Harassenger: Backseat Admirer ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

The very next day I returned to Salty Edge, I already left again for the city, letting my mother take one more day before I could work at the gym. I was taking matters into my own hands, having a talk with my closest friend, Holt, about why his partner wants to tear down my living quarters.

I pulled into the front of the heightened building, fixing my pencil skirt before walking in. I looked as if I could work here, if anything, and that's what I was going for. I never wanted to draw any attention to myself, so I certainly couldn't wear my usual jean shorts and tank top.

I spot the secretary in the waiting area. Her name was Alexandra, and she's been working here since before Holt started working here. She was pretty, with sleek black hair and a button-nose. She was a nice woman, and I'd hate to take my anger, that had been threatening to come out like a blow torch, out on her.

"Well, isn't this a nice surprise? I haven't seen you in forever, Natalie. Would you like a cup of coffee? It's Community." She twirled around in her swivel chair, reaching for a coffee cup, but I decline.

"Oh, no thank you. I wish I could, but I'm really in a hurry to see Holt. Do you know if he's here and where he might be?" I didn't want to meet up with his business partners, so it'd be best if I knew where I could find Holt alone.

"Yes, that man can't take much of a week off without coming back to work. Mr. Andrews is in his office up top, but I'd knock first in case he's busy on a call."

"Thank you. I'll see you when I come down." I waved goodbye, walking up the elevator and to my friend's office door. Regardless of what Alexandra wanted, I didn't knock on the door, but barged in.

Holton sat leaning in his chair, his finger around the coiled cord of the telephone and his leg on top of the other, stretching his black slacks.

When he noticed me, his face changed and he gave me the finger to hold on.

"Yes, offshore accounts? What? No, no I'll check. Let me get back to you." Slamming the phone shut, Holt turned his chair around to dip his face in his palm, his elbow hitting the name plate on the applewood desk.

I felt that I should've left, but instead, I plopped myself down on the black, leather chair in front of the desk, fiddling with the grooves of the gold lining. I was already here, and if left so suddenly, he'd follow me out to see what was wrong.

Taking a deep sigh, Holt adjusted his tailored jacket, and then his striped tie.

"Sorry about the call. It's been frustrating to come back to work with seventy-three missed calls, and your secretary not know what to tell them while you're gone."

"Alexandra is a secretary; she's not supposed to know what goes on with your job, other than vague details." I defended her, not liking the tone of which Holt was addressing her with. Just because he was angry, he didn't have to take it out on her.

"Yes, I suppose you've made a point. So can I ask why you're here?"

"I bought donuts. I'd have brought coffee, but I'm sure you have someone to do that for you." I smiled.

His face brightened, and his eyes fixated on the white bag I set in front of him.

"That's great, thank you. I missed breakfast. Well, I was fighting through breakfast, so I didn't get to eat." He mentioned, taking a glazed donut and smelling the deliciousness before biting into it, not even bothering with something to drink.

"Fighting with clients, workers, or your wife?" I accused him.

"All of the above. I was on the phone when she started complaining I didn't spend enough time with her. I told her we just got back from our honeymoon, but only made her snap more."

I didn't reply, staying mute as he ate. I looked around his office, noticing pictures of him and me, one of his high football team, and one that I knew was Della, trimmed in a silver frame, but it was facing down, looking toward hell. I lifted the silver framed picture when he wasn't looking, just to make sure it was really the picture of him and Della, and it was. Through the picture, her eyes pierced through me. I don't know if it's true that if you stare at a redhead, they'll take your soul, but looking at Della, it seemed to ring true.

I quickly set the picture back down as he looked back to me.

"Is there something else you wanted? I'm sure there is. I don't often get a visit from you and when I do, it's either to vent about someone, or to sneak me out to go eat. Considering I already have the food, I'm guessing you want to vent." I had forgotten I used to take him out to eat, but that was when he first starting working here, before I caught Della and him making out in his office. Ew, on this very chair even. Gross.

"Vent or scold, whichever you consider it. I don't know if you knew yet, but your business partner wants to tear down my home to build a shopping center and he confronted my mother, saying he could do what he wanted. Had you discussed this with him?"

"Oh, Natt, I had no idea, I swear. This must have happened when I wasn't here. My new partner, Pete, feels like he needs to take charge in order to succeed here. My superior boss loves him, and all of his ideas are supported, regardless of my say. We need him here, as we might have had to shut down without another qualified worker. I can talk to him, but there are no promises. Talking might make it worse. I'm afraid there's not much else I can do but buy you a new home and a new gym."

"Wow, Holt, you gave up pretty quickly. I know you're stressed and you have a lot on your plate, but I would've gone to the ends of the world to help you until I won. It's what friends do for one another, not just give up and offer me a new home that you know I don't want."

"I am tied here, Natt. What do you want me to do?" Suddenly, his phone rang, and although he didn't move to answer it, I was ready to leave.

"That's something I shouldn't have to tell you." A part of me felt like I was being too harsh, but I was angry that Holt was willing to throw in the towel without even talking to the man. Maybe I was being selfish, but I had always gone above and beyond to help him. Hell, I even posted flyers on the Internet that helped him land this job! The least he could do was try his hardest to help me, his best friend.