Anastasia Chapter 2
697 Words
Finally, our lawyers handled the divorce. I'm no longer married. He tried to suck me for everything I had, but he couldn't win anything. I spent four years together and seven years married to him. Though I'm not sad, our happiness together ended those four happy years. It was like the rain before the drought. And now, at thirty-one, I'm finally single. I haven't known this feeling since I was twenty. I feel empty or as if I did something wrong, or maybe it's my older brother Taylor who is going on and on about "what I've done."
We are going to the office, and he is still talking. "Ana, think about how our family will look?" Strange to think I care when my brother and I don't speak much. I don't know why it's become this way, but it has. "You have done great for all these years. Always right answers: you've never done something so shameful to our family." He doesn't know. He doesn't know the real me.
"Taylor, honestly, I don't care how you or the family feel. It's not your life. And if you love him so much, you can take turns with him yourself." I said, coming out of the elevator on the first floor. I saw my management team giggling and laughing. The same team that's been behind and asking for extensions.
"Uh-Em," I cleared my throat to grasp their attention. They hush. "I don't recall paying you to laugh and giggle. I don't remember allowing this extension for you to dilly-dally. GET YOUR ASSES TO WORK." I saw they had donuts. I grabbed the donuts on the lengthy food table and threw them in the trash. At the same time, walking back to the elevator, my brother was finally silent and behind me.
I heard a mumbled "b***h" in the distance. I didn't react; this was nothing new, but to create and run a multi-million dollar company, you must step on some toes, which I am okay with. While riding up to the eleventh floor, my brother continued. "You know, sometimes you ought to listen. I'm your older brother." I'm the youngest of four children, yet the most successful.
We finally reached the eleventh floor, and he's still going. When the doors opened, I saw my secretary, Stephon Ricardson, sitting at his desk. He's pretty like a painting. As my brother continued speaking, I led him to my office. I could see Stephon staring at me through the glass. His eyes were curious, like a child unaware of the surrounding danger. At this point, I have entirely zoned my brother out, but the scared look on Stephon's face makes me want to wrap this up. I need to see it again. "Taylor, I don't feel like doing this now or later. My life is my life, Mom and Dad, and you will have to understand that with no questions asked. Leave now," I said to him without making eye contact. My eyes were stuck on Stephon. "You know what." He replied, "When you dig yourself in a hole and see how many connections you lose, don't come running here." When did I ever come to my family for comfort? That doesn't even sound like me. I smiled. "Okay, thank you, brother. I love you, bye." He left angry. But I don't care.
I went over to Stephon, who was looking down at his paperwork. His neck is so strong, sculptured, and gentle. I'd like to know if I'd squeeze it, how it would feel, and what face he'd make. "Good morning, Mr. Richardson." He looked up slowly. Our eye contact was terrific. I thought of myself diving into his eyes for too long. "Is something the matter?" He asked. I had this funny feeling like I'd been caught. Come on, make up a stupid excuse. "Well, I'm waiting for my schedule for the day. You know your job?" He looked embarrassed, but at least I was saved. If he knew what I was thinking, I'd be on blogs for s****l harassment in the workplace. He started to tell me my schedule, but I needed to get him in that office.
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