Page 67 of Silver Fake

Everyone knows that cancer is real and horrible. It comes for some of the best people this world has to offer. But even knowing it is something out there, you never expect it to touch you or the people you love.

My mom is the best person I've ever known and she doesn't deserve this. I just need her to improve. I can't even fathom the alternative. At least she agreed to come here and stay with me to get treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. She deserves the best treatment possible, and they can give that to her.

Victor keeps his eyes on me, watching me, as he grabs the file I pushed across the table and holds it up, chuckling.

"Guess we can tell you gave Lisa the morning off. She never would have sent you to a meeting with your files in disarray like this."

I try to force a laugh, but it sounds more like a wounded crow than anything remotely like a laugh.

"Yeah. She needed the day off for something important, so I'll have to survive on my own for a few more hours."

I intended for my comment to sound light and take the attention off my disorganization. Instead, I sounded desperate and sad. Which is exactly how I feel, but I don't want the entire firm to find out, so I need to pull myself together. Hopefully, I can make it through the rest of this meeting without opening my mouth.

Victor gives me a strange looks and gets back to the meeting. I retreat into my head not hearing a word.

My mind keeps wandering back to Lisa. She's been a rock in the midst of all the chaos, silently taking on responsibilities and offering unwavering support. She's making everything happen while I mostly stand on the sidelines watching my mom, trying to force myself to remember how to breathe in a world where she has cancer.

When my parents first arrived to start my mom's treatment, Lisa decorated the condo, stocked the fridge, and even offered to help with errands. She never once complained or made a big deal out of it. And when I tried to thank her, she simply shrugged it off saying, "You'd do the same for me."

The only part I'm not happy about is that she's not staying with me because she wanted to give my parents and me space to visit while they are here.

I've been trying to convince her that's ludicrous since my parents love seeing us together. Besides, my mom's treatments will be ongoing for several weeks, and I don't want to stay apart from her for that many nights. I'm sure there are ways I can convince her. I grin to myself. If I can get my mom in on it and have her ask, I know Lisa won't be able to say no to her.

I can't help but be amazed by Lisa's strength, compassion, and the lengths she goes to make this journey easier for us. I don't have the first clue how I will thank her, but I will try like hell anyway. Every time I think she can't get any better or that I can't fall more in love with her, she does something selfless and kind. Maybe I'll finally find my words and work up the nerve to tell her soon.

I look around, holding my pen in my hand and trying to make it look like I'm paying even the slightest attention. Thinking about Lisa has me smiling like a kid at the playground now, but nobody seems to be paying attention to me anymore.

The remainder of the meeting drones on agonizingly slow, each tick of the clock stretching into an eternity. The discussions, the arguments, the strategies - they all turn into a dull hum in the back of my mind.

Finally, mercifully, the meeting comes to an end. As the room starts to clear out, the shuffle of feet and the rustling of papers are the only remains of the heated discussions. But as I prepare to leave, I notice Victor still seated, his calculating gaze fixed on me.

I've never been fond of Victor. He's always radiated a menacing, calculating aura that puts me on edge. There's something about his cold demeanor and the way he scrutinizes everything and everyone that has always rubbed me the wrong way. His gaze now, unyielding and curious, only adds to my growing discomfort.

I realize that I haven't shared any of this with the partners, only Melissa knows. The truth is, I don't want their sympathy or their awkward attempts at consolation. Part of me even suspects that Victor, as insufferable as he is, would probably tell me to take some time off if he knew what was happening.

But the thought of discussing my mom's cancer with him or anyone else at the firm, it just feels... wrong. I'd rather keep my personal life separate. Besides, working is the only thing keeping me sane these days - the only thing that lets me feel like I'm still in control when everything else is spiraling.

Victor rises from his chair, straightening his tie as he approaches me. "John," he begins, "I've noticed you've been somewhat... distracted. Are you sure you wouldn't like to take the afternoon off?" His voice is even, but there's a strange note to it that I can't quite place.

"Thanks, Victor, but I'm sure," I reply, forcing a smile onto my face. My hands ball into fists at my side as I fight the urge to explain more. "I'm just tired, busy. I'm planning to grab some extra coffee on my way back to the office."

Victor studies me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he seems to take in my words. He gives me another one of his strange looks, the kind that always seems to suggest he knows more than he's letting on.

"Nothing to apologize for," he finally says, his gaze unwavering. "It's completely understandable." His comment lingers in the air as he turns, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again.

"I'm not so sure about that," I say because it's all I've got since I don't know what he means, and I'm not about to accidentally reveal what's going on with me.

"It's always hard when an employee leaves," he comments casually. My heart stutters, caught off guard by his words. "Lisa is one hell of a secretary." His smirk deepens, adding an unwelcome chill to the statement. "I'm sure you're going to miss her."

Standing up straighter, I turn so I'm facing him head-on. He's got my full attention for the first time today.

"What are you talking about? Lisa isn't going anywhere. She just needed today off to take care of some stuff."

He waves a flippant hand.

"Well, I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but HR offered Lisa a job as my secretary a few weeks ago," Victor continues nonchalantly, his smirk widening at my evident shock. "She told them she was thinking about it. But I'm expecting her acceptance any day now." His words hang heavy in the air, the implications slowly sinking in, leaving me stunned and floundering for a response.

My jaw clenches, and I stare at Victor, but I'm not mad at him. He's just the messenger.

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