Page 89 of Deceptive Desires

“You’re fucking crazy. I don’t make any of my employees uncomfortable!” He argues stupidly.

“That’s not what her tears said yesterday,” I spit out.

“Who are you to her? Why do you care?”

“I’m her fiancé. And I won’t stand for anyone hurting her.” I tilt his face up so he can see the promise in my eyes. “You don’t know who I am. But I’m not a good man. If you don’t fire her tomorrow, I’ll find you, and I’ll kill you. Do you understand?”

“Yes!” he gulps. “How should I do it?”

“I don’t care. Just make it quick,” I demand.

With one last hit, I leave him bleeding and crying behind the dumpster like the trash he is.

I make a pitstop at one of my offices and shower off the smell.

When I get back to the penthouse, I slip into bed and pull a sleeping Cecilia into me.

I smile as I realize everything is exactly as it should be.

Chapter 63

Cecilia

I wake up with a pit of dread in my stomach. I don’t even get out of bed for yoga. I’m awake, just not moving.

Instead of tea, I ask Roman to make me a cup of coffee. I’m tapping into my Colombian roots to have the strength to go into the office today after yesterday.

I feel sick at the thought, but I can’t hide away. I need to go to work.

“You don’t have to go in today if you don’t want, sunshine. I support you no matter what,” Roman tells me for the third time this morning.

His support and understanding is so endearing and helpful, but I have to be strong. I need to face this headfirst.

“I can’t run from him. And I won’t let him scare me away. I am a strong Latina. He will not make me hide,” I tell him in a fierce voice, channeling the strong women in my family. Abuela would never let a man intimidate her, so neither will I.

“Okay, sunshine. I’m just a call away if you need anything. You know I’ll drop anything to be there with you, no matterwhat,” he promises, pulling me in for a hug. “I’m so proud of you. You’re such a strong woman. You take after your Abuela.”

I smile, surprised he made the connection, and honored that he views Abuela and me as strong.

***

When we get in front of the clinic, Roman kisses me fiercely on the sidewalk, and lets me know one more time to call if I need anything.

I go in and start setting up. I say hi to a few of my coworkers but mostly keep to myself. After thirty minutes, Dr. Sanders calls me to his office.

For a brief moment, I wonder if he’s going to apologize.

Until I walk in and see Jill from HR.

I can’t make sense of the scene. Did he go to HR about coming onto me? Did he turn himself in?

It doesn’t make sense.

Until he opens his mouth.

“We’re going in a different direction. You’ll get paid for today and two weeks’ severance,” he says in a monotone voice, then glares at my engagement ring with a fury I can’t comprehend. “Sign this termination agreement, then you’ll be escorted out.”

I’m being fired.