Page 58 of Marrying My Ex's Boss

“That’s my girl. She has class. She’s more the type to fuck with them, or at least her twin is.”

“Her twin?”

“Never mind, it’s an inside joke. How about the others?"

"They all seemed pleased. The scuttlebutt is that they didn’t think she’d cut it because someone, and it's your guess who started a rumor that she’s not qualified.”

“Oh, really. Thanks, Carl. Is she back in her office?”

“She’s in there with motor mouth, Millie.”

“Damn, do you two ever stop?”

“It’s her, not me.” I just looked at him. In every other instance, he’s the tough-as-nails SEAL, but add Monique to the mix, and I can’t tell who the hell he is.

“I’m gonna go check on the kids since you don’t need me.”

“How’s the work coming on the expansion?”

“Not bad; they seem pretty motivated since you promised them a bonus if they get it done on time and up to code.”

“Alright.” Rumors huh! I buzzed through the interoffice intercom, “Monique, get in here." She came traipsing in ten minutes later.

“It’s two minutes from here to her office; what took you so long?”

“Wait, you counted?” I felt the heat in my face.

“Shut up. I need you to do a background check on all employees. Focusing mainly on their credentials.”

“Oh boy, who pissed in your Wheaties? Why don’t you just go after who you’re going after?”

“Then it would be a frontal attack. Where’s the fun in that? Make sure the word gets around that you’re doing this.”

“You’ve got it.” I knew she would like that task because she likes mess, especially when it involves people she doesn’t like. I’ll let that get around for a day or two and see who scatters. I already know who is qualified and who isn’t. Those who aren’t should’ve kept their mouths shut.

* * *

KAREN

* * *

“One-hundred-twenty.” No-no-no, I counted that brick already. I have to start over. I walked to the end of the wall and felt around in the dark. “One!” I made it all the way to the other end this time but I couldn’t remember what number I had reached.

I was hungry, hot, tired, and scared. Days and nights had run into each other because of the darkness in the cell. I’d been able to keep some semblance of time because of the mealtimes, but since I went on a hunger strike a few days ago in an effort to get one more phone call, they’d stopped bringing me meals, so I’ve lost track.

There’s someone who could find me, but I can’t remember who. And the voices, her voice. “No, go away, you’re not real. I got rid of you. You’re not real.” I covered my ears as I heard that wailing sound again; it was getting louder and louder.

“Go away, Rosalind. I killed you, you bitch. Always in the way, not one of us. I’ll show you. He’s mine, mine, mine, mine. Marcus, Marcus, don’t leave me.” I slumped down to the cold stone floor as the voices kept getting nearer and nearer.

“You’re trying to trick me, but I’ll never tell. It was you; you did it. You did it to yourself. If you had gone away, I wouldn’t have had to….” No, it’s a trick no one knows but me. “Ha-ha, I’m the only one who knows. No one else, no one else.” But the son suspects. I know he does. Did he see something? No, I made sure. I’m safe, I’m safe. No one knows.

“Let me outta here. Help.” I banged on the door as loud as I could until I felt the blood drip down my arm. There was a noise behind me, but I was too afraid to look. Don’t look back, don’t want to see. “It’s not my fault; I had to do it.”

“Why should you and your lowborn son have everything while I suffered? It’s not my fault.” Something scurried across the floor, and I screamed, and still, the wailing was louder.

* * *

MARCUS

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