Page 33 of Yours, Truly

If Mr Cato had caught wind that the company was undergoing a lawsuit, this would spur him on to try to get his big payday too. He was clever and could make people see what he wanted them to see. He not only wanted to destroy the company but he wanted to destroy me, for humiliating him and denting his ego. He also knew that if my name was spun into the web, clients would drop like flies and I would be blacklisted in the whole of the UK.

I tried to quickly process it all, but the fear of my reputation, my future was bubbling to the surface. My dream for my own company failed before it could get off the ground. I had a red cross above my name.

“Samuel is going to terminate his business with me if this goes ahead,” I confessed, trying to narrow in on what I had right now. He was not only my client but a good friend. If I lost Samuel’sbusiness, or even his trust, I knew for sure that my other clients would follow. Afterall my service was recommended by him. I also had a continued opportunity lined up for when I was ready to take a new direction. That would vanish in a heartbeat.

I ran my hands through my hair, tugging at the ends, trying to remember how to breathe. I hadn’t panicked like this in a long time and it scared me. Nate jumped to my side, holding my arms in his trying to sooth me. The realisation dawned on me.

“You can't take this case,” I pleaded, tears filling my eyes as I tried to control my breathing but another ripple of panic wanted to surface. “You will be dragging me through the mud.”

“I have no choice. It's just business, it’s a case I’ve been assigned as I am on the existing case for your company.”

24

JUST BUSINESS

Anger roared inside,Just business? Is he fucking kidding me right now?I rolled my eyes at him and tried to step out of his grip. He was willing to get a hefty sum to ruin my career and blacklist me.

“Business?! How much is this case worth Nate?” I was pissed that he could sell me out like that and I knew this was worth a lot by the way he avoided my gaze.

“A lot…” he sheepishly replied, “and a promotion to CEO." he added, making me gasp. Nausea consumed me, my stomach twisted and turned at the deal he would take. I couldn’t breathe, my chest tightened. I pulled myself out of his grip stepping back.

“Wow Nate. So, now I understand why you won’t be someone else’s person?” I spat. This was his escape hatch, to remove himself from a relationship he never wanted. I knew this was business but somehow this just became personal. That he was willing to sell me out, all for a title and extra cash flow.

“Gi, It’s not like that. I have worked hard in my career to aim for this kind of position. This isn’t personal.” It frustrated me that he couldn’t see that it was. My heart sank as he expressed clearly that work would always be a priority. I understood what it meant to him but surely, he could achieve his dream in a different way, one that wasn’t going to hurt me in the process.

“If you do this, we are done Nate.” I knew an ultimatum was risky right now, this early in our relationship, but I couldn’t be with someone who thought money and work was more important than a relationship.

“Gi, please. Don’t do this… I can actually help you and protect you, if you could just let me,” he pleaded. I watched him, waiting for him to continue, how in the hell could he do that? He needed to win this case for Cato, whether it was based on lies or not, I trusted him but at the same time I didn’t, not if a promotion was up for grabs and he could toss me to the side.

“What if I can get the client to agree to no names. To tell him he has more chance of winning going for the company rather than a separate employee? I’ll make him sign an NDA, never to speak your name again. I will protect you.” He stepped closer to me, rubbing his hand on my arm, he kissed my forehead. My anxiety simmered under his touch, but the anger in the pit of my stomach still roared. He placed a hand under my chin forcing me to look into his eyes, his eyes trying to read mine. Nate opened his mouth ready to say something.

“What's going on?" Angelina whisper-shouted as she stepped into the office, quickly closing the door behind her and Natepulled back from me to create a professional space.Fuck another problem to deal with. Nate cleared his throat looking between Angelina and me like a deer in the headlights. Angelina was staring him down, arms over her chest waiting for an explanation.

“Mr Dalton was just leaving,” I spat, crossing my arms over my chest, raising a brow at him to leave. Regret and guilt were left from Nate’s final look, unspoken words lingered on his tongue.

“Think about it.” He composed himself professionally before grabbing his briefcase and slipping past Angelina.

“Same!” I snapped back, keeping my ground on the ultimatum I had presented.

“Miss Henley will fill you in,” he addressed Angelina,frozen in posture, as I watched the door close behind him. Then her attention flashed to me, anger mixed with confusion appeared in her composed state.

“What the hell is going on? And I don't mean the case." Angelina had a scary glare, that when you were on her bad side you knew to run and hide.

“It's complicated,” I disclosed, truthfully, because this whole twist of secrets and hiding was catching up to me so fast at this moment that I didn’t know which part to untangle first. She waited for me to elaborate on my answer and when I failed, she poked.

“How long, Georgina?” She asked using my full name, that hadn’t been used since I was a kid in trouble. She stormed towards me, not backing down. Fear consumed me, this wasgoing to be the end of my job.

“Barcelona,” I replied, a little quieter than I wanted. Angelina just sighed and chuckled nervously, anger in her eyes as she met mine. That was months ago. The beginning of September to be exact. This didn’t look good for me. I tried to explain as best I could.

“I didn't know who he was when we met that night and then when he came here, we were already involved but it's more complicated than that." I looked at her, pressing on. “He is also my best friend’s older brother so the secret’s kind of got carried away.” I finally spilled the beans on the whole scenario and it felt good to get it off my chest even if it was to my manager. Angelina ran her hands through her hair.

“You do realise this is a conflict of interest for the case! Do you know how serious this is? Not just for us but for him as well. He could lose his job, Gigi. It’s none of my business for your personal affairs but this is something you should have made me aware of.”

“We don't discuss work, we never have. Angelina, I love my job and I wouldn't put it at risk.”

“But you are! And you’re putting Mr Dalton’s at risk too. If I make our legal team and the judge aware of this relationship, you have done exactly that. Do you know how much more money we would need to spend; the court case will drag on for more months. We will close permanently; this is a bigger deal than I think you are aware of!”

It was so much to take in that I felt overwhelmed. I was risking everything, not just for myself but for Nate, for my colleaguesand the company itself. My eyes started to water a little and I tried to contain myself so I didn’t break down in front of Angelina. I then felt bad for going at Nate when he was trying to help me. Angelina sighed and her expression softened.

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