Chapter 15
I had lunch plans with Nola. She said Elliot came highly recommended by Professor Elise and was very reliable, which finally put my mind at ease.
Even though I couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, I just felt something was off about him.
The lazy afternoon sunshine made me want to stay home alone, but there were things at the company that needed my personal attention. I had to resign; otherwise, it would be too inconvenient for me.
I'd been taking sick leave to rest at home recently, and Levi hadn't mentioned anything about my returning to work.
When I arrived at the company, Levi had just come back from outside.
We went into his office together.
"Been busy lately?" I noticed some fatigue in his eyes.
I'd fallen asleep first last night, and when I woke up this morning, he wasn't there, so I didn't know if he'd come home at all.
Levi rubbed his temples. I rarely saw him in poor condition.
"Yeah."
I stood across from him, feeling a bit at a loss. I'd tried showing concern for him before, but he was basically indifferent to my caring gestures. Over time, we'd developed very clear boundaries.
"What is it?"
Levi quickly snapped back to himself. He opened his usual fancy pen and started going through the pile of documents on his desk.
"I want to resign."
I didn't want to beat around the bush with him, so I stated my purpose directly.
"You can rest at home forever; no need to go through the formality."
Levi meant I could take indefinite leave. In his eyes, my work wasn't important anyway - the company would be fine with or without me.
He'd only given me a secretary position under pressure from Aiden in the first place, so he felt there was no need for me to talk about resigning.
"Looks like you've recovered well, so just spend time with the child."
Before I could speak, Levi brought up taking care of the child himself.
This was the first time he'd said anything about me spending time with our child. Before, I'd always taken care of Celestia on my own initiative. In Levi's world, if I didn't want to do these things, there were plenty of people in the household who would.
It was just a matter of having one or two more nannies.
"I've found a new job."
Levi's expression didn't change at all.
He looked up. "So?"
"So I need to go through the formal resignation process."
I knew full well that even without completing the resignation, I could return to the company, but I was afraid Levi might use this against me someday, which would be a bit troublesome.
"Secretary work is only this easy when you're working for me."
Levi checked the time. "Go out for now."
I hadn't expected him to be so difficult. I thought he'd agree readily - he should want me to stay away from him, the fewer entanglements the better.
That way, he and Jessa would have more and more space together.
"I'm serious. Just approve it, and I'll go through the process with HR." I wanted to try one more time.
Levi picked up his phone and tapped it a couple of times.
My phone vibrated. I opened it to see a parent-child activity registration form.
"What's this?"
"I signed you up."
Levi had signed Celestia and me up for a parent-child class?
"Celestia's kindergarten has already started, this..."
"It's an activity recommended by the kindergarten, won't last long."
Although I was happy to accompany my child, my body hadn't fully recovered yet, and I might not have enough energy.
Plus, there were things at the company - how could I explain to Levi that I really had a new job to handle?
Levi, do you think I'm superwoman?
"I think..."
"You can do it."
Levi cut me off. He clearly had no patience left.
"You have energy to have lunch and hang out with friends, so spending time with your child is no problem."
What did he mean by that?
Did Cleo tell him about me attending the school anniversary event?
Did he know I met with Elliot today?
I felt uneasy. Actually, I'd told Indigo at noon that I wouldn't be home for lunch, and when he called home, Indigo said I was having a small gathering with Nola.
"About my resignation..."
"I'm not repeating myself."
Levi refused me, giving me no chance to continue.
I didn't understand why he suddenly wanted to restrict me.
If I left the company voluntarily, wouldn't that get me out of his sight? Wouldn't that stop him from being annoyed by seeing me?
I knew there was no point in saying more.
Just then, James knocked and came in with something, so I had to leave.
For now, I could only figure out the time management difficulties on my own.
As I walked, I opened the registration form. The date was in two days. Levi's decisions were always surprise attacks.
I'd adapted to his pace over these years, but this time I felt overwhelmed.
But I quickly comforted myself - I should especially treasure the time with Celestia.
When Levi and I eventually divorced, if I didn't get custody of Celestia, maybe if Levi got upset, it would be very hard for me to see my child.
As soon as I got in the car, Nola called.
"Blair, the funds from WR have arrived in the company account."
I had indeed asked him to transfer it directly to the company account. This money should have gone to my personal account, but since we were having funding difficulties, I'd invest some first - it should help at least a little.
"Okay."
She heard the lack of energy in my voice.
"What's wrong? Didn't the resignation go well?"
"No."
I took a deep breath. "Not only did he not agree, but he also signed Celestia and me up for a parent-child class."
Nola was so anxious she could jump. "How can he do this? Didn't he disagree with you going to the company at first? Why doesn't he want you to leave now?"
"He thinks my resignation is unnecessary."
"Actually, it is just a formality." Nola also felt that whether I resigned or not didn't really matter.
I closed my eyes. "I'm worried he'll have a fit someday and make me come back to the company."
"You're overthinking it. The way I see it, he's busy having an affair with Jessa and has no time to deal with your matters."
It was already out in the open, but being reminded of it still hurt. Everyone was gossiping about their scandal. If it weren't for Jessa's food poisoning, things probably wouldn't be quiet recently either.
"Alright, I'm heading home. Talk later."
I hung up the phone, feeling completely drained.
I'd just have to deal with things as they came.
I pulled myself together, preparing to go home and spend time with my daughter.
Just as I started the car, Levi called.
"Where are you?"
"The garage."
"Come back up. There's a document I need you to deliver to S.H. Corp."
Just as I expected, Levi could give me tasks anytime, anywhere. Didn't he say I could rest? How could he be ordering me around so quickly!
"I want to rest."
Since he thought I was dispensable, I might as well follow my own heart.
He hung up directly. Listening to the dial tone, I wondered, "Will he be mad at me?"
Was it because there was no one available around him right now to do this? Was I too hasty in refusing?
I didn't care about Levi's feelings anymore. Now I only cared about my daughter. Everything else I could let go of. Overthinking would just drag me down.
"To hell with it!"
I played my favorite music and drove home singing along.