24. Chapter 24
Chapter 24
T he alarm blared for the fourth or fifth time, and I reached over to hit snooze again. “Go to hell, Monday,” I grumbled. As I pulled the comforter more tightly around me, I tried to ignore the voice in my head nagging me to wake up.
“Fine, I’m awake!” I muttered aloud, swinging my legs off the bed and throwing off the covers. I looked around my room and cringed at the clothes strewn over the floor and in and around the open suitcase. I silently promised myself to tidy up today as I stepped over a few piles on my way to the kitchen.
After starting the coffeepot, I grabbed some bread from the bread box and carefully inspected it for signs of mold. Finding two slices with no green or furry spots, I put them in the toaster and turned my phone on.
I was surprised to see so many text messages.
But none from Gregory.
Jenn demanded to know how the weekend had gone, Jack asked if I was up for an early run, and both my mother and Lillian requested I call them today.
Yawning, I buttered my toast, choosing to ignore all but Jenn’s texts for now. As I waited for my coffee to brew, I texted Jenn, briefly relaying the dismal results of my weekend away.
I barely noticed the buttery goodness as I waited for Jenn to confirm my thoughts—that I needed to give up this ridiculous fantasy and move on.
My jaw dropped when I read her response.
Jenn
Next time you see him, amp up the sexy.
Viviana
I thought you were a feminist!
Jenn
I am. A good feminist knows how to use her assets.
Viviana
That doesn’t sound like feminism.
Jenn
It is if we use our assets on our own terms! I might be making this up as I go …
Viviana
OK, you win. But it’s too early in the morning to talk about my, uh, assets
Jenn
Just trust me on this. And if you don’t see results, he’s not worth it. End of story.
Viviana
Starting to wonder if you know what feminism is.
Jenn
Just trust me, Viv. When do you next see him?
As I added a generous amount of cream and sugar cubes to my coffee, I remembered that Gregory had vaguely mentioned a business meeting with Brandon and Ron this week. So maybe I’d see him at the office.
I would need to invent a reason to go to the office, since my visits were typically rare. Too bad I already picked up the AMA manual last night. I’d also need to find something sexy but not overdressed for a brief office visit. Not exactly an easy task, especially with most of my clothes lying on the floor, whether clean or dirty. I sighed. I’d need much more coffee for this.
Over an hour later, I was dressed in my best sundress—not exactly sexy, but still showing some skin, probably too much for the cool spring. I shook my head while climbing into my car.
Using my assets, what kind of feminist am I? And what the heck am I thinking? How is this going to help at all?
I still hadn’t devised an excuse to visit the office; I’d be relying on my typically weak ability to improvise. With bravado apparently coming in unpredictable waves, I had to take advantage of the tide when it came.
Despite the uncertainty about what I was doing and why, dressing up did boost my confidence, which was sorely needed of late. Walking into the office, I smiled and said hello to several work acquaintances returning from their midmorning walk breaks. They were illustrators, I think. Or maybe photographers. I hadn't spent much time getting to know the staff, other than my fellow editors.
Remembering that I hadn’t yet responded to Jack’s text, I made a mental note to arrange a morning run with him soon. Groaning, I recalled Lillian’s plea for me to call; I needed to just make time for it. As soon as I was back home.
As I walked down the hall, I finally devised a passable excuse to be visiting the office again. I would just say, if anyone asked, that I needed to borrow another style guide, perhaps an older edition. Not the most original excuse, but it could work if anyone were curious. I slowed my stride while walking by a conference room, forcing my gaze to be casual as I sought any sign of Gregory.
The first conference room was empty, so I headed to the library to retrieve the book that I didn’t actually need. Fortunately, I’d come in a different entrance today, so I wouldn't be waylaid by Ellen again before reaching the library.
Just before reaching the library door, I slowed as I recognized Brandon's voice within the library. “So, did you see her again Saturday night?”
“Who? Do you mean Viviana?” said Gregory. I froze, putting my hand on the wall to steady me.
“No, the hot one. From the spa,” Brandon said.
“You will have to be more specific,” Gregory said, sounding bored.
Brandon laughed. “Point taken. There were quite a few to choose from, you’re right.”
I clenched my fists as my heart began to race. What a jerk! Apparently I was hot enough for Brandon to flirt shamelessly with, but then again, he seemed willing to flirt with anyone. Taking a deep but silent breath, I debated whether to enter the room or turn around.
“But that reminds me—how are things progressing with Marekson anyway?” Brandon asked.
At the mention of my father’s pen name, I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Quite well,” Gregory said. “We were only able to meet once, but I was able to gather a fair amount of information that you may find rather useful. I will send along my notes tonight.”
Brandon laughed. “I look forward to it. The payoff will be huge, I think. Was she very devastated then when you dumped her?”
“I did not need to.”
“Oh, that’s cold, even for you.”
“She does not have very high expectations,” Gregory said nonchalantly. “Wooing her consumed very little effort on my part.”
“So it’s been easy, feigning interest in her?” Brandon asked.
One of them sighed, probably Gregory. “Not exactly easy, but not difficult either. She's not ugly. And she was desperate for any bit of attention I threw at her. Surely you noticed that yourself.”
Brandon snorted. “I did. I want to say it was masterful, Gregory, but then, anyone could’ve done it.”
“Probably,” Gregory agreed, making shuffling sounds with his feet.
I was frozen in place, numb and holding my breath as I listened with a sinking feeling in my abdomen. But the possibility of them finding me in the hallway jolted me into motion, and I spun around and began to run, not walk, in the other direction. Heedless of the possibility of running into someone coming out of an office room, my vision was narrowed to the exit door. I had to leave. Nothing else mattered.
Before I escaped the building, my luck worsened. Instead of running into someone, I just fell … flat on my face. Heedless of any pain and thinking only of survival, I put my palms down on the floor and used them to raise my head and scan the floor. I didn't even see anything nearby to trip over. Of course I couldn’t pull off running in strappy sandals.
I rose to my feet slowly, my mortification knowing no bounds as I became more aware of my surroundings.
My eyes landed squarely on Ellen, standing between me and the exit door with a curious expression.
I rose reluctantly to meet her inquisitive eyes. Still in shock, I stood motionless except for my labored breathing. As I caught my breath and my head began to clear, the humiliation turned into a burning anger. My lips pressed into a thin line. “Did you tell him?”
Ellen tilted her head, looking puzzled. “Did I tell who? Tell them what?”
Gritting my teeth, with my face on fire, I took a step closer to my boss. “ What did you tell him about me? ”
Ellen’s expression changed as understanding dawned. My eyes widened, and I parted my lips to speak and then closed them. Trembling, I shook my head and strode past her.