Chapter 24 — April

The week flew by and Luke didn’t show up to work all week. The only company I had was both Vanessa and Stephanie and it was nearly lunchtime and I wished today would come to a dramatic end. The presentation and work were going great, but he sent me two messages all week. Nothing personal as if I was so insignificant. I’d gone from being crazy about him to hating him once again. I hated this merry-go-round he seemed to put me on, as he was hot one minute and cold the next. They called him Lukewarm for a good reason, it was so fitting.

Yet, I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, I had to talk to Luke. But as the day dragged on without him, I couldn’t help but feel more and more sure.

The receptionist strolled up to my desk with a woman. The woman had a designer purse with a matching red suit, and papers in her hand, which I assumed might be her resume. This had to be a mistake, what were they both doing here?

“Hello, can I help you?” I asked as the receptionist reached my desk.

Luke wasn’t here and he wasn’t recruiting, not that I’d been told.

Heavy, quick footsteps sounded behind them and Luke sailed around the corner. I didn’t even know he would make an appearance today.

He beamed at the women, not even giving me a second look. “Afternoon, Betty. Is this Linda?”

“Yes, sir.” Betty, the receptionist nodded.

"It’s a pleasure to met you.” He shook Linda’s hand. “Linda, please step into my office.”

Both of them vanished into his office and he shut the door.

My gaze darted to Betty.

“Sorry.” She wrung her hands. “I don’t know why he told me to bring her down to his office, and why he didn’t tell you.”

I felt weak as I tried to stand up, but I stayed seated as I felt as if I might pass out onto the floor if I did.

“Who is Linda?”

She hesitated, her green eyes avoiding mine.

“I don't know what's going on. He called me and told me he was interviewing.

“When?”

I could tell she was uncomfortable, because she started to fidget as she hoovered near me, and said nothing.

“So?” I asked, trying to get a reaction out of her.

“He’s the one interviewing, best to ask him.”

I glanced over my shoulder at his closed door as Betty left.

He was up to his old tricks again and we hadn’t spoken all week apart from the time he’d decided I must lock his office on Monday night and sent a text early Tuesday morning saying to reschedule all of this week’s appointments to next. So I had to cancel everything because he was booked up for at least the next three weeks and now he was in the office as if nothing was wrong. Apart from Linda who just entered his office, she was a younger version of his mom and an older version of Kim. Maybe blondes were his thing and I felt stupid for thinking I could ever be more than his little sidekick.

Rachel, the CIO's secretary showed up carrying coffee and a bottle of water.

“Oh, you’re here, so why did he ask me to get these things for him?”

I shrugged and then she sighed as she struggled to open the door and hand in the drinks to him. I could have helped her, but shock with disappointment stopped me from moving. Luke had a machine in his office, he could have easily made it in there or he could have just asked me. He didn't want to, and a rage came over me. I could have stormed in there, but I hated confrontations and the idea of poor Linda who went into his office for a job interview being caught up in all this crap wasn’t fair. She didn’t deserve her chance of having a job to be ruined by me.

No, I was fucking done for the day.

I didn’t have to take this shit and if I showed up on Monday, well he would be lucky. I didn’t owe him a fucking thing, but then I remembered Elisa. I hadn’t spoken to her since I started working here. I wished I wouldn’t let her down and I was a woman of my word. But today, I was too pissed off. I was going to leave early today, as I grabbed my purse and headed to Stephanie’s desk.

“Stephanie, you ready to leave?”

She laughed as she grabbed her purse. "Sure, it’s lunchtime. I can take a break.”

I shook my head. “Not just for lunch, but the rest of the day.”

“Girl, you’re tripping. Vanessa can’t, she’s got a presentation and I don’t even think she can come out to lunch either. And isn’t Luke back? I saw him looking sharp in a dark red suit, is it me or does he look even hotter than he did the last time he was in the office?”

“Yeah,” Veronica, Jeff’s secretary, and Becky came up behind me and said. “We thought that too. You’re so lucky working for him.”

“Luck isn’t the word I would use to describe working for him. Stephanie, are you coming or not?” I barked at her, and I realized for a split second I sounded a little like him. The cold ice voice coming out of my mouth wasn’t one I recognized.

“Chill girl. I’m coming just need to finish a couple of things and then I’ll be with you.”

I couldn't wait around here because if I did then I would change my mind. “I’ll meet you at Roma? Okay?”

She nodded. Roma was a place we went to a couple of times, an Italian bistro which had become our favorite restaurant in L.A.. It was a few blocks and I would have to hop in a taxi, but considering I had no intention of coming back to work, I didn’t need to get there in a rush.

As I headed down to reception and my phone starting buzzing, I thought it was Luke realizing I was pissed and I’d left the office. I looked at the message from Stephanie and then shoved my phone back in my purse.

I’m going to be thirty minutes late. Sorry :(

I didn’t need her to enjoy an entree and a much-needed glass of Rose. I could taste the wetness of it in my mouth as I hailed a taxi. I continued to stare at my phone until I reached Roma’s. Didn’t he even notice I’d gone?

