“You can go back up, I’ll be okay,” I try to encourage him to leave. Lord knows, I need some time to gather my scattered thoughts and emotions.
“Okay, just bring those to me when you’re done.”
Finally, I have some time to myself. I take my time making the copies, grateful that I have some work to keep me busy.
When I’m done I take it back up to Stew. I place it on his desk and I’m just about to turn around and leave, when he says, “Thanks that saves me a lot of time. Hey, we should celebrate your first day after work.” He smiles, and an unnerving smile flits over his face, making the uneasy feeling take up permanent residence in my chest.
“I can’t, “I apologize. “I have a three-year-old daughter waiting for me at home.” I’ve never used Daniele as an excuse before, and it doesn’t sit right with me that I’m placed in a position where I have to.
He stands up and shoves his hands in his pockets. It makes the material of his pants stretch over a bulge.
Oh, my God, I’m going to be sick. This man is disgusting.
I leave his office and walk back to the reception desk. This is not how I pictured my first day going.
Finally, it’s time to go home, and I quickly straighten out the desk.
“Your first day wasn’t that bad, right?” Stew says as he comes to stand in front of my desk and I realize he’s waiting for me.
Somehow, I manage to smile. “It wasn’t. Thank you for introducing me to everyone. I hope you have a good evening, Stew,” I murmur.
“Let me walk you down.”
Ugh, just what I need.
I’m thankful when we get to the elevators, and there are a group of people already waiting. At least I don’t have to be alone with him anymore.
It’s my first day and I’m already dreading tomorrow.
***
CARTER
I don’t usually leave the office before eight pm, but I can’t wait to hear how Della’s first day went.
I drove us to work this morning so I could leave the car here. I like to have at least one car here should I decide to go for drinks after work. I have Peter waiting out front with the town car. He moves to open the door when he sees me.
“We’re waiting for someone,” I say as I turn around and lean back against the car.
My eyes search every face, as people start to leave the fifty-floor building. Glass Towers is an impressive building. The first twenty floors are made up of rental space.
My eyes zoom in on Della the second she steps out of the elevators. Her face is unusually pale and the dark circles under her eyes make them look huge. She keeps fidgeting with her watch as she rushes towards the exit. A man falls into step beside her, and when they reach the exit, he places his hand on her lower back.
I straighten out and frown darkly as he keeps his hand o
n her back. The man smiles broadly as they walk out onto the pavement.
I take a step forward as Della looks up, and our eyes meet. The last time I saw that look on her face was the night those guys were chasing her down the street.
My eyes snap to the man but Della rushes forward and takes hold of my hand. “Don’t,” she whispers as she starts to pull me away.
“This is our car,” I snap.
Peter quickly opens the door.
“Get in,” I grind the words out, as the asshole finally notices me.
There’s a look of dismay on his face so he obviously knows who I am.