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“Have you told anyone about your situation with Mr. Jacobs?”
“No. No one.”
“Well, I guess they’re just speculating then. Rumors have been wafting around since people found out you lost your position here.”
Honestly, I didn’t care. What did it matter? I was gone after today.
“Okay?” I said, more as a question than a statement.
“It’s just messy, Addison. You see that, don’t you? If word gets out…”
“I no longer work here after today.” I shrugged.
I didn’t know what else he wanted from me. It wasn’t like I could go back in time and change anything, and even if I could, I no longer wanted to. I was going to be a mother, whether anyone else liked it or not.
“Yes, well, now that has even raised some eyebrows as to why you’re being let go.”
“Look, Brian. I don’t know what you want me to do…”
“Well, I want you to think about the mess you’re leaving me with.” He sighed dramatically.
“Youfiredme,” I snapped.
“Becauseyoudecided to sleep with someone for money.”
I felt my face burn.
“How dare you!” I stood up suddenly.
“Don’t make a scene, Addison,” he warned, his voice low as he looked toward the door.
“You know me. I’ve worked my ass off for years, andthisis how you treat me? That’s what you accuse me of? Youknowme, Brian. I would never.”
“Calm down. I didn’t mean it. I’m just…worked up,” he said.
“No, I won’t calm down. I don’t appreciate you accusing me of a behavior that is so far from what I’m capable of. How dare you.”
“People are starting to stare,” said Brian, looking behind me and through the windows of his office.
“Let them. Let them see the giant mistake you’re making in letting me go. I have brought in more money than any of my coworkers. I have always done what you’ve asked of me, and then some. You won’t find a replacement who even holds a candle to me.”
Brian put up his hands as if to calm me down, but I wasn’t having it.
It was as if everything I had been holding in for years suddenly gushed out of me and it felt so damn good. It was all true. I had poured everything into this job, and had hardly ever received the recognition I deserved. It wasn’t until I landed the deal with Daniel that people started to take notice, but before that I had been busting my ass here. I never so much as got a thank you or a raise, until a few weeks ago.
“I know I’m supposed to finish out the workday, but I don’t think I can spend another minute in this office with someone who casts judgment on something they know nothing about. Goodbye, Brian.”
I opened his office door and slammed it behind me, not caring that the entire office was staring with open mouths. I held my head high as I walked down the hallway and began packing my things. Quickly, I put my personal belongings in a cardboard box and said a quiet goodbye to my office before closing the door behind me.
Upset, I balanced the box in my hands as I walked through the floor to the elevators. I pressed the button and waited impatiently, ignoring the murmurs behind me. Finally, the doors opened and I stepped inside, pressing the button for the ground floor and not looking up. I wasn’t going to look back. I was only looking forward now.
I carried the box down the stairs of the subway and waited for the next train back to Brooklyn, where I would happily stay. For now.
Back at my apartment, I set down the box that held so many memories from the past several years. Rather than feeling angry, I felt proud. I had accomplished so much, and while things ended messily, I knew I had done a lot of good for people around the world. That was what made this all worth it.
I suddenly felt empowered. I dug out my phone from my purse and scrolled through my contacts until I found the number I was looking for. I pressed send.
“Hello?” I heard my mother answer.