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Chapter 12: Covetus Co-Worker
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 13: Video Call
I close my eyes in regret. “Go away, Dylan.”“You have a date with Julian Easton? Bull fucking shit,” he scoffs, walking over and standing between us.“It’s none of your business, so like she said, go away,” snaps Áine.“I wasn’t talking to you lard-ass,” he says snidely, the instant hurt filling Áine’s face.I jump to my feet, “That does it. You seriously need to back the fuck off. I am so sick of your shit. I’m sick of you harassing me and every other woman here, and the gross name-calling. You intruded on our conversation, she was in her right to say what she said, but you had no right to say that to her,” I snap at him, my voice rising with every word.“What the hell is going on?” calls out Estaban, coming over with a large ladle in his hand like he’s ready to use it as a weapon.Dylan’s eyes narrow into angry slits, his nostrils flare, his jaw ticks and he clenches his fists as if he’s ready to throw a punch. “I should have fucking known you were like all the other women in this
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 14: Call From Home
This week has gone by slower than a sloth crossing the road!I rarely have anywhere to go or anything to do, so I’ve never felt in a rush for time to move forward, but my date with Julian on Sunday has made this entire week feel like it’s going so slow that it’s going to start moving backwards soon.Bad news first. Dylan was not fired. I know. I’m shocked as well. Apparently, Gary had every intention of firing the little pervert, but then his sister came rushing to her baby boy's defence, begging Gary to give him another chance. And because he obviously lacks a backbone, he bent over backwards to accommodate his sister. So now we’re still stuck with him, and it’s been hell.Gary has put him on probation, but it means nothing to him. I get the feeling that for his entire life, Dylan’s mum has bailed him out of trouble, so he’s never had to learn to take accountability for his actions, and it’s really doing him and everyone around him a great disservice. It’s also turned him into a gian
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 15: Blinded By Stars
I take my tray to the bar, and as I lean on it, I briefly stretch out my back to stop it from locking up. The lounge is always busy on a Friday and Saturday night, but this Friday seems to be extra busy. Why are both of my jobs running me off my feet this week.?“Can I get a Tom Collins, a glass of the Four Roses, and a glass of the 2010 Pionero Cabernet Sauvignon?”“Coming up,” Chayton nods, working on my drink order.I turn to tend to my tables only to crash into a human wall. I stumble back but firm hands catch me and hold me steady.“I’m so sorry!” I instinctively cry out. I look up into familiar hazel eyes and gulp when I register where I’ve seen them before.“I just seem to keep knocking you down,” Mr Chapman teases with a contrite look on his face.“It was entirely my fault this time, Mr Chapman,” I reassure him.He lets me go and slides his hands into the pocket of his slacks allowing me to register how different he looks from the first time I saw him. He’s gone from casual to
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 16: I Don't Play Games
Suddenly Julian looks up, his sapphire eyes lock on mine and his flirty smile morphs into dread. I quickly walk off, making my way towards the staff room because the last thing I want is to make a scene or be part of a scene. I am not that kind of person, and I really don’t want that kind of attention at my place of employment.I walk off as fast as I can when I start hearing Julian call my name, but I do my best to ignore him. As I keep walking, I hear his voice getting louder until I feel a strong hand grip my arm and spin me around.“Lani, would you just stop!”I yank my arm back harshly, “Do not manhandle me. Don’t even try it,” I snap at him.He holds his arms up in surrender, “Okay, I’m sorry, but can we please talk?”“What’s there to talk about? I know what I saw, and you can’t convince me otherwise.” I take a deep breath, centre myself, then look up at him calmly. “Look we’re not dating, we’re not a couple, so you can do what you want, but I don’t play those stupid games and I
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 17: I've Got A Date
I step back as far as I can in this shoebox-sized bathroom and lift myself onto my tippy toes to get a better look at myself in the mirror. I’m probably dressed all wrong for a date at an A-list celebrities penthouse apartment, but I think I still look nice. I’ve picked out one of the nicer dresses I own, it’s a short red, pink, orange and white spaghetti strap dress with a pleated waist with ruffles. It’s fun and delicate and makes me think of a sunset the way the colours all blend into each other. I’ve got my hair up in a high pony and have done light makeup, just some mascara, lip oil and a light body shimmer. Nothing too extravagant.Feeling satisfied, I go to put on some of my favourite perfume only to realise it’s not where I left it. I look around but can’t seem to find it. I take a breath trying not to get frustrated. Why is it always when you want something that you suddenly can’t find it? Maybe I ran out and just forgot. I grab one of the small tester vials I keep from when I
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 18: Penthouse View
The elevator doors open, and my jaw drops to the floor as I see the inside of his apartment. He seems to snap out of it, tugging my arm and guiding me into the penthouse as I continue to look at it like a gaping fish. It is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the largest and most exquisite penthouse I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen something this extravagant in the movies.Dim lighting illuminates various spots in this grand, open layout, two-story penthouse with hardwood floors, made all the more grand by enormous floor-to-ceiling glass windows that wrap around the entire penthouse and have to be no less than thirty feet tall, with long black shades drawn back to give way to a breathtaking view of the city. The sun is setting and the city lights are beginning to twinkle like beautiful gems in the distance.I feel Julian let me go as I walk further in, taking in the spacious room. A minimalistic seating area acts as a living area, with a grand staircase to the right leading
