Page 82 of Grumpy Boss in Love

“Elliot…”

“Gabe will take you home.”

Although I was near tears, I angled my chin defiantly. “I’m not going anywhere until we work this out.”

“I can’t bear to look at you!” he spat.

A tear slipped out, but I stood my ground.

“I trusted you, Ruby. Do you know how hard that is for me to do?”

“I know. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Can we just?—?”

“I need you to leave.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, and I could clearly see his hurt, the lines of stress on his forehead. “Go.”

I backed away and then scampered upstairs to grab my suitcase. I brought it with me because we were supposed to visit the Wilsons tomorrow, but it was safe to say the trip was off.

* * *

I didn’t hear from Elliot all weekend. I wasn’t sure if I still had a job at Westwood Collective, but I showed up. As I walked through the lobby, all eyes were on me. I wanted to disappear. Of course, I was the center of attention. Things had only gotten worse in the media. I was even being called a “gold digger.” How humiliating.

Still, I kept my head up and made it to the elevator. At least there was no one snapping pictures. I had to leave my car at home this morning because there was a man with a camera camped out in the parking lot. I had snuck out the front of my building and caught the bus.

The first thing that greeted me when I stepped into the marketing department was Caroline’s red, scrunched-up face.

“I knew it!” she hissed, as if she’d solved the mystery of the century. “You thought you could sleep your way to the top, didn’t you?” She snorted derisively and looked at me as if I was the scum of the earth.

I gawked at the crazy woman, throwing out ridiculous accusations. Unbelievable. Thankfully, I hadn’t made it all the way into the office, so no one else was nearby to witness this.

“Targeting poor Mr. Westwood like that…” She shook her head. “I bet all the rumors are false. You’re the one who suckered him into marrying you.”

My life was currently in shambles, and my anger was on the rise. Seeing red, I took a step closer to her. When I was an intern trying to lay low, I thought it best to kiss her ass and keep quiet. But I’d had enough of her shit, and I wasn’t an intern who she could walk all over anymore.

“Oh, shut up, you wretched, miserable woman,” I spat. “You’re just pissed because I made it into his bed when you couldn’t. Get over it, you jealous bitch.”

Caroline’s gasp was so pronounced, it sounded as if she suffered an asthma attack. “How dare you speak to me like that? I’ll?—”

“Put a sock in it, Caroline,” I said. I then wheeled around and marched out.

In the hallway, I let out a groan. “Oh, God. What did I do?” There was no way I could go back into the office and get to work as if I hadn’t just called my supervisor a jealous bitch. I didn’t usually let my anger get the better of me like that.

My phone distracted me from my horror. It was Elliot. Thank God. He was finally ready to talk.

“Elliot,” I answered eagerly. “I’ve been?—”

“What are you doing here?” he asked coldly.

I threw my hand up in frustration. “I work here…”

He sighed. “My office now.” Then he hung up.

Maybe I should be glad that Prince Westwood summoned me. At least he was speaking to me. And facing an angry Elliot seemed better than facing a vengeful Caroline.

* * *

I made it to Elliot's office, my mind working overtime with the rehearsal of my apology. We’d be okay. I’d grovel for his forgiveness, and then we could work together to fix the media mess.

As soon as I entered Elliot’s private suite of offices, I saw his assistant, Simone. We’d become friendly—work buddies. I waited for the accusing or judgy look that I’d gotten from everyone else. It didn’t come. Instead, Simone gave me a sympathetic smile. “Hey, Ruby.”

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