Betsy and The Beast

Seven (Betsy)

"What in the hell was that? What did he mean when he said you were trying to take advantage of his grandparents?" I demanded, as Anthony drove us back to the office.

"That's exactly what I was doing. That prime spot is being wasted on two elderly people who have no idea what they have. I was trying to do the community a favor by taking it off their hands for them."

"You've got to be joking. Do you honestly believe any of the bullshit that just spewed out of your mouth?" I asked and I knew I was pushing it. He was my boss after all.

His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel tighter, saying, "You will not change my mind."

I sighed, deciding on a softer tactic, "Are your grandparents still living?"

"No. I never knew my mother's parents. They apparently did not approve of her hooking up with my dad, so they disowned her. It turns out they were right. Good ol' dad is a real piece of work. Because of my dad...no, actually because of me, my mother is dead. She died while giving birth to me. She was the first person I murdered."

Wow. There was a lot to unpack there, instead I prompted, "And your dad's parents?"

"I don't remember dad's mom. She died when I was two. My Grandfather...he raised me. Dad couldn't be bothered with raising a kid after mom passed. I haven't seen him since I was in grade school. For all I know he's dead. I know he's probably still kicking though. Villains never die young. Either way, I don't really care."

"So you were close with your Grandfather then?"

"No." His clipped response told me this angle wouldn't get through to him either.

"Well..." I broke off, unsure what else to say.

He surprised me by continuing, "My Grandfather was an asshole. He started Chapman Holdings and he did a lot worse than I've ever done, business-wise. He'd be so proud of the man I've become. I'm just like him. Cold, distant...I'm the villain in this story, Sweetheart, so you can stop trying to figure out a way to save me."

I frowned, "That's the second time you've used the word villain during this conversation."

"The last words my Grandfather said to me were, you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. I'm no hero." He said, parking the car. When he exited, he didn't bother opening my door this time, so I had to scramble to catch up with him.

"I had only been joking before, poor form that it was, about you needing to see a shrink, but after this conversation I actually believe you need to talk to someone. You have a lot of self-hatred." I said, as the elevators opened in the parking garage and we stepped on.

As soon as the doors slid shut, Anthony slammed his hand on the emergency stop button. As the elevator lurched to a stop, he turned and glared at me, "Let's get something straight here. I am your boss. Nothing more. You can't fix me, so don't even try. You come to work, you keep your mouth shut about your low opinion of me, and we'll get along fine. Do I make myself clear?"

I clenched my jaw, but said, "Crystal clear, Mr. Chapman."

He hit the button to restart the elevator and we rode the rest of the way in silence. Back on the tenth floor, he instructed, "I need time to regroup after that shit-show downtown. It's close enough to lunch time, why don't you go ahead and take your break."

I nodded and wordlessly exited his office. I didn't breathe a sigh of relief until I was inside the elevator, heading down. I needed space from him. In fact, I refused to work one-on-one with such a heartless jackass. I'd go home, change back into my normal clothes and I'd report back for janitorial duties. Screw him.

So that's exactly what I did. I went home. I stripped off my brand-new outfit and it found a new home in the trash can. Then I dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and headed for the beach. Instead of eating, which would just turn my stomach even further, I'd spend my lunch break walking and listening to the sound of the waves. Hopefully by the end of my break, I'd feel marginally better.

I didn't. I drug my feet heading back to work and then I did everything I could to avoid where I thought Anthony might show up. My former boss frowned at my return, but didn't comment, thankfully.  So, I put my headphones in my ears, while I worked and did everything I could to keep my mind of the man on the tenth floor. I knew rumors would fly. I figured everyone probably thought I got the promotion because I'd been sleeping with Anthony, which would mean they were thinking he'd already tired of me. I, honestly, didn't care what anyone thought. The problem was, I cared what I thought; and I couldn't help but think Anthony Chapman was a man worth saving. It saddened me that he couldn't see that himself but I knew I just needed to let it go. I needed to let him go.

With a sigh, I looked at the clock again and was shocked to see it was after five o'clock. I headed for the janitor's closet, which was three times the size of my apartment and put my stuff away. I clocked out and was heading for the exit when I heard, "This is really where you've been all day?"

I gasped and turned to find Anthony only a couple feet away. He was angry, but there was nothing new there. He also looked...sad and maybe a little nervous. That couldn't be right. I doubted he ever got nervous.

"I'm on my way out." I tell him and turn to leave.

"Betsy-" He almost sounded pleading, which stopped me in my tracks. I closed my eyes without turning to face him. I couldn't let him know how he was affecting me. Then he said, "Please, Betsy. Will you go get a cup of coffee with me?" I was a goner.