How Do You Convince A Man You Don't Love Him, When You Love Someone Else?

Day 232 - 238 of The Andie Chronicles

Andie, Taylor and Annabella

Day 232

Taking my seat in the boardroom, my usual, reliable position toward the end of the table, I found myself next to Douglas.

It's probably because we had switched boardrooms. Usually, Douglas hosted the Monday morning meetings in the smaller room, closer to his office. For reasons no one could explain, he convened today’s meeting in the largest space, insisting most of the office join us, too. A full house to a meet is usually reserved for the heads of department. 

There weren't enough seats for everybody. I felt for the assistants, including Angela and Olivia, who had to lean up against the walls. 

I wasn't sure what was going on. And as I looked over at James, who was usually in the know before me, his expression matched mine. Confused. 

Douglas cleared his throat. “Thank you all for being here. I wanted to announce this in front of everybody.” I kept my gaze fixed on James, feigning any interest in what our misguided leader had to say. 

“As you know, the tradeshow in Sydney is coming up very soon. And we are going to be there to represent Highway and this fine institution. I'm going to be there. And one of you is coming with me.” 

He looked across at GG and smiled. “Now, some of you have suggested someone from the marketing department go with me. Whilst I think this has been a valid idea, it's crucial they meet the heart and soul of the business. That is why I've decided.”

He paused, swivelling in the oversized boardroom armchair towards me.

“Andie, you are going to be the one that goes to Sydney with me.”

My heart stopped. It was one of the only times in my life when I genuinely felt like I was going to have a heart attack. Or some sort of cardiac event to justify the enormity of the news that I just heard. 

Why was Douglas taking me with him? Why was the one in this situation? He know you all too well; there were other people who were more interested in going than me.

He knew I would never be able to paint a smile on my face long enough to impress all the other businessmen like him. Pretending to be content in his company?

He picked the wrong woman. 

I let out a distinguishable sigh. “Is this set in stone, or is this something we can negotiate?” 

Now, all the eyes in the room on me as I began refuted his announcement. “It's just there's a lot of designing to do, and I don't think that I can quite take the time away from it.” My words weren’t dignified, fumbling, sounding unsure of myself. But my intentions were true.

It wasn't a lie, either. I knew the next collection after our launch drop would come around quicker than I'd hoped. And I wasn't sure right now if I was going to secure the rights to Highway before that happened. Finding my whale was proving challenging. 

I had to buy myself some time. I had to be in Melbourne and stop things. 

Going to Sydney? That would mean I would lose control.

“No, this is not negotiable. Angela has already booked the tickets.”

The meeting didn't last much longer before Douglas dismissed the team, and we went back to our work. I knew my fate was sealed, no matter what anyone else had to say about the subject.

Even GG, who, as we exited the boardroom, stopped me, pulled me to the side and questioned me. 

“Since when have you been sleeping with Douglas again?” 

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Day 233