The story of the Spinster house: The House, The Couple, Another meeting, The Shop and Anna's last year.
Anna's Last Year - Part II: The Disastrous Betrayal
Richard's bellow reverberated through the offices and down the hall where Anna was filling her "I heart dog kisses" coffee mug. She had never heard him yell, let alone in the office, and let alone her name.
She set her mug down n the counter and turned. None of her movements were hurried, but she was soon heading back down towards Richard's office closer to the back of the floor. Anna cast a quick look at a few co-workers with a raised brow as if to say "Do you know what's going on?" but each of them met her eyes with confusion.
Even as Richard's legal assistant, it was unprofessional for him to bellow at her. As Richard's girlfriend, it was inexcusable. Anna stopped in the entryway to his office as his secretary, Rhonda, slipped by her with her head down and eyes glued to the floor.
Richard appeared uncommonly frazzled. His otherwise impeccable suit was disheveled and his tie was askew. Anna entered the office and asked "What is it, Richard?"
He looked up, tension marring his handsome face and spewed "I can't find it!" He grasped a large file in one hand while he pushed through piles of paper with the other. His normal calm demeanour gone, he continued. "It was here. The Jones file was here yesterday and now it is gone. I have to be in a meeting with them in 20 minutes. Rhonda can't find it. I can't find it."
Anna knew how important the Jones file was for Richard's career. She had helped him research and gather documents for weeks in preparation for today. In fact, she had made sure it was all in place the night before she went home. Anna stepped closer to the desk and to calmly go through where he had seen the documents last.
Richard spun to face her, "What did you do with them? I know you had them last. You've always been so damn jealous of my career. You knew what this would do to me!" Anna sputtered at the accusal. Richard picked up his office phone and ordered security to come to his office.
"I want you out of here. Now. Go pack you things. I knew I could never trust you."
That was how Anna got to the place of walking down the long hallway to the elevator flanked by security. She waited to let the tears fall until she was safely behind the doors of the elevator. She felt stunned by the accusal that she would have done something wrong, but also by the change in Richard's demeanor. He hadn't even allowed her to speak!
Anna got into her car and drove towards her condo. She would give him time to cool down, she decided. Time to find the files, realize she had nothing to do with them missing, and to come to her and apologize. She would wait for him to come to his senses.
She waited a week. All she received was a termination letter and her last paycheque.
It was over.
Next: Hope's Journal
Wow. What an asshole. Better to find out sooner than later, but what a way to learn!
ReplyDeleteHe really is. She should have seen the signs earlier, but it happens.
DeleteP.S. I've also turned off word verification. The spam only shows up on posts that are older, and Blogger has a setting to turn on moderation for posts older than 2 weeks or something.
ReplyDeleteWOW. You have a wonderful way of weaving words together.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Amy!
DeleteI am looking forward to the ass showing up later with an apology and explanation...when it is far too late and he sees what he has lost.
ReplyDeleteAs all good assholes do.
DeleteWhen are you going to publish that novel that I know you have written (in your head if nowhere else)? I want a copy!
ReplyDeleteAuntie Coral, this is the beginning of me getting my butt in gear. I have the whole trilogy in my head. Just to get it out! Thanks for the support!!
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