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“Actually.” I leaned in towards Mark, watching him squirm. “Don't ever use me as a bargaining chip. You know what we had.” He gulped hard, looking nervously between us all before he locked eyes on his brother who, thankfully, was pushed into the corner with the way his jaw was ticking and the fire in his eyes.
“I'm so… sorry, Everleigh. I just…”
“It's over, Mark. Fucking deal with it. Now, can we have our drinks and food brought over please,” I replied as I flicked a curl of hair over my shoulder and turned my back on him.
I was here with my friends, the last thing I wanted was to cause any issues between people, but I wasn't anybody’s pushover. Only one guy could affect me and luckily that situation wasn't an issue anymore. Freddie would forgive Mark quickly; he was never one to hold a grudge for long. He was a good man, too kind for his own good; blood ran thick but he would make sure Mark knew his place, especially with his friends.
Mark got the message and was sorry for how he behaved, the extra round of drinks he brought to the table as a sorry gesture helped sweeten the atmosphere slightly.
“Cheers, everyone…” We clinked our glasses together around the table. “To new beginnings.”
“Together,” they all shouted, giggling in their chairs.
“Right, an hour and home. Tomorrow we have to impress and this,” I wiggled my finger around in a circle, “can easily get out of hand.”
“Got it, boss…” Chrissie winked as she downed her drink, not letting it touch the sides before she grabbed my hand and pulled me to stand. “Better make use of this dancefloor then, hadn’t we?”
“Yes… come on then.” I shimmied my ass out of the chair and followed her lead to the center of the floor, allowing the rhythm to take hold.One hour, that's it.
* * *
I had been up ninety minutes already and still had forty-five minutes until I had to sit in The Wilden’s 102 boardroom. Last night my friends joined forces, ganging up on me when I said it was time to leave. They pouted and fluttered their damn lashes, even getting Freddie to do a mock plea on bent knees. Isobel thought she had won the jackpot having persuaded me to stay an extra thirty minutes, but I'd already prepared for their sulky attempts earlier. It was clever to always be one step ahead of the game.
I needed to be everyone's walking alarm clock this morning, ensuring that they were up and ready for today. We promised that we would meet outside twenty minutes earlier than we expected to be in the boardroom. I wanted to make the right impression and was taking no chances on anything fucking it up for me. Even if it meant I had to walk in alone.
I glanced down at my outfit choice. I’d changed for the third time this morning and finally smiled, perfection. A red fitted bodycon dress that skimmed over my hips, a black blazer with a white pinstripe edging complimented the smart look I was aiming for. Heavy denier tights and a pair of Louboutin’s complemented the look. I just loved the contrast of the red soles against the black shoes. They always gave me a confidence boost. I may not speak of the man who bought me these a few years ago but throwing them out was not going to happen. I’d rid my life of everything that reminded me of him, apart from these shoes. I’d tried many times, but I just couldn’t let them go knowing that they were totally out of my budget. I pulled my hair into a messy bun with a couple of tendrils hanging loose around my face to give some added shape and avoided makeup, going for the natural classic look.
Smart and stylish, I felt I looked like I had authority without overstepping my place in the pecking order. I didn't want to be seen as the woman pushing her way past everyone else and acting like she ran the place. I’d be one of the new department managers, not the person on top.
I couldn't wait any longer. I'd started fidgeting and knew if I didn't leave soon, I'd cause some issue that didn't need dealing with or find a flaw to question about myself. Normally, doubt wouldn't be given a chance to settle but this was different. I knew I was perfect for the role; but everyone has niggles, right? I just didn't want my mind to let them develop into craters. I took the journey along the sidewalk at a casual pace. As I arrived outside The Wilden, I tried to hide my nerves and be the proud sophisticated woman I knew I was as the guys came into view.
“Come on you.” Isobel linked her arm into the crook of mine.
“Shake away the nerves now,” Chrissie said, peeping over my shoulder as I cast my head, with a smile across my face. “Remember, they picked you. They picked all of us.”
“She's right.” Freddie smirked as he grabbed my hand, and squeezed it tightly.
“Right guys. Let's do this,” I replied, marching forward to the front desk, and letting them know who we were.
With directions given, we made our way to the large room, noting we were first to arrive with ten minutes to spare. Punctuality is key, hopefully anyone else due at this meeting understood that concept, too. I knew time was money in business and I wasn't about to be the person holding up that income ratio. I wanted to be included in that, earn my wages through experience and if that propelled me higher in the management sector, I wouldn't hold back.
If the hotel was as elaborate as the boardroom, it would suit the elegant wishes of the clientele, with the high-class marketing they’d thrown at this relaunch and the prices they charged. It was definitely aimed at high quality business and socialites staying here. They would expect nothing but the best and it was now my job to make sure they got nothing less. The room was gorgeous, with a pale blue accented wall and the 'RP' monogram centralized in cream with subdued lighting that highlighted the design, making it pop. A black and white tiled floor, with a sleek black table stretching the near length of the room with white chairs. I felt in place with my jacket combination I’d picked out this morning.
“I'll grab some seats,” Freddie said as I nodded and pointed at the view overlooking the city, gulping as I felt the unshed tears gather behind my eyes.
“No problem,” I replied as I inched forward and took in the sights before me.Why did New York have this effect on me?
Voices gathered louder and chairs scraped behind me. I had to take a seat in a moment before everything started, but I couldn't tear myself away.
I heard the door shut as a voice echoed out into the room – one that had filled my dreams and my nightmares. The smooth baritones of a good quality, rich whiskey poured over the balanced ice in a crystal glass.
“Can we all take a seat?”
A shiver ran up my spine as I spun on my heels. Taking a deep gulp of breath, I dug my fingers deep into the back of the chair in front of me, leaving indentations as I tried to keep my body remaining upright. I felt my knees buckle from underneath me, my heart raced in my chest and the fire traveled into my eyes as the memories flung to the front of my mind.No, it can't be. Surely this is a bad dream.I gazed up to the man who had spoken those words and locked eyes with him.
It wasn't a dream.
The man who had destroyed me stood before me.
