Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Because… He broke it off,” she screams.
Let’s face it. There was never a fiancé. She made the whole thing up to get ahead.
“You,” she snarls. Shit, did I say that out loud? I have a feeling I did with the way Jeff is looking at me. “You think you’re better because you’re married…to a man you probably had to pay?”
“Vanessa, that’s uncalled for,” Jeff says. “She’s getting a divorce. Be kind. Mayve is going through a rough time right now, and I would like you to consider her feelings.”
“Consider this.” She gives me the finger and turns back to Jeff. “Me or her,” she states.
“Sorry, what?” Jeff looks as shocked as I feel, but I sit there waiting for his answer. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, and I know the answer will not be what Vanessa wants to hear.
“You heard me, Jeff. I can’t work with her.”
“I have not done a single thing to you, Vanessa. This beef you think we have comes solely from you,” I calmly say.
She doesn’t look my way, keeping her eyes trained on Jeff.
“Jeff, it’s me or her,” she says again.
“You will not ask me to choose. Go and do some work.” He waves her off, but she doesn’t move. “Vanessa, just because you are close with my wife doesn’t mean I have to always keep you on. Remember that.” Vanessa flicks her hair over her shoulder as she pouts at him.
“I’m serious, Jeff. I can’t work with her.”
“Why? What have I ever done to you? Are you jealous?” I ask, standing from the chair.
She laughs, but it’s more of a cackle.
“No. Of you, never.” Vanessa shakes her head, but I don’t believe her.
“Good, because some of us like to keep work professional and don’t go around kissing our clients. That is considerably unprofessional.” I smile at her—yes, it’s a mocking smirk I can’t help.
A knock sounds on the door, and Emma pokes her head in. She eyes Vanessa, then me.
“You have your ten o’clock meeting in your office.”
I nod, and she retreats, closing the door.
“I quit,” Vanessa announces, turning to look at Jeff.
“If that’s what you want, Vanessa.” Jeff sighs.
She gasps. She really did think he would choose her over me. Well, more like over what I can bring to the position.
She assumed he would keep her.
Assumption can make an ass out of you.
Never assume you are not replaceable.
Every single one of us is replaceable.
“You can’t do that,” she says quietly.
“I didn’t do anything. You quit,” he tells her.
“No, I was bluffing.” Vanessa turns and heads to the door.
“You did quit,” I tell her. “I heard the words come from your mouth only seconds ago.”
“Shut up, Mayve. Do you think throwing on some new clothes and entering the office daily changes who you are? We all know. You are the shy and timid girl who is trying to be someone she isn’t. This façade…” she waves her hand in front of me “will crumble eventually, and the real you will come back, and when it does, I’ll simply take over.” She walks out and slams the door shut behind her.
“You won’t leave, will you, Mayve?” Jeff asks, concerned.
“This is me, Jeff,” I say. “And unless you give me good reason to leave, I like my job. There is no reason I can think of to leave working here.”
“Good, because Marco was not impressed with Vanessa. He requested that she never be put on his account again. And he asked to only ever deal with you. Not only would I hate to lose you, but Marco would as well. And I do not want to lose the company business. Vanessa’s jealousy is a problem right now for me.”
“I don’t plan to go anywhere, Jeff.”
“That’s really good to hear, Mayve.” I turn to leave, knowing I have someone waiting for me in my office. “Don’t worry about Vanessa. I’m sure she’ll get over it and move on.”
I don’t bother asking why he hasn’t fired her. Jeff is a good boss, soft when it comes to her, but still good. On the way to my office, I pass Vanessa, but she doesn’t look my way. As I walk past, she whispers to the person next to her, and I hear my name, but it doesn’t bother me. They can talk about me all they want, but in the end, I have the position they all seem to want.
“Mayve.” Emma stops me before I reach the door.
“What is it? Do I have everything ready?” She passes me my notebook and pen as well as my coffee.
“Do you need me to come in with you?” she almost whispers the words, so I give her a puzzled look.
“Emma, are you okay?”
She leans in, still whispering, and says, “Are you sure? I can be your backup. I got your back, just so you know.”