Tell Me Carter

Chapter 3: You Can't Be in Here

“Hey girl! Great presentation!” The three of us whirl around and are standing face to face with Pita—aka the witch who cheated with my ex. “Did she just??,” Savannah gives us a puzzled look. “Get out!” says Toni. “You are not welcome here!” “It’s a public bathroom. You can’t ask me to leave,” the harpie shrills. “Who asked?! You must be hard of hearing,” Toni responds. “Girl. Just say the word. I been waiting to beat that a$$!” Savannah shouts. “You couldn’t beat a blind man at I Spy!” laughs Pita, “But I will not go easy on you just because we used to be friends!” The three of them are cussing, and their voices are loud. “Please lower your voices,” I beg. “I don’t need any more attention.”

“What is going on here?!” A tall man in a dark suit says as he enters the ladies' bathroom. “You can’t be in here,” Savannah, Toni, and Pita say in unison. “I can be anywhere I choose. I own the building. Now you three…get out!!” The man engages in a stand-off with the women. “Look!” begins Savannah, “We don’t know you, and we’re not leaving you with our friend! I don’t care if your suit did cost two thousand dollars!” “Try five thousand, Miss Davis. I assure you that if you do not leave right now. All three of you will be unemployed by the morning!” asserts the man—who I now recognize. “Savannah, it’s ok. Just go,” I say. My voice is not much more than a whisper. “This is Jacob Elliott, founder, owner, CEO, of JE Capital.”

Jacob turns around and stares at me and then turns back to my friends and Pita. “Leave!” he orders. They file out, and the two of us are left alone in the bathroom. I turn around and lean against the counter, facing the mirror. “Am I already boring you, Miss Cadwell?” “Excuse me?” I reply, puzzled by his question.” He continues speaking but my ears must be playing tricks on me. “Termination?!” I yell in disbelief. “My body and s*x life were put on full display for everyone, and I’m being threatened??! The rumors are true! You are an asshole, Jacob!”

I go to storm past him, but there must be water on the floor. He catches me, and I can feel that his arms are muscular. He doesn’t even strain under my body weight. I’m not overweight, but I don’t eat salads all day either! James used to give me all types of hell for it. Jacob gently brings me to my feet and holds on to my arm. He looks me in the eye, and for a minute, I see something almost kind, but it instantly disappears. “That’s Mr. Elliott to you! If you are ready to leave, I’ll have my driver take you home.”