Page 7 of Octane

“You don’t know that I didn’t contribute to the solution, do you?”

All I can do is laugh and shake my head. It's then she notices her purse has spilled over. She crouches down, putting everything back in just as we reach the garage.

"Don't forget this," I say, handing the badge back to her.

She shoots me another snide glance before swiping it out of my hand and exiting the elevator.

"I’ll be seeing you, Sawyer."

She stops for a moment then turns toward me again.

"I hope not," she answers me.

You better believe you will, little miss spitfire.

I can't wait until she sees me in the conference room next week. I'm half tempted to call Vic and move the meeting up, but I decide against it.

Good things come to those who wait.

CHAPTER THREE

SAWYER

As I exit the elevator, I pull my coat a little tighter at the top, trying to keep the December air off my neck. What the hell was up with that guy? It's like he was screwing with me on purpose just to get a rise out of me. The next time I run into him will be too soon. Maybe I should tell Daniel it's time we move. Bad idea; he’ll want to know why and then accuse me of flirting.

Speaking of, I take my phone out of my purse as soon as I get into my car. I don't have any missed texts from Daniel, which makes me a little nervous. I shoot him another message to let him know I'm on my way.

Me: Leaving the garage now. Got stuck in the elevator. Might be time to find a new building. I'm getting tired of the issues with this one.

I say more than I should have, and I regret it immediately. Daniel is a firm believer that too much information is a cover for dishonestly.

Shit.

I put my car in drive, speed out of the garage, and merge into traffic on Doheny Road.

I've worked for Kramer Enterprises, Warren’s company, for about six months. After I graduated college, I was determined to get a job somewhere else and on my own terms. I didn’t want them to hire me because I knew the CEO or because I was dating the boss, but because the company thought I was qualified and could contribute something to their team.

I worked for a few different agencies prior to Kramer Enterprises, trying to make my way up the ladder. After five years of fetching coffee and performing other duties that had me wasting my degree, I searched for higher paying jobs with the better companies in the city.

I didn’t realize until later that Daniel had sabotaged my interviews. A few times, he’d started an argument with me on the day of the interview, causing me to be late or unable to show up.

One company told me, after they had already scheduled my interview, that they needed to cancel because I was blacklisted.

Finally, I got an interview that I believed I had nailed, only to find out that none of my references could vouch for any of my work history. This led them to believe I had lied about everything.

My dad pleaded with me to give Warren’s company a shot. Finally, I relented, vowing to continue my search for a position at a different company. My father understands how hard it is for me to accept a handout, but he also didn’t like watching me waste my talent. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to have this position on my resume.

And from a financial aspect, I wasn't able to equally contribute in my relationship with Daniel, and that was not okay with me, either. Yes, I have a trust fund, but I don’t like relying on it. I refuse to live off of it while I coast through life with no responsibilities. I’d rather earn my money by working hard, the way my father did. I don’t even know how much money I have in it.

Sure, I could stay home every day. I don't have to work. But being a homemaker isn't what I was meant for. I can’t imagine waiting around all day for Daniel to come home from work. Having a hot dinner ready and waiting, dressed to the nines in heels and pearls. But more than that, I can't allow myself toneedDaniel.

I think that's what makes him so mad about me working. To him, a career means me having independence. He was firmly against me working at Kramer Enterprises, but his dad told him that it was a favor for my dad. I think he finally relented because he realized we would be in the same office where he can keep an eye on me.

He only wanted me working one day per week, while I wanted a full-time job. We went back and forth, and eventually we agreed on three days per week. This worked out well because the other two days I can spend at the track.

I finally make it to my office, thirty minutes late. Carefully, I glance into Daniel's office as I walk to my cubicle, and his predictable unhappiness is confirmed. He pins me with his angry stare, and I fumble my step. Correcting myself, I make it to my desk without him coming out to stop me.

As soon as I boot up my computer and open my email, I get an instant message from him.

---