Chapter 3 (cont.)

"Dammit!" I shouted, as I slammed my office door behind me. Lucinda jogged further into my office, with a feared expression on her face. It was understandable, really, why she would be intimidated.

"Um, Mr. Harrison...are you alright?" She asked.

"Does it look like I'm alright? I can't believe she would disrespect me like that! So uncalled for."

Lucinda bit her lip "Well, are you going to...fire her? Because of that?"

I grimaced at her question; why would she ask something so stupid? "No, of course not. She's the best publicist anyone could ask for and finding someone who could do her job would be a head trip."

"Oh..." It looked as if Lucinda was fighting back a smile.

"What?" I asked.

"I didn't say anything, Mr. Harrison-"

"But you want to; I see it on your face. Just spit it out."

"I'd rather not I mean the way things are going right now you're firing a lot of peo-"

"It's lay offs, I'm not firing anybody."

She gripped her clip board "Okay, laying off a lot of people."

I sighed, obviously irritated by Lucinda's timid persona "Just...tell me; I won't lay you off."

She smiled excitedly "Okay, fine. I just-I just feel like there's another reason why you won't fire Leslie. I mean don't get me wrong, Leslie and I have been friends since I was hired here. But..."

"But...what?" I was growing anxious, waiting for Lucinda to tell me. Even though I had a feeling of what it was.

"I mean, you demoted someone today for having a suggestion, yet when she objected in front of everyone you only threatened her, same as right now. I saw it in your face, you looked heart broken when she told you to fire her."

I clenched my jaw "what's your point?"

"My point is, you're this ruthless, powerful CEO until you're around her. You went on a full rampage until she came up, I could see you weaken; its like she's your weakness. I think there's another reason why you just can't fire her but you know, I'm just gonna sip this tea.."

"Lucinda."

She looked at me, frozen. She probably thought I was going to let her go right then and there.

I'm not that ruthless, though.

"If you're implying that I have feelings for her-"

"Me? Imply that? I mean I didn't really imply anything I just made an observation." She said nervously.

"I don't have feelings for her." I said, feeling something along the lines of embarrassment in my heart.

Lucinda walked closer to me "Are...are you sure? I mean it's okay to tell me, I won't tell her."

I shrugged "she already knows anyway."

Damn.

Lucinda gasped, covering her mouth with her clip board "So you do? Is that, is that what it is was-was there something that happened?" She squealed, doing a terrible job at containing her excitement.

"Luc-"

"Oh, this is just like High School!"

"Lucinda."

"You guys would have the cutest babies if-"

"Lucinda!"

She flinched, bringing her attention towards me. I could feel my face was hot with embarrassment from her remarks.

"I'm sorry, I got a little...carried away. But I mean if you do like her, maybe you should try a softer approach."

"Oh God..." I groaned, walking to my seat and plopping down on it.

"Lucinda, it's all about business here. Anything else is-"

"Irrelevant. Got'cha." She replied.

Even though it was something I always said, it still didn't feel right. I hadn't been happy since I took office, and it was for one reason.

Leslie.

Things weren't the same since Friday, and I felt it. I can't even look at her without feeling angry and regretful that I can't have her.

Most of me knows it's my fault, but another half keeps remembering what my father said after the press address, on why it wouldn't work anyway.

"She doesn't go for guys like you. She can do better, she needs someone better. Let it go." He said.

Although it hurt, he was right. It was obvious why it wouldn't be wise to be with her. She needs someone stable, someone who isn't...fucked up.

I sighed at the realization. I wanted someone I could never have.

"I just think...maybe if you were a little-"

"Lucinda, anything between Leslie and I is only fantasy."

Lucinda raised her eyebrows.

"Not that type of fantasy. You know what I mean."

"Yeah I do."

"Good. Now make twelve copies of this for the Board. We still have a lot left to do." I handed her a sheet filled with plans.

"And about Sarah and Lucas? Are they let go? And Paul, is he transfered?" She asked, attaching the paper to her clip board.

I sighed "No, neither is Darcy."

Lucinda smiled "Alright then. I'm on it."