Chapter 28: Luke

I couldn’t believe I trusted April, she had gone out of her way to humiliate me and I couldn’t have someone like her working here. I didn’t care, how good she was or how I felt about her, I had made an error. I’d let my heart rule my judgment and it was something I didn’t plan on doing again in a hurry.

“Do you have a minute?” Stephanie hovered at the door.

I didn’t it, was Friday night and I planned to get out of here and hang with the guys. Something we did on a regular, but Ed said he would be late. It didn’t bother me, after all the drama I had today, I planned to meet Corey and then get out of here quick smart. At least he was single, and I wouldn’t have to listen to him complaining about his loyal wife or his cloned kids.

“Sure, come in.”

I hated when people just dropped in my office without an appointment, but it was clear she had something on her mind. I wished she had told me about the lawsuit before it happened, but then it was HR’s department and they’d failed miserably in making Jeff go away as quietly as possible. Three laptops and a broken screen door were the result of him leaving the building. The man was pissed, he’d been harassing women right under my nose. I knew the man was sleazy but didn't realize he was a pervert.

Stephanie changed her hair and color more times than I changed my suit. Today, she had a bright red, bob which must have been a wig because I was pretty sure the last time I saw her, her hair only came down to her ears, now it came down to her shoulders, it couldn't have grown that fast. She wore matching earrings, a shift dress and heels to go with it too. She was bright and I felt as if I needed shades on to have a conversation with her.

“Jeff,” she said as I motioned for her to sit on the sofa and I joined her at the end of my office. I didn’t feel like being behind the desk, this wasn’t that type of conversation.

“I know. Jeff. So, now you want to talk about him?”

She smiled. “I know, I could have come to you earlier, but it’s hard with us women. We need to stick together. He was out of order, for too long and he needed to be brought down a peg or two. I couldn’t let this type of behavior slide in the office. It wasn't the type of reputation you wanted here right?”

“Men forcing women to sleep with them?” I shook my head, feeling disgusted.

“Well...” She paused as she adjusted herself and I realized then, her dress was a little too tight and it emphasized every curve on her body. One thing I admired about her, was her confidence and that was the reason I hired her in the first place. She was bold and not afraid to speak her mind.

“Yes. I just never knew you had a thing going on with April. It makes sense now thinking about it. I mean you always like older women as PAs or even better-attached ones. You moved her from being your PA to an Intern in less than a month.”

Now, I was the one who felt uncomfortable as she stated the obvious.

“I had a type, so sue me or do you plan on having charges against me for it?”

She frowned. “That’s not fair.”

“Isn’t it? Stephanie, I’m not sure what you want from me? To applaud your behavior or to scold you for it.”

“I came to say your affair with April will stay a secret. But there’s no need to throw her out on the street or even worse sack her. You know as well as I do, we needed fresh eyes and minds in our department and all the interns have their degrees and work with what they have on paper. They have no life experience and only book smarts. April, on the other hand, was a natural. I just want you to think about it. If she comes back, then you won’t have to deal with her at all, she’ll stay under my wing. You can’t just sack her like that.”

“I can’t? This is my company and I don’t need you to tell me what I can and cannot do. Now, if that's all?” I stood up and straightened my suit jacket. “I have a drink waiting for me and it’s been a long fucking day.”

The disappointment on her face and tone made me know I’d been harsh. I just wasn’t in the mood to hear from her. Not after today and her tone seemed to agitate me even more, as I walked to my door and opened it for her.

She left, and she opened her mouth like she was about to say something, but then changed her mind. I didn’t need her boldness or compassion right now. I came to work thinking I could have a shot at a relationship and found out something far worse, my Finance guy was serving on women. Now he had a lawsuit and no doubt I would have to bear the cost of it.

I needed a drink, a stiff one and I knew exactly where I was going to get it.