Faye liftedher phone from the coffee table, squinting as she typed a number in from her laptop. This could be the biggest mistake she’d ever made, but the thought of Talia losing her job because of her…she had to at least try. If it went her way and Paul could understand that Faye wasn’t a client, perhaps he’d reconsider firing Talia. Or foolishly allowing her to walk away.
With a shaking hand, she continued to stare down at the number for the club. There was probably nobody there—that would be just Faye’s luck—but if Paul did answer…what exactly was she going to say? She didn’t have a demanding bone in her body; he’d likely just laugh and end the call. Still, she found her thumb pressing the call button as she brought her phone to her ear.
“Vision.”
“H-hi, could I speak to Paul, please?” Faye toyed with the tassel on the edge of the blanket draped over her legs. As warm and cosy as she felt inside, she wished Talia was spending the day with her. But a lot seemed to have happened last night, and Faye understood Talia’s need for space. Even if that wasn’t quite the pretence under which she’d left, Faye knew Talia had a lot on her mind.
“One moment. I’ll put you through.”
The pleasant voice Faye had been met with was about to turn into a miserable guy who likely didn’t care for anything she had to say.
“Paul.”
“Hi, Paul. It’s Faye. Talia’s girlfriend. We met at the club when you kindly let me in to watch her train.”
“Yeah, I know who you are,” Paul said as he cleared his throat. “Can I help you with something?”
“Talia came home last night kinda upset. Is it true she’s been fired?”
“No, it’s not true. She had a decision to make, and that decision led to her leaving Vision.”
“Right, well…if this is about me, I’m not a client, Paul. We didn’t meet at the club. We met before. I didn’t realise who she was until after I’d been to Vision. So, all of this is really very unnecessary.”
“Talia…Adria…had a contract to honour. If she knew you before the club, then she’s more of a fool than I thought she was. This could have been prevented if she hadn’t brought you to Vision.”
“She didn’t bring me to Vision. My friend did. I had no idea Talia was Adria.”
“That’s too bad. But it’s not my problem.”
Perhaps not, but Paul’s attitude was certainly his problem. One he should really address.
“Right, okay.” Faye pinched the bridge of her nose, her eyes fluttering closed. “Then I’d like you to remove my details from the system. I don’t want to be on the books of an establishment that doesn’t give their employees the benefit of the doubt.”
Paul scoffed.
“How is Jensen?” Faye was playing with fire now, but she was at a point of no longer caring. If Jensen could get away with kissing Faye, then Talia losing her job really wasn’t something Paul should be considering. “Still at the club?”
“Y-yes.”
“Interesting. I thought client relationships were forbidden.”
Paul paused on the line, just the sound of him clicking a pen as Faye waited for whatever he came up with next. “They are.”
“I should have done this the last time I was at the club, but being someone who doesn’t like to cause trouble, I left it.”
“Should have done what?”
“Put in a formal complaint. I mean, I’m fairly certain Jensen isn’t supposed to kiss clients. And if you check back on the footage, you’ll see that I didn’t hint at her doing so.” Faye heard Paul shift, rustling papers in front of him. “Should I come by to sign the complaint or…”
“What do you want from me, Faye?”
“I don’t want a thing from you. But Talia has dedicated her entire adult life to you and your business. Do the right thing and give her back her job. You and I both know she deserves to be there. You said it yourself; she’s the one who keeps you going from day to day.”
Paul sighed. “She won’t answer my calls.”
“Give her a few days. She’s angry with herselfandyou.”
“Have her call me. She’s got a week!” Paul ended the call, leaving Faye sitting with a smug grin on her face.