“So if you thought you were going to use that relationship as some sort of leverage or blackmail into getting me to sign the contract, you can fuck right off because I’m not the kind of man that will kowtow to that behavior.”
“You think I need to do that to get someone to sign a contract to work with me?” He stands and straightens out his jacket. “Boy, you’ve still got a lot to learn in this city. I run it. You might have a bigger dick, but I’ve got a bigger bankroll.”
And with that ominous threat, he turns and walks out of my office, slamming the door behind him on his way out.
Seconds later Olivia pokes her head into my office. “What was that?” she asks, her eyes round with concern.
“Nothing to worry about, Olivia. The trash just took itself out.”
She smiles. “Good. I never liked that guy anyway. Gives me the creeps.”
I put off going home for as long as possible but I can’t keep ignoring Margot. I owe her an apology and a conversation to clear the air and let her know that I will respect her wishes to resign.
But first, I need to have a conversation with Miss Perry.
I call her into my office. She hurries over to where I’m sitting behind my desk and places her hand on my shoulder.
“How are you doing, sir?” She tilts her head to the side in a sympathetic gesture.
“Fine. Please have a seat.”
She hoists her leg a little and slides onto the edge of my desk.
“In the chair, Fiona,” I say a little more exasperated than I intended.
She reluctantly moves to the chair across from my desk.
“We need to have a talk about what happened the other day.”
She smiles sweetly at me, like I’m confessing my love to her instead of reprimanding her. She’s perched on the edge of the chair, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she leans toward me.
“What are you doing?”
“I—I don’t understand, sir. I just—” She stands again and takes a step toward my desk, her hand outstretched as she reaches for mine. “I just want you to know that I’m here for you. That I’ll always be here for you. Just like I was when Meredith passed.”
I snap, standing up. “Stop! Just stop it,” I say firmly and she jumps back, sitting back in the chair.
“We both agreed years ago that it was a mistake. I’m not trying to be cruel, but it didn’t mean anything. I was lost and grieving. I know you’re a human with feelings and I hate that I used you back then, but we both said it meant nothing.”
Her expression goes from hurt to smiling again like she’s a robot… or a sociopath.
“You can’t still be upset about Margot’s unprofessional outburst from the other day. She’s just a silly young girl.”
“You were unprofessional. You provoked her. You’ve been obviously cold toward her.”
She waves a hand dismissively. “She’s just being sensitive, Graha—”
“Enough!” I shout again. “It’s Mr. Hayes to you.”
She straightens and folds her hands back in her lap, her stoic expression back in place.
I reach into my desk drawer and pull out Margot’s resume. I place it on my desk.
“Why didn’t you call Margot back after the first time you interviewed her?”
She stares at me, not saying anything, her eyes blinking rapidly.
“Shall I read over her qualifications?” I pick up the resume and start to read off the bullet points.
“She has several years’ experience working with children, dedicated her life to them really. She volunteers at the library. Is CPR and lifeguard certified. Has a double degree in early childhood and music education.” I glance over the paper at her. “Shall I go on?”
“I was going to call her back. I just got distracted with my upcoming vacation, sir. I apologize, sincerely. You know me. In all my years working for you, I have delivered exceptional service. Just this one little thing slipped through my fingers.”
I don’t say anything. I just stare at her, a tactic I’ve used in negotiations over the years. A tactic that never fails. If you stare at someone long enough, especially someone who’s trying to bullshit you, they’ll eventually break.
It takes less than a minute for her.
“Sir.” She begins to cry. “I just did it because—” She gulps in air and I’m pretty sure she’s faking it. “Because I’m in love with you. Can’t you see that?”
She lunges forward and grabs for my hand, but I pull it away.
“I’ve dedicated my life to serving you. I’ve loved you through so much. I’ve been there for you, picking up the pieces of your heart and putting them back together.”
I’m unmoved by her outburst. Frankly, I have no idea if any of it’s true. If it is, it’s far too late for me to care. Had she told me in the past, I’d have been sympathetic, but for her to torture Margot and try to trick me into turning against her, it’s unforgivable.
“Why did Margot ask me why the last nanny left?”
She sniffs and wipes at the nonexistent tears.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“I—I don’t know why.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
She lets out an exasperated exhale. “I may have insinuated that you were involved with the last nanny and that’s why she left.”
I can feel my blood pressure rising and it takes everything I have not to flip this desk.
“Here’s what’s going happen. You’re going to go upstairs and pack your things. Then you’re going to leave and never show your face around this house, my daughter, my company, or Margot ever again.”
“Mr. Hayes, ple—” she interrupts, but I hold up a finger to silence her.
“I will give you three months’ pay, but if you fight this or try to cause a problem”—I lean forward on my desk, wanting to make sure she doesn’t miss what I’m about to say—“I will fucking destroy you.”
Her mouth snaps shut.
“Do you understand me?”
She stands. “Yes.” Then she turns and exits my office.
While it’s only one small part of the bridge I need to fix with Margot, it’s a start. I’m just praying the rest hasn’t been completely burned to ash.
I give Fiona a few moments to exit before I take Margot’s resignation letter and walk up to her quarters. The door is ajar and I knock softly.
“Come in,” I hear her say softly. I step inside. She’s sitting on her bed, her eyes red from crying.
“Got your letter,” I say, holding it up as I sit on the edge of the bed. I place it on the comforter and slide it slightly toward her.
“Is there room for negotiation in these terms?”
She rolls her eyes. “It’s not a business deal; there are no terms or negotiation. I’m quitting, plain and simple. I was offered my dream job and I accepted it. If you can’t—”
I reach forward and press my hand to her lips softly, and she stops speaking.
“I’m not here to fight with you or upset you. It was merely a question.”
I’m curious about this dream job she got offered. Not because I want to talk her out of it, but because I truly want to know what kind of job is Margot’s dream.