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Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Fiona
“You would be entering data, filing papers, scheduling appointments, maintaining records, and helping everything run smoothly, Chris explains. “At my company we work with charity organizations as well, so you may work some weekends or nights to help with events. In fact, we’re currently working with Ethan Montgomery”
Ethan’s name pulls my attention to Chris fully, and I blink. Chris smiles widely and sighs almost dreamily
“He’s my idol, you know. Everyone says Mr. Montgomery is cold and only seeks publicity, but I don’t think so, Chris tells me. I shift in my seat, slightly more interested in the conversation now.
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” he starts, tapping his fingers on his thigh. “He’s very successful which is impressive on its own, but to dedication to the charity organizations we’ve worked with is even more amazing. He doesn’t put himself into the spotlight like people think and I’ve realized, after working with him a couple months ago at a children’s center, he’s not bad.”
his
I hadn’t seen anything in the news or heard anything from Jack about a children’s center.
“What did he do with the children’s center?” I ask, leaning in slightly. I’ve been hoping that Ethan wasn’t a bad guy. haven’t been able to find much proof.
but I
“Oh, he held an auction to raise money for the new children’s wing at Moon Meadow Hospital. He auctioned off a car and then raised over a million dollars that night,” he tells me excitedly. “That man is going to change lives, and no one sees that And do you want to know something?”
I nod silently. I want to know everything I can about Ethan. This is a whole new side of him I didn’t even know was there
“There were children at the auction- some of the sick kids- and I heard Mr. Montgomery promising he’d stop by the children’s home to play soccer with the ones who were feeling well enough.”
Imagining Exban playing soccer with a bunch of little kids makes my heart all melty. I’d love to see this more tender side of the man because all I can truly picture is him wanting a temporary sexual relationship.
“Anyway, back to business. What are your work skills and experience?”
I try to hide the cringe as I think about my lack of work experience.
“I’m hard–working, organized, motivated, good at communication, adaptable to many different situations, and love helping people. I’m looking for a job I can work hard in and build a future with. I am looking for a new start and hope this will be a good fit, I tell him. I may not have a lot of experience, but putting up with Jack and running the household for him gave me at least these skills.
Chris nods, glances at his watch, and smiles while saying. “Fiona, I think this went really well. I’ve got another appointment to get to, but you’ll be hearing from us within a week”
I shake his hand again, dodging a hug, and wave goodbye as he leaves the coffee shop.
Walking into the building. I make my way over to the front desk. The receptionist looks up from her computer and offers a friendly smile. At least someone knows how to be professional, I think to myself as I picture Ethan’s rude secretary.
“Hi, how can I help you?”
“I’ve got some papers for Mr. Adair,” 1 answer, awkwardly lifting the file and showing her. She nods, picks up the phone, and after a few words with the person on the phone, she hangs up.
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“You can go to his office. It’s 214, down the hall to the left,” she says.
“Thank you,”
Following her instructions, I make my way to Mr. Adair’s office. After such a bad morning, things are finally looking up 1 have Mom’s will, a lawyer, and now I might have a job. This meeting will take me another step closer to regaining my life.
Mr. Adair calls for me to enter when I knock on the door, and then he tells me to have a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. His friendly expression from the other night is gone, and I tell myself he might’ve been having a hard day as well.
So, I offer a smile and say, “I brought the will like you asked.”
“Mrs. Alderidge, have you been in contact with Mr. Montgomery?” Mr. Adair asks. His cold eyes find me, and I try my best not to shrink back in my chair.
“I just saw him,” I answer, confused. Why does he need to know? Does he need Ethan for something?
“Are v
you in contact with him now?” He asks again.
“Now?” I ask, glancing down at my phone. “Not at the moment, but I saw him two hours ago.”
Mr. Adair narrows his eyes a bit, rests his elbows on his desk, and steeples his fingers. His stare settles on me and sends a wave of discomfort through me. Had something happened between our meeting and now?
It hasn’t even been a full day since our talk.
“Really? Is that true?”
His words jar me, making me stare at him now. Why is he interrogating me:
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand what’s happening. Why does it matter if I was with Ethan this morning? I went to get my mother’s will like you asked,” I say, holding up the file.
“Can you prove you were with him?”
“Excuse me? Why would I need to prove I was with Ethan?” I narrow my eyes at him this time. What has gotten into this man? Yesterday, he was smiling, offering help, and assuring me I had a chance, and now he’s done a one–eighty and is acting completely differently.
He doesn’t answer. He merely looks at the file I’m holding then hack at me, waiting for my answer.
“How can you prove it, Mrs. Alderidge?”
I don’t know what he thought I would say after he repeated his question, but proof is not what I’ll give him. I don’t have any and even if I did, I don’t appreciate his attitude. It makes me incredibly uneasy that he’s shifted his tone to something closer to anger.
Then I realize something. Ethan isn’t here with me like he was last night. Was Mr. Adair merely posturing in front of Ethan to get on his good side?
“Is this how your firm treats people? Based on their status?”
Mr. Adair scoffs, his eyes running over me before his top lip curls back.
“We only serve high–society clients,” Mr. Adair tells me with an arrogant sniff. Does Ethan know his employees treat clients this way? Or is it just that he’s treating me this way?
I hesitate briefly before pulling my phone out. I don’t want to fully lean on Ethan because, like he said, this is my battle, and he only would provide an opportunity. I can’t go crying to him every time I have a problem.
12:10 Sun, 13 ADI M..
Chapter 12
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The loger Mr. Adair watches me, the more I realize he won’t help me without Ethan’s help. The only reason he talked to ine was to please Ethon, and mow that I then it here, I’m sinking beneath the waves of low social status
Dialing Ethan’s office number, I walt as it rings.
And rings
And rings
When no one answers, I call again: Is Madison not by the phone? She should be taking calls. It’s part of her job as a secretary.
Again, no one answers.
Was she ignoring ine or not at her desk?
“You’ve already been abandoned, Mrs. Aldridge, by your husband and Mr. Montgomery,” Mr. Adair says, pulling my attention back to him. Thite hack a cutting response as he continues, “There’s no chance Mr. Montgomery will bother with you again… and. I’d like to let you know, your mother’s will is going to take a month- at least thirty days- to process.”
The linle bit of hope I’d had this morning shatters at his words.
“My husband?”
He has no reason to bring Jack into this in such a rude way. Then it hits me. Did Jack say something or do something to make Mr. Adair turn on me?
“I can’t understand why you’re acting this way, or what kind of benefit my husband has offered you, but I only have twenty- eight days left, and you’re supposed to help me,” I tell the man in front of me.
“That’s no longer my problem, Mrs. Aldridge.”
The ache in my chest turns hot and I stand up, glaring at Mr. Adair.
“You’ll soon regret your shot–sightedness, I declare before turning and leaving. If he wants to continue acting like a prick, and if Madison won’t answer the phone, I’ll go to Ethan directly.
Annoyance digs into my gut, and only grows with each step I take. What happened to kindness and compassion? Does not one feel empathy for others anymore?
As I pull out of the parking lot, my phone begins ringing.
Snatching it out of my purse, I answer the call.
“Who are you with right now?!” Ethan’s furious voice growls, making me jump.
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