The Merger

Chapter 45

Talia Nassar

"Not again? What's not again?" I cross my arms.

Bill sighs and glances up to the ceiling as Charles slams his fist against my desk. "After all my son has done for you, you're going to throw it back in his face?"

"What the fuck are you talking about Charles?"

Bill glances at Charles and holds up his hand. "We said we wouldn't say anything."

"Oh, come off it, Bill! My family's in shambles because of her!"

My veins thrum. Something happened. With Lucas. Something happened involving Lucas. "Well I'm leaving so Lucas can have the job!"

My pulse spikes once Bill shakes his head. "He doesn't want the job."

"W-what do you mean he doesn't want the job? He wasn't offered the job, right?" When both men stay quiet, ice slides over my body. Reality hits me like a cloud of smoke to the face and I let out a sardonic laugh. "Of course. How could I be so fucking stupid? You offered the job to Lucas first and he declined it." Both men remain silent again. "Seriously? No one is going to man up and admit it?"

Charles rolls his eyes. "Lucas was offered the job first because he was the better candidate. He didn't accept it because he wanted you to have it. No matter how hard I tried to convince him, he still wouldn't take it. And now you're not even taking it? Are you trying to ruin his life on purpose?"

My mouth falls open and heat pumps through my body. Lucas gave up the position for me, even though I explicitly told him not to drop out? "I'm sorry, where is Lucas? I need to see him."

Charles tilts his head back. "He's gone."

"Gone? Gone where?"

"I don't know."

I glance between the old men sitting in front of me. "Bill, I'm sorry for leaving like this. I don't have anything against you. You're good at your job and I appreciate you letting me work here, even though Cora likely forced you to do it. And Charles," I shift my gaze to the man who looks so much like Lucas, "I know you dislike me. And I know you probably think I slept with your son because I wanted this position. Truth is, I don't care what you think. You've disrespected me and you've certainly disrespected Lucas. He looked up to you even if he didn't say it. And you supported him about as strongly as a ten-year-old ratty bra."

Charles remains frozen with a reddened face and Bill's mouth continues to open and close, like he doesn't know what to say.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, I need to leave. Thank you for everything, and best of luck with the new CEO search." Without waiting for either man to respond, I sprint out of the office.

Ethan looks up from his desk like a deer caught in headlights when I approach. "Ethan, this is an emergency. Where can I find Lucas?"

"Ummmmm."

"Ethan! Seriously, now is not the time! For the love of God, where is Lucas?"

"Uhh, umm, uhhh, I think maybe his house?"

"Text me his house address right now! I have an emergency." I trip over the carpet as I turn from Ethan's desk, my heart racing. I quickly take off my heels and begin sprinting through the hallway, down the stairs, and to my car.

Each passing second feels like a lifetime. I need to see Lucas. To tell him everything.

Ping.

A text from Ethan with Lucas' address pops up on my phone. I quickly map it and race out of the building. Praying I don't get pulled over, I speed through the streets of Boston, with my body shaking.