Chapter one
I attempt to get my thoughts straight again.
This is not news I hoped to find down my doorstep on this dark, Friday morning. Hell, this is not news I would likely ever want to find. And certainly not on my doorstep.
This can't be happening.
I stare down at the newspaper loosely placed in my hands. My lips purse themselves in an angry gesture, my eyes narrow at the paragraph, still not fully comprehending.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Clearwater of Seattle, Washington, announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Leah A. Clearwater, to Mr. Jacob E. Black, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Black, of Seattle, Washington. The couple is planning a March wedding.
Miss Clearwater is a graduate from Stanford University. Mr. Black is graduate from the University of Seattle...
I am too damn stubborn to weep, but can still feel the angry tears sting my eyes. I wonder what I did to deserve this kind of treatment, but my mind comes up blank. He makes me feel like used toilet paper, wiped his ass and discarded to the sewers, next to the rats. I am disgusted. With him, but even more with myself.
Briefly I considered putting myself on a permanent diet of undiluted alcohol, preferably good vodka, but dispelled the thought. I continued my inner moping.
The couple is planning a March wedding…
Jacob and I had ended our relationship on the eighteenth of January. This was nine days ago.
Apparently in the time of our separation, he has run off with that troll, Leah Clearwater and decided to marry her in no less than two months! My hands itch for his neck.
Jacob and I have had a healthy, solid relationship for nearly five years. About one and a half week ago we had a fight, I had found out about his affair. Our fight got to the point where I might have thrown a lamp his way. That was when I told him to leave. I was almost certain that our 'brake up' would soon come to an end and I would forgive him. There were even times last week that I hoped up to the point of desperation, to find him crouching on my doorstep, begging me for forgiveness.
Sadly, he had not contacted or approached me in any way. Granted, it was exactly what I told him to do, but it still hurt to have him give up on us. I was prepared to fight for us, damn it.
I shake my head wistfully and hope to heavens that my dad hasn't seen the article yet. He loves Jake.
Suddenly March seems awfully close, and I wonder why it has to be. Is it because Jake and Leah are so in love they simply cannot wait any longer to get married? Or perhaps it is a trick to raise my jealousy?
I am pathetic to even consider the latter.
A painful thought comes to mind. Maybe, just maybe it is Jacob that got the wrench knocked up. That could easily be possible. It would explain why they would want to get married so quickly. And after all, Jacob had no plans of marrying young before he left me.
I shove the newspaper aside when I start to cry.
– • –
It is 8:12 AM when I finally stumble out my tiny apartment. To my horror, I am very near late.
Stefan will not be happy. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion he will be furious when I walk into the office late.
I almost regret the decision to go to work by subway instead of with my much more private, but considerably slower truck. I get strange looks from people in the wagon as they see me fidgeting continuously. I glance at my watch for the umpteenth time, willing for the time to go slower for once.
On the street my kitten heels prove to be a tripping point on several locations. My deep blue skirt is, although sophisticated, preventing me from taking any long strides. What was I thinking when I squeezed my bum into it this morning? I mentally slap myself on the forehead and roll my eyes.
When I finally enter the familiar grey building, I am a sweating mess.
Who knew that one could perspire this much?
Taking the wind in consideration, I know that my hair is probably pointing all kinds of different directions. My breath is a little deeper thanks to all the speed walking I've done.
I take elevator up to the fifth floor and dash into the bathroom unseen. Immediately my hands work their way through my hair, desperate to tame that what could only be described as a chaos. I apply some lipstick, some mascara, and dab away my sweat. When I dig deeper in my purse, I find a can of deodorant. Always prepared for the worst situations.
When presentable, I feel confident enough to face my boss. I put my purse and beige coat in the closet. I eye the beige coat and leather gloves, this means that my boss is already in the office. I sigh, knowing what's next to come.
He is at my desk when I approach. With his shiny, combed back, black hairdo and a characteristic scowl upon his face, he is easily recognizable.
"Good morning Mr. Hertz."
Stefan seems unimpressed, he eyes me coldly.
