"After you, Ms. Drake." Henrik waves his arm and I make my way to the hall.
As we enter Evaleen's office I see her eyes pop up to meet mine, widen and then her head drops as if trying to hide.
"I can see you, Bechmann. There's no point in hiding."
I take a seat on the other side of her desk as Mr. Payne sits in the one beside me. Evaleen gets up pointing to the door and walks toward it.
"I'll just shut the door then."
As she returns to her chair there is a long minute of silence. She flickers her gaze between me and Mr. Payne. Then more silence.
"Ms. Bechmann, I would just like to say it was-"
Evaleen holds up her hand stopping Mr. Payne instantly.
"No. Don't try to tell me it wasn't what it looked like because that's a load of bull and you know it. It was very much what it looked like, Payne. You had your hand down her shirt and your tongue on her neck. Was she choking and that is some new maneuver that I don't know about?"
Evaleen squints and tilts her head to him as Mr. Payne starts running his fingers through his hair in frustration. The Spanish have the running of the bulls, Mr. Payne has the running of the fingers.
"Fine. It was what you saw. It was completely my fault. I took advantage of my position so if you are going to fire anyone, fire me."
I turn to stare at Henrik in amazement that he would so easily walk away from a job I know he loves as much as I would love to have his job. The old me would hop at this chance and make a beeline for his position. I'm no dummy, I understand an opportunity when I see one, but I know him now. In this moment my heart bleeds a little trying to grow to fit him inside. As much as I hate the hot/cold action he has been giving me lately, I can't stop how I feel for him.
Oh no it's happened. I have become one of those douche people who stay on the telephone with someone and they go back and forth with, "You hang up first. ... No you ... No you ... No ... Hello?" I will now do something that I never thought I would do in my life ... give up a job for someone else. I think I might need smelling salts after. "Morgana. Let's talk about this for a second. Don't do anything rash here." My Brain looks at me nervously.
"It's okay, Brain. I have always loved you despite our differences. Give my love to my heart and even my mouth, though I know she will be happy with my career suicide."
"Mr. Payne didn't force me to do anything. You know I have wanted his job for a long time. I knew you would walk in looking for me, Bechmann. I used my physical power of persuasion to get him in that situation. It's my fault. If you are going to fire anyone, ffff ... ffff ... fire me."
I can't bring myself to look at Mr. Payne though I can feel his penetrating stare. Evaleen's mouth has dropped open and she has caught my blinking problem, apparently it's contagious.
"Well, um ... okay. If that is true, Drake, then I need a minute alone with Payne and then I will see you. Just wait outside for a moment."
I get up and I feel all the blood draining from me. Where it has gone, I don't know. I feel sick like I want to throw up, my ears are vibrating and my hands feel clammy. Time passes as I wait outside her office, how much time I couldn't tell you. Everything is a blur.
I see Mr. Payne emerge and he looks pissed. He is so angry he isn't even squinting. His eyes bore into mine and I back up against the wall as he comes at me. Henrik grabs my arms a little too tightly as he places his face only inches from mine.
"So you used me is that it? Just wanted my job. I should have known better. Everyone always wants something and they don't care who they step on along the way. Well, I hope you get exactly what you want and you are very happy all alone at the top because no one wants to be friends with a heartless bitch!"
He lets go and walks away. I watch as he saunters off, unable to pry my eyes away from his body shrinking from distance. I slide down the wall until my ass hits the carpet. My eyes are burning and I feel the first warm tear drift slowly down my cheek. I bury my head in my hands to hide the tears, but more importantly, my pain from someone who might walk by.
"You ready?" I hear Evaleen's voice come from beside me.
Looking up I see the same sad smile she gave the first day I met her outside of Mr. Payne's office. Sighing I nod my head and she helps me to my feet. I follow her through the door to meet my fate.
Chapter 20 - THE Leave ...
"I seduced him." I sit with my back straight, hands placed neatly on my knees staring straight into Evaleen's eyes. She smiles and shakes her head letting out a little laugh.
"I don't believe you."