"...WE NEED TO TALK to the contractor again. I was on the site this morning and it's not just the thermo-acoustic panels, Brian. The vibration supports need to be readjusted too. They're working on the lighting today, and if you agree, we could–"
"Sure, Patel. Take care of that," I instruct having no bloody idea what his suggestion is.
It'd better be a good one, as my thoughts are miles away from the McAllister Auditorium project meeting I'm supposed to be chairing. Every muscle on my face is straining to look normal and controlled, but my stomach is churning inside me.
In fairness, would you be so cool about it, if it was that dimwit of her ex in your bed?
Would I be cool about it? The hell I would, I'd feel like breaking the fucker's nose.
I thought so.
But I'd listen to her, I'd try to understand what really happened. I wouldn't jump straight to my own conclusions without–
You'd listen?
Of course.
Like you listened to what she had to say today? She'd been working sixteen hours straight, what do you know?
"Shit," I growl to myself, the hand under the table balling into a fist.
And you know what else? You're a complete arse! She's pregnant, carrying your children; why did you speak to her like that?
My chest tightens, this terrible what-the-fuck-have-I-done feeling leaving me absolutely restless.
"Brian, you all right? Are you even listening or am I talking to myself?" Patel asks.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to bring my absent mind back.
No, I'm not listening, it's all a blur. This is all fucking insane and I can't focus on anything except the sickening tension consuming me from the inside.
A knock on the door jerks me out of my stupor.
"Brian? We have a situation, I need you to come here." Millie peeks over the rim of her glasses.
My eyes fall to the bottom right-hand corner of the laptop screen. 14:20. Then they scan the conference table. Six people have their eyes fixed on me and Millie is at the door, all of them waiting for a reaction.
"Sorry. I have to be somewhere else." Resolutely, I snap the laptop's lid closed and stand to leave.
"Brian?" Millie tugs at my jacket.
"What?"
"It's Rogers. He's waiting in my office," she tells me in hushed tones. "Looking upset and very angry. What do you want me to?"
My lips pull into a contented grin. Already having an idea of why he's so pissed off, I flip the switch, letting the opaque walls become translucent so that I can see him. He's pacing back and forth in an obvious rotten mood.
"Brian, what's going on here?"
"I gave him a taste of his own medicine." The taste of betrayal. "And he's already choking on it."
Millie lifts an eyebrow, looking confused. "What do you want me to do?"
"Tell him I'm busy, he should leave. If he makes any fuss, call security."
"All right."
On second thought, "No, it's okay, I'll go and talk to him."
*
"Peter Rogers. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"What the fuck do you think you're going to accomplish with all this?"
YOU ARE READING
Where the Stars Fall
RomanceHow far would you go to protect the ones you love? A successful architect with a promising career in London, Brian's world spins out of control when the man he always saw as a second father betrays him in the most unexpected way. Left without closur...
