And I fucking love her for it.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Gen
The sensation of numb hollownessin my chest only gets worse. What happened leaves me in a limbo that I can’t seem to break out of.
It’s Thursday now, and I waited all of yesterday for a text from Jake, a call, a visit… anything. But that didn’t come. It’s been nearly forty hours since that mess started, and there’s been nothing.
We’re not broken up. I don’t think so. We’re stronger than that, and the disastrous evening is only a hiccup. Maybe he needs a moment to cool down before we can discuss this with clear heads. I hated arguing with him and hope it will never happen again.
We haven’t gone this long without any contact in… ever, and I don’t know what to do. Should I be the one texting him, even if he’s the one who messed up? It’s not like I didn’t warn him about my parents. He knew about their rigid manners and how strict they are with me.
His temper nearly ruined a decade of arduous efforts, and I’m not okay with that.
Maybe I should be the bigger person and text him. After work, I can stop by my place to get things for tomorrow and then head down to Brooklyn. We’ll have a long talk to clear the air, and he’ll make love to me for a good portion of the night until there’s no tension left between us.
Yes, that’s perfect. As soon as I’m done reading these dreadfully dull contract revisions, I’ll text him and ask if I can come over tonight. I’m sure he misses me as much as I do him.
I’m not even halfway through the file when two knocks come at the glass door. Daisy’s there when I look up, and she opens when I give her a signal.
“Miss Kensington, I’m sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Sinclair’s assistant wants to know if you have an opening today for a one-on-one.”
This is highly irregular. The man usually summons me without bothering to make sure I’m available or not. It seems Daisy also feels the same because she looks excited about it.
This is about the promotion, isn’t it? All my hard work these past weeks, months, years… It’ll finally pay off, and I’ll be in a position that allows me to steer this department in a much more efficient way. No more vanity conference meetings, no more last-minute change of plans, and no more procrastinating until the whole floor has a week to handle a month-long task. Everyone in this department will have a much better work environment.
“Is it okay if I go now?” I ask Daisy. My voice is uneven from the nervousness.
“That would be perfect. His secretary told me he’s free until lunch. So, it’s either now or tomorrow.”
“Now it is, then.”
I swiftly abandon everything I’m doing and adjust my skirt down my thighs. My outfit today is perfect for this, with a dark mauve skirt and jacket, a white silk shirt underneath, and my pearly Jimmy Choos. I took particular care when I picked my clothes this morning because I’m meeting Mother for lunch.
As if she can sense my distress, Vivienne has been showing me a level of gentleness and affection I haven’t been graced with since Vicky’s accident. In fact, I’m not even sure she ever was the loving and caring type, but at least she’s trying.
The fact that I’ll get to tell her about my promotion brings a smile to my lips as I exit my office. She’ll be the second one to know, right after Jake. The news will serve as a great icebreaker when I text him once I’m done with Sinclair.
My boss’s assistant gives me a small smile when I arrive and invites me to step in—Mr. Sinclair is expecting me. Definitely nervous, I take a long and deep breath with my fingers wrapped around the handle. I’ve been waiting for this for five years, and all the overtime and the insane workload I’ve put on myself led to this moment.
I feel at peace when I open the door, a smile plastered on my face.
“Ah, Genevieve,” he greets when I enter. He doesn’t get up from his chair but gestures to the one on the other side of his desk. “Please, sit.”
I comply, holding back my grin the best I can. “How have you been doing, dear?” he asks, leaning back into his leather seat.
“Good, thank you. The team’s been sailing smoothly, we’re ahead of all our assignments, and we’re getting ready for the merger to be finalized.”
“That’s great to hear. If I’m being perfectly honest, I was a little worried when we first hired you. In my experience, people who come from a background as wealthy as yours usually get a job out of boredom or to fit expectations, and they never get properly involved in it. But you have been a great addition to this department.”
“I’m glad I exceeded your expectations, then. Working here has been an enriching experience, and I can’t wait for more of it to come.”
“Good, good.” He’s pensive for a few moments, probably trying to find the words to break the good news to me. “As you know, I’m retiring in the fall,” he starts. “I’ve been tasked by the people upstairs to find the most competent replacement to fill my position once I’m gone.”
“Yes, we have discussed this in the past.”
“Well, it wasn’t an easy choice because so much has to be considered for the sake of the company. It has to be an informed decision, you see. So, I have been weighing everything for weeks, trying to find the perfect department head. And I finally reached a conclusion, which is why I asked you here.”