Of course, there was something wrong with my phone. I sent myself a text. Then, a Whatsapp message but then I couldn't send myself a message. So, I called my number and it went to voicemail. I was being silly. Ridiculous. If Luke wanted to call me, then he would have done it by now.

As the taxi pulled up to dropped me at Roma’s, the place was packed. I paid the driver and climbed out. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as it looked. But the closer I got to the front, the more the crowd of people stuffed inside and waiting to be seated became glaringly obvious.

There was no way I was going to get a table and I should have known everyone always wanted to eat Italian on a Friday. The owner said something about it, it being the one day of the week everyone wanted to fill up before partying all weekend long. Maybe, but then I’d been here a few times during the week and even on the weekend and it was always full. He didn’t want to say the truth. Between the great atmosphere, the fantastic food and the hot waiters, there were loads of reasons to come here every day of the week and we all knew it.

I sighed as I hunted for a new place because I really didn’t come here to eat and I didn’t want to wait. Any alternative wouldn’t be as good, but I didn't care. I just wanted to get a drink and vent while waiting for Stephanie.

Bingo!

I found a place as I shuffled along the streets like a rat looking for some bits of scrap. I stopped outside of Santiago’s. The place was empty, not because the food or even the service wasn’t good, but simply because it was overpriced. One meal wouldn’t hurt, I would probably regret it the next day thinking about how much I spent today, but Luke was paying me more money than I’d earned in a year to be his fake girlfriend so I could afford it.

“Senorita, dining for one or two?” the server said after he opened the door.

“Two and a jug of sangria please?”

He laughed. “Okay, but let’s get you seated first.”

I followed him past the the beautifully displayed tapas and the live band playing at the back. The cost of eating and drinking here was worth it based on the atmosphere. He gave me a table near the back.

“Thank you.”

“Here’s our menu and as for the sangria do you want it with Cava or red wine?”

I smiled. “Cava.”

Why not go all out? I knew it would be more expensive and made me order it even more. My phone chimed, but another server placed the bread and olive oil with garlic mayonnaise on the table. I decided I would line my stomach with food in anticipation of the sangria.

Oh, shoot! I needed to tell Stephanie where I was. I sent her a quick text. She had already replied she was on her way and managed finally to escape the office. The once-near empty restaurant began to flood with people and I thanked my lucky stars I arrived in time.

Once the sangria was placed on the table, my server poured a glass. The refreshing taste helped me unwind a little as I eagerly waited for Stephanie to turn up.

I was going to spill the beans on Jeff and not say a word to Luke. He didn’t deserve it and then after this weekend and not having to go with his sordid plan, I decided I would talk to her about Luke too. No, I shook my head, Luke made it clear from the start what was on the agenda and I didn’t have to go along with it. I had friends in the city and a job, I couldn’t blow it altogether, when it was the first place which had actually given me a chance.

But, Luke.

He just got under my skin. I thought we had a fantastic weekend together and then he turned as cold as ice and decided he was going to hire someone without even discussing it with me. Did he think I wouldn’t find out?

Was he really naive?

I was winding myself up and I hated it, but every glass of sangria made it all better.

Stephanie came in and sat down across from me. “Well, you started without me?”

I shook my head. “No. I just began.”

“Slurring your words and everything. Girl, you need a coffee and some water and then you’re going to tell me what’s up.” She waved to the server. “Because for someone who’s just been promoted, you’re drinking as if you're trying to get rid of your problems not celebrate them.”

I choked. “Say what?”

Stephanie chuckled. “Your promotion, girl. Congratulations! I told the big man I would come out and celebrate with you. You didn’t tell me this was the reason you was leaving the office early.”

I still had no idea what she was talking about, so I waited for her to sit and fill me in.

“Espresso and a bottle of water all for the young lady and half-a-jug of sangria, but not for her,” Stephanie said as she cut her gaze at me.

I had my elbows on the table and was using all the strength in my body to stop myself from falling. I shouldn’t have got so worked up because now I felt as if I was completely lost and I may have jumped to the wrong conclusion.

“Yeah, LW said he’s interviewing for a new secretary, so he can make you a permanent asset to the team. You didn’t know?”

I shook my head.

“Shoot me and my big mouth, maybe he wanted it to be a surprise and I’ve just put my big foot in it.” She grabbed a piece of bread, dipping it in the sauce. “Look no matter what, just act surprised when he tells you. Maybe he wanted to secure your replacement before telling you and I’ve just told you. Oh, crap. I better just get some sangria in me, so I can catch up with you. I’m going to need it! Sorry, you forgive me right?”

I nodded, but the room spun. Until my coffee came, I thought I was sure I did more than just wait for Stephanie. I may have sent an email or two. I couldn’t remember, I needed to sober up and figure out what I had done. I tried glancing down at my phone, but the screen blurred.

“Great, the sangria’s here!” She clapped her hands.

Had I sent something? It didn’t matter, I would sober up and forget about all the dramas which got me into this state in the first place.

Tomorrow was another day and it was going to be a better one, it was Saturday. I would spend the whole weekend recuperating from the hangover I was sure to have tomorrow. I could tell Stephanie wanted to drink and probably would continue into the evening and then we would finish in a club. It was something we’d done a couple of times and since I had something special to celebrate, why not tonight?