Claire
I feel a little shaken after ditching Liam over breakfast.
I just couldn't sit there another second longer knowing about my unethical behavior.
I don't know why I feel torn over betraying him. It's not like we're committed. I don’t even know if he has feelings for me.
Plus, I think what I did can't be considered that much of a big deal. I just took a little peek at his files on the Velvet Luxe campaign. One thing is apparent though, he has a team of people working on the project other than himself.
Personally, I pride myself on being a hands-on boss. So I do not agree on his means of carrying out this project. But, it's not in my nature to snoop.
The cab driver's trying to chat with me but I'm not in the mood. I just want to sulk in silence.
I'm happy when he turns the familiar corner and I see my little vintage building. It never fails to induce a sense of excitement. I love my job and I love the advertising world.
I get out, thank the cab driver, and give him an extra tip for being so friendly.
I push open the heavy, wooden doors to my office and walk in to see the place abuzz. Everyone's working hard on the campaign.
I stalk past Charlotte and she instantly follows because she knows something is wrong. Apparently, it's evident by my demeanor.
She follows me around to my corner office and shuts the glass door.
"What's wrong Claire?"
"What's wrong? I'll tell you what's wrong. I took your advice. I did what we agreed. I spent the night with Liam and I snooped around his computer and now I feel horrible about it. The guilt is eating me alive."
She sits down on one of the white modern chairs opposite me.
"You spent the night at his penthouse last night?" she says. "Does that mean you guys are serious?"
She seems more interested in my date with him than the fact that I did some spying. It was even her idea in the first place. Apparently, it could wait.
"Wait, what? That's not the point Charlotte. The point is I betrayed him. I'm an awful person. I never should've done that."
She sits back in her chair and judges my response.
"Claire, you're a reliable, genuine person. The fact that you did a little bit of spying doesn't do anything to demean your character. It had to be done. Besides, he's not that into you."
I glare at her and speak sarcastically.
"Well, that's always nice to hear."
"I'm sorry. That came out wrong," she says. "You know I don't mean that in a harsh way. What I mean is that we both know he's the biggest player in town. So, while you're having fun with him, it's not gonna go anywhere. Therefore, you shouldn't feel guilty about spying on him."
I know she's right, but it doesn't make the truth easier to accept. I know that I'm Liam's little fling for now and that soon he'll grow disinterested. I’m not exactly serious about him either. I just want to enjoy what we have while it lasts.
"You're right," I say. "I need to not get invested in this. In fact, I'm doing a pretty good job of that. I'm trying to keep my emotions out of it. But that doesn't mean I feel any better about being two-faced."
"I promise you this one simple act doesn't define your character. You did it for the sake of the company," she says and it makes me feel a little bit better. "But now let's get to the good stuff, what did you find?"
I smile up at her despite my glum mood.
"Well, to tell you the truth, what I found was his entire concept. And let me tell you, I didn't even need to spy. Our stuff is so much better than his. It looks like he has a team working on it. I'm not even sure how many of the ideas are coming directly from him."
"You don't think he's working on this himself?" she says incredulously.
"No. He didn't even do his own presentation at the first meeting. But that's beside the point. His team, or whoever he has working on this, has nothing on us. Our campaign is so much better."
"That's great," she says delightedly.
"I know. I hate to say it, but having seen his ideas makes me feel more confident in myself. I know I can do this. I know I can win."
My excitement bubbles up despite my guilt. I know that I can do this. I can save my company. I push this thought in the front of my thoughts. I will focus on this. I’ll put my job first.
"If that's the case," she says. "Then I'm glad you did it. I've been trying to tell you forever that you're great, but you wouldn't believe me. It took you comparing yourself to another person, to him, to believe in yourself. It shouldn't have taken that to give you self-validation. You're good Claire. Correction, you're great."
"Alright, alright," I stop her. "You're right. I should have listened to you and then I wouldn't have had to spy.”
For once I feel like maybe she's right. Maybe she's not just trying to pump me up. Maybe I really should believe in myself and my talent.
It's sad that it took my exploiting Liam to understand this but in truth, the guilt is starting to fade as it becomes more and more evident that I'm really good at what I do.
This is the kind of confidence I need to fly forward. I always believed in myself to some degree, but it took comparing my ideas to that of one of the biggest agencies in town to fully realize my worth. This is something I'll never forget. It's kind of a gift.
Charlotte wants all the dirty details of my night. Liam is the hottest guy in town and I don't mind telling her how he is in bed. In fact, talking about it makes me remember how hard he made me come, and the guilt fades away completely.
We spend at least an hour in my office going over the details. I cover everything from his 12-inch cock, to his rock-hard abs, to the way he kisses me so tenderly that I feel like I'm the only one.
I know it's not true. Liam probably has other women on the side, but for now, I don't have to think about that. He certainly is charismatic, and he has a way with women. I've fallen under his spell despite my strength, but I will never fully trust him.
Charlotte gives me the reminder I need.
"Keep your heart guarded. You have to remember his nature. He's never gonna change Claire, not even for you."
It takes a best friend like that to tell you the truth. I know Charlotte is only trying to protect me. If Liam was any other guy, we might be planning the wedding by now. But as it is, he's not like that and I can't expect anything different.