Mia,” my voice cracks, fear wavering in the single word. “I need to tell you something.”
“Is it why you've been avoiding me all week?” She asks with a raised brow, but when my eyes begin to brim with tears, her expression quickly changes to one of worry. “What? What's going on, Jenny?”
Inhaling a shaky breath, I force the words out before I can find another reason why I shouldn't. “Sierra is cheating on you.”
Mia’s face doesn't move, her features are frozen in a look of shock and pain. When her mouth opens to speak, I'm prepared to answer whatever question she's going to ask, but she doesn't say anything, just sits there gaping at me.
“When did you find out?”
“Last Friday,” I reply, hanging my head in shame. I had seen her that night, and I should have told her then, but after the confrontation with Nicholas and then Edward, I was so frazzled. “I'm sorry, Mia,” I murmur, feeling like I need to say something else. “I wasn't sure how to tell you, and this has been weighing on me.”
“Weighing on you?” Mia interrupts me, her voice sharp like glass. “I'm so sorry that the news that my wife is cheating has been weighing on you, but thank you for keeping it to yourself for this long.”
With her upper lip curled in disgust, Mia stands up and gives me a look I've never seen from her before. Hatred. “I thought you were my best friend, Jennifer. I would never have imagined keeping something like this from you.” She lets out a sharp laugh, “My God, I'm such a fucking idiot. I trusted you.” Her words are like knives to the chest. I thought she would understand why it took me so long to tell her. I thought she would understand that it's not something I could just tell her and watch the pain it would cause. Maybe I was wrong.
Turning on her heel, Mia charges for the door, grabbing her purse on the way, but she stops short just before opening the door. “Was it Nicholas?”
“Yes.”
“Anyone else?”
Even though it kills me to say it, I whisper the name, “Daniel” across the space between us, my tears audible. She doesn't turn around, but her shoulders quake.
“You found out today? About Daniel?” Mia asks, already putting together why I'm home early and so upset.
“Yes.”
“I'm sorry,” Mia whispers through a choked sob. Pulling the door open, she slips out silently and closes it behind her with a soft click.
“Me too,” I murmur to myself.
Chapter 22
Coffee Time Break
“Come on, Eva. You're going to be late!” I holler down the hall, rubbing my temple with one hand and wishing I had more painkillers for the migraine currently taking up residence in my head. After last night's breakdown and cryfest, the Executives at PRI weren't surprised at all to receive my text message claiming illness this morning, but I can legitimately say I feel like death. When Eva comes sailing around the corner of her bedroom, backpack bouncing behind her, I shove my sunglasses on and follow behind her when she opens the door. Wyatt is already waiting outside, but I'm halted at the sight of Mia waiting at the bottom of the steps for us.
“Mia.”
“Jenny, hey.”
“Aunt Mia!” Eva exclaims, running down the steps to throw herself into Mia’s arms.
She happily hugs her back with a massive smile on her face, “Hey, cutie! How are you today?”
“I'm good! Mommy says she's not feeling good today, so she's staying home. But I'm going to school.”
“Well, that's good that you're going to school. I'm sure your friends will be happy to see you!” Pulling away, Mia gives her a stern look. “I'm sure it'll be good for your mommy to stay home and get better.”
“That's a good idea,” Eva nods and climbs into the SUV with Wyatt’s help, which leaves Mia and I staring at each other on the sidewalk.
“I didn't expect to see you so soon,” I tell her honestly. After yesterday, I didn't expect to see her again at all, let alone have her talk to me.
“Me too, actually,” she replies with a short laugh. “Would it be alright if I rode with you on the way to daycare, and then maybe we could grab a coffee or something…? You look like you could use it.”
Man, do I, I think to myself.
With a smile, I gesture to the car and climb in behind her. Like the pro that he is, Wyatt has us at the daycare in no time, and then we’re taking our seats at a local coffee shop just down the street, the SUV conveniently parked just outside of the large plate glass window.
