My eyes widened at the amount of money she had written out.
“This is ludicrous!” I exclaimed. “This is blackmail.”
“It’s aninvestment,”she corrected me. “In your new assistant.”
Chapter 31
Juliet
I could hardly believe what I was hearing with my ear pressed snug against the door of Chester’s office. I pushed open the door, nearly falling in with the force behind it, fueled by the words I had just heard.
New assistant.
Anger ran through me, but instead of being red hot, it was a cool chill running through my veins. I wasn’t sure if it was anger or sadness and lethal rage pulsing in me, but I looked at Chester sitting behind his desk dumbfounded and wanted to scream. I had come here to quit, but wasn’t expecting to find I was already being replaced. I couldn’t believe him.
My heart sank even more when I spotted Mia sitting across from him, looking over her shoulder with her mouth gaping at my hasty entrance. I had to do a double take, not wanting to believe that Chester was replacing me withher.
Her, who had been making my life a living hell the moment I stepped in this building. Her, with her raven black hair that matched the dark shade of her heart. Her, who had spread rumors about me my very first morning here.
Her, who had a past with Chester that made me sick to think about. A reminder that he really did use people before disposing of them. I was just his latest conquest.
I snapped my eyes back to Chester, who sat behind his desk now looking cool, calm, and collected. Frustratingly so. My heart felt like it was swelling and shrinking all at once. I had missed him. As much as I hated admitting that to myself, it was true. It had only been a few days since I had seen him last, and the absence in the office made me feel hollow. Even though he had hurt me as bad as he did, I couldn’t help but wish he was there.
Now that I was pregnant with his baby, it hurt even more.
His brown eyes were dark, the color of chestnut, as they searched mine. Of course, he was wearing my favorite suit of his. It was blacker than a midnight sky, cut perfectly to his solid form. It was disarming.
Hewas disarming.
I almost forgot what I was here to do.
But I couldn’t fall for it. For him. Not again.
“Howdareyou,” I said sharply and slowly.
His brow furrowed as he looked up at me. His act of confusion wouldn’t work on me though. It was clear what I had walked in on.
“Juliet…” he started, my name sounding like a favorite song from his lips.
“You couldn’t have the decency of firing me before looking for my replacement?” I asked, my voice growing louder.
“That’s not what—”
“I’m not done,” I snapped.
Chester pressed his lips together, swallowing hard.
“I was damn good at this job,” I said. “I did everything you asked and more. I put up with your ridiculous demands and particularities. It’s honestly no wonder you haven’t been able to keep a personal assistant with how high maintenance you are.”
Mia let out a choke of a laugh, looking from me to Chester, clearly enjoying the show. I ignored her and kept going.
“I’ve done your stupid tasks. Making me pick up your dry cleaning. Running around town with contracts. Playingwaitress.”I raised my brows at that last one, remembering how stupid I had been. So eager to do everything he wanted.
It had been right here in this office. So much had happened right here. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to shut the memories out. The smiles. The looks of lust. The laughs. The callouses of his hands, gentle yet sharp against my bare skin. The conversations over lunch, getting to know the man behind the money.
I clenched my fingers into fists and forced myself to look at him again.
“Youare the one who requested me to be transferred. You sought me out for the job. And now you’re throwing me away without so much as a conversation. An email. A text. Nothing.” My voice grew shaky. “I should have never left accounting. Hell, I should never have taken this job!”
