I knew what that meant. "I'd enjoy that, sir. Thank you."
"With Ruby, of course."
I kept my face impassive as I grasped his extended hand.
"She'll love it."
Back at the office, Miss Brown was at her desk when I arrived. Although she was on the phone, I felt her eyes watching me as I crossed her path. No doubt, she was waiting for my wrath to descend on her for whatever
infraction I chose to pick out today. Instead, I nodded and kept walking to my desk, flipping through the messages, and the small pile of documents waiting for my approval.
Feeling oddly disinterested, I stood up, looking out at the skyline and the city below; its bustle and noise muted by the glass and height from the street. The view and sound
would be much different at The Brooks Group.
Everything would be different.
Often, by the time I finished any sort of meeting with Julian, I was a mass of nerve endings, pulsating and anxious. He knew how to push the buttons of every person who worked for him; how to say and do exactly what he needed to get what he wanted—be it positive or negative. Until this very moment, I hadn't realized that.
Meeting with Mateo, even though I was on edge, given the premise I was meeting him
under, I was still calm.
In my research of his company, and of the man himself, I had read over and again of his kindness and generosity of spirit. In fact, other than Julian's low opinion of Mateo, I
hadn't read or heard another unkind remark.
Sitting with him, discussing the concepts in my mind for the footwear campaign, I had felt an enthusiasm that had been lacking for a long time. I felt creative again, energized.
Mateo listened, truly listened, encouraging my thought process with positive reinforcement, and adding ideas of his own.
To my surprise, I liked his concept of teamwork. I wondered what it would be like not to be involved in the daily cutthroat world of Titan Inc.
How it would feel to work with people instead of against them. Would it make for a better life? An easier one—of that fact I was certain. Yet, I felt it would be no less challenging.
All I knew was, by the time our meeting ended, my reasons for wanting to work for him were no longer all about revenge. I wanted to feel that enthusiasm—to be proud of the campaigns I created. It was an unexpected situation, yet not unpleasant.
My door slammed and I turned, frowning, my thoughts interrupted.
"Julian." I regarded him pointedly. "Good thing I wasn't with a client."
"Ruby told me you were free. She buzzed you, but you didn't answer."
I had been so deep in thought I hadn't heard the intercom.
That was a first.
"What can I do for you?"He drew back his shoulders, preparing for an argument.
"Where were you this morning? I was looking for you, and you weren't answering your phone, or returning my messages."
"I was on a personal appointment."
"Your assistant said it was a doctor's appointment."
I knew he was lying. One thing Miss Brown was good at was keeping my secrets. I called his bluff. "Why she would say such a thing, I have no idea. I didn't tell Miss Brown where I would be. As I said, it was personal."
He scowled at me, but dropped it. He walked around a bit, patting his comb-over; a gesture of his I knew well. He was going in for the kill. He pivoted to face me. "Why was Scott Logan here the other day?"
I shrugged, moving to sit at my desk so he wouldn't see my smirk. Now, I understood what this was all about. "Scott and I are friends. We were setting up a round of
golf."
"He couldn't do that over the phone?"
"He was in the neighborhood. He likes to flirt with Miss Brown, and he dropped by in person. Is there a problem?"
"What are you up to?"
I lifted my hands in supplication. "I'm up to nothing, Julian, except a round of golf and a couple hours outside the office. Dock me if you want." I picked up the stack of documents.
"I think if you checked though, you'd see I have a lot of unused vacation time—take the two hours out of there."
"I'm watching you," he warned, turning on his heel, and storming out. The door slammed so hard the windows rattled.
I grinned at the door. "Watch away, Julian. Watch me walk away." I stretched over the desk, and punched the intercom button.
Miss Brown answered, sounding more cautious than usual.
"Mr. Ethan?"
"I need a coffee, Miss Brown."
"Anything else, sir?"
"A few moments of your time."
She drew in a stuttering breath. "Right away."
I turned my chair back toward the window, and heaved a sigh. I couldn't believe what I was about to do. I hoped I wouldn't fail. God help me—either way.
————KATHARINE POV————
" I don't understand," I murmured into the phone, trying to remain calm. "I didn't receive any other notice about this increase."
"I know, Miss Brown. We only received the instructions two days ago, which is why I'm calling to inform you of the change."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. Four hundred dollars more a month. I needed to pay four hundred dollars more.
"Did you hear me, Miss Brown?"
"I'm sorry—could you repeat what you said?"
"I said the new fee structure begins as of the first."
I glanced at the calendar. That was two weeks away.
"Is this even legal?"
The woman on the phone sighed in understanding. "It's a privately run home, Miss Brown. One of the best in the city, but they also make their own rules. There are other places where you could see about moving your aunt—ones that are government run with fees set in place."