Page 12 of The Bonus

“Yes. We. Fucking. Are.”

“I’m leaving because I’ve bought myself a house.”

He takes a step back, completely shocked. “You bought a house?”

I nod. “In Greenville.”

“Where’s that?”

“Maine.”

“Why the fuck would you buy a house in Maine?” He screws up his face in horror.

“Because…it’s time.”

“For what?” he bellows. “To turn fucking Amish?”

“I want a family home with a garden and a dog, maybe even a family. Renting a tiny apartment in New York is never going to get me there.”

He blinks as he processes my words.

“I need to get out of New York, Gabriel.”

“New York is your home.”

“New York is your home. I’ve been here for seven years and I…” I shrug, not wanting to elaborate on my loneliness. “I haven’t met anyone and it’s time for me to pull up my big-girl panties and move on.”

He pauses for a moment as if processing my words.

“You’re leaving me?” he whispers.

“I have to.”

His eyes search mine.

“I’m sorry.”

His jaw clenches, and then without another word he marches back into his office and slams the door, it echoes as the walls shake.

Hot tears burn my eyes.

You were supposed to beg me to stay.

It’s 6 p.m. and everyone has cleared out for the day. Gabriel hasn’t left his office all day, not even for lunch.

I’ve been hoping to have a quick word on his way out, but there’s still no sign of him.

The office is deathly silent, and I quietly knock on his door.

“Yes,” he calls.

I open it and peep in. “I’m going to head off soon.”

He doesn’t look up from his computer. “Okay.”

I wait for him to look up at me…he doesn’t.

“Close the door on your way out,” he replies flatly as he picks up a pen and starts signing some documents.

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