Chapter 7 - Angela
I really wasn’t surprised to find myself being called into HR the minute I walked into work Friday morning.
I also wasn’t surprised to see Ben and Peter sitting there.
I was a little surprised to see that Ben had brought a lawyer.
When we spoke last night, he hadn’t said a word about needing representation.
Maybe he found a different way to protect us?
“Good morning, Ms. Reed.” The frigid-looking HR lady said in a brisk voice. She was in her late thirties, wore her dark hair in a tight bun, and already had frown lines starting.
“Good morning,” I said in a timid voice.
Before settling as a receptionist, I had come to L.A.
with dreams of being on the big screen someday.
Other than starring in a panty liner ad and a speed dating commercial, that dream had crashed and burned.
The skills I had learned from endless classes and theater clubs, however, were going to come out today.
“Do you know why I’ve called you in today?” Janine- no Jane… no Janice-What the hell is her name? - asked with an eyebrow raised. I shot a quick glance at the name plate on her desk.
Amy Jaimes, HR.
“No, Ms. Jaimes.” I looked around the room and feigned confusion.
“A serious accusation was brought to my attention by Mr. Nunley and Mr. Landon regarding your recent behavior.” Amy droned on and on about how Peter had brought it to her attention that I was sexually harassing Ben, and when they asked Ben, he admitted it was true.
His lawyer went on to explain how I’d been inappropriately flirting with Ben for weeks, but that last night I had stalked Ben back to his home where, in his grief, he had drunkenly given in to my advances.
Ben did admit that he was sober enough to be accountable for his moment of weakness, but was adamant that he had never invited me to his home or shared his address with me.
True.
When Amy turned to me and asked for my side of the story, I found that I was rendered speechless by my shock. This all felt more intense, more extreme than what Ben and I had discussed.
“I-I…” I swallowed hard and glanced at Ben for encouragement. His face was a blank mask, and his lawyer shifted to block my view.
“Ms. Reed, please look at me.” Amy instructed.
“I’m not sure what you want me to say.” I choked out. It felt like the walls were slowly moving in.
Why did he bring a lawyer?
“I want to hear your side before we decide how to handle these accusations.” Amy reiterated calmly.
“My side… my- uh Benji and I-“ I winced and swallowed again. “Mr. Landon and I were working together a lot over the last few weeks, lots of late nights, dinners with clients… he had expressed that things at home weren’t good-“
“False.” Ben’s lawyer interrupted me, and I turned to stare at him. “Mr. Landon did not discuss the status of his marriage while working with Ms. Reed.”
Okay, technically that’s true. It wasn’t while we worked… it was while we fucked.
I glared at Ben but bit my tongue.
“He implied it.” I corrected through gritted teeth. “I must’ve misunderstood the signals he was sending.”
“So, you thought that your advances were wanted?” Amy prompted.
“I did. Until last night when his wife returned home early and B-Mr. Landon got very upset with me.” I looked down at my lap.
“Did Mr. Landon invite you to his home?” Amy asked.
“No.”
“Had he ever invited you to his home? Or given you his address?”
“No.”
“Had Mr. Landon ever said anything that led you to believe your advances were wanted?” Amy asked.
“Objection.” Ben’s lawyer interrupted.
“It’s not a courtroom.” Amy said with a scowl.
“Given that Ms. Reed has already admitted to interpreting the state of Mr. Landon’s marriage on her own I am not comfortable with the wording of your question.
Rather than asking her if she was ever ‘led to believe’ it would be better to ask if Mr. Landon ever verbally told Ms. Reed he wanted more than a professional relationship with her. ”
My mind raced back through all of our interactions. In the heat of the moment, Ben had often told me how hot I was, or how much he wanted to fuck me… but until last night, he hadn’t ever said anything about a future together.
“Well, Ms. Reed… can you answer Mr. Gatti’s question?” Amy looked frustrated.
“He never said he wanted a relationship.” I whispered.
“There you have it.” Mr. Gatti said and rose to his feet, “With Ms. Reed admitting to pursing Mr. Landon the concerns regarding my client having an inappropriate relationship with her are nullified, therefore, he has not breached his employment contract. Any questions for my client are to go through me, and in exchange for not pursuing legal recourse Mr. Landon would like Ms. Reed to sign an NDA. He will also expect one signed by Mr. Nunley and you, Ms. Jaimes. This is just additional protection to the existing laws that protect Mr. Landon’s workplace privacy.
If anyone outside this room becomes aware of the specifics of the sexual harassment it will be a breach of those laws and the NDA. ”
Three official-looking forms were slid in front of us, and we each signed where Mr. Gatti indicated. I didn’t bother reading the one he slid in front of me.
Once that was done, Ben and his lawyer left the room without a word.
Ben didn't even look at me.
It was suddenly very clear that I had been thrown completely under the bus.