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 19: Opening Up
Taking my hand, he leads us to one of the two-seater lounges, sitting us down and placing his drink on the table in front of us.“Interviewers and paparazzi are always trying to dig into my past and learn about me, but one of the things I had my agent and manager promise me, is to never release details about my past to the public. I even had it put in their contracts. It’s not that I’m ashamed of my past, it’s just not something I want to be reminded of, and I knew when I entered this profession that if people knew, it would be brought up a lot and I just didn’t want that.”“I understand. It’s your personal life and you don’t have to share it with anyone. Personally, I think it’s really invasive and unstable the way the public feels entitled to know everything that happens in a celebrity's life. Even the way they say, ‘Well this is what you signed up for, so stop complaining’. This isn’t what you signed up for. You signed on to do a job, that doesn’t give anyone the right to pry into
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 20: A Wonderful Night
The rest of the food we were served was just as delicious and nostalgic and the dessert only made it better. The entire evening has felt like a dream. After Julian excused Brian for the night, we gathered on the couch to just sit, and talk about anything and everything. Our favourite foods, our favourite films, music. Even colours and animals. Turns out his favourite colour is brown. I’ve never known anyone to love the colour brown, but even that I find fascinating about him. Talking to him and being in his company is so effortless like I’ve known him for years. I’ve been enjoying being close to him and talking that I didn’t even notice the time.As our laughter tapers off from me telling him the embarrassing story of the time I coughed so hard at the beach from swallowing water, that I threw up, I spot a clock on the wall. My eyes widen in shock when I realise it’s just on midnight.“Oh my god, is that the time? I should really be getting home, I’ve got work in the morning,” I say as
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Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 58: Empty Pt 2
Immediately I feel dread wash over me and those unpleasant gut bubbles rising in my stomach. The urge to check behind me starts to creep in and quickly my head begins to spin.“You couldn’t have phrased that another way?” Áine chastises Irina.“Nothing terrible has happened,” Irina quickly assures me, only easing my dread by a fraction.“Then why did you sound all foreboding like that?” I prod, breathing through my anxiety as Áine rubs soothing circles on my back.“Okay, so that’s on me. I was just going to say…Julian’s been calling me. He’s shown up to my place and left voicemails and text messages, all of him looking for you. I haven’t told him where you are because it’s none of his fucking business. I just thought you should know he’s clearly desperate to talk to you,” she informs me.Just hearing his name causes a pang in my chest. Since I left the penthouse I blocked and deleted his number. He came to the diner a couple times but each time someone covered for me and told him I wa
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 57: Empty Pt 1
“Nalani, are you sure about this?” Lamont gently asks, his eyes filled with sadness as he holds my letter of resignation in his hands.“I’m sorry, Monty. I’ve thought long and hard about this and as much as I liked working here and the people I’ve gotten to know, I just don’t think it’s in my best interest to stay. Recent events have caused me to have painful memories here and with what’s going on in my personal life, I think changing jobs would be good for my safety,” I delicately explain.Finding work isn’t easy in this economy but for my wellbeing, I need to put myself on lockdown. I’m looking for new work and I’ll be sure to let my employers know not to hand my information out to anyone who asks no matter what. I’m also looking for a new place to live so I can start fresh. Making sure this guy couldn’t call me is one thing, but he knows where I live and he knows where I work, so the next best thing I can do is change that. Is there a chance he is watching my every move and will st
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 56: Done Pt 2
The sound of glass shattering wakes me from my deep sleep with a jolt. I sit up in bed, my eyes alert and frantic as I look around the room. I reach across the bed, pulling my phone out from under my pillow and see that it’s two in the morning. I unlock my phone and type 911 into the keypad as I carefully get out of bed and make my way to the door.With my heart clogging my throat and cold dread rolling through me, I carefully open the door, make my way to the hallway railing and peer down to the floor below. I glance around and finally, my eyes fall on the source of the crashing. I let out a deep sigh of relief and slip my phone into my pocket as I make my way downstairs. With each step, my concern grows as I watch a dishevelled-looking Julian haphazardly pour himself a glass of vodka while shards of broken glass lay at his feet.His cheeks are rosy, his eyes are glassy – but not from crying – his jacket is nowhere to be seen, and his shirt is rolled up to the elbows with his bowtie
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 55: Done Pt 1
