Hired (Forbidden Lovers: Rosie Anders)

27 - Please Don't Do This

I ignore Chloe and Kacey staring at me, waiting for me to do (or maybe even say) something, and head to his office, not bothering to knock before walking in. I shut the door and sit down calmly in front of his desk. I want nothing more than to lay into him about his attitude after last night but that may have been an act for out there. Now we're alone, he may acknowledge our night of passion.

"I'm afraid I have to end our contract."

Okay, so not what I was expecting, but there is hope that the reason is I am finally getting my promotion. So, I'll wait before saying anything in response.

"And, this does result in voiding your promotion." He stares at me and I can't even describe what I am feeling right now.

"What did you say?" I slowly stand, but he doesn't waiver.

He looks up at me, serious as ever. "Your promotion is no longer on the table."

I laugh thinking this must some joke. He can sure as hell act, I'll give him that. "Good one." I sit back down. "You really had me there."

"This isn't a joke, Rosie." He leans forward, resting his arms on the desk. "I am ending the contract and the result of that is dissolving the agreement to promoting you."

I laugh again, but more nervously and need to pace up and down. "This can't be happening." I shake my head. "This cannot be fucking happening." I turn to stare at him, the fury building. "You fucking arsehole!" I move forward and slam my hands on his desk. "I trusted you!" I feel the tears building and blink them back. "We signed a contract - you can't just go back on it!"

"You knew what you were getting yourself into." He holds out his hand to the sides before standing to match my stance. "You knew what kind of guy I was before all of this - you only have yourself to blame."

"Don't you dare." I stand up and feel the first tear roll down my cheek. Maybe some emotion will break his cold heart. "Don't you fucking dare put this on me!" I move around the side of his desk. I want to be ready to hit him when I need to. "You pushed me and coerced me into this! You took each one of my requests and turned them into something that only benefitted you!" A slap on his arm makes me feel a little better, especially as he stands there and takes it. "You persuaded me to sign those ridiculous contracts and promised there would be something for me at the end of it." I hit him again and again, making him move backward to get away from my flailing arms, until he is against the wall, with both my arms in his grip, trying desperately to get to him. "I hate you." I speak through gritted teeth. "I fucking hate you!" I scream and wrench my arms from him, taking a step back, trying to control my anger. "Do you have anything to say?"

He stares at me and it's hard to tell what he is thinking. He seems to have softened slightly, but there's still a wall up somewhere. I have to break it down, I have to hit a nerve within him and make him feel how I feel.

"Tell me something." I lower my voice, not needing another round of stares to greet me when I leave his office from an obvious shouting match. "Where is the Matthew from ten years gone? The Matthew I met that first time around?" I move forward slightly, fiercely brushing away tears from my face. "Where is he? If he was here now, he never would have done any of this. He never would have made anyone do anything like this just for a job. He would have been the one I would run to if someone else had done this to me; he would have been the one to protect me from things like this; he would have convinced me it wasn't worth it." I sigh heavily finally realising something. "I should have quit." I avert my gaze, not able to bear looking at him for another second. "When you told everyone I handed in my notice, I should have just accepted it." I take a deep breath in and know what I have to do.

I have to do it now. For real this time. I turn to look up at him, but he is no longer stood before me. I swivel on the spot to find the entire office is empty and he's gone.