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"I'm entitled to that money," I now rebelled against Emmett Kershaw's threat. I had nothing left to lose. "You can't withhold it from me."
Emmett Kershaw laughed mockingly. "You'll see what I can do. I can do anything I want. You haven't fulfilled your work duties. Misplaced things. Arrived late. Invaded my privacy. I should sue you for that alone. And then it wouldn't be me owing you money, but you owing me!"
Emmett Kershaw had suddenly switched to addressing me informally, but I refrained from pointing it out. I didn't care. I had lost this battle.
"Your lawyer can send me as many letters as he wants to get your money. Mine writes better letters. You don't stand a chance." A sadistic grin rounded off the sentence.
I didn't have a lawyer, and I couldn't afford one. Emmett Kershaw wouldn't be receiving any letters from me. There were more important letters I had to write. Job applications.
"Now get out of here," Emmett Kershaw hissed at me and finally took a step back. I hastily detached myself from the wall and continued down the hallway. To the back door. There was no way I wanted to face Gina or the nice Jim right now. If anyone asked me how this went, I would start crying out of desperation. My lip was already trembling, and I was barely holding back my tears.
Emmett Kershaw wouldn't see me cry.
I wouldn't grant him that triumph.
After what felt like an eternity, I reached the back door and pushed it open. I took a deep breath of fresh air. It smelled like spring, but that didn't match my mood at all.
What should I do now?
My sister Joanna was far away on her dream trip in the Outback, together with her husband Chandler and my adorable niece. I didn't want to call her back from there or disturb her vacation joy in any way. For so long, I had been the black sheep of the family, always needing help.
I didn't want that role back.
Some time ago, I had helped out in my friend Leanna's shop. While I had enjoyed it, it hadn't offered me any career prospects. The bakery trade wasn't my forte. I felt much more comfortable in the shining hall of a hotel. I didn't want to knock on Leanna's door either. We hadn't seen each other very often anyway since she had her baby. Parents simply led a completely different life than singles.
No, I didn't want to ask anyone for help.
For long enough, I had been the Isabella who never really got her life together and kept falling flat on her face. That was over! Even in this crisis, I wouldn't fall back into that old pattern. I wanted to make it, and on my own.
There had to be another way out of my situation. I needed a damn good plan.
Without a recommendation, it would be nearly impossible to find a job in a hotel. Or any decently paid job. I could probably start as a dishwasher anytime. But the salary would never be enough to pay off the loan.
No, I had to come up with something else.
And then a thought struck me.
Could Carter help me?
I would meet him tonight.
I felt warm.
Very warm.
Chapter 12 ~ Carter ~
Islowlyswirledthewhiskey in my glass.
Macallan.
At last.
My preferred brand.
I took a deep sip and felt a slight burn as the liquid ran down my throat. I sighed with pleasure. The Glenfiddich last night hadn't been bad, but in my opinion, it didn't come close to a Macallan. There was a certain price difference between the two brands, which was also noticeable in the taste.
And anyway... the whiskey was definitely not the best thing about last night. Or last evening. My cock throbbed as I thought of Isabella's body. Her naked body, seductively sprawled on the white sheets of the bed. I'd love to...