AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s clear that this isn’t an art exhibit. I’m not sure I understand the premise Beth had mentioned when she was venting about the downturn her beloved gallery had taken.
“It’s a social media club. People come here to hang out and take photos for Instagram, Tumblr, stuff like that. There’s one in Japan just like it. It’s very popular,” she assures me.
I suppose I can see what she’s trying to achieve, although the whole thing feels very forced and artificial, much like the woman standing before me.
“We weren’t expecting you today, Mr. Beckett. Is there something I can do for you?” Her words are laced with seduction, but rather than turning me on, it turns my stomach. I never could stand this woman. And knowing how poorly she’s treated Beth, taking advantage of her hard work, makes her plain ugly to me.
“I sincerely doubt it,” I say flatly. “I’m actually looking for Beth.”
“Beth?” she spits out the word like its poison.
“Yes,Beth.”
When she doesn’t answer, staring at me incredulously, I get annoyed and start channeling my inner Cal. “Gorgeous brunette, curves for days? Does most of the work around here?”
Cherith sneers. “You’re kidding me, right? First CallaghanFlynn, then you, too? What is happening here?”
“I’m sure it’s none of your business,” I say flatly. “Is she here?” I start walking towards the back room, where I know she has an office.
“You know she’s fucking Callaghan, right?”
I spin on my heel and look at her, wishing I could shoot daggers from my eyes. “Whatever Miss Heaton and Mr. Flynn do in their spare time is, again, none of your business. But since you find it prudent to speak so inappropriately, not only to a major benefactor of this gallery, but about good friends of mine, let me tell you this—”
“Mr. Beckett! How lovely to see you! Cherith, could you please see to the phone call on line one? I’ll take care of Mr. Beckett here.”
Bobby Vandreth, playboy loser with more money than sense, looks pointedly at Cherith before directing his attention to me. He’s looking a little worse for wear, one of his eyes red and swollen.
“What happened to you?” I ask, amused at the idea of someone putting this arrogant asshole in his place.
He clears his throat. “Was there something I can do for you, Mr. Beckett?”
“Actually, I was just looking for Miss Heaton.”
“I’m sorry. Beth no longer works for this gallery.”
“Not sure I’d call this a gallery anymore,” I mutter under my breath before his words catch up with me. “Wait, I’m sorry.What did you say?”
“Beth quit and walked out this afternoon, less than an hour ago, actually.”
A grin stretches across my face. She did it. I hope she put them all in their place as she left. My cock gives a tiny twitch at the idea of her being the one that punched Vandreth, but she wouldn’t just punch someone like that.
“Good for her,” I say, pulling out my phone as I head for the door.
“What do you mean,good for her?!” Cherith screeches as she stalks back into the room. “She was rude and unprofessional, and she’ll never work in this town again! The only job she’ll be able to get is dressing like a cow for the dairy section at a grocery store.”
My mouth forms the word “wow” as I look back and forth from her to Vandreth. He looks uncomfortable.
“Well, since I’m here, Vandreth, I think it’s a good time to give you a little heads up. There’s a new gallery opening a few blocks from here, and I was intending to persuade Miss Heaton to apply for the director's position.”
Cherith scoffs scathingly. “No one will hire her when I’m through telling everyone what a fat, lazy whore she is.”
My entire body heats and I stand to my full height, staring menacingly at Cherith.
“I’m curious, Bobby, who’s going to run this shitshow now that you don’t have Beth to do all the work?” There’s a tense silence while Cherith seethes. “It must hurt to see someone you feel isbelow you thrive. To know that she’s better than you in every conceivable way.”
I walk out, noticing a missed text from Beth.
Beth: I might have quit my job today. Now that I’m done panicking, I think it’s a good thing. Would you send me the address for tonight? I’ll meet you there instead of you picking me up, if that’s alright?
