Rule 36

Chapter 2

Believe in Yourself

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I've been working at Porter Financials for almost a month now. I can't believe that it's been so long. It seems like just yesterday I entered the fifth circle of hell. Mr. Porter is a complete ass. I was called into his office four times yesterday for doing his coffee 'wrong'. I swear, he does it just to piss me off.

"Ms. Jefferson."

I'm shaken out of my mental rant by the sound of Mr. Porter's clipped voice. I look at him before clearing my throat.

"Yes, Mr. Porter?"

"It's almost 5:00 o'clock. You should head home." He says quietly.

Smiling tightly, I reply, "Thank you." Getting up, I grab my coat and begin to walk away. Over my shoulder I say, "Have a good night and weekend Mr. Porter."

He grunts before I hear the sound of him walking away.

"Have a good night as well, Ms. Jefferson." I mutter mockingly while rolling my eyes.

I step in the elevator and hit the 'Lobby' button. When I get to the bottom floor, I head towards the door while nodding to the lady at the front desk. Pushing open the door, I breath in deep. Fresh air!

Momentarily, I enjoy the breeze. Pulling my coat tighter, I begin to walk across the street to the parking garage. I walk to the second level and search for my car until I spot it.

I mentally slap myself and groan out loud when I remember I left my purse in the office. My keys, my phone, and money are all in it.

"Crap." I mutter under my breath before turning around and heading back to the large building. Once back on the bottom level of the garage I step onto the sidewalk once again. I jog across the street and into the building.

Once at my desk, I come to the realization that the building is completely deserted. I grab my purse off the filing cabinet and am about to leave when I notice Mr. Porter's office light on.

I walk to his office to check on him. I'm startled when I hear his voice.

"Taya, you need to just head to my place okay?" I hear him say. When they're is no response I conclude that he on the phone.

"No. Don't you dare." He mutters. I roll my eyes figuring it's another one of his toys. I was about to leave when I hear him bang something.

"That asshole doesn't love you! Just stay with me a few nights. I can protect you. Please." He says in a desperate tone.

"Thank you. I love you, Tay." He says before I hear him place his phone on his desk.

I begin to walk away until I trip on a piece of carpet and fall.

"Shit." I mutter before slowly getting up.

"Ms. Jefferson. What are you doing here?" He asks, all emotion wiped from his face.

"Right, well I left my purse here and I had to come get it and I had just saw your light on and-"

"I don't care. How much did you hear?" He asks.

"Hear? Hear what? I didn't hear anything." I speak rapidly.

He rolls his eyes at me, "Don't lie to me Ms. Jefferson."

I cough, "I just heard you asking your girlfriend to go to your place."

He smirks at me. "Are you that daft? That was my sister." He says mockingly. Almost smiling, he says "Go home, Summer."

Shocked, I mumble, "Yes sir." And pace back to the garage. When I get in my car I find myself jittery and in need of a swim.

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When I finally make it to the pool it was almost 7:30. Calmly, I dive into the pool and begin to do laps.

After my fifth lap, I hear someone diving into the lane next to me. Thinking nothing of it, I continue to swim.

When I'm done with my twelve laps I pull myself out and walk to the jacuzzi.

I sit in the jacuzzi for about ten minutes until I feel someone staring at me. I look into the eyes of someone very unexpected.

"Shit." I say for the hundredth time today.

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