“There are least two dozen event planning companies in this city. You could’ve easily found another one. I’m sure a firm of your size works exclusively with an agency already.”
He nodded. “Si, mi vida. We do, but I thought, why not do things a little differently this year. Seeing you again last Friday night after so many months apart, reminded me that I know a very competent event planner, who also happens to be the mother of my youngest son.” Sitting forward, he grabbed the picture of me and Diego that I kept on my desk. It was my favorite picture of the two of us, taken when Diego was just three years old. In it, his little mouth is wide open, laughing as I tickle his belly.
I reached over my desk and snatched the picture frame from Gabriel, hating for him to even see one of those special moments between my son and I.
Gabriel frowned, his eyes darkening.
“You want Save the Date to do an event for your firm?” I questioned, my voice tight.
He began shaking his head. “No. I wantyouto do an event for me.”
“Your firm.”
“Me. My firm. Same difference.” He shrugged.
“You don’t own the firm,” I reminded, and was satisfied when a small grimace passed over his face.
“I’m a partner.”
“I don’t freelance.”
“Save the Date will be the official event planner but you will take the lead on this event. You will be working directly with me to ensure Williams & Brodsky puts on a spectacular event.”
I shook my head and took a step back, holding up my hands. “I cannot do that.”
“And why not?” He truly seemed perplexed but I knew it was just a front. Gabriel was great at convincing you he was one way but was the complete opposite. He knew exactly why this proposal of his made me uncomfortable.
“Gabriel, this is ridiculous. There are seven other event planners in this office who can take on this project. I’m swamped as it is, and–”
“And what? You’re busy outside of work?” His eyes narrowed.
I placed my palms on my desk, feeling truly exhausted by this conversation already. I slowly closed my eyes, inhaling before speaking again. “As a matter of fact, I am.” I opened my eyes, staring directly at his now angered face. “In case you forgot,Ihave a son to raise. A very precocious six-year-old son who needs his mother’s attention when she’s home. Taking on an additional event will mean less time for him.” I snapped my mouth shut when the thought of Carter came to mind. There was no way I was going to reveal to Gabriel that I was also seeing someone.
“Youhave a son?” Gabriel remained seated, but the steely nature in his voice gave way to his anger. “My son. My son whose private school I pay for. My son who is receiving a quality education because of me. Don’t you fucking forget that.” He pointed at me, seething.
A son you haven’t seen in more than six months either.I knew that thought was better left unsaid.
“Remember our little agreement, mi vida. As long as you abide by my terms, I will allow you to continue raising our son in peace.”
“Your terms. Do you even hear yourself?” I whispered the words even though the door was closed. I didn’t want to take the chance of someone outside hearing this part of the conversation.
“I hear myself loud and clear. You were the one who wanted to break things off without my agreement, so this is how it must be.” He held out his hands in the air.
I stood, folding my arms across my chest and rolling my eyes. This was Gabriel’s thing. He loved being in charge. It’s why he went after nineteen-year-old me, when he was a man in his forties, with an unsuspecting wife at home. He sought out power and control in every aspect of his life. When I stripped him of that control, even just a little bit by breaking things off, he fought to maintain it. He couldn’t make me be with him but, through our son, he definitely could pull my strings.
“Fine!” I hissed at him. “You want me to fucking do your event. No problem,” I snarled, pulling my chair underneath me to sit back down.
“I’m glad you finally see things my way.”
I ignored the satisfied note in his tone. Ignored the way the corners of his mouth turned upwards in a contented grin. And I paid no attention to the way his eyes roved over my body, stopping at my breasts. But the nausea that rolled through my belly, I couldn’t disregard. It reminded me of how much I despised this man I once loved. Made me even angrier at the young woman I once was?who felt so lost and alone in this world that I missed all the warning signs?because now I was still paying for it a decade later.
****
“What’re you doing?”
I paused, pushed my back against the wall in the hallway, and closed my eyes, allowing the rumble of his voice to roll over me. It felt dangerous and soothing at the same time. After my day at work, I needed that, the calmness he afforded me.
“Giving Diego a bath,” I responded, finally opening my eyes and sticking my head around the corner to see into the bathroom. I smiled as my son played with a few of his action figures, splashing water everywhere.
