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“Yes,” I muttered under my breath. “It’s already more than you deserve.”
Chances were that Caleb already knew what I’d been up to. Alfie would have kept him up-to-date, which only added to my current state of annoyance. Alfie stopped the car in the basement of the Puck building, and followed me up to the penthouse. It was quiet, and I needed to stay busy, so I took a shower, and made dinner. Dressed in nothing but a cotton shirt, and my sleep shorts, I turned the stereo on and set about making fresh Cannelloni’s filled with spicy ground beef, and a white wine and cream sauce. With ‘The Lumineers’ playing in the background, and the delicious smells coming from the food, I was distracted to the point of bliss. After making sure Alfie had some dinner, I finished off a plate of my own, and set some aside to take to work the next day. I tossed and turned after I’d gone to bed, unable to sleep, and grew more and more aggravated with myself.
I don’t miss him, I told myself. I don’t wish he was here.
With a loud huff, I slipped up against the headboard and switched the bedside lamp on. I grabbed one of the new books I’d purchased earlier that day, and got comfortable on a lounger outside on the terrace.
WHEN I ARRIVED at the office the following morning, it was chaos. My colleagues were all gathered out in the hallways, and the main reception area talking at a frantic pace. I looked around, my brows drawn in confusion. I spotted Aaliyah in the far corner, talking on the phone, and started towards her. Her call ended, and when she saw me approach I saw relief etched into features.
“Oh thank God,” she breathed. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
“What’s going on?” I asked, motioning her towards my desk. I put my belongings away, powered on my laptop, and then followed Aaliyah when she tipped her head towards Macy’s office. Macy was officially on maternity leave, much to her disgruntlement, so she wasn’t there.
Aaliyah shut the door, and then turned to face me.
“Where’s Caleb?” she asked. She too looked harried, and a little frazzled.
I shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? I thought he came home from the Hamptons yesterday?”
I crossed my arms. “He decided to stay an extra night.”
Aaliyah looked surprised. “Oh.”
“If you want to know where he is then call him yourself.”
“Easy tiger,” said Aaliyah. “From your tone I’m guessing you’re still pissed with him.”
“No,” I replied. “I’m just tired.” I didn’t want to tell her it was because I’d stayed up until 3a.m. She would assume it was because of Caleb, and the last thing I wanted to do was admit that she was right. My book had only distracted me for so long before my thoughts drifted to Caleb.
“Well then, so much for beating him at his own game, huh?”
“Aaliyah, can we not talk about this here, please? I’d rather talk about why everyone looks like they’re ready to freak out.”
“Jennifer quit.”
“What?”
“Yeah,” sighed Aaliyah. “I found her ‘resignation’ on a fucking post-it this morning. She’s not answering her phone, and she took all her files with her.”
“Does Caleb know?”
“That’s why I asked if you knew where he was. I’m not sure if he knows yet, and I can’t imagine he’d be happy about it.”
“I can’t see why he wouldn’t be. No one liked her, and she did nothing but cause drama for Caleb.”
“And you.”
“That’s beside the point,” I replied. “Why is it such a bad thing if she quit? I for one am happy to see her go.”
“Because first of all, she was handling the launch party for Caleb’s record label, and second, those files she took are the property of Callahan Industries. I wouldn’t put it past her to try and poach some of our clients. Bitch is crazy enough to try, at least.”
“Is there no way to get them back?”
“That’s why I need to speak to Caleb, but our more immediate problem is the launch party. It was Jennifer’s project, and now with her gone, and with the event in only three weeks, we’re pretty much screwed. Macy can’t do much on her end either.”
“So what should we do? Without the notes, and plans from Jennifer’s files we’d have to start from scratch.”
