Chapter 152

The next morning, I don’t trust any of the revelations that came to me after I climaxed. I’m still bound and determined to make the best choice for both my heart and my future. I know rushing will only lead to potential heartbreak on all sides.

So I get ready and go to work, same as always. In the back of mind, I’m considering every angle of the job offer, but up front, I act like everything is fine.

At least that’s how I want things to go. Everything comes to a screeching halt when the entire office is gathered into the conference room for a meeting. I want to question what this is about, but I don’t see Kimberly, and I’m not willing to make small talk with anyone else.

In the conference room, my stomach drops as I see, displayed on one of the projector screens, is Sabrina’s stolen article.

Hugo and one of the other executives are at the front of the room.

When Sabrina walks in, the executive shouts, “There she is! The woman of the hour!”

Sabrina acts shocked, as she brings a hand to her chest. “Don’t tell me this is all for me?”

“Don’t be shy,” the executive says. “Come on up here and accept our congratulations.”

As Sabrina makes her way forward, Hugo holds up his hands to silence everyone else. A few people chatter for a moment longer, but then they eventually quiet.

“Everyone!” the executive says, when Sabrina finally stands beside him. “We have some amazing news about your colleague here. Sabrina’s wonderful exposé has taken the world by storm. Her insightful investigative work has uncovered has uncovered corruption that even the district attorney can’t deny.”

“You’re too kind,” Sabrina says, beaming.

“I’m not finished yet,” the executive tells her. To the rest of us, he says, “You should all be striving for this level of investigation and interview work. Sabrina’s work here should be the standard for all articles here at Harbinger. Hugo and I hope that you will lead from her example, and really push yourselves to meet the level of quality of this work.”

Our co-workers start clapping politely.

Inside, I’m positively fuming.

Sabrina’s hard work? Her investigative journalism? Her interview skills?

She contributed exactly nothing to this article! She didn’t even alter the flow to make it sound like her own voice.

Every single aspect was stolen from me.

As if she knows I’m fuming, Sabrina glances at me. Her smile sharpens into a smirk.

I hate it here.

“I’m sure this article will win you many awards and accolades, Sabrina,” the executive continues. “Keep up the good work.”

Now more than ever I want to quite. If she wants to continue the good work, she’ll have to write it for herself.

I resolve myself, when I get home, I’m going to be more serious in my job search.

Of course, there’s always Miles’s offer…

I’m more tempted now than I have ever been.

Maybe it is the right choice.

The rest of work is a blur. I finish my assignments, but I can’t fully focus. My thoughts are elsewhere, on new and exciting opportunities on the horizon. Honestly, after everything, I can’t wait to get away from this place.

After work, I stop to pick up the girls from school. Yet, before I can take us all home, Hugo calls me.

“I’m sorry to call you on your way home, but can you swing by the office for a moment?” he asks me, once I’ve pulled over to safely answer his call. “HR needs your signature on something. I’ve told them about us, and they would like you to sign a waiver.”

“I have my girls with me,” I say.

“Bring them,” Hugo says. “It will only take a moment, and I’d like to meet them.”

After hanging up with him, the girls are less than thrilled about having to go to work with me.

“It will only be a minute,” I tell them. They eventually, reluctantly agree.

At the office, I park and we all head inside. Hugo waits for us in the lobby. When we come in, he walks over to great us.

“Iris, Violet, this is Hugo Harbinger,” I tell them. “Hugo, this is Iris and Violet.”

“Hello Iris, Violet.”

“Hi,” Violet says, somewhat shyly.

Iris crosses her arms. “Are you dating my mom?”

“Iris,” I chide lightly.

“It’s alright, Esther,” Hugo says, smiling a little. To Iris, he says, “Yes. Your mom and I have been going on dates.”

Iris hums but doesn’t comment further.

Hugo hands me the paperwork and I calmly fill it out.

“You told HR about us?” I ask. I knew we would have to eventually, but it seems premature, given that we aren’t exclusive or committed.

“I had to,” Hugo says. “One of the executives called me out. When I read Sabrina’s article, I admit I thought it was yours. The exec accused me of favoritism. He insisted our relationship be on record.”

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“It’s not your fault. Maybe he was right. After all, you didn’t write the article.”

Pressing my lips hard together, I lower my gaze away.

“Esther,” Hugo says, more slowly. “You didn’t write the article… right?”

I don’t want to lie to him. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve decided I’m going to be leaving, as soon as I can line up another job.”

Hugo blinks, eyes widening slightly in surprise. “You’ve made your decision about us, then?”

“No, I don’t know.” I’m still all confused. “Sabrina said I’m too trusting and that I’m not cut out for this business as it is now.”

“Esther…”

“I’m thinking she might be right.”

“I’ll talk to Sabrina,” Hugo says.

“Don’t. It will only make things worse.” I fill out the paperwork and hand it back to him. “And it won’t change anything. My mind’s made up.”

“I’ll give you a hell of a reference,” Hugo says.

“Thank you.” Glancing at the girls and their bored expressions, I continue, “I should go.”

“Right,” Hugo says.

As I start to turn around, he adds, “Wait.”

I pause, and he leans in and kisses me on the cheek.

Iris sticks out her tongue in disgust.

The kiss is… fine.

“Goodnight,” he says.

“Goodnight,” I tell him and usher the girls back through the front door.

On the way back to the car, Iris grumbles, “That’s the guy you are dating now? He’s so… boring.”

“He’s a very nice man,” I say.

Iris huffs. “I like Miles better.”

I don’t want to admit that I feel the same.

The more I think about it, the more I think Hugo deserves better than me. Even if my heart wasn’t in a tangle with Miles, it would still be unfair to continue a relationship where I didn’t feel the spark.

Hugo is nice and handsome and stable. He’s such a good choice for a partner and a husband.

But he’s not the one I want.

Back at the house, after feeding and spending the evening with the girls, I sit down with my cell phone and think of calling Hugo to end it.

A phone call wouldn’t feel right, though. Especially because I want to remain friends with Hugo, if nothing else.

And he deserves better.

So instead, I open our text thread and send a new one.

Want to have dinner tomorrow night? We should talk.