Chapter 21
For a very brief period of my life, I had been a smoker in college. However, I had quickly gained enough good sense to let go of the bad habit before it truly became a problem. Now, however, as I strolled out of the restaurant to head to the town car, I couldn’t help but want a stick right at this moment.
He had pushed me so far away that I wasn’t even on the horizon, and now he was just randomly telling me to get him a bag so I could be out of the room. I was confused because he didn’t have to do any of this. Even though he was transferring me to a different department or boss, whatever, the fact was that I was still his employee and technically he could order me to do whatever he wanted, so what was the guise of being polite?
He obviously wanted the space to discuss whatever he wanted that perhaps only the managing partner and his secretary, not a past secretary, should be privy to, so I took my time at the bar ordering a beer.
I loved Asian, and the assortment presented in this restaurant was especially delicious, but so far, I had been unable to enjoy it thanks to him. Sighing, I took my time consuming my beer, watching the other patrons eating peacefully at their table and generally enjoying their meals.
Suddenly, my phone began to ring, and I looked down to see that he was the one calling. I was instantly startled, but I guessed it was okay for me to return, so I got up and started to head back to the private room. I had just reached the door when I realized that I had forgotten to get the bag, but it didn’t matter either way, given that he didn’t really need it.
Knocking slightly, I headed in politely, and it was to my shock to see the concern in the room. He was noticeably redder than I had ever seen him and seemed so uncomfortable that even the businessmen by his side were concerned. They looked toward me with questions in their gaze while he stared at me and, as calmly as he could, asked, “Where’s the bag?”
I had no idea why he was asking me this.
“Uh... I?—”
“I’m fucking allergic to peanuts!” He gritted his teeth, and I think in that moment, my heart failed.
Holy fucking shit. He truly had needed it. It wasn’t just a nonsense errand.
Nearly out of my mind with panic, I turned around and all but took off my shoes so I could sprint to the car.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Raul asking him to meet me at the door with the bag.
As I wiped the door open Raul was running up to it. His face was a mask of worry but I didn’t have time to say anything. I grabbed the bag from his outstretched hand, turned around, and ran back to the private room.
I must have been a sight to the others sitting at the tables. The ambiance of the restaurant didn’t fit a woman running through it like her pants were on fire.
I burst into the room without knocking this time and quickly opened the bag before passing it over. Unfortunately for me, I missed his hand and the bag tipped and the EpiPen flew from the bag.
The entire room gasped, and I most definitely went into shock. I watched him as he shut his eyes, his chest slowly heaving as he tried to control his temper. And then he went to search for the pen.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t even breathe.
All I could do was stare at him, I guess waiting to be shouted at or something. All the while praying that he wouldn’t die.
The entire room was so silent a pin could have dropped.
One of the men on the other side of the table reached down to the floor, picked up the pen by his feet, and slid it across the table.
Guy as calmly as he could thanked him and proceeded to take the cap off and slammed the device on his thigh so hard you heard his pants rip. His eyes were pinched shut and his breathing was ragged through his swollen lips.
Everyone remained quiet and waited until eventually he lifted his head and turned to his guests.
“Excuse me,” he said, and it was as though the room was brought back to life, and they remembered to breathe.
I, on the other hand, had turned into a statue.
“Are you alright, Mr. Templeton?” they asked. “Should we call emergency services?”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he walked out of the room and slammed the door shut behind him.