Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
When I get a break, I make coffee for Jace and myself. He waves me into his office as he’s on a phone call. He doesn’t glance at me once, as I set the mug on his desk. I shut the door behind me as I leave, fighting down my hurt feelings. I didn’t know how much I’d taken for granted the affection that Jace gives so easily. I miss it. Even if it’s just a look or an air-kiss. Anything to show that he still cares. I return to my desk and check my phone. There are several messages from Amelia. My stomach churns with anxiety. I’ve tried not to think of Amelia and how she’ll react to what’s happening all morning.
Amelia: I need something from you. We need to fly with this.
It’s exactly what I was afraid of. I go to my private email where I send myself copies of all my writing. I sift through it, looking for something that will appease Amelia for now. After my drinks date with Melissa yesterday, I went home and banged out a first draft of her story. I called it, “A Journey To Motherhood”, as her husband didn’t want to be interviewed.
I read through it, editing as I go. It’s quite good actually. Melissa was very gracious in taking me through her emotions and the strain that comes with having a baby by a sperm donor. When I’m done, I email it to Amelia. I hold my breath as I wait for her response. It comes a few minutes later.
Amelia: It’s good. Can we get something from the husband? It would be great to hear how he feels knowing that the resulting child will not be his.
Me: He doesn’t want to be interviewed but I can ask Melissa how he feels about that.
Amelia: Not the ideal answer I was looking for but I guess it’ll have to do.
I sigh with relief, crisis averted. It’s awkward to ask Melissa such a personal question and I feel like a total coward when I ask her by text message.
Melissa doesn’t take it that way though.
Melissa: I totally get why you’re asking. A good writer would. Nelson doesn’t mind. We were considering adoption as well so the genetic make-up of the baby doesn’t bother him.
I send her response to Amelia, grateful to return to the work that I’m supposed to be doing.
Jace leaves for a lunch meeting arranged earlier with two CEOs of other fertility clinics. The office is lonely and quiet without him. I go to the cafeteria for lunch but at the last moment, I decide on a sandwich to carry back to the office. I can’t bear to sit with everyone and have to participate in a discussion about the couple suing a fertility clinic.
In any other circumstance, I would be interested but because of my guilt, it feels like too much work. I want to hide out in my office until the whole thing blows over. Maybe it’s because I know that in a few weeks, I’ll be the subject of the conversations.
Did you suspect that she was an undercover reporter?
She seemed so sincere.
I almost hate myself but then I remind myself for the umpteenth time that undercover work is important for the benefit of society.
The phone is ringing when I sit at my desk again. It must be important if the switch board put it through.
“Hi, Olivia,” Sarah says when I pick up the phone. “I’ve been worried sick about you and how you’re coping with the scandal. I know how crazy it gets in the office when something like this happens.”
“Hi, Sarah. It is crazy. The phones have been ringing endlessly.” It feels so good to speak to someone who understands the situation.
“Do you want me to come in? I can get my mom to watch the baby for a few hours.”
“Oh God no. I’m okay and J—Mr. Anderson is sure that by tomorrow the press will have found out which fertility clinic it is and they’ll leave us alone.”
“If you’re sure,” Sarah says. She really is a wonderful person.
Nausea rises in my throat as I imagined how horrified and upset she will be when she finds out that I was an undercover writer. She’ll blame herself for being the one who brought me to Jace’s attention. Pain spreads across my chest and I momentarily close my eyes.
“I’m sure,” I manage to say and after asking about the baby, we say goodbye.
I focus on work and only look up at the sound of heavy footsteps. I look up with a smile, expecting to see Jace. My smile falters when Dylan walks in.
“Hi,” he says with a warm friendly smile.
“Hi.” I’m nervous and I can’t explain why.
“Jace in?” Dylan asks, moving toward Jace’s door.
“No, he left for a lunch meeting,” I tell Dylan. “It’s taken longer than he thought it would. Do you want me to call him and find out how long he’ll be?”