#Chapter 54: Conversation with the Editor

Charles insisted a driver take me to work, and he waited until the car arrived and had them wait outside my apartment door.

I got ready in record time, knowing there was going to be a lot happening that day but also not wanting to keep Charles' driver waiting.

Nothing seemed unusual when I got to work. The news hadn't broken yet.

I went to my cubicle and sat down, getting ready to write as much as possible that morning before lunch with Charles.

I'd just gotten through my first few paragraphs when Sally buzzed me and asked me to come to her office. When I got there, I could tell from the look on her face that she, for one, had already got the news.

She looked drawn and tired, and there were bags under her eyes. Her smokey scent was faded, as if her scent itself was weary.

"Have a seat, Elena," she said. I had the overwhelming urge to offer to help her in some way, even if it was to get her a cup of coffee, but I knew she wouldn't appreciate me admitting that she looked at all vulnerab