Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“Eddie, can you come in here please?” I was going to be brief and explain that we had to keep this professional, and then we were going to get to work.
It should have been simple enough, but then why did it make my stomach tighten? My chest hurt, and I was filled with dread for the entire situation.
“Do you have the files I asked for?” I inquired when Eddie walked into my office.
“I have one of them,” she said. “I can’t find the file on Judge White.”
“What do you mean you can’t find the file?”
“It’s not on my desk. It’s not in any of the drawers. It’s not with the other files.”
“This is very sensitive information, Ms. Carmichael,” I bit out.
“I understand that, which is why I’m telling you the file is missing.”
“Well, it didn’t just get up and walk away on its own. Where is it?”
“Honestly, I think your mother or your fiancée took it out of my desk last night.”
“That is absolutely ridiculous.” I stood from my desk and started pacing in front of the large window, pressing my fingertips to my temples.
“Harrison, I don’t know where this file went. I don’t have another explanation,” she said.
“Do not blame my mother or fiancée for incompetence and lack of professionalism,” I ground out, far harsher than I should have.
“Don’t raise your voice to me, and do you really want to open the door to the conversation on professionalism?” she snapped.
I hated how much I loved it when she stood up for herself and fought back. I pressed my lips together to stop myself from saying something. I could throw out another argument, and she would rebuff it just as quickly, and by the end of the fight, I would have her bent over my desk, taking my cock.
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on between you, your mother, and your fiancée, and it’s not my business. We have agreed that this would remain a professional relationship.” Her words stung more than they should have.
She was right.
We had agreed that this would remain professional, And I had come to the same conclusion again the night before, but that didn’t mean I liked it or liked being reminded of it.
“But when I came back upstairs last night, your fiancée was going through my desk.” Her voice was lower and forcibly calm. She was trying not to escalate the situation. It was the smart thing to do, but it wasn’t enough. I didn’t need this situation de-escalated. I needed it over.
“I don’t have time for this,” I bit out. “People make mistakes, and the fact that you won’t own up to and admit that you lost his file and instead try to blame my family is juvenile and unprofessional. I don’t know what I expected from a simple paralegal.”
I watched her eyes harden and her jaw clench as I continued to speak.
“It takes a certain level of character to admit when you are wrong, and I am very disappointed that you do not possess that maturity yet. However, I do. I fully take responsibility and admit that I was wrong. We cannot work well together. I want you to pack up your desk. I’m going to call Ms. Lakeson immediately and have you reassigned. Get out of my office.”
Eddie stared at me for a moment, her eyes starting to water but her posture going completely stiff.
I expected her to say something.
I thought she was going to fight…to give me an excuse to react in a very unprofessional way to calm her down.
Instead, she just nodded, turned, and left.
The problem was handled.
Instead of relief, there was only anger.
With a clenched fist, I punched a hole in the wall.
CHAPTER 29
HARRISON
By the end of the following week, my mood had managed to get worse. I was shouting at people left and right, refusing to return calls, working by myself day and night. I couldn’t remember the last time I slept. The only reason I had even gone home each night was to shower and change my suit. I was glad that Cynthia agreed to extend her two-week vacation another week because if she had returned to me like this, she would have quit in a minute. She probably would have flipped me off as she strolled out of the office, and I would have deserved it.
Finally, it was Friday, and a few people in the office had hinted that if I did not actually take the weekend off to relax, the entire district attorney’s office might just get up and walk out.
I hoped it was a joke, but honestly, at this point, I really wouldn’t blame everybody if they did leave. I made another note for Cynthia to upgrade the coffee station in the break room at my expense. It wasn’t really a solution, but it was a gesture.