“Yep. It’s a wonder I’m still there.”
“If you’re so unhappy, then why don’t you quit?” offered Erica before taking a long sip of her smoothie.
If only it were that easy. I had thought about quitting several times, if not for the demands of the job, but also because Iprobably shouldn’t have inappropriate thoughts about my boss. But I had no choice but to stay. Seeing my bank account numbers this morning was just another cruel reminder that I had to stick it out if I wanted to survive. I needed this job.
Actually, what I needed was a raise. By this point, I was owed about three in the time I had been working there. They were all in my contract, but I had never brought up what I was owed. There was no way I was going to bring it up to Jeremiah. He barely believed I should have the job in the first place. There was no way he was going to pay me more for what he considered “mediocre” work. A word he liked to say often.
“I’ve been there so long. I’ll try to stick it out a little longer,” I said with a shrug.
Erica looked at me thoughtfully, but didn’t say anything else. She had probably learned I didn’t listen to her anyway. I felt like a shitty friend because of it, but I had just been so blinded by love—or something like it—when it came to Nick. He had given me every reason to break up with him. Racking up my credit card bill. Cheating on me. Making me feel small. Yet, I stayed.
But it didn’t mean I didn’t come to my friends when I was going through it. Erica and Gabriella had been my sounding boards. They hated Nick. Toward the end of our relationship, every week I brought them something new that he had done to me. And every time, they had told me that the solution was simple. Break up with him. But I never listened.
I had already burdened my friends with so much. I didn’t want to bring up my financial issues now. I could easily blame Nick for the fact I couldn’t afford anything, but it was my fault. My fault for letting him take advantage of me. My fault I lived in an Airbnb that was way too expensive. My fault I was stuck at a job I hated.
I should have left Nick a long time ago. If I had broken up with him a year ago, none of this would have ever happened. But pushover Sadie would never be able to do something like that.
“I should get going,” I said, breaking free from my thoughts.
“Don’t want to piss off bossman. I get it.” She offered me a smile before standing to give me a hug. She gave me a squeeze before letting me go. “Good luck.”
I gave her a wave and turned to walk the few blocks home. Once inside and free from any run-ins with Jeremiah, I took a quick shower. I washed the dried sweat from my body and shampooed and conditioned my hair. I quickly dressed, opting for a pair of black slacks and a cream sweater with matching ballet flats. My hair was still wet as I swept it up in a claw clip. There was little time for makeup, so I just smeared on some lip gloss. I was past the point of trying to look good for Jeremiah. I was also past the point of going in two hours before work started, if it only meant he would keep me working long past five.
My stomach felt heavy with doom as I began the walk to work. The only thing that lightened my mood was having lunch withTanya from the office. Other than that, I knew the day would just be worse than the last.
Chapter 12
Jeremiah
The elevator doors opened and I found the office mostly filled with people who were trying to kiss my ass by showing up early. I pressed my lips into a tight smile, giving a few nods to those who dared look me in the eye. I glanced at the clock hanging above the front desk clerk’s desk: 8 a.m. Though contract hours started at nine, it looked like the majority of the employees were here already deep in their work. Or they were very good at acting like it.
Despite contract hours, this was what I expected of my employees. It was why making a first impression was so important. If people didn’t fear me, they wouldn’t perform. From the looks of it, I had succeeded with my first impression.
I strode down the long hallway toward my office, people’s voices hushing as I walked past, making the sound of my footsteps fill my ears. I stopped short when I saw Sadie wasn’t at her desk.
What. The. Fuck.
Her purse wasn’t in its usual spot on the floor. Her laptop wasn’t even opened. There was no coffee on her desk. She wasn’t here. I stretched my fingers in irritation before stepping into my office and sitting down in my office chair. The absence at her desk was even more noticeable as it was directly across from me, making my irritation grow even more.
I needed her this morning. My schedule was jam-packed. She should know that, since she had access to my entire life’s schedule. I impatiently drummed my fingers on the smooth surface of my desk before turning my computer monitor on. Once the screen glowed brightly, I opened up my calendar to review it myself. Each minute that ticked past, and every meeting and task my eyes skimmed over, I could feel the heat rising to my face.
This. Is. Bullshit.
I was about ready to call Sadie and tell her not to bother coming in, but then she walked in, making me slam down my office phone. It was 8:30. She sat down at her desk, placing her purse on the veined gray floor. and reached for her laptop without so much as a look in my direction.
Before she could even open her laptop, I barked, “Sadie. Get in here.”
She looked up at me suddenly before standing from her chair. She walked quickly toward my office and my eyes looked overher outfit in irritated disgust. If she was going to arrive after me, she should at least look good doing it. Why be late if you’re going to look likethat?I didn’t know what the hell she was wearing today. A pair of ill-fitting pants and a too-big sweater. Neither did anything for her.
Stupid fucking ugly sweater.That was all I could think as she stepped into my office.
“Nice of you to show up,” I muttered under my breath.
“What?” she asked.
“Sit,” I ordered her, ignoring her question.
She took the seat furthest away from me, crossing her legs in those hideous black pants.
