All Chapters of Withstanding the Odds: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

My anger rises once again around this woman, but I shake my head freeing myself from it when I notice Nadia stalking over and placing down my plate and Cassandra's tea. Of course, the model does not eat breakfast."Thank you, Nadia.""My pleasure Miss Myers.""Nadia, I've told you, please call me Nikki." I smile and knowing Cassandra is narrowing her eyes in the corner of my own is making my smile even brighter. Nadia plays along and smiles back."Of course, Nikki. By the way, I took your advice and used hat special seasoning in last night's dinner.""I thought it tasted a little different. It was amazing.""Well I thank you for that advice." She states as she begins wiping down the counters from the breakfast. Cassandra stands and walks over towards the kitchen leaning her hips on the counter beside the stove. I don't move, already knowing she is up to something that she can just claim as an accident later. She seems to be running this house since Bronson is constantly evading it."It

A few blocks later, and I stop once again, feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket this time. I pull it out and nearly jump out of my skin when I see Brody calling. It feels like it's been ages since I've spoken with my brother and knowing how we left things between us the last time, I didn't think he would want to speak to me again anytime soon.I find a private spot just behind a pet shop and answer it. "Brody?""Nikki, hey." He sounds like his normal self, a self I have not seen or heard from in some time."Hey.... listen Brody I'm glad you called. I think we need to talk, maybe we can meet up somewhere?""That's not the best idea." I'm taken back by his words but don't let myself falter as I listen to him continue speaking. "It's bad here right now Nikki. Mick and the others, we've been getting a lot of raids and cops pulling us over for various reasons. Charles even got taken in the other day. He was released a few hours later, but it's clear we are on some kind of radar.""What?""

I gaze over everyone's confused faces as I pace back and forth. Never have I called a meeting so abruptly, never have I called a meeting with the entire staff at my whim, but I wanted to show them a different side of myself, the side of myself Bethany sees, no matter my constant negative tone towards her."I'm sure you are all wondering why I have summoned you so, but I needed each and everyone of you to hear what I have to say, and a simple email sent out wasn't going to cut it." I state then walk over towards the far window, the one Bethany's desk faces. Everyone's body turns towards where I am going and the few people in front of the window move quickly out of my way, most likely afraid I am going to throw one of them out of the damn thing."I look outside, and I only see a city worth taking, an area that is begging for our business, but I never stopped and thought about what I should be looking at." I spot Bethany and Jonathan moving a little further towards the center of the roo

What the hell did I just witness?My hand covers my mouth as I watch Cassandra storm out of the penthouse, Rand trailing close behind her, my guess is to make sure she doesn't cause a scene in her dramatic exit.I knew Cassandra was being unfaithful and I hated that Bronson found out this way, not that it seems like he wasn't aware. I can remember the conversation we had about her being good for his image and I would often wonder if he sees himself the way she does.Expendable."Wow." I say in a released breath. Bronson turns towards me and give me a small smile before walking straight into the kitchen and pouring himself a drink. I follow behind him and stay silent as he hands me one as well.To say today has been a long and interesting day doesn't give it quite enough justice, and as dramatic and insane as the last five minutes have been, they have nothing on my whole day.Today was my first day working in corporate America, and as much as I was doubting my skill and hesitant a

I look around aimlessly as my feet stomp out tracks across the pathetic attempt at the winter wonderland. Fake snow blows around from a large machine making enough noise to carry its own steering wheel, and the workers are walking around in small elf suits with matching red jingle belled shoes.What in the living hell did I just step into?"Hey, did you find one yet?" Nikki clings to my arm, and I suddenly feel loads better. I don't understand how she has the power to bring me down from anger and annoyance, to gratitude, but I'm grateful each and every time her skin touches mine.It's been two days since we made love. Cassandra leaving, Clara coming by surprise, my new attitude at work, it all came through extremely fast, but nothing makes me happier than Nikki. I feel whole around her, complete, and I never want that feeling to go away.We had spent the last two days in bed, and although I wanted today to be the same, the moment Nikki woke in my arms this morning, she had an epiphany.