Page 21 of Worth Loving You

“Mistakes happen, and I don’t want your entire career to be ruined, but actions have consequences. Hopefully you learn from your mistakes, Ms. Monroe. The next guy might not be so forgiving as I am.”

“Oh, my god, I cannot believe this. How many years have I worked for you, and never, not once, has anyone ever complained about me? I have never called in sick, cancelled, or even been late. I even pick up the slack whenever I can when others bail on you.

“Six years,” I shouted, tears rolling down my face as I stabbed my chest. “And you’re going to believe that asshole over me?”

“Here we go with the vulgarities again,” he groaned, and I could almost hear his eyes roll.

She took a sharp inhale, her cheeks turning red. “Ms. Monroe, if you will, please collect your belongings and remove yourself from my establishment. Don’t make a scene or I will ignore Mr. Pampinella’s request and report you.”

“You know what,” I wept with a cynical chuckle. “Fuck you.”

She gasped and he snickered then coughed. Her palms slapping to the desk, her gray hair shook around her long, oval face. “Ms. Monroe! Get your belongings and leave, now!”

“Go to hell.”

I yanked my bag’s strap to my shoulder, flung open the door, and slammed it as hard as I could behind me. Stomping to the exit, I repeated those actions, my heart breaking. I’d never been fired before. Never! This was utterly humiliating.

Staggering down the hallway to the elevator, I punched the button, but didn’t want to wait, so I hurried a few feet further to the door for the stairwell. Swinging it open, I dropped to the first step, folded my arms on my knees, and buried my face, sobbing hysterically.

Chastity Monroe

I pounded on the metal door, sniveling uncontrollably. It gradually opened to Wyatt’s bored expression.

“Oh, it’s you. I should have known,” he groaned.

I slammed my palms to his chest, knocking him aside and barging into the apartment. “Where is he? Milo!” I shrieked.

At the end of the small hallway, my sneakers squeaked with my abruptly halting steps, seeing him in the kitchen. He was standing at the island with a slender brunette, whispering and motioning at a platter of various foods.

“You!” I sobbed, my vision blurred through my tears. Though I didn’t want to shed them, I blinked, just so I could see properly.

His attention snapped up, his expression one of surprise. “Ms. Monroe. You’re here a lot sooner than I expected. I’m afraid I’m not quite ready for you—”

“Fuck you!” I wailed, charging forward to slap him across the face.

Wyatt stormed forward, grabbing a fistful of hair at the back of my head. I screamed, terror lurching my stomach.

Milo’s lids narrowed, his nostrils flaring. Poking his tongue into the offended cheek, he rubbed his chin and took a long, ragged breath.

“That’ll be all,” he said to the woman while staring at me.

“Yes, sir.” She scurried around the bar, grabbed a purse off the table, and ran for the exit, slamming the door.

I was gasping, nearing a state of sheer panic, clutching at Wyatt’s wrist.

Milo crossed his arms and sneered, widening his stance. “You come charging into my house, uninvited, screaming, and hit me!” He shouted the last two words, his complexion turning red. “After everything I did for you? You ungrateful bitch!” he roared, his voice echoing off the walls and ceiling.

“Ungrateful…what did you do for me? You humiliated me, you got me fired—”

“I had this gourmet meal cooked for you to celebrate your independence. I freed you, Chazzy.”

I whimpered, trying to shake my head. “You destroyed me,” I whispered, sobbing further.

He jutted his chin at Wyatt, and he released me, hastily pushing me forward. He sauntered off toward the short hallway near the front of the apartment and disappeared into a bedroom, closing the door, leaving me alone with Milo.

“Now come here and eat.”

“Eat?” I rasped, my shoulders drawing to my ears as I shrugged my arms out. “You want me to sit here and eat dinner with you? You got me fired. You lied—”