I asked around the office what time Douglas leaves on a Friday, but no one would answer me.
The girl making copies for Douglas’ secretary wouldn’t take her buds from her ears. Angela, the secretary, would keep telling me she was too busy to help. She said it with a curt smile, too, which made me think she was as kind as when I was Douglas’ girlfriend.
And, when trying to find someone else, half the office seemed out for lunch for most of the afternoon.
I probably shouldn’t have tried to ask anyone; it will get back to him I was snooping on him. Though I could cover myself. Wanting a meeting with the “boss” isn’t a crime. He wasn’t my boss, not in my mind.
Yet, I didn’t want a meeting with him. I needed to ambush him.
What didn’t help was the way he kept the door to his office closed most of the time. I had no idea if he was in or out.
Seeing the door to James’ office open, a leaned my head in. “Babe?” I felt like I was imitating him.
“Yeah, babe.”
“Are you getting a lift home today?”
He nodded. “Not until six. Rideshare with Douglas.” He stared at me. “Do you want a lift?”
“Um, sure.”
Waiting in the basement carpark with James felt like an eternity. Douglas wasn’t on time, but I used the time to recite what I was going to say. To him, to James, to the two people who needed to hear this.
I knew they would have something to say, a way of cutting me off, not listening. The more I could get the words in my mind, the better chance of saying it all.
The sound of the lift door opening echoed in the basement. I felt a jolt run through my body, reminding me to stand up straight, hold my own, don’t let this powerful man knock me over with his arrogance and control over everyone else. I’m not everyone else, I said. I see through him.
Douglas strode toward me, raising an eyebrow as he realised James wasn’t alone. “Andie, are you joining us?”
“No, I just wanted a quick word with you.”
I felt James move onto his toes. “Babe, I thought you were coming home with us. What the hell?”
I didn’t have time to explain that I had lied so I could get an audience with Douglas. Yet, I didn’t care. James had been lying to me for months. What was a few minutes of retribution?
“Well, have your word. Now.”
I cleared my throat and stared at Douglas in his steely green eyes. The way those eyes used to undress me; I wondered, what did they see now?
“Thank you.”
I couldn’t believe I was saying it.
“Thank you for letting Highway into your building and business and giving us all a chance. Personally, I won’t let you down.”
I could feel myself hating every word that left my lips. I could feel myself saying the lies with such ease, too. I didn’t like myself for it. I hated myself for doing what everyone had done to me.
Yet, if I wanted to take back what was mine, this is what I had to do. I had to pretend I wasn’t fighting, anymore.
Waiting for Douglas to reply was like waiting to find out why he was breaking up with me.
Did he believe me?
You’re reading The Andie Chronicles, the 2023 romance-fiction series from the 1 Lovelock Drive (1LD) universe.
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