AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 6
ADRIAN
Myheartskipsabeat.
That very same evening, I hold in my hand her letter of resignation. She hates me so much that she didn't even bother giving it to me herself. My fucking office mailman dropped it off.
I hold it in my hands, my thoughts racing. How could I convince her to stay? I had said and done too much already, but still, I want her here with me - working beside me and learning from me. In some ways, I learn from her too.
But now, she is gone - walking away from me without a second glance. Her words still resonate through my mind–"You're made of the same thread as every other man"–and for once in my life, I feel shame stirring inside of me.
In an instant, all of the carefully constructed walls I have erected around myself come crumbling down as I realize how wrong I had been to try and change who Olivia is – or rather – who I want her to be. At this moment, the only thought that echoes through my mind is how much I have fucked up.
This is all so unfamiliar. I need Olivia to forgive me, but I also need to forgive myself. It's almost like I have forgotten what life is like for most people since my life changed so drastically. I had forgotten that there are people out there - people like Olivia - who did not fawn, bend, or remain silent just because they were in the presence of someone rich, or powerful. I never expected her to quit, because no one, in the past decade, had done that with me. In fact, people begged to keep their jobs when fired.
How had I let myself become so astray from my roots?
I need Olivia. She humbles me. And to correct my errors, I need to do the right thing. I need to apologize.
Butterflies flood my stomach as I dial her phone number, not even sure she will answer.
"H-hello?" she answers after several rings.
"Olivia? It's Adrian," I say. My throat is dry and scratchy as I continue, "I read your letter of resignation, and I'm calling you to ask if you'd have dinner with me - it's professional, I promise."
I fear she’ll say no, so I add quickly, "Look, there's not much that I can do to take back what conspired between us ... but ... I want to talk about what happened and apologize for my actions. That’s all. "
“Apology accepted,” she says. “But I think I still need to move forward, Adrian.”
I feel guilty beyond what I can express. “Olivia,” I say, quietly. “Look, I truly reflected on what you said, and the truth is that I don’t want to be like every other man. There are a few things I believe in as strongly as the fact that men shouldn’t overstep boundaries. I overstepped a boundary, and because of my error, you’re changing a trajectory in your career. The only person who should suffer for my folly is me. Please, just meet me for a conversation so that I can just make things right. Look, I have a daughter. I would hate if in the future, someone put my daughter in a position I just put you in.”
“You have a daughter?” asks Olivia.
“Yes,” I say, smiling. “She’s my rock.”
“Don’t tell me you’re married too,” she asks. “Have I become a home-wrecker?”
I burst out laughing, “No. Divorced.”
For a few moments, there is only silence. Then Olivia sighs into the phone before responding in a resolute voice, "Fine, Adrian. Let's talk. Where would you like to meet?"
"It’s virtually an unknown place but has the best food. Tough to find. Should I just pick you up? Would that be easier?”
“What if you make for terrible company and I want to run off in between?” she asks, and to my astonishment, in authentic sentiment.
I suppress a laugh and respond in earnest. “I promise I’ll get the check immediately and take you to the nearest bus or car stand. But I do hope I don’t make for such terrible company.”
At last, a laugh.
"Sure," she says. “Can you pick me up from the local library? I’m meeting a friend around there.” I confirm, and she thanks me crisply, cutting the phone before I can even respond with a simple, “You’re welcome.”
But then an idea strikes me - a way of making it up to Olivia in grand style. For a moment, visions of an elaborate, private meal with Michelin-star chefs are barreling through my mind. But then I stop myself short. That isn’t what Olivia would want - that isn't even close to who she is or how she would want this conversation.
No, if there's anything Olivia wants from me, it is respect and understanding--not showed off extravagance. And those are the things that I could give her: A genuine apology where no one else would have the courage to speak truthfully and honestly. She deserves more than just a showered apology with meaningless gifts. No, Olivia deserves something deeper, something that speaks to the heart of who I am as a person - a man capable of understanding and acknowledging his own faults.
I let my driver go for the day and wait patiently, trying to get through each excruciating moment until I see her. By 6:45 pm, I am sitting in my car outside the library, waiting patiently for her. She comes out at 7:00 pm, and I can’t help but stare as she hugs her friend goodbye. The two girls speak for a few more seconds and then hug again. I wonder if there’ll be a third hug, but finally, Olivia looks around, trying to find me.
Tonight, she looks different. Sexy, yes, as always ... but pretty, a kind of understated beautiful. She looks like a daisy on a summer day, a strawberry ice cream, a mix of innocence and sweetness that I cherish. The kind of woman I once upon a time imagined having kids with. She's looking lost in that summer dress, her eyes searching left and right.
