“That will be fine, thank you.” I go to turn, but her words stop me.
“He can be an ass, I know. But he isn’t that bad if you give him a chance.”
I don’t say anything else. Just walk out the door and to my desk. When I get there, his office door is open, and I can hear him on the phone, so I get on with my day.
I don’t see him again until later that afternoon when he walks out.
“Jacinta.” I look up, and he’s standing in front of my desk. “You wish to be let go of this position?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why?” he asks.
Oh shit! I didn’t think he would ask me directly, and I don’t want to tell him.
“I think you can find someone better suited than me.” I give him as honest an answer as I possibly can.
His dark eyes assess me to see if I’m telling the truth.
“I approved the request. They are looking for someone now,” Beckham says, then walks off.
I go back to my work.
The rest of the day, he doesn’t ask me to do a single thing.
And that’s okay with me.
“Jacinta.”
Goddammit! I’m ready to leave, my bag in hand, which he can clearly see since the office door is open.
“Please come in here for a second.”
I huff and head to his office.
When I enter, Beckham looks up from his desk and turns to face me. “You want a different position because of what happened over the weekend. Am I correct?”
“Yes.” No point in lying.
“What if I said, I will act with nothing but professionalism around you if you stay?”
“I saw your cock, sir.”
“And some would think you lucky.” He smirks, and when he sees I am not amused, it drops from his lips. “I see. Would you reconsider?” he asks.
I bring my purse up and clutch it tighter in my hands. “You won’t treat me any differently?”
“I will treat you as a regular employee if that’s what you wish. But I need someone who knows what they’re doing without me having to tell them. And you are good at what you do.”
“Thank you.” It’s the first real compliment he has given me.
“If I act out of line again, I will let you transfer, and you can keep the salary you currently receive,” he says, surprising me.
“Thank you. Can I think about it?”
“Take your time.” He turns back to his computer, effectively dismissing me.
I walk out. Once I get far enough away from his door, I let out a long sigh. What the hell was that? I scratch my head, and I am sure the face I am pulling is showing my confusion.
Once I slide into my car, I finally take a deep centering breath.
I don’t know if I should stay, but the pay will help Oliver and me greatly.
After I pick up Oliver, I head home. Turning onto our street, there is a car parked out the front of my house that looks incredibly out of place in this neighborhood.
“Mommy.” Oliver smiles and points at the car. Red is his favorite color right now, thanks to Optimus Prime. He is obsessed. “Do you think it transforms as well?”
“No, buddy. Stay in the car while Mommy gets out. Okay?” He nods, and I pass him my phone with a game I have pulled up on the screen. When I get out, the driver’s door of the other car opens, and I’m taken aback to see Anderson’s father standing there.
When I walk over, a small smile touches his face.
“Jacinta, it’s good to see you.”
“I can’t say the same. Why are you here, Leo?” My words are short and curt, and if they cause hurt, I am all for it.
“You haven’t been cashing any of my checks.” He quickly eyes the house then focuses back on me. “I send you enough to live comfortably. You wouldn’t have to work if you chose not to.”
Well, I didn’t know that. Probably because I chose to never open even one of his letters.
“I did ask if you would let me know if I could meet him. If that would be okay with you.”
Anderson’s father looks a lot like him. He is incredibly good-looking for his age. Well-groomed and dressed in a sharp business suit, crisp white shirt, with a tie that appears like it has been tied by an expert, the knot is so perfectly executed.
But as I have discovered, looks are deceiving.
Especially for those with money.
“Leo, I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that, after everything—” He holds up his hands.
“I get it. I do. And I have tried everything in my power to rectify this situation as best I can. I know I was late. I know I should have helped sooner. But I was blind to it, and I apologize for that fact. I will go … but if you could please think about it and let me know, I would appreciate it.” He turns and walks to his car.