"Jessop is making us hire his wife, who's pretending to run promotions that don't exist and at a higher cost."
I smile and sit back in my chair. I'm not even surprised that my father got to the same conclusion I did, in half the time.
"I had a college friend of mine looking at the information to confirm my suspicions and he agrees, there's definitely evidence in the information Jessop is giving us. He's not even good at hiding his tracks."
I spend the rest of the day with my father, and for the first time in years, I feel we're on the same team. We plan the next steps to deal with Jessop and go through some company information.
Mia brings us takeout before she leaves for the day, and I send my mother a photo of us eating to keep her off my dad's back.
"Dad, I want to talk to you about Saturday."
"What about Saturday?"
"The way you talked to my friend. You know I respect the hell out of you as a businessman, but my dad was rude to my friend just because, on the face of it, he doesn't fit in our circles."
I see it in his eyes. He's not pleased that I challenged him, but I'm standing my ground.
"How do you think Ash, that was his name, right? How would Ash feel, attending the mayor's New Year's Eve ball with you? All the cameras, the endless questions. Would Ash want his background researched by people hellbent on finding something,anything, to print?"
As my dad describes my worst nightmare, all I can think about is Ash having his privacy invaded in this way. He wasn't born into this. He shouldn't have to live it.
"You're not wrong, Dad. And I know this is something I need to deal with and speak to Ash, but you could have been nicer to him."
"Fair point. I will apologize to Ash if I ever see him again. And now, I must go home before your mother sends out a search party. See you tomorrow...and good job on the accounts."
I want to feel proud from my father's last words, but Ash is on my mind now, so I pick up my phone. I know what I need to type but my fingers don't move, it's like they refuse to do the dirty work for me.
When they finally move it's to type what my heart really means to say.
Xander:Is it Friday yet? Can't wait to see the Christmas lights.
Ash:It'll be here in the blink of an eye.
Ash:I'm really looking forward to it too :)
On my wayout of the office I pick up a manuscript Mia left on my desk before she went home. After we closed the deadline for entries for the competition, we received a bunch of hand-delivered manuscripts from the reception desk, and it’s taking a little longer than expected to read through them all.
With my increased workload, Mia started going through the first chapters and commenting on the ones that are really worth a second glance.
My apartment is quiet and empty, as always. Two days ago, it was full of laughter, warmth, and Ash. I go to my room to change into more comfortable clothes, and as I take off my slacks, I see the panties I'm wearing reflected in the mirror.
Today's panties are a bright, shiny green, but it's the softness that does it for me. I run my hand over my bulging cock and remember when it was Ash's hand doing it while we sat on the couch watching a movie.
I want to cry at the cruelty of the universe for bringing me someone who accepts who I am so freely and openly, but then makes him come from a world that is so much better than mine, thus making me really selfish for wanting to keep him.
My mood changes, so I put on a pair of jogging bottoms and a shirt and leave the bedroom to prepare a hot cocoa to drink while I read the manuscript.
Mia always leaves me with an excellent summary of the manuscripts we receive, but today, I have a simple sticky note with the wordwinnerscribbled on it.
I turn the first blank page to reveal the title,Love Tender. The author, Andrew Cinder, also leaves a note under the title to say the story is inspired on a real-life love story.
I'm intrigued. Mia must have really loved the writing. Stories based on real-life events can be tricky because they're so personal, but it's also what which sets them apart from other stories. I turn the page to start reading chapter one.
Around three in the morning I force myself to go to bed, but it takes a tremendous effort to put the manuscript down. If it weren’t for me having to work in the morning, I would continue reading.
I've read many manuscripts, but this one is unbelievable. I feel like the author's hand has jumped out from the book to grab my heart, and has such a strong hold on it, I'm not sure I'll be the same person when I turn the last page.
The writing is good, and the author's voice is clear, smooth, expressive. This person is unique and special, and Mia is right. This has to be our winner. Andrew Cinder, if he can write more of this, has a brilliant career ahead of him.
