Chapter Twenty-One - I Didn't Realise How Bad It Was

Chapter Twenty-One - I Didn't Realise How Bad It Was
Everly

I am exhausted as I arrive at work. I spent most of the night going over the contract and NDA. I called him once to check a couple of things, but other than that, I didn’t see any issues with it. Everything we agreed to was included, including the amount of money and the list of things that would break our agreed-upon contract. I signed it, but only after I reviewed it four times. I wanted to make sure I was signing my life away. I nearly didn’t sign it at all. I considered continuing to be a call girl more than once. I talked myself out of it. 

I head straight to Orson’s office, but he isn’t in yet. I shouldn’t be surprised. I will wait for him because I don’t want to leave it lying on his desk in case someone sees it. We don’t need anyone to see it. I make myself comfortable at his desk. I rest back on the chair and put my feet on his desk. He won’t be amused when he walks in, but I don’t care. 

A few minutes later, the office door opens. “Get your feet off my desk. What are you doing in here? This is my office, not yours?” he snarls. 

Oh, someone is cranky this morning. 

“I am here to give you the documents back. They are signed.” 

“Okay. I will sign them and take them back to my lawyer this afternoon. Now, get your feet off my desk, Everly.” 

“What is wrong with you? You seem moodier than usual.” 

“It is none of your business. I appreciate you signing them, but leave my office. I am not in the mood for you or anyone else.” 

I stand from his chair and go around to take my place in front of him. “Don’t start with me today either, Orson. I signed your damn contract. You act like an asshole towards me after that, I swear, I will make it my mission to make your life a living hell.” 

“You already do, so there would be no difference.” 

He brushes by me, sitting at his desk and doesn’t even look in my direction. 

“Jackass,” I mutter under my breath and exit his office. 

I wonder what happened between us speaking last night and this morning. He was in a good mood when we talked last night. He was flirting and being his smartass self. God knows what has happened to him, but he isn’t my problem. 

I stop by the break room for a coffee and then head to my office to begin my work for the day. I have a lot to do. I hope I can focus on work and not become distracted by the recent events. I pull it together and start up my computer. 

I don’t work for long before my office door opens, and in comes Orson. I roll my eyes and glance up at him. “Yes?” 

He strolls silently towards my desk and sits on it close to where my chair is. “I am sorry I snapped at you. You didn’t deserve that, not after what you are doing for me.” 

It wasn’t as if I had a choice, but I won’t mention it. It isn’t often I get an apology from him. 

“You seemed in a good mood when we talked last night. What happened since then?” 

He sighs loudly and runs his fingers through his hair. “Not long after we got off the call, I got a visit from my brother. He came by without warning to try to meet my fiancée, whom I had told him about. When he realised she was there, he started his shit. We argued words were said, not nice ones, from him, I mean. You would think after years of being told I am useless, unworthy of love and not worth anyone’s time, I would get used to it, but last night, he hit a nerve. I wanted badly to punch him, but I didn’t, instead, I pushed a hole in my wall.” 

I had no idea what he goes through with his family. It makes sense he is the way he is if that is how his family treat him. 

“I am sorry, Orson, that your family are assholes and treat you like that. We don’t get along, but even I wouldn’t wish that on someone.” 

I do feel bad for him, something I never thought would happen. 

“I have had it my entire life.” 

He tries to shrug it off like it is nothing, but I can see through his stern demeanour. It hurts him. Is his mother the same, or just his brother and father? 

“It doesn’t make it right. I understand what it is like having a toxic family.” 

It is why I left. My mother was a drunk, my father was a drug addict and abusive, and my perfect little sister got everything she wanted and didn’t suffer the consequences from either of them. All their hate and anger were towards me. My sister was fourteen when I left, and she was horrible. She was mean and selfish. She was a mix of them both. 

“What was your family like?” he asks. 

“We aren’t talking about me. Is your hand okay?” 

He shows it to me, and I get my answer. It is cut, swollen and bruised. How hard was his wall? 

“It is fine. It doesn’t hurt.” 

“Did you clean it up?” I ask with a raised brow. 

“I did. Anyway, I just wanted to come by and say sorry. I will let you get back to work.” 

“Orson, try not to let them get to you.” 

He nods and smiles. He heads for the door but stops and turns to me. “We will go tomorrow afternoon and find you a ring.” 

“Okay.”

He leaves my office. I hate toxic parents. It doesn’t change my feelings towards Orson. I still don’t like him, but I have a better understanding of him. The ring idea is one I don’t like, but he has a point, I need one to make it more believable. A part of me can’t wait to shove it in his brother's and father’s face. Maybe they will back off him a little. I never had the guts to stand up to my parents. I upped and left without a word, but I am not that person anymore. I grew stronger, and I no longer allow anyone to treat me poorly. Bullies need to be stood up to, not backed away from, and I learned that the hard way.