Page 9 of Octane

"If it weren’t for Ms. Collins, here," Mr. Dawson interrupts, "then we would be taking our business elsewhere."

Daniel's eyes skip to mine for just a second, but it’s enough for me to notice the flash of anger and disappointment.

This is not good.

"Well, I sincerely apologize for it not going as well as you would have liked, but I'm glad that we were able to turn it around for you. I assure you, moving forward, I'll make sure Ms. Stone staysfaraway from your account."

"Glad to hear it."

Mr. Dawson nods toward Daniel before shooting one last glare at me, then heads for the lobby.

I wait for Daniel to explode. To scream at me. He usually wouldn’t do that in front of anyone else, he saves that behavior for when we're behind closed doors, but he's never looked this angry with me before.

Surprisingly, he takes a deep breath and walks back into his office, slamming his door shut behind him.

Tonight is going to be bad.

* * *

I stay lateat work in an attempt to get ahead of my next few client meetings. Trina stays with me, insisting she has work to catch up on as well, but I know she’s staying for moral support. I think she knows that there is more to mine and Daniel’s relationship, but I’ll never confirm it. Every time she asks about us, I change the subject.

The younger Mr. Dawson called a few hours after they left and told me that he would work on getting his father to understand where I was coming from. I was happy to hear it, but it’s not like it mattered since Daniel already removed me from the account.

My phone buzzes on my desk, and I look at the screen.

Daniel: Where are you? Why aren’t you home yet?

He’s pissed. I can’t really blame him this time, though. I pick up my phone and reply to his text.

Me: I’m still at the office. Trying to get a jump on my next few meetings. Trina is here helping me.

I only tell him about Trina so he knows that there is someone to prove I’m where I say I am.

Daniel: Well, after nearly losing us an account today, I suppose you need all the practice you can get.

His response twists the knife, piercing my confidence more than it already was before.

* * *

I wasable to compartmentalize my disastrous morning, but now that I’m in my car driving home, all of my worry and anxiety is flooding back into my psyche.

I park my BMW, that Daniel insisted I drive, in its assigned spot next to his Bentley. I can’t bring myself to get out yet. I can feel tears beginning to prick my eyes, but I stop them from coming.

I won’t let him see me cry.

I shake my head slightly, trying to clear away my frustration, then exit my car. As I step into the elevator, I think about how my day began. I should have known it wasn’t going to end well. Pushing the button for the twenty-third floor, the elevator begins to rise.

Oh, how I wish it would stop moving again. I would give anything to get stuck in here for the rest of the night than to have to see Daniel right now. My feet feel as though they’re cemented in stone as I walk toward our unit. As if I am walking to my execution.

It feels like I am.

As my key enters the lock, the door swings open, and I come face to face with a very irritated Daniel.

“Did you get some good training in?”

His large form takes up the entire doorway as he stands there, arms crossed over his chest, defining his outrage.

“Yes,” I respond, doing my best to slide past him.

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