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Just when I think I’m finally at a place to move past everything, my thoughts run away from me and I’m back to being miserable. I know I need to face Erica. We haven’t talked since she left my apartment. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss her. I’ve gone from seeing her practically every day to not. Her empty office is a reminder of what I lost. What she ruined.
“You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you?” asks Jacob.
I sigh frustratedly. “I hate it.”
“You’ve gotta fire her, man, or you’re going to drive yourself insane.”
I nod, thinking about this possible solution to my problems. But firing her would mean facing her. I can’t simply have HR do it for me. The situation is too delicate. Too messy.
The next day, I work up the nerve to intercom my assistant, Jessica, and tell her to bring Erica in for a meeting. I feel like I’ve been holed up in my office for the past few weeks, trying to avoid any run-ins with her, and now I’m asking for her directly because I can’t keep going on like this. I’m the CEO of this paper. Of this building. I know I have to meet with her to hash everything out, so I can get on with my life. And she can get on with hers.
I sit in my office for the next few minutes, tapping my foot anxiously against the floor and watching the door. I feel like my heart might explode from my chest. I’m just hoping my nerves don’t show when she walks in here. The last mental picture I have of her is being wrapped in one of my bath towels crying on the floor. My guilt eats away at me still, but how else was I supposed to react? I just found out the woman I was falling for lied to me.
There’s a knock at the door and Jessica peeks her head in.
“I have Ms. Gunner here.”
I nod and hold my breath as Jessica pushes the door open. I see Erica standing just outside the doorway, staring down at hershoes. Nude patent leather pumps that make her legs look a mile long in her cream skirt suit. I hate her for looking so beautiful just by standing there. Jessica looks between us both cautiously before walking away, like a bomb might suddenly go off. She leaves Erica and me in this awkward stand-off. I clear my throat to signal that I’m waiting for her to enter. She hardly looks at me as she steps inside.
“Please, close the door behind you,” I say.
She pulls the handle, gently shutting it behind her.
“Take a seat.” I gesture toward the chair opposite me, keeping my voice firm and steady.
She hesitates a moment before doing so. I can tell she’s nervous. I’m glad she is. She deserves to be nervous in this situation. I like the idea of her being uncomfortable. She probably thinks she’s getting fired, and I suddenly feel like I’m having déjà vu from the last time she came into my office fearing her job was on the line when I took over the company.
I want to fire her. I thought about it all night after Jacob suggested it. The vengeful side of me has toyed around with the idea of taking away one of the things she loves the most. This paper. That side of me wants to hurt her to get even for all the pain she’s caused me.
Also, if I fire her it means I wouldn’t have to see her again. Then I could walk around here, not anxious about bumping into her. I could come to work and not feel her presence. I could get overher. But I know if I fire her, she could take me to court. It could lead to an ugly lawsuit for wrongful termination. Not to mention once the press got hold of the story. I could see the headlines now.
Deadbeat Billionaire Father.
Acquired Business. Abandoned Baby.
The Shark Abandons Ship.
I could lose everything. My entire reputation would be ruined. Everything I’ve built, gone. No one would believe me if I told them the truth of me not knowing about the baby. They’d think I abandoned her when she needed me most. They’d spin it so I look to be the bad guy in the story when really Erica is.
No, she still has to work here. I’m stuck in a bind, but we don’t have to be anything more than acquaintances. In fact, I hope we just pretend the other doesn’t exist.
“You wanted to see me,” she says softly. She chews on her cheek nervously as she waits for me to tell her why she’s here.
“Yes. There are a few things I need to make clear.” I lean back in my chair.
She lifts her brows expectantly.
“You and I are no more,” I say, pointing between the two of us.
She nods slowly.
“You are my employee, and nothing more than that.”
“Y-you’re not firing me?” she asks, looking taken aback.
“Not yet.”
She swallows hard.