Claimed By My Boss

Chapter 8

My mom’s hands grasp my shoulder and I jump at the contact. Elijah’s mouth curls up on one side and I have to fight the urge to smack that smirk right off his face. My mind is running a million miles a minute. Why is he here? Was he sitting here, in my kitchen with my parents, while he was texting me earlier? Has he come to let my parents know of the kind of behaviour I’ve been displaying? The shame they would feel. The shame I would feel. My stomach turns.

“I’m sure you’re confused right now, Grace. There is a lot that you don’t know, a lot that your parents haven’t told you. They haven’t been able to tell you.” The calmness is Elijah’s voice is unsettling.

I look to my parents concerned. They look… guilty. Their gazes quickly leave mine and return to Elijah as he continues speaking.

“Your parents are aware of who I am.”

Duh, my boss, I think.

“Beyond being your boss.” He explains as if reading my mind. “There is a history between us, one that now affects you.”

“And who are you beyond my boss?” I frown. I feel like I’m unable to even listen to any more of his words.

“That will be explained.” He says simply.

I stand from my chair. Silence befalls the room again. I walk to the counter, take out a wine glass, and help myself to some of the red wine that my mom is drinking. It’s not often she does drink, so she must feel she needs it for this conversation. While my back is turned to them I try to train my face into a steady stare. I take some quiet deep breaths. For whatever reason, letting Elijah know that I am in any way shocked, anxious… scared, that’s a power that I’m not willing to give him. Time slows. Seconds become minutes. I rack my brain trying to think of any possible way my family could be known to Elijah. Any signs I should have picked up on. And what kind of history is it?

All will be explained in time. That’s what the note with the random key had said. But I still didn’t know what the key was for, hadn’t bothered to ask. All of the times my mom had brought him up since I got that job. All the insisting that I be polite, make the effort. And my father - he never said a word about him. In hindsight, he avoided those conversations, leaving the room any time my mom pushed about my new boss. Now I feel angry. They have been hiding something from me. Been lying.

Liar. Elijah had called me that. Perhaps it ran in my blood. But he’s a liar too.

“So,” I turn back around to face them. “You have all been lying to me? And why would this history only start affecting me now? Has this been the plan all along, Elijah? Does this explain your behaviour as of late? Have I been some sort of puppet?” My anger grows with each word, each question that comes to mind.

My parents flinch at those questions. I can tell they feel bad, guilty. But Elijah… he just looks annoyed. Annoyed that I dare speak up for myself, dare to question him.

“Grace, it’s important that you just listen for now.” My dad finally speaks. I stare at him, surprised.

“You really know how to choose your moments, dad.” I wave my arm in the air.

“Grace!” My mom tries to scold me. “Please just listen.”

“Why should I? My f*****g boss says jump and you ask how high, is that how it is? What if I don’t want part of this, whatever it is?”

“Don’t speak to your mother like that. Now, sit down!” I’ve never heard my dad raise his voice so loud. “None of us are exactly pleased with how this is all playing out, Grace. But you’re not the only person affected. Your mother and I have been dreading this day since you were born. Now, please, just sit down and listen.”

My dad, he suddenly looks older. Like the world has been weighing on him all these years and I just haven’t bothered to look. My mom is standing by his side, tears silently falling down her cheeks. Now I’m really concerned.

“No.” I mumble. My fight or flight is kicking in. I’m panicking. I’ve never seen my parents like this.

“Maybe tonight isn’t the best night for explanations.” Elijah sighs, seeming to at least read the room well enough. He throws back his whiskey, stands from his chair and buttons his suit jacket. I freeze, unsure of him. “I’ll leave for now. But Grace, I will see you tomorrow. It’s the last day for the year and it’s extremely important that you be there.” He nods his goodbye to my parents and leaves. I don’t release the breath I’d been holding until I hear the front door closing.

My dad embraces my mom. She sobs into his chest. I want to cry too and I don’t even know why.

“Mom, dad. What was that? Someone please tell me what’s going on!”

“Not now, Gracie.” My dad says while still comforting my mom.

“I’m just expected to carry on as normal after that? It was as if Elijah owned you guys, us. Why was he even here, and what history is he talking about?”

“Oh, Lovey,” my mom finally pulls away from my dad. Sniffing and wiping away her tears. “It’s so hard to explain. Perhaps we should have told you more through the years, explained a few things so that this wouldn’t be such a shock. But we couldn’t. We were… it’s hard. I don’t even know where to begin. And Mr. Kline, Elijah, he should be here…”

“Let’s call it a night.” My dad interrupts, stopping the free fall of words from my mom. “Go to bed, Gracie, get some sleep. Go to work tomorrow and we will pick this up again afterwards. Just try to trust us a little.”

“But dad, how can I just act normal?”

“Because you have to. It’s one day. My daughter can get through one uncomfortable day. Everything will be fine, honey. Go on, off to bed with you.” He comes to kiss me on the forehead.

I stare blankly at my parents. I can’t even begin to comprehend anything that happened tonight. I consider arguing with them some more, demand some answers, but I can see the resolve on my dad’s face. And honestly, I’m not sure I want to know what all this is about right now. So much for my perfect night!

Elijah has just been in my house. There is something going on between him and my parents. Something that now affects me. I shake my head as if it would erase the confusion. I mutter a goodnight and go to my bedroom. I sit on the edge of my bed in shock. This past week has been the strangest of my life. The Christmas party feels like a lifetime ago. So strange. I feel another wave of anger rise inside me. I can’t help but feel like I have been manipulated by Elijah. But to what end? God, he’s a prick. I take off the necklace he gave me and put it back in its box. He can take back everything he gave me. I don’t want anything from him.

I’ll go to work tomorrow as I’ve been ordered to. But Elijah will be in for a surprise. He doesn’t get to f**k with my family and get away with it!