“And that girl was so mean. I can’t believe she smacked the fork out of his hand,” Áine remarks shaking her head, recalling our shift at the diner.“I don’t know the poor guy, but I hope he sees sense and dumps her. No one should be with someone that toxic,” I add as we step off the elevator and into the penthouse.“Even you know when to leave a toxic relationship. No offence,” she adds sheepishly.“No offence taken,” I assure her, making my way to the kitchen to grab some snacks and drinks from the refrigerator.“Are you sure Julian won’t mind me being here?” she nervously asks.“He’s not my warden, Áine. I can have friends over. I had asked Amber if she wanted to join, but she’s swamped at work.”“Maybe next time,” she chirps optimistically.That’s something I love about Áine…well, I honestly love just about everything about her. She is so bubbly and optimistic, just wanting to see others happy. There aren’t many people like her; I just wish she could direct some of that optimism to
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 54: I Can Do This Blindfolded
Taking a deep breath I try to calm the worms crawling around in my stomach. I place my hand on the door, take in one more breath for good measure, and walk into the diner. I’m only two steps inside when someone scares the daylights out of me by screaming my name.“LANI!”I’m immediately wrapped in a bear hug by Bernadette, who I haven’t seen in ages. She squeezes me tight, rocking me back and forth as her thick wavey brown hair gets all up in my mouth.“I can’t believe you’re back. I was worried we’d never see you again,” she whines in her thick German accent.I smile, hugging her in return and giving her a tight squeeze. “You know me, I’m a workaholic, I was bound to come back eventually,” I say playfully.“Are you just visiting or are you back back?”“I’m back back, I just need to go talk to Gary.”“He’s in his office,” she informs me, beaming.“You’re the best,” I smile, giving her a kiss on the cheek and making my way to Gary’s office.As I’m about to knock on the door, I get an u
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 53: Can't Keep A Girl Down
Entering the apartment with my shopping bags I’m immediately greeted by Julian’s enraged voice emanating from somewhere upstairs and reverberating around the spacious penthouse. Concern fills me as I cautiously make my way upstairs, the sound of Julian’s pointed words increasing in volume with each step I take. I guess that’s another reason to have an apartment with more walls: they act as a sound barrier.“No, no, NO. You swore to me it was a sure thing, Gradin. You were the one who told me I was a shoo-in for a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars, and now you’re trying to tell me I’m not even a fucking consideration?! I’m not involved in any fucking drama or bad press so either I’ve been blacklisted for some ungodly reason, OR YOU FUCKING LIED TO ME!” he fumes.Yikes…he didn’t even sound this angry when the police were over here. I learned the hard way that Julian doesn’t handle criticism or rejection well, so I don’t think I want to be in the line of fire when he’s upset like this.
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 52: Ring Ring
“Lani?” calls Julian’s voice gently followed by a light rap on the door.I sigh, pulling my legs against my chest, “What?”“Can I come in?” he tentatively asks.“It’s your house,” I remind him.He opens the door and lets himself in. I look over to see him watching me with a sheepish look on his face. He walks over and sits on the edge of the bed, probably deciding it’s better to keep a safe distance from me.“I’m sorry,” he says sincerely, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. “You’re right, this isn’t happening to me, and I don’t have a right to get so worked up on your behalf and make this about me and how I’m feeling when you’re the one going through this. I shouldn’t have done that,” he admits.“I don’t blame you for getting upset, and I appreciate that you care, but I’m struggling enough to make sense of all this to myself, worrying about you freaking out on top of everything is just too much for me right now and I’m sorry if that’s selfish but I am seriously over
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 51: Protect and Serve? Ha!
Sitting on the sofa I stare at my hands, determined to pick this frustrating piece of skin that has come up close to my cuticle. I just know it’s going to keep getting caught on things and will drive me insane. I never understand how they occur. You never really see it happen; you just suddenly one day feel a sting or feel something catch, then you look and there is another tiny piece of skin that’s come up from around your nails. It shouldn’t be so annoying, but it is.“Lani,” I hear a familiar voice call my name.I look up into concerned sapphire eyes. They used to smile more, but now they just seem to either look at me with guilt or concern.“Hmm?” I hum.“Here, I made you some hot chocolate,” Julian explains, sitting beside me and placing the mug in my hands. “Sugar is good for shock,” he assures me with a comforting smile.Shock? Is that what this is? Honestly, I’ve been through so many emotions lately that I can barely keep them straight. They’ve all started to bleed together an
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 50: Photographs
***I give Irina and Áine the biggest hugs I can as I reluctantly say goodbye to them. Having them here and spending the day with them has been like a booster shot to the arm. I wanted them to stay and never leave, but I know they have lives to get back to, and it’s not like I’ll never see them again. I guess I’m just feeling homesick for our regular get-togethers.“I want you guys to know you are welcome to stop by any time, day or not. I’ve missed hanging out with you guys,” I say sadly.“On the bright side, your bedroom here is bigger than your whole studio apartment,” Áine chuckles. “For a change, we all fit comfortably.”I smile half-heartedly. As nice as it is here, I miss having my own place. I miss the home I made for myself. That being said, I’m not ready to go back and even if I do, it will only be to pack up the rest of my things and move the hell out. You couldn’t even pay me to continue to live there now.Áine quickly kisses my cheek goodbye and gets in the cab waiting fo
