ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟝𝟞 #3
My heart jumped. I sat up straighter. "Seriously?"
"Yes."
I stared at him.
After months of wondering if I'd destroyed my career, I was finally getting my job back. A smile slowly spread across my face.
"That's great." Cameron smiled too.
Ted nodded. "However-"
My smile slowly disappeared. There was always a however.
Ted continued. "You won't be returning to exactly the same position."
I frowned. "What does that mean?"
Cameron leaned forward slightly, like he was invested too.
"Georgia has been handling a significant portion of the new cases. And I want you to assist her." Ted folded his hands on the desk.
I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh, but he didn't.
"You're telling me I'm coming back to the firm to assist Georgia?"
Ted nodded. "We want to make sure the transition is smooth."
"I'm sorry, but why would Dixie need to prove herself?" Cameron frowned.
Ted looked at him. "I wasn't speaking to you."
"I know." Cameron smiled politely.
I nearly groaned. "Cameron, please let me handle this."
He raised both hands. "Okay."
"But she really is very good at her job." He looked at Ted again.
As if Ted already didn't know that.
I closed my eyes. Please stop helping.
"I'm aware." Ted gave him a tight smile.
"You should see how quickly she gets things done at home."
I turned toward him. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Nothing."
"So then why did you say it?"
"I don't know."
I glared at Cameron, and he smiled at me. I wanted to kick him under the table.
Ted continued. "Georgia has been struggling somewhat with managing the workload."
I raised an eyebrow.
"She's made several mistakes." Ted sighed.
"Exactly." I leaned forward.
"When I worked here, I handled my caseload efficiently. I never needed someone standing over me to make sure I didn't make mistakes."
Ted nodded. "Dixie, I want you to help her improve."
"You're serious." I stared at him.
"Very."
Cameron looked at Ted. "Actually, Dixie could probably teach her a lot."
"Cameron. Stop talking." I slowly turned toward him.
He nodded. "Got it."
Three seconds passed before he opened his mouth again. "She is really good, though."
I covered my face. "Cameron!"
"Sorry."
Ted looked between us. "The goal is for you to rebuild your position gradually."
"But I already had a position here. I was an attorney. Why am I being treated like I'm some new associate walking through the door for the first time?"
Ted's expression hardened slightly. "Because you left under difficult circumstances."
"I didn't leave because I couldn't do my job. That's stupid. I left because you told me I was too 'obsessed' in a case."
"And you were."
I stared at him. "And I was right."
Ted went quiet.
I leaned back. "Justin Deyes was innocent. If I had listened to you and walked away, he'd still be in prison."
Ted's jaw tightened. "Alright, Dixie."
Ted looked at Cameron for a moment, then towards me. "The Justin Deyes case was impressive."
"That's all?" I felt something inside me crack.
"Well, yes. What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know..maybe that I proved you wrong. That you were wrong about me."
Ted stayed silent.
I looked down at my hands. Maybe that was the problem. I had been expecting too much.
Ted finally spoke. "You proved you can handle difficult cases..but I still want you to earn your way back into the position you had."
I guess that was the final truth. I wasn't really getting my job back.
At least, not the job I wanted. I was getting a doorway, and Ted expected me to be grateful for being allowed to stand outside it.
"I understand." I slowly stood.
Cameron looked up at me. "Dixie?"
I ignored him. Everyone in the room watched me.
"We can discuss the details later this week."
I nodded. "Sure."
My voice sounded strangely calm, even to me. "Thank you for your time."
I turned toward the door.
Cameron immediately stood to follow.
"Thank you, Ted. Love the whole setup you've got going on, by the way."
"Thank you."
Cameron followed me out, and the door closed behind us. I walked down the hallway without saying anything.
"Dix."
I kept walking. He caught up with me.
"Dixie."
"I don't want to talk right now."
He fell silent.
We reached the elevator, and I pressed the button. My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall.
Cameron stepped closer, his hands settling gently on both my shoulders.
I didn't move away. That alone surprised me.
"You did nothing wrong," he said quietly.
I stared at the elevator doors. "I didn't get my job back."
"You got back into the firm."
"That's not the same thing."
"Yeah," He sighed. "You're right."
"I worked so hard..and now I'm going to be assisting Georgia."
"It's only temporary."
I shook my head. "You don't understand."
"Okay..so explain it to me."
I finally looked at him. "I don't want to have to prove myself to people who already know what I'm capable of."
His hands remained on my shoulders. "I understand that. Maybe I don't completely."
His voice softened. "But I know what it feels like when people decide what you're capable of before you get the chance to show them."
I stared at him.
FInally, the elevator doors opened. Cameron gently guided me inside.
I looked down. I just felt tired and disappointed, if anything.
I was grateful he was there, even if it was for mere support.
~
Hey yall! How'd we like Chapter 56?