Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 91767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
I need to start thinking with my head and do what I know is right for me.
Make a future without him.
My heart constricts at the thought of not seeing him every day.
How could I bear it?
But then, it could be worse. Staying here, watching him fall in love and marry, start a family with someone else is a torture I cannot deal with.
It’s time to rip off the band aid, I need a fresh start.
I open google and type into the search bar.
Properties for sale in Greenville, Maine
I went to Greenville for a wedding a few years ago and I just fell in love with it, and for some reason, it’s always been in the back of my mind that one day I’m going to move there.
Maybe, one day is now.
I scroll through the pages, wow, it’s cheap, you can buy a three-bedroom home on a quarter of an acre for a fraction of the price of New York.
I scroll through the towns and options with my mind going into overdrive.
I could get a dog of my own.
I smile, and for the first time in a long time, hope blooms in my chest.
I’m going to do it.
Gabriel’s office door opens, and we all jump to attention. I quickly close my real estate screen. He marches through the office, “Geoffrey,” he snaps. “This isn’t a fucking marathon. Hurry up.”
“Yes, Mr. Ferrara,” Geoffrey stammers.
Without another word Gabriel walks to the elevator and gets in, I stare at the doors as they close.
You’re right Gabriel, it isn’t a fucking marathon.
I’m going for a sprint.
2
Grace
Six months later
I print the letter out and carefully fold it, with my heart in my throat, I slide it into the envelope.
Today’s the day.
I’ve bought a house in Greenville and am moving interstate.
It’s my last week working at Ferrara Media.
My last week with him.
I’m about to resign; I’ll only have to work the four days until Christmas. I’ve already booked my owed four weeks’ vacation leave for January and that will count toward my one month’s notice that I must give.
I’m trying to make this as seamless as possible and in a perfect world, everything will run smoothly, but I know Gabriel is going to make my life a living hell once I tell him. I’ve already trained Greg to cover my position while I’m away and I’m hoping that he will get to keep my job in the new year. And yes, it’s true, I know what you’re thinking, and to answer your question, yes.
Yes, I did. I trained up Greg, do you really think I’m going to hand over Gabriel to another female PA to watch him get dressed every morning?
I’m moving on….. not stupid.
Right, this is it.
I let out a deep breath and knock tentatively on the door.
“Come in,” his deep voice calls.
I push the door open and there he stands, wearing white briefs, his suit and shirt in his hand, I could just cry. I would give anything to see him get dressed at the end of my bed, even just once.
Focus.
“Good morning, Gracie,” he says as he takes his suit pants from the hanger. “You look lovely today.”
So do you.
“Morning.” I smile, my heart is racing, and I just know this isn’t going to go down well.
“Before I forget, can you drop down to Tiffany’s and pick up a gift for me today?”
Huh?
Actually….. good…. a reminder of why I’m doing this, thank you, universe, I needed this.
Hit me straight in the face with it.
“Sure thing, what am I getting?” I ask.
He pulls his shirt around his shoulders, “I don’t know. Earrings, necklace…. some bullshit.”
I roll my eyes and take out my notepad, “Umm…what are we talking? Gold, silver…. platinum?”
He twists his lips, “Gold.”
“What’s the budget?”
“I don’t know, you pick.”
I exhale as I write it down, “Diamonds?”
“Fuck no.” He fakes a shiver as if disgusted.
I glance up, “Why, fuck no?”
“I’ll only ever buy a diamond for someone I love.”
“You should probably buy yourself a few then,” I mutter deadpan.
He smirks as he buttons up his shirt. “I am the diamond.”
I roll my eyes, no shit, Sherlock. A diamond python. Looks pretty…. but if left unattended, will suffocate you to death.
“Okay….. if you say so.” I roll my eyes.
Thump, thump, thump goes my heart. I can’t wait until the end of our meeting; I need to tell him now. I pull out the envelope and hold it out to him. “I’ve got something for you.”
He turns and his eyes fall to the envelope and then rise up to me.
“What’s this?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s my resignation.”
His face falls. “What?”
“I…..”
“No.”
“Gabriel…. I’m not asking for your permission. I am leaving.”
He snatches the envelope from my hand and tears it in half and then throws it in the rubbish bin. “You will do no such thing.”
Here we go.