The Intern (wattys2014)

Chapter 20: The Teddy on the Sidewalk

I hadn't slept a wink. I'd been out all night searching for Andrew, and when I'd went to his house, he was still gone. Gia was gone too, so I just went home, feeling defeated. After leaving the seventeenth voicemail, I knew I'd seemed utterly pathetic and sad, but I didn't care. I just wanted to see Andrew again. I got up, a half an hour of sleep under my eyes, and was ready for one small victory that day. I waltzed in two minutes late, holding coffee from Starbucks that Lucinda had texted me to get for her. She texted me ten minutes before work, so I got there as quickly as I could.

"Ann, you're late," Lucinda said. "And you forgot a drink."

"I only have two hands, so eight coffees is my limit," I said. "And there was line, so my tardiness is thanks to a barista with an eyebrow ring."

"Whatever," Lucinda said. "As you all can see, this is what I'm talking about. Ann Blake is the first intern to be eliminated from the competition. Due to her continual dropping of clients and the bad publicity she's brought to my company, she is not continuing on. She will finish her internship for the rest of the month..."

"Actually," I said, setting down the coffees. I pulled out my bright pink letter of resignation. "It will be two weeks. I am putting in my notice."

"You're quitting?" Lucinda asked, horrified.

"I got hired as a full time wedding coordinator. They're actually paying me more than you do. So, thanks for the opportunity and the experience, but I won't be staying on for the entire year. I'll miss all of you."

"In my decades of running this company, no one has ever quit. Do you understand that I will not be giving you're a letter of recommendation."

"I do," I said. "I don't need your approval Lucinda; I never did. But I will miss this company."

"Well, I..." Lucinda stammered, but Robert put his hand on his shoulder.

"Congrats Ann," Robert said. "We will buy some cake for you later. And Mother, I think this is an important moment for me to make another announcement. Starting next month, I will be taking over this company, and my mother is retiring."

"Yes," Lucinda said, remembering that she had other fish to fry. "I am certain Robert will do an excellent job."

They continued to chatter and go on about the day, but I didn't hear a word. Despite everything else, I did feel victorious about being able to leave Lucinda behind, for good.

I spent the morning giving my clients over to Suzy, who was definitely going to get the job now. She agreed to help me with Lacy's wedding, and that she'd take over completely after the Seattle Bridal shower. I hummed the rest of the morning, feeling like I could conquer the world. There was a nagging feeling in my gut because things were still uncertain with Andrew, but I resolved to fix it somehow. Too many things were going right to let it go so, so wrong. I grabbed my purse to leave for lunch. I'd texted Andrew that if he wanted to talk, I'd be at our favorite Thai restaurant. I left the office, feeling shaky and nervous. What if he didn't come? What if he did, and he ended things? I didn't know, but I was excited to see him again. Even if he said goodbye to me, I needed to explain myself and try to fix it. My father had been right about how quickly I fell in love, and though I'd never say it aloud, my feelings for Andrew ran deeper than they should have given our timeline. On the street, I heard someone calling my name, and I turned back.

"Hey," Robert said, catching up with me. "Way to go with the new job. I didn't see that coming."

"Well, it just happened," I said. "And I guess you're having a good week, Mr. CEO."

"Well, it could be better. Lucy and I, I think it's unrepairable. And that article about us, well, my mother is a bit unhappy about it."

"She practically fired me over it," I laughed. "The funny thing is that nothing happened that night."