Page 90 of My Secret Snowflake
A wave of dizziness passes over me. I crumple back against the wall, but then pull away. It’s probably not clean. Indeed, the white subway tiles are cracked and streaked with grime. The harsh glare of the fluorescent lighting above illuminates all of its flaws. I should have known Kevin was up to something. Maddie warned me. I thought I could outsmart him.
I want to lean against the wall. But I have to center myself on my own two feet."Here’s the paid leave agreement that Sebastian drafted."
I fall back slightly with one shoulder against the wall.Get it together, Iris.
The station attendant in his glass-paneled booth is helping a tourist with directions, speaking slowly and clearly into his microphone. She translates for the rest of her group.
I take a deep breath. Iwillfigure this out yet.
Faith is still up there—she’s going to think I forgot about her. I put my box down, trying to balance it on my feet so the cardboard doesn’t get wet. I text her that I had a work emergency and we’re still on for later this week.
I call Raphael again and leave him a message telling him what’s going on, ending it with a desperate plea: “Raphael, I know you signed an NDA, but please figure out some way to tell me what you figured out so I can save my reputation. Kevin is in charge. They’re saying the hacker used my credentials.Please. This is my career.”
I pick up the box. How dare Kevin and Colby besmirch my name?
Did Sebastian know? Did he draftmyleave agreement, or could that have been a generic agreement he drafted for anyone on administrative leave?
I clutch the cardboard box as my chest tightens in pain.
Please let it be that he just drafted the generic agreement—not the one specifically meant for me.
I shiver.Please.
Ican’tbelieve he drafted this for me and didn’t tell me.
But is Sebastian a “straight arrow” who won’t want to be with me now that I’ve been accused of fraud?
Accused of fraud.
I feel nauseated.
He fought with Melody when she stole a bathroom robe. I’m accused of stealing confidential company secrets. “But I learned my lesson that company property was definitely not mine for the taking.”
I call Tessa because I might need legal counsel. She doesn’t pick up, and I leave a voicemail message explaining what happened. Then I call Maddie. No answer. Same message. My voice cracks as I finish repeating what happened.
My finger hovers over Sebastian’s name.
Did he draft this for me and not tell me? And if he didn’t, what is he going to think? Is he going to believe them? Are we already over?
I want to call him. I swallow the lump in my throat, and my body flushes hot and cold again. I was just accused of stealing proprietary information, escorted from the premises. Will he believe me? What if he wants to break up? What if he does have some perfect ideal? I wasn’t enough for Patrick. I don’t think I can take Sebastian’s rejection too right now.
I call my brother.
Chapter twenty-five
Sebastian
Faithkeepslookingatthe door to the conference room, but Iris doesn’t return. It’s very strange. We’re basically taking turns staring at that connecting door.
No texts on my phone either.
We finish up for the day, and Jazmine says, “I know Iris would’ve come back if she could. That was all of company senior management, so it must have been a very important meeting. I’m sure she’ll reach out later.”
Faith nods but still looks disappointed. Jazmine gives them a voucher to take a car service home.
As soon as they’re out the door, Jazmine and I turn to each other.
“What do you think happened?” she asks.
