Page 14 of Blood Ties
I took a deep calming breath before I spoke. I didn’t want my earlier hostilities towards Ralph to show through the call. “Hey, Betty. It’s Gaby.”
“Oh, Miss Carmichael,” I had corrected her several times and begged her to call me Gaby, but now I was just tired of correcting her. “Shall I let Mr. Alexander know you’re on the line?”
“Yes, please.”
With a click, soft music took over the line. Within seconds, the line clicked again.
“Gaby?” Just the sound of his voice had me smiling.
“Hey baby,” I spoke through my grin.
“You okay?”
“Aren’t I suppose to be asking you that?”
“I’m fine,” his voice resounded with a deep chuckle that rolled through my body causing treacherous things to stir. “What about you?”
Frustrated, I sighed heavily. “Well, as soon as I got in, I was asked to go see my boss.”
“Uh oh. I guessing it didn’t go well?”
“Oh, just wait. It gets better. So apparently Ralph is aware that you and I both took time off last week. I don’t know how he came across that information.”
“Gaby, all he had to do was call my office and speak to either of my secretaries. They know that if I’m out, to inform my clients and ask them to call back or schedule something for them at a later time.”
“Well, he thinks you and I were playing hooky.”
“What did you tell him?” Grayson was curious.
I shrugged even though he couldn’t see me. “Nothing,” I ran my finger around the phone cord. “What should I have said? ‘Sorry I wasn’t here because I was trying to get my boyfriend through a transition to vampirism?’”
He chuckled. “Yeah, that does sound a little far-fetched.”
“Ugh!” I groaned laying my head on my desk. “He made me feel like a criminal when I did nothing wrong.”
“You’re right, Gaby. You did nothing wrong and I don’t know if I’ve told you this yet, but I am so grateful for everything you did for me. Not just keeping me alive, but also being with me the past few days, making sure I was alright. I just really appreciate it.”
“Aw… Thanks baby.”
“Seriously, Gaby?” Startled, I jumped, sitting up straight at the sudden appearance of my boss. Instinctively, I covered the phone’s mouthpiece like I would if there was a client on the line. “You just spent over a week away with him and you can’t get over your honeymoon phase to do a couple hours of work?” Ralph spat before scurrying away.
“Did he really just say that to you?” Grayson demanded. I wasn’t used to his vampire hearing yet and was surprised that he heard Ralph’s intrusion.
“Yup,” I snipped, making the ‘P’ pop.
“Gaby, you don’t have to take that. After everything you’ve done for that company? Tell him to fuck off and walk out. You don’t have to work if you don’t want to and if you do then there are always other places that’ll treat you better or better yet you can start your own business.”
I was pleased with Grayson’s statement. I loved the fact that he was on my side and would support me in whatever choice I made and that he didn’t force his desires on me. I could work or not and he was fine either way.
“Thanks baby. I’m really glad to hear you say that, but I just don’t think that’s the right move right now.”
“Whatever you decide, Gaby, I’ll stand with you. Just know you don’t deserve to feel like a criminal.”
“Still not off the phone? This isn’t your personal time, Gaby.Ifyou’re going to be here, then you need to get to work.” Ralph instructed as he walked by. I don’t know what crawled up his panties and died, but I wasn’t going to be his personal punching bag.
“Remember what I said, baby.” Grayson’s voice came through as a whisper across the line.
“Yeah, I will.”
