Page 63 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

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 matter what,” 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.

I’ve never been fired before.

I never even considered the possibility that I’d ever be fired.

I contemplate asking why, then realize it won’t make a difference. I’m fired either way. And I’d rather not hear what lie he came up with.

I just nod and walk out with Jill. I hand her my badge, but I don’t respond when she wishes me well on my future endeavors.

I stand on the sidewalk, numb and confused. It isn’t until I grab my phone to call Roman that I realize I’m shaking.

Not wanting to be seen through the clinic window, I walk to the café across the street and call my fiancé.

“Sunshine, what’s wrong? Do you need me to come get you?” he asks frantically.

“Yes, please,” I whisper through the phone. “They fired me.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, a wave of shame overcomes me.

I don’t think it’s my fault. I’ve never received so much as a complaint from doctors, coworkers, nor patients.

I’ve assumed this whole time that it’s because of Dr. Sanders’ advances towards me, but what if I just messed up and the timing is a coincidence? What if it is my fault?

“Oh, sunshine. I’ll be there in five minutes. Are you still at the clinic?” he tells me, the worry in his voice evident.

“No, I’m at the café across the street.” I murmur.

“I’ll be there in four minutes. Stay on the line with me,” he instructs.

Over those four minutes, I sit in silence at a table, just soaking in what happened. Roman whispers words of encouragement in my ears the entire time.

I listen to him, and realize no matter what, he’ll always love me and stand by me.

Because he’s the perfect man.

Because he’s my hero.