Page 52 of Between the Paragraphs

Sabrina lets out a chuckle and I glance at her to see a smug smile on her lips. She’s the one who speaks up. I wonder if she’s secretly been working for our company, betraying her own. It appears to be that way.

“Welcome to the world of publishing, sweetheart. People don’t want the ordinary, every day stuff, they want juicy details. We do whatever it takes to gain publicity and to sell books which is what our authors want as well.”

“You’re a hack of an editor, and my authors don’t want to sell their souls in order to sell books. They want to write what they love, and be represented by the best. We aren’t the best if we’re liars,” I quickly reply.

Robert lets out a laugh, his smug smile matching Sabrina’s. “She’s right, Maria. This is how the world works. You’ve always been naïve. You’re so good with the authors that I’ve ignored this. However, if you want to stay in the world of publishing you need to adapt. You can either jump on board or get out. Everyone’s replaceable, even you.”

I’m not sure if I’m more angry or shocked at his words. “You can’t have my name on an article that I didn’t right. You twisted what I turned in that I have the original copy of. You outright added lies, and you’ve destroyed my reputation. No author will trust me after this.” I pause as I take a deep breath. “Did you really do this all for a few book sales?”

“I’ll do whatever it takes for book sales,” he coldly says. His smile grows. “There’s a merger happening, and Mason’s team owner happens to be bidding against us. That article was a win all of the way around.”

I gape at him in shock. “This has all been a game for you.” I’m seething with rage. “You wanted Miles to get to Mason to get gossip. You’re far more underhanded than I ever could’ve imagined. You’ll go down for this.”

He laughs again, Sabrina joining him. “You can either be a part of the team or get out.”

“I’ll never be a part of this,” I tell them.

“Good. I’m more than happy to take over your job,” Sabrina says, running her hand up Robert’s arm.

“How does your wife feel about your affair?” I snap.

He laughs again. “My wife knows how the game’s played. As long as she has her spa money, she’s just fine with whatever I do.”

I let out a disgusted sigh. “I feel sorry for you and your pathetic life. There’s no amount of money that would make me choose to live the way you do.” I know there’s no use in arguing about this anymore. I decide to get straight to business.

“I quit as of this moment. You have exactly one hour to remove that article from online or my attorney will be serving you with defamation papers. There’s guaranteed to be a lawsuit over this so you better decide how much will be paid out.”

Robert and Sabrina’s eyes narrow as they lose their smiles. “You were employed by this company when that article was written, and in the contract it states that we can edit.”

“I’ve read over that contract, and I get final approval of all of my written words. The article that was posted was nothing like what I wrote. Yes, the company can change a few misspelled words, but you can’t change my entire article. Take it down within the hour and post a public apology for misrepresenting me.”

“You can’t tell me what to do,” he thunders.

“I just did,” I tell him.

“You’ll never work in the world of publishing again,” he snaps.

I laugh now, feeling free. I’ve had suspicions for a long time now, and it feels great to not have this weight over my head any longer. Leaving this place is the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ll miss my co-workers, but I won’t miss this toxic environment. I’ll land on my feet again even if it takes me a while.

I don’t say anything more. I turn on my heel and walk from his office, my heart pounding, my blood boiling. I feel a mixture of triumph and devastation. I’ve stood up for myself and I’ll never be sorry about that. I’m losing some great friends though, and that will always hurt. I’ve also lost the man I love, and that will take a lot more time to get over.

“Maria, I’m so sorry,” Tina, my assistant, says as I walk past her.

I give her a smile. “Thank you for being so great at your job and such a wonderful friend,” I tell her.

“I’m walking out right behind you. I won’t stay with a company who treats their employees or authors this way.”

“I’m going to figure out my next move. Give me a call in a couple of weeks. I might just have a job for you,” I tell her.

“That’s what I was hoping,” she says. She jumps up and gives me a hug.

Several more people assure me all will be okay, multiple people moving toward Robert’s office to quit. I hate to see anyone leaving the security of their job, but I know how talented the team of people here are. They’ll land on their feet. Everyone will be okay. Hopefully Robert won’t be though. He needs to pay for what he’s done.

As I walk out of the building, the reality of my situation hits me like a ton of bricks. I now have no job, no idea what I’m doing next, and for the moment, a very tarnished reputation. Tears fill my eyes, but I push them away. I refuse to shed another tear for that man and that place. I hold my up head high.

I’ve lost a lot these past few days, but I still have my integrity. That’s enough to build upon. I can still look in the mirror and like who I see. I don’t think people understand how important that is.

I move to the park nearby and sit on a bench to people watch. I gaze out as a couple of teenagers laugh while throwing a frisbee back and forth. Over at the playground a group of children are chasing each other, climbing ladders and rushing down the slides. The world continues moving forward even if my own seems to be spinning out of control. This is the reality of life. It doesn’t stop just because I’m spinning in the middle of a tornado.

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