The Defendant ✧ (Bill Gambini x reader)

22.

A week left until the wedding...

I strolled into work, my head down low. I'd never felt this way before and even with the support of my family and friends nothing made me feel better. In a world of colour, all I saw was grey. Bleak nothingness. I was so out of it that I didn't even notice Mr Porter watching me closely. "Miss Y/n, a word please?" He called out.

With a small sigh, I headed into his office and took a seat as he shut the door behind me. Mr Porter then took his seat opposite me as I avoided his eye contact. "I don't mean to pry Miss Y/l/n but I've noticed these past few weeks you've been down" he began. I nibbled on my lip, not wanting to answer him.

"Sorry sir, it's just personal stuff" I mumbled. He took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes for a second and placing them back on the bridge of his nose. "Are you having trouble with anyone in the office hmm? May I be of any assistance?" I had a feeling he was onto me. "Bill and I are...Having a rough patch" I explained minimally.

"A relationship?" He inquired.

A sharp pain zapped through my chest. "No" I squeaked, clenching my knuckles as I tried to keep my composure. He could see I was tense by my shoulders so he softened his tone. "It's not my place to get involved but...Maybe you need some time away from the office" He leaned back in his chair.

"Y-you're firing me?" I cried out but he quickly shut me down.

"No' I'm not Y/n. But I'm suggesting you should work from home for some time. Simply to prevent any hostility from spreading in the office" his words hit deep, he acted like I was some disease. I nodded slowly, almost giggling a little. "I get it, I'm always the problem aren't I?"

"That's not-"

I ignored my boss by walking out of his office. I started to collect files and sheets from my desk, looking up for a second I accidentally made eye contact with Bill. Fucking awkward. He didn't even give me the time of day, his eyebrows plunged into a frown before he turned away. I shoved the rest of my belongings into my bag.

"Fuck you" I flipped him off as I stormed past. Screw everyone, I didn't need them. I especially didn't need that heartbreaker in my life. The drive home was one of silence, I didn't even bother to turn on the radio like normal. Back in my apartment, I tossed my bag to the floor.

"That bastard really made me work from home" I muttered to myself. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, in fact, there are many upsides to working from home. But that didn't change the fact it made me feel like a shit person, like I didn't belong. 

I paced around the kitchen, lost in my own thoughts. The calendar on the wall caught my attention, my breathing hitched. There was only one week left until Bill would stand at the alter marrying Blair, that fucking witch. Her name alone made my blood boil. Why couldn't he see her true self?

"One week...Then I've lost you forever."