Page 17 of The Ending is the Best Part
Iskip into work with a spring in my step, humming softly.I’ve been feeling optimistic since the party.Okay, Xander did his usual hot-and-cold act, but I feel like we maybe made some progress.We had a bit of a heart-to-heart and maybe, just maybe, I’m starting to chip away at his walls.The past week of work has gone well.We’ve managed to sketch together drafts of the first few scenes of the finale.If we keep on like this, I feel like we might be able to work together after all.But despite my good mood, the moment I pass Frank, the other doorman, I feel the mood in the building shift.Something isn’t right.
Frank avoids eye contact as I walk by.Huh.He’s usually the friendliest one here.Like I said, weird vibes.A little confused, I shake it off, telling myself maybe he was just tired or something personal might have been going on.I make a note to ask him about it later.But as soon as I’ve made my way onto the twenty-second floor, and set foot in the office, I can’t help but notice all the hushed whispers from my co-workers.The faint sounds of murmuring voices coming from behind their desks and the glances that people shoot in my direction.
I frown, and my cheery mood dwindles as I make my way to the desk.I feel eyes following my every move.Why is everyone looking at me like that?
I bump into Andrew mumbling something as he hurriedly walks away.‘Meagan was looking for you.It sounded important.’ He’s busy on his phone and doesn’t stop – or is he avoiding me too?
As I approach my desk, I glance towards Xander’s, which is notably empty.I look at the time.He’s usually here by now.
I thought that we were on good terms since the party last weekend but, taking all things into consideration, could he possibly be avoiding me like everyone else?I feel a sliver of unease as I slide into my chair, ready for a productive morning.But the moment I sit down, Meagan appears at my desk with an expression I can’t decipher.
‘Yara.Could I have a quick word?’ she says in a flat tone.Oh God.This isnotgood.I try to think of positive things, manifesting them into the universe.
I rush to keep up with her quick steps on the way to her office.Fired or promoted, that’s the rule.Meagan’s face continues to haunt me as we walk down the corridor.Stern and maybe even a hint of disappointment?I try to rack my brain for any possibility of what this could be about, but my brain comes up empty.Xander and I have been working hard, making good progress.The finale is shaping up nicely.We have the outline and now we’re just focusing on writing the scenes.
As soon as the door closes behind her, Meagan doesn’t waste any time.She launches straight into the conversation like a tiger ready to pounce on its prey.
‘I’ve heard the episode is going well?’ She pauses like she’s waiting for me to say something.She carries on, unfazed by my silence.‘I’m really pleased with the progress you two are making, especially Xander,’ she says.‘He’s really shown initiative with his ideas on the episode, and I have to say I’m impressed.’
My stomach tightens.Xander?It’shisideas that Meagan’s impressed with?That isn’t how it had happened.Not at all.We’ve been workingtogetheron this and, if anything, it’s me who’s come up with most of the storyline so far.
‘He’s really coming into his own with the character development, don’t you think?I heard about how he’s planning to resolve the Atticus and Layla plot.I love it!So romantic.’
Romantic!Xander?That must be my idea she’s talking about.He’s taking credit for my work.I open my mouth to respond but Megan continues, her voice having become more authoritative.
‘However, I do think you need to up your game a little.I see a lot of myself in you, you know.You’ve been doing well, but it’s clear that Xander’s contributions have really driven the story forward.Yara, you might want to consider working more closely with him to make sure that you’re both putting as much in.Someone needs to earn that top credit, don’t they?Don’t let him get it without a fight.’
My face heats in humiliation and embarrassment.
I can’t believe he had the audacity to take credit for all the work so far.I had been putting in long hours, even longer than usual, and now Meagan is acting like Xander has done all the heavy lifting.
Meagan carries on, ‘Actually…’ she says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.‘I’ve been thinking about sending you two on a research trip to somewhere up in the mountains… You know, for you both to really get a feel for where the show is based, perhaps Snowdonia?’
She looks at me, waiting for a response, but I’m still too shocked to gather my words.
‘I think it’ll help you and Xander immerse yourselves in that kind of environment so you can bring back some fresh perspectives.’
My heart sinks.I have a feeling about where this is going.And it’s not good.
Meagan tilts her head, a smile still on her face but it’s now tinged with something I don’t like.An almost imperceptible smugness, which doesn’t really make sense.
‘If you don’t want to go, though, maybe I can just take you off the finale and call it a day.That way we don’t need to worry about knotty, awkward things like whose name comes first – and who would be eligible for a promotion next year.’ The words hit me like a ton of bricks.I can’t turn this trip down.It would mean giving up the opportunity of a lifetime.Meagan isn’t giving me a choice.Or at least, not a choice that’s worth considering.
My eyes narrow.Oh, what the hell.I’m not going to let Xander ruin my career.‘No,’ I snap, my voice sharper than I intended.‘I’ll go!I’ll go to Snowdonia.I’m willing to do whatever it takes for this.’
Meagan’s smile grows and her eyes glint with satisfaction.
‘Good,’ she says.‘It’s all arranged and you’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.Saturday and Sunday.Sorry that it’s the weekend, but all hands on deck, right?You’ll be reimbursed for the overtime.’
‘You’ve already booked the trip?’ I don’t even try to hide my disbelief.She knew that I was going to accept.
‘Of course I did.I wouldn’t be a good manager if I didn’t.Time’s ticking away and I want you two to get started right away!Only a month until I expect to see a draft on my desk, remember?’ Meagan’s expression remains cool and collected as ever.
My mind is spinning and I feel like I’ve been blindsided.I don’t know what makes me angrier, the fact that Xander betrayed me or the way I was so stupid as to believe there was a good guy under his cold exterior.He’s exactly who I always believed him to be: arrogant, self-serving, unreliable.My jaw clenches and for a split second all I want to do is scream.But somehow, I manage to remain calm.From here on out, I’m going to do the best work I can so Meagan can’t deny my contributions – and I’m going to make sure she knows my ideas aremine.
I force a smile and, with that, the conversation is over and I am dismissed.
As soon as I leave her office, my legs take me to my desk.I can feel my anger growing with each step.My blood is boiling so loudly, it drowns out the voice of the hushed whispers.Clearly word has got around that I’m apparently riding Xander’s coattails and Meagan’s had to have a word.I bet Xander spread that rumour too.I can’t believe he’s done this!The fact that he’s taken credit for my hard work and deliberately made me look bad.I knew he was ambitious, but I had no idea he could be so cut-throat.I thought we were becoming a team.
