Chapter 19 Rebecca
REBECCA
“So we need all those contracts printed before next week so I can look them over and approve them,” I say to Rosalie as I lean against her desk out at reception.
It’s the next day, and I barely slept last night. Not knowing how Steven’s talk with Cam went. It was hard to shut off my brain.
I have to admit, I was surprised walking into work earlier. I assumed that Cam would’ve already told the entire staff about catching Steven and me together in his office last night. But everyone is either hiding it very well, or Steven’s little talk with him went well.
I’m praying for the latter. I enjoy my job here, and my bank account isn’t complaining either. Not to mention, I love spending time with Steven, as does Damian. I don’t want the conflict. I don’t want to have to leave my job because an overgrown man-child can’t take no for an answer.
“I can have them to you before the end of the day today. Do we know how many meetings he’s holding next week?” Rosalie asks, trying to find the file on her computer that holds the contract formats.
“I think five. It’s going to be a busy week for everyone. Five new potential clients in one week seems like a new record for Impact Media.” As I answer her question, my eyes wander to the windows of Steven’s office.
Damian has since dragged his chair next to Steven, and they are both laughing at something on his tablet. Smiling, I can feel my heart begin to melt.
I never imagined that Damian would have the chance to bond with his father, even if he has no idea yet. He immediately stuck to Steven like glue, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“Well, let’s hope I don’t screw up anything next week for them,” Rosalie says with a giggle.
I shake my head as my eyes come back to her. “You didn’t screw anything up. Just needed a little more practice. You’re practically a pro now.”
Over the last two weeks, Rosalie and I have become close. It feels nice to have a friend; someone who is not a part of my family, someone who I can talk to. Although I’d love to be able to fully vent to her about everything that’s going on.
My life is a constant stress factor, and I need to get things off my chest. Things that Steven wouldn’t understand. She and I often joke about Cam and how he’s relentless with the flirting. She finds him just as repulsive as I do.
Patting her hand, I smile and turn, heading for the water cooler that’s tucked into the corner by the elevators. The cold water splashes into the little plastic cup, and I take a sip, sighing as I didn’t know how thirsty I actually was.
I turn around to walk back over to Rosalie, but stop quickly, nearly running directly into Cam’s chest and spilling my water.
He smiles as I look up at him with a raised eyebrow and a sour expression. My eyes quickly dart around him to Steven, but he is still occupied with the video on the tablet.
“Listen,” Cam starts calmly, putting his hands up in a surrender pose. “I’m just here to apologize. I came on too strong with you over the last two weeks. And I acted crazy last night. So, I’m sorry.”
My brows raise, and I’m genuinely shocked he’s here saying sorry instead of making yet another sexual innuendo toward me. This is very much out of character for him.
That talk Steven had with him last night must’ve actually worked.
“Wow.” My voice nearly cracks. “Thank you. I really appreciate the apology.”
Smiling at him, I go to walk past him to take my spot back at the reception desk with Rosalie. However, his large hand grabs my arm slightly roughly, causing me to stop.
“I’m actually not done yet.” His tone shifts into something more sinister, and his eyes darken as I peer up at him. He leans down, placing his mouth close to my ear, making my stomach twist. “I have a message from the Riccis. They still hold true to their word … so be careful who you fuck with.”
As he pulls away, there’s no longer a smirk on his face. He wears a look that makes me instantly feel threatened and worried for my safety.
What the hell did he just say?
How does he know about that … does this mean that Steven now knows? I immediately clear that thought from my mind. If he knew, he wouldn’t be smiling and laughing in his office right now, oblivious to what his asshole brother is doing.
Anger fuels through my body as I jerk my arm free of his grip. “You know,” he starts again with a low enough tone that no one else can hear him. He stands so close that I fear I will reek of his cologne. “If you just let me take you out, I’ll keep all of this to myself.”
I can feel the grimace form on my face. To even think that I’m going to allow him to blackmail me is a fucking joke. I may have let his parents scare me off all those years ago, but I’ll be damned to let history repeat itself.
He leans in again, causing me to back away slightly. “And if it goes well, you may have two Ricci kids.” My breath catches in my throat, in such shock that he would stoop so low as to involve my innocent child in this mess that he’s causing.
My anger turns to pure, burning rage, and I throw my water at him, soaking his entire outfit down the front. Cold water drips from the tip of his nose. “You go to hell!” I scream, not phased anymore if anyone hears me.
I’ve never been so disrespected in my life …
What a pig.
“Whoa, whoa,” I hear Steven holler as he steps out into the lobby. Instantly, my angry expression switches to a worried one. “What the hell is going on?”
This is it. Cam’s going to lay all my skeletons out in the open.
My stomach turns and I begin to feel nauseous. That all too familiar feeling of wanting to disappear rears its ugly head as Steven’s eyes shift from me to his brother. I can see other employees peeking their heads out of their offices to see the commotion.
“Mommy?” I hear Damian say innocently, and tears form in my eyes. I would die inside if he found out the truth this way.
Luckily, Rosalie, who’s witnessed everything, rushes over to him and takes his hand. “Why don’t we see what snacks they have in the lunchroom?” She quickly pulls him out of harm’s way, and I think I will forever be grateful for her act of kindness.
With a sigh of relief, I look back at Steven, who is now staring at Cam as he turns to face him. “The question you need to be asking Becca is who the real father of that little boy is.” As the words fall out of his open lips, my heart shatters a little more.
Cam shoves harshly past Steven, who stands dumbfounded for a moment, his eyes drilling into my skull as my eyes drop to the now-wet carpet.
I want to crumple to the floor and never get back up. I wanted to tell him myself, on my own terms … Not like this.
The silence that envelopes us is deafening as I wait for a reaction from him. His expression remains blank. It’s like his mind completely shut off while trying to process his brother’s confession.
I wish he would hurry up and get whatever he’s going to do done and over with. This anticipation is absolutely killing me.
“Steven?” I ask with a shaky voice.
He grasps my wrist gently, pulling me behind him as he enters his office and shuts the door. I stand in the center, watching as he keeps his eyes on the carpet, rubbing the back of his neck as he paces in front of me.
“Steven,” I manage to say again in a soft tone. “I’m …” But my words cut off. I can’t muster up the courage to say anything until he reacts. Is he mad? Is he hurt?
His face reveals nothing to me, and that’s the worst part of this entire thing.
He stops suddenly and stands before me, his eyes staring into my soul. “What the hell was he talking about, Becca?”