“Here we are. If you could sign the dotted lines on both pages, I’ll have them processed.” I nod and took the pen he held out to me, sign the papers, and hand it back to him. “Great, that’s all done.” He smiles a little, and I sigh getting up to my feet. We shake hands before I turn to walk out of his office.
“Shayla?” I stop and look back at him. “I’ve met many couples going through a divorce in my twenty-five years of being a lawyer, but you’re the first person I’ve come across to reject a large settlement figure. Usually, it’s the opposite; they always want more. Would you think me rude if I ask why?”
I drop my gaze and sigh, “Because I’ve seen how hard Cole works to earn his living, and believe me when I say he pours his heart into his work.” I shrug, “I was raised to only take what’s earned, and I didn’t earn that money. He did, along with his father and grandfathers’ hard work. It’s never been about the money for me. It wasn’t then, and it certainly isn’t now.” I tell him earnestly, and he stares at me for a long moment and smiles a little. “Thank you for your help.”
“Of course, I’ll see you in two weeks for the hearing.” I nod, opening the door, I utter a goodbye and walk out of his office. At least that’s out of the way. Now, for the next part.
Four days pass by painstakingly slow. I’ve been trying so hard to keep myself together while I’m around Cole, and as hard as it is, I think I’m managing…somehow. We have ten days left till our hearing. The signed papers have been sent back to Franc, all that’s left for us to do is wait for the date.
I fold up the piece of paper in my hand and stand up, my legs trembling a little as I walk to Coles office. I knock on his door, and he looks up and gestures for me to enter. I inhale a deep breath and walk into his office. “Sorry to disturb you. Do you have a second?” I ask him, and he nods, dropping his pen, he regards me curiously.
“Of course, what’s up?” I sigh and step closer, drop the paper in my hand on his desk and step back a little. Cole looks at the paper on his desk and up at me again before picking it up. “What’s this?” He questions, unfolding it, his eyes never leaving mine.
“My two weeks’ notice,” I reply fighting to keep the quiver from my voice. Cole frowns, looking at the paper, his eyes scanning the words before he looks at me again.
“What?” He drops the paper and stands up. “You’re leaving? Why?”
I lick my lips and shrug, “I've gotten a job offer as a junior architect. It’s a really good opportunity for me to get my foot into the industry.” Cole walks around his desk and steps closer to me.
“Shayla, what are you talking about? No, you don’t have to leave. You’re already in the industry. I’ll make you an architect here.” He says, taking hold of my arms. I wince and pull back, closing my eyes.
“Cole, working here has been good for me. It’s given me opportunities I could have only ever dreamed of, and I’ve learnt so much from you, which I’m so grateful for,” I tell him. “But I have to take this job,” I explain, swallowing the giant lump in my throat as I will myself not to cry when I saw the melancholy look in his green eyes.
“Shay…” He whispers, and I force myself to smile at him.
“We both knew this day would come, right? I wasn’t going to be your assistant forever, Cole. I’ve fulfilled everything I had to do here.” I tell him, lacing my fingers together. “And now, it’s time to move on and make my dream a reality.” I chuckle a little, “You’ve been a great boss, Lord Hoult.”
Cole looks at me wordlessly, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he stares at me. “I knew this day would come, but I never thought letting you go would be so hard.” He says, looking at me sadly. I felt my stomach tighten, and that box with all my emotions was starting to unfold. “What am I going to do without you?” He whispers, stepping closer to me. He looks into my eyes and brushes my hair away from my face.
I stare at my feet, not having the nerve to hold his gaze, “You’re going to be fine.” I assure him and look around the office. “It’s been a hell of an adventure.”
“Shayla…”
“Don’t,” I whisper, lifting my eyes to his. “I’ll remember you fondly, Tristan Cole Hoult,” I whisper with a smile. I turn my back to him before he saw the tears roll down my cheeks and walk out of his office.