“Sabrina!” I shout.
The door bursts open, and in runs my secretary. A blonde, petite little thing with an attitude of a feral cat.
“Yes, Mr. Langston?” She stands with her hands folded in front of her.
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t listen in on my conversations with clients. Some of this stuff is confidential, and I don’t want any…issues.”
“Sorry, Sir. It won’t happen again.”
“I appreciate you trying to take the initiative to get the ball rolling. If you’re interested in doing more work in gaining clients, I would be happy to get you set up with a trainer.”
“Really?” she asks as she perks up.
“Of course. You’re a very hard worker, and I believe the company would benefit from having someone like you on our client engagement team.”
“Thank you, Sir!”
Fabian looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. This will be my third secretary this year who has changed positions..
“Just let me find someone that you can train to replace you, then I’ll get you transferred. You may go.” I gesture to the door, and she leaves as she says thank you.
“You don’t like having a secretary, do you?” Fabian asks. His voice is laced with irritation.
“Why would you say that?” I walk back behind my desk and sit while fully taking off my tie. I need a fucking vacation. I’ve been here every day since I came back. My last “day off” was the day I drove back from San Antonio.
“This will now be your third transfer this year.”
“It’s not like they are quitting. It’s basically a promotion. It creates a more positive work environment…”
“No. You’re making me make job positions appear out of thin air, and they aren’t in the budget!” he snaps.
“The budget is fine.” I honestly don’t know whether it is or not, but judging by how he rolls his eyes, I would assume I’m wrong.
“It would’ve been had you not donated so much fucking money to that psychiatric hospital. What the fuckwas that for again? I know we discussed expanding our donations and community involvement, but Jesus Christ, Myles, $500,000? Why?”
I can’t tell him the real reason. That I did it because I heard through the grapevine that that hospital was low on funding and might be shut down within the year, and the only woman I’ve ever loved had just started working there.
“I figured a small psychiatric hospital was the best start. Everyone always donates to big hospitals, but what about the smaller ones? It shows we care.”
He looks at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“Alexandria was right,” he says as he shakes his head.
My eyebrow raises as I stare him down.
“About?”
“You’re losing it. She’s been worried…Ever since you came back from San Antonio, you’ve been different. When was your last day off?”
I don’t answer.
“Okay, how about when was the last meal you ate that didn’t come from fast food or fucking DoorDash?”
Again, I refuse to answer.
“I’m saying this as a friend. Take a fucking vacation, Myles. It’s been six months. Whatever the fuck is going on, get it figured out. I don’t want to watch you or this company suffer because of your personal issues, whatever they may be! You’re one of my best friends…You’re our best friend, Myles. We’re worried about you.”
Fuck. He’s right. My fridge is filled with take-out boxes at home. I’ve slept on my office's couch more nights in a week than in my own bed. I’ve even taken on some private jobs myself just to keep my mind occupied.
