Chapter Twenty-two
Maria
I didn’t sleep well the night before. Once I was home I researched all I could into my publishing house. I wasn’t able to confirm or deny the rumors that have been flowing. This frustrates me. If unethical practices are going on, they’re doing a hell of a job at keeping it hidden. I also can’t find anything to prove that article isn’t mine.
The entire world around me feels surreal, like I’ve woken up in a nightmare that just won’t end. It isn’t Freddy coming after me, but every eighties monster ever created, and they all have weapons, and I’m the girl in the film who’s just tripped.
All I can do is figure out how this all happened. I won’t get answers from home. I get dressed, taking extra time to make sure I look my most professional and put together. I feel as if I’m going into a battle . . . and I must be the victor. I’ve been betrayed, though, and I need to figure out how it happened. I love my job far too much to allow this.
I arrive at the office and barely greet people as they look at me with wide eyes. They know me, know I’d never betray any of my authors. They also know how I feel about Mason. I’m sure they’re as shocked by the article as I am.
“Good luck, Maria,” someone whispers as I move straight to Robert’s door. I nod at her but don’t make eye contact. I can’t at this point. I have to remain focused. I get to Robert’s door which is cracked. I don’t knock, something I’ve never done before, but simply walking through the office has reignited my anger.
I push open the door, then stand there in shock when I see Sabrina, Mason’s ex, leaning close to Robert as they whisper with each other. They both stop at my entrance, their grins still in place as they see me. My stomach drops to my toes.
They both look at me as I send a bewildered look their way. Robert composes himself quickly. “Maria, I wasn’t expecting you here today,” he says.
I square my shoulders and give him a stern look. “We need to speak now.”
He raises an eyebrow. I’ve never used this tone of voice with him before. He looks amused and before he says anything I know it’s him who’s betrayed me. How could I have been so blind for this long? I understand how Mason’s feeling right now, because I feel utterly broken. I’ve put my heart and soul into this job with this company.
“What’s on your mind?” he asks.
“The article is on my mind. The article that twisted everything I wrote, that betrayed both Mason, his family, and his team. You’re the one who pushed for me to interview Mason. I had no idea why you wanted me to do it when he hasn’t confirmed he even wants to publish, and then everything I wrote was twisted. I want to know how that pack of lies was published with my name on it.”
Sabrina lets out a chuckle and I glance at her to see a smug smile on her lips. She’s the one who speaks up. I wonder if she’s secretly been working for our company, betraying her own. It appears to be that way.
“Welcome to the world of publishing, sweetheart. People don’t want the ordinary, every day stuff, they want juicy details. We do whatever it takes to gain publicity and to sell books which is what our authors want as well.”
“You’re a hack of an editor, and my authors don’t want to sell their souls in order to sell books. They want to write what they love, and be represented by the best. We aren’t the best if we’re liars,” I quickly reply.
Robert lets out a laugh, his smug smile matching Sabrina’s. “She’s right, Maria. This is how the world works. You’ve always been na?ve. You’re so good with the authors that I’ve ignored this. However, if you want to stay in the world of publishing you need to adapt. You can either jump on board or get out. Everyone’s replaceable, even you.”
I’m not sure if I’m more angry or shocked at his words. “You can’t have my name on an article that I didn’t right. You twisted what I turned in that I have the original copy of. You outright added lies, and you’ve destroyed my reputation. No author will trust me after this.” I pause as I take a deep breath. “Did you really do this all for a few book sales?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes for book sales,” he coldly says. His smile grows. “There’s a merger happening, and Mason’s team owner happens to be bidding against us. That article was a win all of the way around.”
I gape at him in shock. “This has all been a game for you.” I’m seething with rage. “You wanted Miles to get to Mason to get gossip. You’re far more underhanded than I ever could’ve imagined. You’ll go down for this.”
He laughs again, Sabrina joining him. “You can either be a part of the team or get out.”
“I’ll never be a part of this,” I tell them.
“Good. I’m more than happy to take over your job,” Sabrina says, running her hand up Robert’s arm.
“How does your wife feel about your affair?” I snap.
He laughs again. “My wife knows how the game’s played. As long as she has her spa money, she’s just fine with whatever I do.”
I let out a disgusted sigh. “I feel sorry for you and your pathetic life. There’s no amount of money that would make me choose to live the way you do.” I know there’s no use in arguing about this anymore. I decide to get straight to business.
“I quit as of this moment. You have exactly one hour to remove that article from online or my attorney will be serving you with defamation papers. There’s guaranteed to be a lawsuit over this so you better decide how much will be paid out.”
Robert and Sabrina’s eyes narrow as they lose their smiles. “You were employed by this company when that article was written, and in the contract it states that we can edit.”
“I’ve read over that contract, and I get final approval of all of my written words. The article that was posted was nothing like what I wrote. Yes, the company can change a few misspelled words, but you can’t change my entire article. Take it down within the hour and post a public apology for misrepresenting me.”
“You can’t tell me what to do,” he thunders.
“I just did,” I tell him.
“You’ll never work in the world of publishing again,” he snaps.
I laugh now, feeling free. I’ve had suspicions for a long time now, and it feels great to not have this weight over my head any longer. Leaving this place is the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ll miss my co-workers, but I won’t miss this toxic environment. I’ll land on my feet again even if it takes me a while.
I don’t say anything more. I turn on my heel and walk from his office, my heart pounding, my blood boiling. I feel a mixture of triumph and devastation. I’ve stood up for myself and I’ll never be sorry about that. I’m losing some great friends though, and that will always hurt. I’ve also lost the man I love, and that will take a lot more time to get over.
“Maria, I’m so sorry,” Tina, my assistant, says as I walk past her.
I give her a smile. “Thank you for being so great at your job and such a wonderful friend,” I tell her.
“I’m walking out right behind you. I won’t stay with a company who treats their employees or authors this way.”
“I’m going to figure out my next move. Give me a call in a couple of weeks. I might just have a job for you,” I tell her.
“That’s what I was hoping,” she says. She jumps up and gives me a hug.
Several more people assure me all will be okay, multiple people moving toward Robert’s office to quit. I hate to see anyone leaving the security of their job, but I know how talented the team of people here are. They’ll land on their feet. Everyone will be okay. Hopefully Robert won’t be though. He needs to pay for what he’s done.
As I walk out of the building, the reality of my situation hits me like a ton of bricks. I now have no job, no idea what I’m doing next, and for the moment, a very tarnished reputation. Tears fill my eyes, but I push them away. I refuse to shed another tear for that man and that place. I hold my up head high.
I’ve lost a lot these past few days, but I still have my integrity. That’s enough to build upon. I can still look in the mirror and like who I see. I don’t think people understand how important that is.
I move to the park nearby and sit on a bench to people watch. I gaze out as a couple of teenagers laugh while throwing a frisbee back and forth. Over at the playground a group of children are chasing each other, climbing ladders and rushing down the slides. The world continues moving forward even if my own seems to be spinning out of control. This is the reality of life. It doesn’t stop just because I’m spinning in the middle of a tornado.
I’ll allow myself to feel bad today. I deserve it. After this, I’ll pick up the pieces and figure out what comes next. Whatever it is will be great. I have no doubt about it. I’m a fierce woman and there’s nothing I can’t do when I want it bad enough. Time truly does heal all wounds. This situation is no different. It’s rough for now, but at least it can only get better from here.