"You're late," He says.
"I know Mr. Hertz, I –"
He holds his hand up, effectively silencing me. "No matter how fascinating your excuses might be, there's no need to bore me with those. Now if you would make yourself useful and make coffee…"
…
He stands there for a second, a single eyebrow quirks.
"Well, move. Coffee will not pour itself!"
"Yes, of course." I blink at him, blush, and scurry off in the direction of the coffee machine.
I have seen Stefan grow increasingly more snappish and tense during the week. Something is eating him, and it is hungry. More ever than usual, he finds it in his job description to breathe down my neck while I am busy reorganizing every file in the office, emailing clients or answering phone calls.
I press the button for a double espresso and grumble insults under my breath. You would think I was a slave the way Stefan treats me. Of course, it would be foolish to let my irritation show. I need this job. I cannot go around unemployed with bills that need to be paid.
"It's not your fault you know. He has been in a foul mood ever since he walked in this morning." Says Kate, Stefan's secretary, who leans casually against the sink of the small kitchenette. She has worked at H&R for almost four years. I am surprised she hasn't quit yet. Kate is almost too nice to be working for someone as Stefan. She claims she enjoys her job, most of the time at least.
I snort. "Could he at least cut me some slack for this one time? I was only three minutes late for crying out loud."
She playfully rolls her eyes and tells me that the coffee is done. I scowl at her and take the coffee to the dictator's office.
The room has a large wall made entirely out of glass, which allows you to have a wide view on the entire street below. Other than that the office is uninteresting and plain. There is no interesting artwork that catches the eye. Or any color that stands out against to the dull shade of white. Behind a desk made of steel and glass is where Stefan sits. I place the coffee in front of him, receiving another unnecessary comment on my lateness. I say nothing, with great effort. He is lucky I didn't spit in his drink, and should feel thankful.
Just when I turn to leave, he asks me to stay for a moment. I linger awkwardly behind one of the chairs placed in front of his desk.
"Katelyn!" He barks out suddenly, just after he sips of the brown liquid. I flinch at his tone. He does not sound happy at all.
Kate takes place next to me seconds later, notebook firmly in hands.
"Cancel all my appointments after ten, and tell Vivian to handle the meeting without me."
"Cancel all your appointments? But sir, you have a conference call with Mr. Anderson at eleven thirty." Kate addresses him carefully, not quite sure what exactly is the right thing to do.
"I know that," Stefan snaps, "but that is nothing that can't be rearranged. I have more important matters that require my attention for the day."
Kate nods and scribbles in her notebook all the while.
"And Miss Swan, a certain client will arrive sometime this afternoon. Please treat him respectfully and be careful not to make a fool out of yourself. We do not need blemish to our good name, understood?"
Inside I am seething. Not make a fool out of myself? As if he needs to mention that. I do not possess the intellectual qualities of an earwig! I feel humiliated. My face is blank.
I swallow my retort and answer a short: "Yes, sir."
He studies me for a moment, then seems satisfied with himself. He nods at Kate and I, dismissing the pair of us.
I spend the rest of the morning daydreaming of ways to get away with a murder or two. Jacob is on top of my list, prowling his newly acquired wedding band while holding a sonograph picture showing a tiny bean, and what will soon be his child.
I let out a broken sigh. This is so not my day.
My work has taken most of my attention, seeing as I need to rearrange Stefan's appointments. I have difficulties doing this, as there are only a few holes in his agenda. The distraction is welcome though, and keeps my mind on an safe trail, no Jacob in sight.
My workspace sees over the entire reception area of the small law firm. The desk, where I'm located, is made of a pale wood. Papers and files are neatly organized in stacks next to the Mac.
Stefan has appeared twice out of his office in the time I've been sitting here. Both times he had this a look in his eyes that was almost frantic. I begin to wonder who this mystery client of his might be. Anyone who is able to get Stefan behave like this seems to be worth meeting.
Abruptly, my attention sweeps to the elevator, from where I can hear a clear 'ping'.
I instantly know, as soon as the doors slide open, what it is that is so special about this client.