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Chapter 9
After my second interview for the week with the guy from Comix, I called Zane. I wanted to go over the candidates with him.
“Hey, where the hell have you been?” he demands when he sees me. “I thought you were coming to the office this week.”
“I had the two interviews I told you about. We have four candidates to choose from. I’d like to go over their resumes and my notes with you.”
“So come to the office. My afternoon is free.”
“I, uh, can’t do that. I have a few things to do. Can we discuss it over the phone? I can email the information to you.”
“I’d rather do it in person.”
“Can you stop by my apartment tonight?”
“Not on your life. I have a hot little honey that I’m meeting for dinner.”
“Zane, when are you going to settle down?”
“When are you? You know Olivia had some flowers delivered yesterday. Were they from you?”
I frown. “No, they weren’t.”
“Trouble in paradise?”
“We never had paradise. She can go out with whoever she wants,” I choke out.
“You sound bitter, Lucian.”
“I’m not bitter. It’s none of my business who she goes out with. End of story.”
“So, can we get together in my office tomorrow?”
I sigh. “What time?”
“Say, ten. I have a meeting at noon.”
“Fine. I’ll be there, and I’ll email my notes and the resumes to you tonight so you can read through them before we meet.”
“Tonight, no can do. I’m going to have my hands full if you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, yeah. Enjoy.”
I hang up, and my stomach tightens. Despite having prepared a sandwich for lunch, new of Olivia makes me wrap it in tin foil and toss it in the refrigerator. I couldn’t eat, and it had been that way since Friday. I was losing weight again. The only thing I could do was work out, but my body would consume my muscles soon if I don’t get nutrients in me.
The day I had been anticipating was here, the rehearsal dinner. I managed to dodge Olivia when I went to Eltech on Wednesday. I slipped by her office and only saw her dark hair in a tight bun as she was bent over her laptop. A large bouquet of red roses sat in the vase that was previously occupied by my pink tea roses.
The meeting with Zane went well, and we decide to hire three of the four candidates, Dee, Steve, and Jeff. We both feel that Jeff would make a suitable replacement for Paul when we get rid of him. The only thing is that Jeff refuses to work with Paul, so we need to put him under Henry, then promote after the termination. I also promise to supplement their salaries until that time.
The following days, I stay away from the office, telling Zane I need to assist my niece with wedding preparations. It’s not really the truth. Vivian and Noah get back into Manhattan on Thursday night and spend time with Hunter and Rory, who took time off from work to finish last-minute items.
As the time nears for the rehearsal, I feel sick to my stomach. Olivia will be there, and I don’t know what to say. When I get to the church, several people that I know are already sitting in the pews. There is a blonde man that looks strangely familiar, but I can’t place him. Interrupting my thoughts, Olivia walks down the aisle and doesn’t give me even a glance. She slides into the pew next to the man and kisses him on the lips. Then it dawns on me; it’s the man from the club. It’s like a knife in my heart as I watch them helplessly.
“Lucian?”
I look up and see my mother and father. “Hello, mother.”
She sits down next to me and kisses my cheek. “You look better. How are you doing?”
