Page 84 of One Bad Idea
It suddenly struck me that Darla's visitors had grown eerily silent. No doubt they were listening to every word, which only added to my discomfort.
I glanced at the clock. It was officially past five, and I'd heard just about enough. I yanked open my bottom drawer and grabbed my purse. I slung it over my shoulder and made for my office door, praying that Darla would move aside before I got there, because if she didn't, I was seriously tempted to bowl her over and be done with it.
Happily, that wasn't necessary. She moved away just in time and then silently watched as I locked my office door behind me.
As I did it, she gave a little laugh. "I have a key, you know."
"What?"'
"A key," she repeated. "I can go in there any time I want."
I wasn't quite sure I believed her. But even if itwastrue, there was nothing I could do it about it now. So instead, I turned away and marched out of the executive suite with my head held high.
From somewhere behind me, I heard the sound of snickering. It might've been Darla. Or it might've been one of her visitors. I didn’t know, and I didn't bother to look.
Instead, I kept on going and didn't stop until I reached my truck – or rather, Jaden's truck, as I reminded myself for the millionth time.
Driving back to the apartment, I said a silent prayer that next week would be a whole lot better – or at least, not quite so terrible.
I didn't mind a little stress, and I was fine at sticking up for myself.
It was just that now, I felt so seriously outnumbered.
On the phone, Jaden had told me to let him know if anyone caused me trouble. But Darla was, at the very least, a sort of mother figure to him. There was no way he'd choose me over her.
And as far as the other people who worked there, I couldn’t exactly complain that I was being given the cold shoulder. And besides, what would I say?"People don't say 'hi' to me.'"
It was a pathetic complaint if I'd ever heard one.
And regardless, I wasn't the complaining type. In reality, I was more of a confront-it head-on type of person.
This was probably a good thing, because long before Monday, I had my chance -- except the person I confronted wasn't Darla.
It was Jaden, who had the nerve to show up where?
On my own doorstep, that's where.
Chapter 32
It was nearly nine o'clock at night, and I'd just woken up from a long, restless nap. I wasn't normally the napping type, but the work week had taken its toll, and I'd been hoping that if I slept for a few hours, I might be able to get a fresh start for the long-awaited weekend.
No such luck.
I woke feeling just as irritated as I'd been before going to sleep. Cassidy was at work, which meant that I was on my own.
Probably, this was a good thing.
I'd surely be horrible company for anyone unfortunate enough to cross my path. I was still upset, not only at Darla's rudeness, but also because of what she'd told me about Jaden sabotaging Cassidy's chances for a better job.
Why would he do such a thing?
Did he hate both of us that much?
Probably.
It shouldn’t've been a surprise. After all, he'd tried to stop Jax from hiringme, too.
Now, the jerk was my boss, and I wasn't even sure how I'd face him on Monday. To think, I'd actually been looking forward to his return.
