Chapter 29-1

The week after Otis left, Lex was called back into the boardroom one final time.  Wilson sat there at the expansive oak table, with a mousy girl from HR sitting beside him. Lex had an inkling about what was coming, but still she asked, "Are we waiting for Mr Ramsey and Mr Jenner?" "No, we'll be proceeding as it."  Wilson's demeanour was ice-cold, and even in her hollow state, Lex found herself thinking, I've eaten in your home, giggled with your wife.  How can you act like this? He didn't beat around the bush.  "Ms Carson, in light of your three month trial period, we've reviewed your performance since accepting this role, and found it severely lacking." She could have tried to defend herself; the old Lex would have.  But that was before she lost Otis, before she realised what it meant to truly love and lose someone.  Her heart wasn't up for the battle, and she said, "I'm sorry, Mr Wilson." He grunted, disgusted with her.  "I have to say, I vouched for you personally, Ms Carson, and you've let me down.  You've made me look bad for believing in you, and as for your own image within this company, well, let's just say that I don't believe it could ever be redeemed." "I understand.  I'll be happy to step back into my former role, and work to regain your trust." "Yes, about that..."  Wilson looked over at the HR girl to ensure that she was paying attention.  "We were informed by a member of staff about some disreputable conduct which occurred in your office earlier this year.  Upon reviewing security footage, there has been incontestable proof of a clear breach of company policy." "What are you talking about?" The HR girl turned a table to face Lex, and the screen showed grainy security camera footage of Lex and Otis, making love on her office couch.  Thankfully, they were stills, but it was clear what was happening. "You are hereby terminated, Ms Carson, effective immediately."  Wilson looked away, disgusted.  "Do not expect a reference." Lex began to shake, her eyes darting between the two uncompassionate professionals before her.  "Mr Wilson, please, it was one time, and it will never happen again, I promise!  I need my job!  Please, please don't do this!" The HR girl cleared her throat and said, "The policies are very clear, Ms Carson-" "I understand that, I do, but if I don't have a reference, I won't be able to find another job.  Please, demote me, but don't fire me!"  She didn't weep - it was something she'd sworn would never ever happen at work.  God help her if she allowed her feminine tendencies ruin her professional reputation. But her face crumpled, even as Wilson stood and said dismissively, "I'm afraid you've made your own bed here, girl.  Now, you get to lie in it." They left Lex in the boardroom, curled over in her chair and holding her belly.  She sat there for an age, not wishing to rush out and meet her bleak future just yet. "Carson?  Still here?" a snide voice commented from the doorway.  MacNamara stood there, his eyes vindictive.  "Time to move along, or I'll have to phone for security to escort you out.  Now I'm an executive, it's my responsibility to protect the interests of this company." "You," she managed.  She stood on weak legs, trying to keep her distance from him.  "You did this." "You did this to yourself - I just helped."  He closed the gap between them and thrust her against the wall.  Pressing himself against her, he sneered, "I won.  I told you I would." "You never had any feelings for me, did you?" "Oh, now, that's not true.  I had feelings here," he ground his crotch against her thigh.  "But I never wanted anything more from you.  I can't believe you'd think anyone would want you - guess your boy-toy worked out what a bitch you are too.  Is that why he left?" "How...  Who told you that?" Lex twisted, trying to escape his grip but he kept her pinned, gloating directly in her face.  "You can't guess?  Didn't you wonder why Liesl wouldn't tell you who's the young stud that's been screwing her brains out lately?  Spoiler alert - it's me. Make that old bird come and she'd tell you anything.  She told me all about you, and I've been filling Wilson in.  Your shoddy work was enough to get you demoted, but that stunt on your couch, well, that was the icing on the cake." Lex looked into his face, trying to find some semblance of a human there, one who might take pity on her.  "They're firing me, Ryan.  Is that what you wanted?" He shrugged, saying, "Actually, yeah.  I wanted you to get the arse, so then you'd have to beg me for your job."  He grabbed her hand and held it to his pants front, rubbing her fingers on his length.  "Then I'd tell you, 'you gotta make it worth my while, bitch.'  And when you were done sucking me off, I'd laugh and kick you out anyway.  But you know what?  You're such a waste, I don't want you anywhere near my cock." He finally released her, walking to the door as she cowered against the wall.  "You thought you were so untouchable, but you were stupid.  Love made you weak, Carson.  You used to be a worthy opponent - now, you're just pathetic.  Get the fuck out of my building."