Page 50 of Miss Manage

Chapter Twenty-Eight

CHARLOTTE

Icouldn’t remember the last time I’d called in sick from work, and yet this morning I was ready to do anything to avoid having to show up in the office and face Gabriel. I wanted to trust him, I really did, but couldn’t help wondering if I’d made the worst mistake of my life the other night.

Thankfully, an early morning email from Gabriel let me know he’d scheduled another full day of meetings up in Los Angeles and wouldn’t see me today, giving me a much-needed reprieve.

Olivia came in as usual for our morning catch-up. Only she didn’t arrive with her trademark smile and bubbly personality, especially on a Friday of all days. Instead, her eyes were red, her mascara slightly smudged.

“Olivia?” I stood up and moved closer. “What’s wrong?”

She waved me off. “I’m fine. Just a rough morning.”

I’d never known her to be down. “How so?”

“I messed up John’s travel plans with the wrong flight change. He wasn’t happy.”

I was instantly annoyed to hear Olivia had been involved with his travel at all given she didn’t support him. Yet I knew without a doubt she’d help anyone who asked. “What did he say to you?”

Her cheeks flushed with color, and her lashes were wet with new tears. “He called me a stupid bitch. Twice. In front of other people.”

Something in me went ice cold. I didn’t raise my voice, didn’t gasp or curse. I only touched her arm once, lightly, before straightening. “You did the right thing in telling me. Why don’t you gather your laptop and work from my office for a bit?”

“Thanks, but what are you going to do?”

“Something that needs to be done.” Something I should’ve done weeks ago.

I turned on my heel and walked directly to HR.

Less than two hours later, John Elliott was standing in front of me and Sheila in the HR conference room, his smirk gone, his arrogance cracked around the edges.

I delivered the decision without ceremony. My tone was flat, final, and devoid of satisfaction.

“Your behavior toward a member of staff was unacceptable. Effective immediately, your employment with Arrow Communications is terminated.”

“You can’t do this,” he snapped, color rising high on his cheeks. “You’ll regret it, Charlotte. I’ll sue you for wrongful termination.”

I didn’t flinch. “You’re entitled to pursue whatever course you choose. You are being offered a generous four-week severance package with medical benefits if you sign the separation agreement. If you choose not to, you will get nothing. It’ll be emailed to your personal address, and you have three days’ time to decide to sign or not.” Frankly, it pained me to offer him anything, but if it meant we could avoid a lawsuit, then so be it.

“Security will escort you out of the building. If you have any personal belongings, we’ll be sure to ship them to you.”

The guard standing outside the door stepped forward, and John sputtered, his outrage echoing in the hallway before he was escorted downstairs.

I exhaled once, smoothed my jacket, and walked back to my office. There was no triumph in the actions I’d taken, only necessity.

I was tempted to call Gabriel, but settled for an email at the end of the day simply letting him know that John had been terminated, and we could discuss the details on Monday. I wasn’t sure how he’d take the news given he’d gone to bat for the guy, but I’d deal with the fallout later.

By the time I pulled into my driveway that evening, I was intent on a glass of wine and a hot bath. My garage door lifted with its usual mechanical groan, and I was halfway inside when the sound of a car pulling up in my driveway startled me.

Gabriel.

He climbed from his car, every line of his body taut, his jaw set in a way that promised confrontation. His shadow stretched across my driveway, long and cutting.

“You can’t just show up here like this.”

“Would you rather we talk in the office about you firing John after you agreed to give him a chance?”

Frankly, I wouldn’t have been ready to see Gabriel in the office no matter what the circumstances. Especially since he looked so unbelievably handsome. Hell, even the way his jaw was clenched was sexy.