I lift my eyes to the ceiling and pray someone will save me.
“And don’t look up and hope that one of those cunts up there will save you.”
“How do…”
“I fucking know everything,” he snarls. “Thank fuck I’ve made damn sure I could keep an eye on you.”
“Enzo…”
“Don’t try that tone of voice with me, baby girl. It won’t do anything. Your ass is in for such a fucking hiding when you get home. You’re leaving work. Now.”
I sit in silence and push my weight into my chair.
“You’d better not be thinking about defying me, Adriana. I’ll double your punishment if you are.”
“This isn’t fair, Enzo.”
He growls and my fingers grip the desk, holding on for sheer damn life. “It isn’t meant to be. You need to learn to do what I say when I fucking say it. Now get your ass out of there before I march over there and haul it out of your office. Over my fucking shoulder for the whole damn office to see.”
“But…”
“I’ll tell Emily your mother is sick. You can work from home. Now fucking move.”
I hang up, and he calls back. Instantly.
“Never. Ever. Hang. Up. On. Me.”
I hang up again and drop my phone into my bag, gathering up my belongings as fast as I possibly can. I grab some manuscripts and my laptop, stuffing them into my oversized tote bag, before packing my handbag. Within a few minutes, I’ve packed and I’m heading for reception.
Lucinda chases after me, calling after me until I’m forced to stop. She’s waffling on about needing to get approval for some event we’re throwing in a week or two, and this is the very thing I don’t need. I stare blankly at her, hoping her endless monologue will end—and when it doesn’t, I take matters into my own hands.
I interrupt her.
“Just do what you think is best. You’re great at this, Lucinda. I’ve got to go. My mother’s ill. It’s an emergency. I’ve got to go. Sorry. Just sort it.”
I turn and race away, grabbing my phone and calling Enzo back.
“You hung up again.”
“I needed to pack.”
“You did not need to pack,” he says, and I note the tension in his tone. “I’d have got your stuff later. How much fucking stuff did you need to bring with you, anyway?”
I roll my eyes and get into the elevator—and the signal cuts out.
I emerge and my phone rings. Instantly.
“I thought you said you knew everything,” I sigh.
“Oh, I do, darling girl.”
I recognize the voice, and my blood turns cold. Eva’s tone is harsh and calculating, the tone of voice someone uses when they know they have you in their grasp. She’s fucking with me and she’s enjoying it.
“He won’t be coming for you.”
I swallow and walk into the entrance lobby. My eyes dart around and nothing looks unusual. Everything seems the same as it did this morning. The man on reception smiles and waves as he looks up and I smile back, trying to pretend that I’m okay.
I’m far from it.
