Page 122 of The Right Kind of Wrong

CHAPTER 43

Evelyn

I sighed, smoothing down my dress yet again. From the outside, I looked like a confident woman who knew exactly what she was doing when on the inside, I was a mess. I could hardly breathe. I was terrified about what I was going to do.

You always set your plans in motion in your head: you picture every detail, how you hope it will turn out and then when the moment comes, nothing ever turns out as planned.

A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called out.

Carter opened and a slow smile adorned his face.

“So, do I look halfway decent after a sex tape scandal?” I asked, shifting on my feet.

I was going to face the company board members for the first time since the incident and my nerves were at an all-time high. My mom and dad would be there as would Hannah, and I didn't know how well I'd be able to manage. There was so much that was going to happen that day.

“Do I look okay? Or should I put something less revealing or—”

“You look like the beautiful, strong young woman that you are,” Carter smiled, placing his hands on my shoulders. “I've placed the luggage in the car already so after the meeting we're heading out to the airport.”

I nodded, forcing a smile and looking down at my bracelet. I wanted to see him one last time.

“Alright,” I said, pushing away the thought, “Let's get going before I chicken out.”

The drive was quiet and tense. I kept rehearsing in mind the things I was going to say, what exactly was going to happen. My hands trembled and my heart raced. I was so nervous.

Jenna texted, wishing me luck as did her mom while David waited for me at the company. I couldn't believe that was actually happening. I rested my head against the window, closing my eyes and hoping it would turn out as planned.

When we arrived my nerves only increased. I was nauseous and trembling, the anxiety making my heart beat that much faster. I walked inside and the receptionist met me with a sympathetic smile.

“Miss Carson, good morning. They're already waiting for you upstairs.”

I frowned. David wasn't waiting for me. “Where is David?”

“Upstairs as well,” the woman said.

“Thank you.”

I rode the elevator upstairs with my eyes closed the whole time. It was time to face reality.

As I walked through the hallway, I saw everyone already gathered, their eyes turning to me as when they saw me through the glass window.

Be strong.

“Good morning,” I said as I opened the door. My eyes fell on David who had Kimberly next to him and the man sitting next to her; Nathan. “What are you doing here?” I asked, turning a deep shade of red.

He stood up, approaching me with a small smile. “I figured you needed the moral support,” he whispered. “David and I already have explained what occurred, Evie. You don't have to go into detail anymore, hm? Just say what you have to say, without worrying about that.”

“Oh, Nathan. You didn't have to do that.”

“And you shouldn't have to discuss your intimacies with people you hardly know and a gentleman wouldn't allow that. It's the least I could do.”

I swallowed past the gathering of emotions and nodded, feeling his hand squeezing mine.

When I looked up the board members were giving us sympathetic looks, except my mom. She was furious. My dad looked ashamed and Hannah, she seemed conflicted. I cleared my throat and Nathan sat once again next to David, encouraging me silently with a small nod.

“Well, uh, in light of everything that's happened the past couple of days a couple of decisions have been made. This will be very brief and please excuse me if I don't make sense but I am a bit overwhelmed with all the circumstances. First of all, I want to thank you all for cooperating. I know there's been doubts about the way things have been run lately, yet despite that, most of you have agreed that the company was taking a wrong turn and wanted to change that, so I appreciate it. Second, I do apologize that video got around. I know Nathan already discussed it, but it shouldn't have been out there.”

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