Page 55 of The Bonus

The doors open and two men are waiting to get in, their faces fall when they see me and I raise an eyebrow.

“Sorry, Mr. Ferrara.” They stay where they are.

I push the button to close the doors. I need a private elevator to this godforsaken place.

Once upon a time I would get here earlier and train before work, I haven’t done that since…

I run at home now before I come, the urge to get into the office early has left along with Miss Porter. It’s no fun getting dressed in front of Greg. In fact, it’s no fun with Greg at all.

He’s the most boring person I’ve ever met. Actually, the entire office is boring now.

I’ve always been a workaholic, prided myself for my dedication to Ferrara Media.

But lately… I hate coming here.

I hate walking past her empty desk, I hate that nobody rolls their eyes at me or talks back and gives me cheek. I hate that I can’t feel her eyes on me as I get dressed. I hate that I don’t feel my dick tingle when she chews the end of her pen.

I hate that she left me.

The doors open and I walk through reception. “Good morning, Mr. Ferrara.”

“No visitors today.”

“Yes, sir.”

I open the doors and walk through the desks, I see a few people standing and talking in the photocopier room and my blood boils, what do they think this is?

I march over, their faces fall when they see me. “This isn’t a tea party. Get back to work.”

“Yes, sir.” They scatter like mice.

I walk into my office, slam the door, throw my briefcase onto the table and fall into my chair.

This place is fucking ruined.

Grace

Debbie’s wide eyes hold mine. “Twins?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Like twin twins, like two babies twins?”

“Yep.”

“Hmm.” Deb has been shocked to silence, she sips her coffee as she chooses her next words carefully. “Well… This is great,” she lies.

I stare at her deadpan. “And how is this great?”

“Well.” She holds her hands up all animated like. “Your family is done, you can stop after this if you want.”

“I’ll be stopping, one hundred percent I’ll be stopping.” I sip my stupid decaf coffee as I think, even my coffee is ruined now. “A household where the children outnumber the adults is . . .”

“Busy.” Deb cuts me off. “You’ll be busy.”

I nod, not wanting to be a downer.

“Oh my gosh, I saw the cutest thing in the shop on the way here. I’m getting it for you on the way out.”

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