7. Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Jemima
The next day, I arrive at the office, standing before the door marked with the bold letters Recaredo Events . The second eviction notice in two days ignites a new fire of determination in my belly. This business is mine and will someday belong to Chad.
The fact that I’ll now be able to leave something for him when I’m gone feels like a weight has been lifted. Before, to no one’s fault but my own, he’d be left with nothing, and the heaviness in my gut at feeling like a bad mom weighs me down. But now I’m taking control, and I’ll never let a man take care of me again.
As I walk down the long corridor, I think about the pile of financial problems the business is in, unpaid invoices, cash flow problems, vendor debts, and how much Molly and Danny need me to fix it. I’m working through these problems one at a time.
I pause at the desk, where Molly greets me with a casual, “Hey, boss.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “What did I say about calling me that?” I ask, though it’s a reminder I appreciate.
She shrugs as she continues typing away. Her ability to multitask is one of the reasons I value her.
I hold my PB I forwarded it to you.”
My eyes widen, and I have to stop myself from running into my office and reading it. Instead, I take a deep breath, square my shoulders, and smile. “Thanks.” Telling myself to slow down and not to get my hopes up, I take a breath.
“I also came up with some design concepts,” he adds yelling down the hallway as I walk to my office.
I take a seat in my cold leather chair and power on the computer to immediately read it.
A small baby shower. Cute. But I can’t help but be deflated. It's not going to make the money I need to rent a new apartment. A few extra items of food? Yes, and as if on cue, my stomach rumbles. I drink some water, knowing I don’t have a snack, only lunch, so I begin working. I’m picking up the books where I left them yesterday.
Hours later, Molly calls out.
“Jem?”
“Yeah,” I say, still reading the old invoice and typing it into the spreadsheet.
“Harvey’s on the line.”
Harvey?
Oh, fuck off.
I close my eyes and take another deep breath.
“Tell him I’m busy,” I reply, irritated.
“He seems adamant,” she calls back.
I shake my head, trying to focus on the task before me. “Just tell him I’ll call him back.”
“He’s got a hot voice.”
I scoff internally but keep my lips sealed at what he looks like in person.
“Like a phone sex operator.” Her voice interrupts my daydream.
It suddenly dawns on me; can he hear all this?
“Is he still on the line?” I rush out.
“Yeah, he’s on hold. Why, do you want to talk to him?”
Do I?
“No.”