Stirring my white chocolate mocha, I search for the words to express what I’m feeling, any words to try to put into context what exactly is going on in my mind, but every time I think I've got it figured out, they disappear.
“I kicked Sierra out,” Mia interrupts my thoughts, her words surprising the hell out of me. Pushing the coffee aside, I lean forward and place my hand on top of hers. Instantly, her entire body locks up, her eyes focusing on the contact like I've burned her, and I realize that I've stepped over a line. The moment I betrayed our friendship, there was a line created between us, and if I have any chance of salvaging this friendship, I need to respect that boundary. It's a miracle that she's coming to me at all, so soon, especially, to talk to me.
Pulling my hand away, I give her a sad smile and gesture for her to continue. Mia takes a sip of her coffee and recounts the confrontation and fight between Sierra and herself.
“I honestly feel really good about it all. You know how long this has been weighing on me, the suspicion and worries. I feel free now that I know, and now that she's gone.”
“I'm glad, Mia. Really. I'm so glad that you don't have to deal with her and all that bullshit anymore. I can't believe she was doing that all behind your back and then trying to play it off like she was doing all this work. It's just disgusting.”
“Yeah…,” she murmurs, finishing off her coffee. Setting the cup off to the side, she folds her hands in front of her. “How are you dealing with this?”
“Oh,” I sputter, not expecting her question. “Umm...I don't know.”
“Well, you said Daniel and her had…” she trails off, her words crystal clear and searing an image into my brain that I want to erase immediately.
“Yeah, I found out yesterday. They were trying to fire Nicholas for being...abusive towards me. He said she's very loose with her legs.” As soon as the words slip out, I immediately regret them. “Shit, I'm sorry, Mia,” I apologize with a wince.
Mia waves away my concern with a hard look, “don't apologize to me. She's old news now. I'm the new and improved Mia, and I won't be hurt by her anymore.”
“Okay.”
“Did Daniel have anything to say about this accusation?”
“He said it was true, and then I walked out.”
“And that's it?” Mia asks, propping her chin on her hand. “Did Edward or Patrick know?”
“Patrick said he didn't know who it was just that it was someone’s wife in
the company. He said that Daniel did not know until afterward and that he was conflicted morally. I don't know if he was going to tell you or not, but rather than ruining a marriage, he just took himself out of the picture entirely.”
Humming to herself, Mia plucks a muffin off the plate between us and proceeds to pick it to bits on the plate in front of her. Knowing her well, I can tell that she's deep in thought by the twisted turn of her mouth and the way that she has to keep her fingers busy. Only once the blueberry pastry is completely decimated does she finally lift her eyes to mine.
“Do you think it was only the one time?” Mia asks suspiciously, her eyes glinting.
“I don't know.”
“If Daniel told you it was only the one time, would you believe him?”
“Yes,” I answer without thought, sure of my trust in the man.
“Do you love him?”
“I-,” my words die in my throat, my eyes going wide with panic. I'm not sure what I feel for him for all of them. “I don't know.”
“You don't know?” She asks incredulously, at which point I give her a mute nod. Letting out a heavy sigh, she leans forward and stares at me with a serious expression.
“Do you feel the same about them as you do about Jonathan?”
“No! Definitely not.” The idea alone is enough to send a shiver of disgust up my spine.
“So, what do you feel?”
“I feel everything with them. They make me feel like I'm the most precious thing to them, a priceless jewel that needs protecting at all times. It's so nice, but not stifling. I know that if I need one of them, they will be there at a moment's notice. I'm happy, over the moon excited to wake up and spend the day with Eva and them every single day. They're so good with her, and she absolutely adores them. The other day, Pat came over for a teddy tea party and didn't even stay for dinner, he came over for the tea party and left as soon as it was over! It's so different from what we've experienced that it almost seems unreal, and even when it feels overwhelming at times, they seem to pick up on it, and they back off and give us the space we need.”