Page 2 of Say I Do

Cole: That's what I thought.

Bastard made the right choice, but for as much as he cost, he should.

Me: I'll deal with the owner.

I stuff my phone back into my pocket, making my way up to the counter.

"Good morning," the girl behind the counter chirps. "What can I get you?"

"I need to speak to Jim."

"He's on a call."

"I don't care."

"Right," the girl says nervously. "I'll go get him." I pull out my wallet and shove a hundred into the tip jar. She scurries off. I fold my arms over my chest and wait. Something I'm not good at. After a minute, I'm done. I go around the counter. One of the baristas is about to say something, but my hard stare has them turning around and taking the next order. I push through the swinging door.

"He's still on the phone." She points towards the open door of the office. I nod for her to go. She doesn't have to be asked twice. I wait for her to leave before entering the small office.

"Who are you?" Jim, the owner asks. Yes, I know all about Jim. I pluck the phone out of his hand, ending the call before tossing it onto his desk.

“I’m here for us to have a little chat.” I close the office door, and the man’s eyes widen in fear… as they should.

2

GABRIELLA

“Idon’t understand.” How could my situation go from awful to worse? I’m fighting back tears, not wanting them to freeze on my cheeks again. I have cried enough for one day.

The snow is coming down harder. I normally love it when it snows. It’s even more perfect because it's so close to Christmas, so that means we’ll have a white Christmas. I don’t think we’ve had one for years. This is normally my favorite time of year.

“What’s not to understand? You gotta get out.” Mitch is fiddling with his phone, not any real help.

“But I have a lease!” I don't believe I received a copy, however. I'm guessing he's not going to give me one now. Doesn’t a lease protect you from these kinds of things? I mean, can I just be thrown out of my place without some sort of notice?

“Then sue me because I don’t own the building anymore.” Mitch shrugs.

“I can’t get all my things out today.” I try to make him see reason, but I already know it’s falling on deaf ears. Mitch only cares about himself and money.

"Every tenant is getting a buyout. The company is going to give each renter a couple grand to compensate them for the trouble.”

Okay, that's better than nothing. I don’t have a couple grand worth of furniture. My bed is a couch, which works fine for the most part. I only have a tiny studio. It’s all one room. The kitchen stove only has two burners. The place is tiny, but it worked for me. It was the most affordable option I could find, and it felt somewhat secure. It was close each month, but I’d been making rent.

I can’t believe I got fired. It wasn’t even my fault. I can still feel the spot where the woman spilled her coffee all over me. I’ll be shocked if there aren't any surface burn marks. I should have seen it coming. That woman had a weird dislike for me. I don’t understand why.

“When do we get the money?” I could use it to get a hotel. I don’t have much of a choice because Mitch has me. What am I going to do? Sue him? Right. Like I have the means to do that. Who would even buy this place?

“A check in a few weeks.”

“A few weeks!” Mitch’s brows rise. I really don’t want to go back to the shelter, but I can’t afford a hotel for that long. There is no freaking way.

“You don’t have to yell at me, Gabby.”

"I'm sorry," I hurriedly say, feeling like kicking myself right after I say it. I should yell at him, but I detest being mean, and Ibelieve Mitch is aware of this. He is now using that knowledge against me. Why do people have to be so cruel and take advantage?

You’d think with how I grew up I’d be tougher and not so gullible. I always tell myself I'm going to be meaner and more forceful, but I don't have it in me. I remember one of my foster parents telling me I was full of sunshine. All I feel lately is like I’m walking with a dark cloud hanging over me.

“Just leave your key inside your place. I’d hop to it if I were you. You’ve only got a few hours to get your things.” With that, Mitch turns to leave. I stand there and watch him pull away in a fancy car with temporary tags. I guess he got a good price for the place.

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