Chapter 18 #2
A private rooftop pool gleamed beneath the stars.
She pictured herself pondering the poetry of existence while sipping on the most expensive champagne.
Wide-plank oak flooring stretched beneath her feet, each step into the unknown cushioned by the sheer luxury surrounding her.
The whole place felt like a fortress of serenity amidst an otherwise energetic city.
She was in love—also flabbergasted that anyone could actually afford such an apartment.
The hired catering team rushed in and out of the chef’s kitchen with one exquisite tray after another. If her appetite hadn’t become solely accustomed to the cheap bottle of red from the corner store, she might’ve been inclined to try some.
There had been a constant stream of emails to Leah’s work phone since she’d left early that afternoon.
A number of things either tied up or waiting to be addressed the moment she returned.
A new year equalled a fresh start. She ignored most of them—the subject line a clear indicator they could wait until she was back in two days—but there was one—
Was she the person standing in the corner of the most extravagant apartment checking work updates? Yes. Some might call it dedicated; she called it pathetic.
Have a night off.
The email was from the HR manager. The subject line read:
Employee info needed re: Ariana Harrison
“What the fuck,” Leah said.
She scanned the room for her father. This had to be a mistake. There had to be more than one Ariana Harrison in New York. Plausible.
“Dad, can I talk to you, please?” Leah tugged at his arm.
“Are you leaving already?” He frowned.
Leah ignored his question. “Why have I just been cc’d on an email from HR requesting info for a new advisor?”
Douglas shook his head.
“Tell me it’s not my Ariana?”
He didn’t respond.
“Dad? What did you do?”
“I was hoping I might have the chance to discuss it with you before word got out.” He rubbed his forehead.
“What the hell, Dad? You hired Ariana?”
“She came to see me before you arrived in town. I figured it wouldn’t matter—you didn’t seem keen on the city.
Ariana is one of the best financial advisors I’ve seen in a long time.
She’d be an asset to the business. But then she had a long notice period at her current company, so I kept looking.
When we put the ad out last month, she showed interest again, so I met with her. ”
“Wait, is that why she was using one of our conference rooms a few weeks ago?”
“Yes. We had a conversation about it.”
“What did you offer her?” Leah demanded.
“Why does that matter?”
“Because it matters.” Her voice was tight with frustration.
Douglas sighed sharply, rubbing his temple as if a headache was already forming.
“It was a good business decision, Leah.”
“You’re not answering my question.” Leah shot back.
“I offered a 20% signing bonus.” His voice was firm now.
“Twenty percent! Are you kidding me? That’s way above what you were willing to offer the candidates I pre-screened.”
“I don’t mean to be harsh, but my job is to make decisions for the business, sweetheart—not for your feelings. Ariana is reliable and skilled. She’s a huge win for us.”
Leah clenched her hands into fists. “I can’t believe this.”
“You’re letting personal history cloud your judgment, Leah.” His tone hardened.
“When did you offer her the 20% signing bonus?”
“A couple of weeks ago.”
“And has she signed the agreement?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“The same day you left to meet her for pizza after work. I was going to tell you, but I figured she wanted to do it herself.”
“How could I have been so stupid?” Leah’s voice cracked, emotion catching in her throat.
“I don’t understand?” Douglas placed a comforting hand on his daughter’s arm. “What is it?”
Leah was silent for a moment, the sting of betrayal hitting hard. It all made sense now.
“She found a way into the company through me. She clearly wanted to rebuild a relationship so I wouldn’t shut down the opportunity. A nice 20% signing bonus—way above industry average. As soon as she signed, she didn’t care anymore.”
Douglas sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Have you not heard from her?”
“She texted me after the night at the pizzeria saying she had a lot to figure out. I never responded. She hasn’t made any other attempt to contact me.”
Leah’s chest tightened at the thought of Ariana. The bitterness rising in her throat threatened to choke her. She refused to plead. Leah’s hands trembled, tension in her body boiling. She didn’t know how to feel—furious or distraught.
“I don’t know what to do, Dad,” she said softly.
“I think you need to turn off your work emails for tonight. Let’s have a drink, see the new year in, and tomorrow you and I will take a ride along the Hudson and talk it all through. You can invite your mother if you like.”
“I bet she’d love that.” Leah rolled her eyes.
It was the best she could do; her body refused to let her laugh.
Judy was due in the city the next day, a compromise for Leah not going home for the holidays.
She wasn’t sure she could muster the energy to entertain. Luckily, Judy was the perfect listener.
“I need a drink.”
Leah’s chest hurt. She had to walk away—she knew that much.
From Ariana. From her job? If Ariana chose to work at Douglas Green, then Leah had to leave.
A life back in Michigan wouldn’t be the worst thing.
She missed it. Her old company would have her back.
It wasn’t just about Ariana anymore—there was her father, the health of the business.
Maybe she wasn’t cut out for it after all.
Maybe Ariana was.