A few people clap and murmur agreements that Mia should have lead on this line. I look at Kelly who’s lips are pressed together like she’s holding back from saying anything.Now I do laugh because I can’t believe I didn’t realize this before. Mia has been stealing all the projects that I submit a re
Renee’s POV The event wanes down. Mia has long been gone ever since I was declared the winner and I wish I could enjoy the praise and chatter of my colleagues without Mia’s prescience holding everyone back, but the idea of a dinner with Eric gnaws at my nerves.The group I’m talking to bursts out l
She only invited me to make it seem like this was for business but for her, it’s all pleasure. Well, fine by me. I’m here to work and score clients so that I can pay for my daughter's medical care.“Excuse me,” I hear someone say. I glance up and see an older gentleman towering over me. His belly ha
Renee’s POV I don’t remember much of what happens next. Whatever was in my drink is really kicking in. The already dark room seems to be getting dimmer. My breath is becoming more constricted. Is something on my throat? I try to breathe; I forget how to breathe.Suddenly I suck in a rush of air. Wh
I take the water and manage not to spill any from my trembling hand. I take a few gulps and prepare myself to ask him the dreaded question swirling around in my head.“Did we,” my voice trails off. Eric’s lips curl into a smirk. I don’t even have to finish the question, he knows what I’m wondering a
Renee’s POVMy mouth feels dry and suddenly I can’t hear anything but the ringing in my ears. Images of Debbie lying unconsciously flash in my mind. “W-what?” I managed to stammer out.Jasper repeats himself and the shock still hits the same. I flash my eyes over to Aaron. His expression has dramati
I hesitate, but Eric is the father of Debbie so maybe he should pay for some of the medical costs.“Thank you, Eric” I say and manage a smile. “I promise to pay you back though,” I tell him just so he can’t hold this over my head.“That won’t be necessary,” Eric says and before I can argue further h
Renee’s POVEric stands with his jaw slack. His eye twitches. Jasper gives my hand a slight squeeze, a simple way of telling me that our plan is working. I look up at Eric and feign confusion.“What’s the problem?” I ask innocently. Eric snaps his jaw shut and his eyes harden.“I don’t believe you,”
that I’m about to learn it’s not. I toss my phone aside and go for my laptop tucked inside my work bag. “You’re working?” Emily asks. I don’t answer her, I can’t. I’m too focused. I sign into my works database and pull up our network that tracks our global ratings. “No,” I gasp. “Well, if
It’s late. I’m tired. Yet the crowd outside Emily’s house continues to buzz with energy. The closer I get to the window, the more I can pick up on the undercurrent of anticipation, so I stay far away from the window. The crowd rotates through a series of chants. Each other be more annoying tha
The man approaches Eric, who remains in his seat, clearly not seeing the man as a threat. Though I can’t hear what they’re saying, I can gather the conversation well enough based off their loose hand gestures towards the house. Just then the stranger looks up and smiles knowingly at Emily and
This is not like Eric. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t the tiniest bit impressed, still it’s not fair of him to do this. I haven’t moved from the couch, despite Emily’s efforts. “Just hear him out,” she says stifling a yawn. By now we could have watch both of the movies we wanted to. I sha
this out for him so he can hear how crazy it all sounds. Eric nods. “Like I said, I’ve realized my mistake and besides I thought she was dead before. That doesn’t mean a day didn’t go by where I didn’t think about her, where I had to shove the ache in my heart way down,” he locks his eye son t
Emily’s POV Why do they make you pick between sharp or easy to use when buying a razor? Why not both? I throw both in my basket, unable to make a decision. Whatever one I don’t like Renee can have the other. Who knows how long she’ll stay. The market is busy for a Friday afternoon, but I g
“Of course your donation is what got me here in the first place,” I say trying to save face. “Thanks,” Jasper says letting me know he knows what I’m doing. “I’m happy for you, regardless how you got here, it wasn’t because of me or Eric- it was all you,” he says and pride swells up inside me. Ja
Renee’s POV A week passes and Emily and I fall into a rhythm with one another’s schedule. It helps that Emily’s guestroom comes with a guest bathroom. Every morning we both wake up at seven, get ready for the day and meet in the kitchen. Whoever is there first starts making breakfast for the bo
Emily is waiting for me on the driveway of her cottage-like home. She lives in a very rural area, far away from the city. Her quaint and simple living is almost an ironic stark contrast to her bold and loud personality. She wraps me into a hug and it’s only then do I realize that I’ve been crying.