CHAPTER TWELVE
681 Words
SCARLETT
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, taking in my pale face and tired eyes. I looked unrecognizable. The hospital stay had drained me, but I refused to let it break me. Today, I was going back to work. I had no choice.
I took one last look at myself in the mirror before leaving the apartment.
I felt different when I walked into the office, I fart like I had been punched over and over again in my guts.
A part of me, actually held on to the possibility that Jason might come back for me. But I was proved wrong yesterday.
Jason had never been mine.
And I had wasted my years with him.
I tightened my grip on my bag, ignoring the curious eyes that seem to be analyzing me as I made way to Michael’s office.
Jenny had assured me he wouldn’t fire me, but I still needed to apologize, and because she said he won’t doesn’t mean anything. He could really be angry and I couldn’t afford to lose this job—not when it was my only shot at survival. So I planned on groveling if that’s what it will cost me.
Taking a steadying breath, I knocked on his office door.
“Come in.”
The deep timbre of his voice sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Michael was seated at his desk, his sharp blue eyes already locked onto me. He looked the same as always—impossibly composed, like nothing in the world could shake him. But there was something in his gaze, something assessing, like he was studying me more closely than before.
I swallowed and straightened my posture. “Good morning, sir.”
“Scarlett.” He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Why did you come in today, you should have taken the day off”
I nodded. “I couldn’t sir, after what happened yesterday. I need to apologize to you, I hope you don’t fire me, I will prove myself to you in this 2 weeks probation.
“I’m not firing you.”
I blinked, caught off guard by how easily he dismissed my concern.
Michael folded his hands on the desk. “But I do expect you to be honest with me.”
I stiffened. “Honest?”
His piercing gaze not leaving me. Yesterday’s encounter wasn’t just stress. I know stress when I see it and that wasn’t it.
My breath caught, but I forced myself to stay calm. Jenny had said she didn’t tell him, but I can’t show it’s something serious because he will pick up on it.
I shifted under his scrutiny. “You don’t have to worry sir, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
His lips pressed together, like he wasn’t satisfied with my answer but wasn’t going to push.
“Good,” he said after a beat. “Because you have work to do.”
Relief flooded me.
He gestured toward the chair in front of his desk. “Sit.”
I hesitated before obeying.
Does he always order people around.
Michael slid a folder across the desk. “I want you to go over this document, there are mistakes in it and I need you to report back fully in it by noon.
I nodded, eager to prove myself. “Understood.”
He studied me for a moment, then added, “And Scarlett?”
I looked up.
His voice was quieter, but firm. “If there’s something I need to know, you will have to tell me at your own time. I don’t push you”
My fingers curled around the folder.
I wasn’t ready for that.
Not yet.
So I nodded, gave him the most professional smile I could muster, and left his office.
But as I sat down at my desk, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Michael Sterling is way smarter than I give him credit for. And sooner or later my secrets will be out.
And that terrified me.
- Writer
