What the ever-loving hell is this about? My head flicks up, and I’m turning every which way trying to lay my eyes on the person who has sent the text message. A part of me wants to walk out and run to Roman’s protection. Someone has been watching me for a few days now. I knew the prickling feeling I was having wasn’t for nothing.
After returning to work, I give Violet her lunch and get back to jobs I’ve been given. At four o’clock, Violet comes out of her office.
“How’s that paperwork going?” Her tone is soft, which is very unusual. Has my world spun upside down? People around me are acting weird.
Taking my focus off the work before me, I meet her gaze. There’s gentleness in her features. “Everything is fine. I’ve nearly finished this, and then I’ve only got one more to complete. Is everything all right?”
A small smile touches her lips. “You’re an excellent worker, Elenore. I know I’ve not given you enough credit. You help make my workload somewhat bearable. Thank you.”
Yep, it’s official—something’s happened. The look on my face must prompt her to keep speaking. “I’m sorry I’ve never told you before. I wanted to see how hard I could push you. You’re an energetic worker who knows what needs to happen. Very efficient.”
Unsure what to say, I give her a smile.
After a moment of silence, she speaks again. “Elenore, I want to tutor you as a trainee editorial assistant. Your education will be funded by the company, and well, you will still be working under me, but you’ll have more workload until I can find a decent replacement for you.” Unable to hide my excitement, I stand up, walking to her and throwing my arms around her neck. Her body stiffens briefly before she returns the hug, a small giggle escaping her.
“Thank you so much! This is what I’ve wanted for so long.” Excitement bubbles through me at the thought of finally reaching one my goals to be taught and trained by one of the best. It’s a stepping-stone in the direction I want to take. Releasing her, I take a step back, a grin now plastered firmly on my face.
“I’m glad because I’ve had my eye on you for some time to do this job.” She’s talking to me as a friend. This is so very unlike her.
“What’s made you decide this now?” I can’t hold myself back—I want to know.
Violet’s head falls as if she’s saddened by something. “Well, after Rebecca and seeing how young she was, it’s made me think about things more. Brought matters into perspective. Tonight will be the start of your late nights and much more work.” Her voice takes on a professional tone. “So be ready to start working harder than you’ve ever worked.”
Hard work is my middle name. I’ve spent my life working hard, and it’s been a fight for survival. I survived my past, and I’ll survive my future even with a full-on job. I love my work, I have for the last two years, and now, with this opportunity, I can grow into so much more. Being told you’re worthless for half of your life takes a toll, but it made me stronger, and I’ve told myself I am worth this life, worth the air that I breathe.
“I’m so ready for this. You have no idea.” I beam a broad smile right at her.
Violet nods. “I know you are. Now don’t disappoint me.”
Ah, there’s the Violet I know, her forceful personality shining through the softness she showed me only moments ago. “Thank you so much, Ms. Vi. I really appreciate it.”
She says nothing more as she spins and walks away, while I get back to work. The thrill of her announcement spurs me on to get my jobs done efficiently and effectively. I can’t wait to see Roman later and tell him about my promotion. He might be happy for me.
It’s gone dark outside, and Violet has just left for the day. I have about five pages left of reading and checking. Not that there’s much checking to do because Violet is very pedantic and never really misses much.
My cell phone is sitting on the desk, and it rings, frightening me. I’ve been on edge since these messages started, and I hope Roman has some answers for me. My screen is flashing Lewis’s name. Perfect! Just the person I need to talk to.
“Hello, grumpy pants,” I greet him.
“Yeah, sorry, about before. You took me by surprise.” I hear some sadness in his tone. Still, I’m not ready to forgive him straight away.
“You were pretty rude. What’s going on?”
Lewis releases a breath. “I was annoyed because you were going on a date with him.”
What? “Excuse me?” I blurt out.
“I feel like you didn’t even give me a second thought.”
My head’s spinning from his words. It’s a good thing I’m sitting down.
“What are you going on about?” I practically yell into my cell. He’s acting like a crazy teenage boy.
Silence descends over us for a moment.
“I was hoping we’d have a chance at something?”
“Me and you?” I reply, shocked by this revelation. “I’ve never looked at you like you’re someone I could date. You’re more like my big brother. Besides, you were smitten with Rebecca.
“I know, but she’s gone now and I thought…”
My blood runs cold. How could he say that?
“Are you drunk?” I ask, puzzled by his admission.
“What? No!” he shouts back in surprise.
“What are you thinking? Moving from one woman to the next so quickly? Really? Think about what you’re saying to me,” I snap at him. How could he do this? Does he think I’d forget how much he apparently loved Rebecca?
Hopefully, he realizes what he’s saying and retracts it immediately. Instead, I’m met with crickets on the other end of the line.
“Lewis? Are you there?” I ask, a little hesitantly.
“Yeah, I’m here.” He sounds so flat. “I’m sorry, El. Better go. I’ll talk to you later. Yeah?”
I decide to act casually. “Yeah, of course,” I reply softly.
We say our goodbyes, and I’m left quite confused. I pull out the card Roman gave me when we first met, and send him a quick message.
Me: Hey, Roman, it’s Elenore. I’ll be finishing in about 30 minutes.
A reply comes through almost immediately.
Roman: Sure thing. I’ll be waiting downstairs when you arrive.
My tummy swirls with excitement. Hopefully, I will be able to forget the stupidity of Lewis and have a good time without bringing the incident up.
Getting back to my final pages, I dive in and get lost in words.
Around twenty minutes later I’m finished, and I load the paperwork back on Violet’s desk ready for her in the morning. I grab my bag, and I’m out of the office for the day—and what a day it’s been. Violet has made my life complete with her offer.
Stepping off the elevator, I say goodnight to the security guard who’s about to do another round of checking the building. Walking out onto the darkened street, the city lights brighten the way. A brisk breeze flows over me, and I tug my coat around my body. It’s not freezing, but there’s a very slight chill in the air, enough to cause goose bumps to prickle over my skin.
Roman isn’t here yet, but he won’t be far away. The street is still tonight, and there are very few people around. Turning each way, I head off in the direction Roman walked away from me today.
Stopping, I pull out my cell and see I have a message.
Lewis: I’m sorry again. For everything.
As I read the words, an overwhelming sense of sorrow fills me. Hurt and confusion over what’s happened to Rebecca—that’s all I can put his behavior down to. I start typing before a shuffle behind me causes me to pause, turning around, hopeful it’s Roman. I don’t make it right around before something hard connects with my head. Collapsing to my knees, the pavement cuts into my flesh, and a whimper passes my lips. Tears sting my eyes as panic shoots right through me. I attempt to look up, but a blow to my cheek stops me in my tracks.
What’s happening?
White spots dance in my vision before the blackness engulfs me.