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Mrs. Weller quickly clocks in at the reception desk and is making her way to the elevator. I have to think quickly. If I go up to the office with her, I’ll probably not leave here in the next two hours. She’ll pry and poke and eventually call Roscoe to come intervene. I can’t battle with my decision right now.
“Good morning, Mrs. Weller. It’s really good to see you too. I don’t mean to take up your time this morning. I just want to give you something.” I already have my envelope in my hands, but she doesn’t give me a chance.
“Nonsense! Come on in. Let's chat for a bit,” Mrs. Weller says, obviously not suspecting what I’m about to do.
“Oh no, I, uh… I’m actually in a rush. Here you go. Thank you so much for everything.” I’m dashing out as soon as the last words are said. I catch a glimpse of confusion on Mrs. Weller’s face, but she doesn’t open the envelope as realization dawns on her. She continues walking to the elevator.
I guess after nearly thirty years of doing HR, nothing can shock you anymore.
I’m out of the building in less than twenty seconds. As I’m pulling out of the parking lot and into the street, I can almost swear it’s Harrison’s car rounding the corner onto the Bridges’ lane.
Almost.
No, certainly. That’s definitely his car. He’s the last person I want to see right now. He doesn’t have any idea what I just did. I ignored all his calls and texts when my heart was aching. He hurt me deeply with the things he accused me of doing, but I know my stupid heart. I’m still yearning for him, needing his protection. But thankfully, my head is reasonably clear and making the decisions.
I’m on my way back to my apartment. My stuff is all packed up and the movers are already waiting for me. I’m heading home to Latimer to be with my parents for a while until I’m sure of what to do. I’ll most likely have my baby there, and it’s better for me, away from all the toxic energy stifling my wellness here.
So why is my heart squeezing painfully at the thought of being away from Harrison, from Tess, and everyone I’ve come to love in the past few five years?
When will it not hurt anymore?
* * *
HARRISON
“Dad, I swear on my life I’m going to walk away from this company and everything you stand for if you don’t leave Charlee alone.”
My father is sitting, staring at me with a sneer. In his black suit against the white décor of his office. I’m on my feet facing him, tapping lightly to control my breathing.
I’ve had enough of this man meddling in my life, and today, I’ll make my one and final stand.
It’s been exactly one week since I made my discovery about Dad and Clayton Gallagher. So much has happened already, and today, my father gets to hear how his misconduct and inability to be a decent person nearly destroyed his children’s business efforts.
“Look at you, little bug suddenly growing wings. What will you do if I don’t let this go?” Dad has a smug look on his face like he’s won a battle that hasn’t even started.
A smile spreads across my lips as I pull a chair forward and sit. This man really thinks the world exists out of the palm of his hand.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” I begin, folding my hands in front of me. “You’re going to leave Charlee alone or I will walk away from Building Bridges without even tendering a resignation letter. You might try to claim that I’m not irreplaceable, but in the middle of this image crisis and with all the technicalities of finding a suitable CEO to manage a company in the financial district, Roscoe might just have to leave Bridges and step up for his brain child. And then that leaves you bereft of a CEO. Would you re-assume the position or welcome a stranger into your family’s heritage?”
I can see Dad’s jaws twitching. He is gritting his teeth so hard that his fists are now balled up. Good. The man is seething and I love it.
“You think you’re so smart, Harrison?” Dad barks. “You’re making the biggest mistake of your life. You think you know everything, but you’re digging a hole you won't be able to get out of. That Charlee girl has you right where she wants you, and now you’re willing to abandon family loyalty and everything you stand for, just for her? You’d leave the family to go hook up with a girl who’s only using you.”
I’ve been disgusted lots of times before by my father’s antics, but never as much as today. What kind of man would settle for cheap manipulation so easily?
A cackle escapes my throat. “Dad, sometimes, I wish you could listen to the things you say. You’re the same person who told me you’d cut me off because of Charlee. Now that I'm willing to walk away and save you the stress, I’m suddenly abusing family loyalty? You were the one ready to cut ties with your own son because he loves someone you don’t like. Yes, I love her with every bit of my heart and that’s final.”
Dad’s face has gone completely red.
Facing him squarely, I lean back on the chair. “Dad, I want you to guarantee me that you’ll back off from Charlee. Stay away from her and leave her alone. You won’t sic your yes-men lawyers on her, you won’t fire her or ever bother her again. She’s not your problem anymore. Just leave her alone or you will lose one out of your three sons forever.”
Dad looks ready to fire off another counter attack, but to my surprise, he collapses back on the chair, a look of resignation on his face.
“I wonder why you think I’m somehow out to ruin our life, when everything I do is for your own good,” Dad says. He swipes a hand across his face and exhales deeply.
This man is unbelievable.
“For my own good? Dad, you’ve made a lot of terrible decisions you don’t even realize. For example, do you know the name Gallagher?”
