The Headturner

Leaving a Piece Behind

Chapter Thirty-One - Leaving a Piece Behind

The journey back home was difficult to Anne as she had expected. But it was harder since it was her leaving. She realized it was harder being the one to be leaving. Adam's face as he was trying to put up a happy face, while he was clearly feeling the pang of misery of being left alone again, was haunting Anne and she could barely contain the tears. Thankfully, Neil and Tanya understood that she needed her space for the moment and refrained from getting her to talk. 

On the ride back, as they hailed a cab, Anne squeezed Tanya's hand slightly, while trying to compose herself. When Tanya looked at her questioningly, she said, "You have always been so good to me. Even when people were so mean to me, you never were. You were sweet as ever and I have adored you."

Tanya smiled while Neil looked kind of surprised at the impromptu declaration.

"But seeing how protective you became and stood up for my dignity, even against your best friend, who is practically a brother to you, I just love you. No matter what happens, I will never leave your side."

Before Tanya could say anything in response, Neil solemnly said putting his hand over his heart, "You have my eternal loyalty," and laughed out, earning an elbow to his stomach from Tanya, while she smiled sweetly at Anne. She did not need to say anything to her. They both knew they had each others' backs.

"Oh just wait till Adam returns." Neil crossed his arms defiantly at the girls ganging up against him. Anne got silent at the mention of Adam's name and Tanya glared at Neil.

"You take our stuff with you, alright? I'm gonna go with Anne to her office."

"What? Why?"

Tanya shrugged, "Nobody's at home right now and I'll meet daddy there."

"Alright. Alright. I'm just your servant after all."

"Oh stop whining. It won't make me change my mind."

Tanya and Neil started bickering and Anne felt a smile creeping up her lips. She texted Adam, "Things are almost back to normal here. Almost..."

She did not get a reply right away, but she knew he'd reply as soon as he could.

Anne was not in her usual formal attire since she directly went to work. But frankly, she did not care. In a way, she was rebelling against her boss.

She took Tanya to show her desk and went on to see David. At first, he did not notice her standing in front of him. She had not bothered to knock. When he saw her, he raised his eyebrow at her.

"Yes?" He asked indifferently and Anne could barely hold her composure.

"You were asking for me?"

"Oh yes." He stood up and suddenly the rebellion in Anne seemed to cower away, intimidated by his towering height and stance.

"I had told you to make sure I didn't miss your presence, had I not?" He walked towards her and crossed his arms. Upon seeing his biceps flex through his suit, made Anne wonder if she would ever wake up if he punched her. Then, she dismissed the thought. He could not be that heartless, right?

He was holding back a smile which perplexed Anne. "Well, I could not find the Harrison's file anywhere and the person you put in-charge is a moron."

Anne could feel her cheeks heating up in rage. He made her shorten her trip for a stupid file, which could be easily fetched by anybody else. She contemplated whether she could make it back in time to Seattle for the romantic dinner if she just quit her job at that moment. Then she remembered how badly she had wanted a job.

She noticed that David was not looking at her anymore, but was focused on something behind her.

"There is someone at your desk." David spoke.

No shit, Sherlock.

She kept her thought to herself.

"She is my friend, Mr. Harvey's daughter." She mentally slapped herself at the last part. He probably didn't even know who Mr. Harvey was.

"Miss Miller, she is at your desk." David tilted his head slightly, while raising his eyebrows in a gesture which told her to go take care of it.

Anne rolled her eyes and excused herself.

Tanya was happy she was done with the meeting but when Anne told her David did not like seeing her in Anne's desk, she puffed out her cheek in annoyance, stood up, walked towards the cabin door and flipped David off. Anne looked at him in horror but David doubled up in laughter.

Anne pulled Tanya away.

"Why do the hot ones always turn out to be a jerk?"

Anne raised an eyebrow at Tanya's outburst.

"You find him hot?" She teased.

"Of course. I was thinking you could introduce us, even. But now, I change my mind."

"Don't be such a baby. In his defense, as much as it hurts me, you were spinning around in my chair. That's a tad bit stepping a line, don't you think?"

"Yeah, probably." Tanya gave in.

"And you flipped him the bird." They laughed together at that.

"Oh my God. I don't know where that came from. I plead temporary insanity."

"I have been wanting to do that for such a long time now. As I said, you always are there for me." Anne said, still laughing.

"Come on, let's go find my dad. I hope you are not in trouble though."

"Even if I lose my job over it, it would be so worth it." Seeing her best friend's horrified expression, she grew serious.

"I'm kidding. I saw him laughing heartily. I'm sure I'll be fine."

A/N : So sorry for slow updates. I know I suck but I am swamped right now. Please bear with me.