Chapter 22

Briar’s POV

I tapped my feet anxiously, trying hard not to chew on my nails and embarrass myself. I think I might be losing my mind. Everyone in the office is busy with one thing or another and I am just left to scribble in my work note while waiting for Adrian to give feedback on the design proposal I submitted. He is taking longer than expected this time. I wonder if it is because of our last encounter in the elevator. It is quite interesting that we keep having the elevator run-ins.

Maybe he is truly blown away this time. I might have been overthinking the whole situation that he is trying to get at me. What if he truly believes that I am not Briar's wife? My head keeps spinning. I don’t want to be forced to leave. Not when my son has accepted this city as his home. Frustration gnawed at my insides as I grabbed my hair, not minding that I might go bald. If I had the chance, I would scream until my voice cracks. This is too much for one person to endure.

“Are you good?” Rissa inquired while standing across the table.

I nodded with a tight smile. “Yeah, I am good. What’s up with you?”

She dumped the file in her hand with a shrug. “I think I might need to ask for a raise in my pay. I am doing more than an assistant should.”

“You are practically a junior interior designer. You should be happy.” I said, trying to brighten up her mood.

Rissa rolled her eyes. “I am still not sure the job is meant for me. But I am grateful to Liam for thinking I could be more.”

“He sees right every time. Just trust his instinct.”

“What about you? You don’t look good. You still haven’t heard from the CEO?”

“Not yet.” I smacked my lips, refreshing my mail for like the hundredth time.

“Don’t worry about him, Briar. I am sure it will be positive news this time.” She assured.

“Thanks, Rissa.”

“You are welcome, sweetheart. I am heading to the break room. Want me to get you anything?”

“No, thank you. I will….” I got interrupted by the mail that popped up on my screen. I swallowed hard.

“It’s the mail you are expecting?” Rissa inquired hurriedly.

I bobbed my head in response as I opened it with my heart in my mouth. The moment I read it, my shoulders dropped slightly. “Oh, I was asked to come up to the CEO’s office” I said with little enthusiasm.

“That means good news right?” Rissa sounded positive.

I shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I guess I will have to go and see what this is about. I will see you soon.” I said, standing up.

My anxiety peaked as I stepped into the elevator. I tapped my feet to distract myself. This feels so stupid. I did a good job. Why do I feel on the edge?

“Hello, Anita. I got your mail. Is the CEO in?” I asked with a wide smile plastered to my face.

Anita raised her head, mirroring my expression. “Hi, Briar. You don’t need to go in to see him. He already gave a response in the file. Here you go.” She stretched the file out to me.

I reached for it gingerly, my heart racing as I opened it. I almost gasped in shock at the cancellation mark on the front page. The note on it made the ground swirl under me.

“You will get a notice from HR. I don’t need this silliness in my company.” It wrote.

I grabbed a fistful of my hair, staring so hard at the paper until the letters started to flow in my vision. What did I just read?

“A…Anita? Did I read this right?” I stuttered.

Anita raised her head with a pitiful look on her face. “I am so sorry, Briar. It’s such a shame that you barely just started work here. But that is the way the boss is. He is quite the perfectionist.”

I scoffed loudly, combing my fingers through my hair repeatedly. “A perfectionist or a narcissist? Any sane person will know that I did a good job.”

“Briar!” She cautioned. “Don’t talk about the boss like that! You are already in a situation, don’t make things worse for yourself. The last thing you want is to be blacklisted. If you are that good, you will definitely get another job soon. There is no need to let your emotions get the best of you.”

“My emotions?” I cackled, stunned at her words as I tightened my grip around the file.

“Please.” She whispered, her eyes darting towards Adrian’s door.

My heart pounded loudly, I could practically feel the process of my blood pumping and rushing through every vein inside me. My limbs felt heavier and my head spun. Is this really it? I am going to walk away from this job that I had already planned for mine and my son’s future. How do I explain to Knox that his mother made a fool of herself? I can feel tears burning my eyes.

I inhaled sharply and turned to leave, deciding it was not worth embarrassing myself. But then I paused abruptly. This obviously doesn’t seem to be a professional decision. I must have been right all along about his knowledge of me. His mission is clear, to frustrate me so hard that I have no other choice but to come begging. But he is very mistaken. I didn’t come this far, strip myself of the identity I have known all my life to cower away at the first sign of trouble.

Huffing, I turned to Anita. “Is he in?”

Anita’s lashes fluttered rapidly. “What?”

“I am sure you heard me the first time, Anita. Is the CEO in?” I questioned with more authority.

She looked taken aback by my tone. “He has no appointment with you, Briar. So you can’t see him.”

“I guess that is a good enough response.” I sniffed, making my way towards the door.

She got up quickly, getting in my way. “What are you doing, Briar? You can’t go in without permission. Please act professionally.”

I glared hard at her and she gulped hard. “Anita, I am just a split second away from not remembering any ethics of being professional. I am the one on the verge of losing my job, not you. Even if I leave, I should at least know why this harsh judgment has fallen upon me.”

“You will make things worse for yourself. Mr Sterling is not the type to go back on his words. You will only stir the monster inside him. Just go on with your life calmly, Briar. Please.” She looked like she was on the verge of tears.

But I really don’t care. I am not about to leave here without saying a piece of my mind.

Flaring my nose, I said through gritted teeth. “Get out of my way, Anita!”

This time she didn’t let me repeat myself and stepped aside. I stomped past her, pushing the door open forcefully. Adrian raised his head to look at me and I swear that I caught a smirk on his blank face.

I didn’t bother to acknowledge him and tossed the file onto the table, causing a sheet of paper to hit his face. “You mad man!” I yelled.

“What the hell are you doing Miss Smith?” He snapped.

“I could ask you the same question, sir. Why the hell did you make such a remark on my file? And now you are going to have me sent out of the company? For what?” I fumed.

“For a job badly done. And seeing how hard it is for you to accept the truth, you are not worthy of being in my company in the first place. Get out right now before I call the security on you.”

I watched his face and even though it’s been years since I have been in the same room with this man. He is still just as self-absorbed as he was before. It only made me more enraged to make him pay.

I scoffed, ruffling my hair as I tried to calm down. “You are just as shallow as you were five years ago. Adrian. So this is the game you want to play? The oppressive game?”

Adrian stared blankly at me. “What nonsense are you babbling? Are you sure you don’t need a therapist, Miss Smith?”

“No, I don’t, you bastard!” I yelled.

“Watch your mouth, Briar. Don’t call me names in my office. Or else….”

“Or else what? I will call you whatever I deem fit in this hellhole, Adrian! You are such an awful person. I hate you so much!” I growled in frustration. “This is exactly why I ran away five years ago. You are such a spiteful and egoistic bastard.”

Adrian slammed his hand on the table as he stood up. “Is that so? So you are admitting that you are indeed my wife, Briar?” He snarled.

I took a step close to him, gnashing my teeth. I didn’t think I would ever see this day, but here it is, and I am not cowering away anymore.

“Yes, it’s me. I am Briar Prescott. What are you going to do about it?” I barked.