“Sorry,” I mumble. What the hell is wrong with me? I can’t believe I just touched my boss like that, and that I would have gone farther if the trip had been longer.
Stepping out of the elevator, I rush to my desk, trying to keep my distance from both of them. I’m clearly not in the right headspace. Something in me keeps craving them, making me react in ways I normally wouldn’t. They both walk into their own offices, not even sparing me a glance. Maybe I imagined it? Can it really be all in my head?
The minutes tick by, keeping me in agony. It doesn't help that my head throbs from the overindulgence of last night. I want the day to be finished so I can curl up in my fluffy bed and get some much needed sleep, but it isn't even lunch time yet. At least I have enough money to actually get a decent lunch today. I won't be surviving on crackers or scraps. I don't even have to worry about gas because of the forced carpooling so it’s best to just indulge for once. I grab my purse and head downstairs.
The day is a nice one, perfect for a scenic walk. I’m not about to ask either of my bosses to drive me anywhere. Alone with either of them in the state I'd been in lately, is just asking for trouble. I make it to the ATM by the cutest cafe and fish out my card. I pull out a simple twenty. It’ll be more than enough to take care of me.
The machine spits out my receipt and I reach for it, preparing to just toss it aside. I never have spare money since I’m indebted for the next few years, but something is off, there are too many digits on it. I stare at it, trying to comprehend. What has happened? My entire pay is on here, the hospital's fees hadn't been taken out. I gulp, rip out my cell phone and call the hospital. A late fee will cripple me. I won't be able to afford lunch for who knows how long.
The ringtone mocks me as whoever is on the other end refuses to answer until the fifth ring. “Mater Hospital,” answers a cheery woman on the other end. “How may I direct your call?”
I tell her everything. Who I am, about my bill, and that I can't possibly afford a late fee. I don't understand what has happened but I need her help to get it all fixed.
“One moment please,” she blurts out. Her rapid keystrokes fill my ears, “Ma'am?” She questions, her tone off. Oh no, has something else happened? I close my eyes, fearing the worst and make an affirmative grunt for her to continue. “Your account has been paid in full, that's why nothing was taken out. There's nothing left to be paid.”
I pull the phone away from my ear, studying the number. I dialed it too many times to get it wrong. So that part isn't wrong, but can this really be the truth? That makes no sense. I don't make enough to cover the hospital bill in one go. “Please, check again?” I whisper as I clutch my phone tight.
She pauses on the other end, sighing at me. “You are Imogen Riley, correct? Please, give me your date of birth again and I will double check for you.”
“August 15th, 1995,” I recite. She types my information in again and I wait.
“Ms. Riley, your account has been paid in full and is completely closed.”
“Who paid it?” I blurt. I have a vague idea at this point, but that doesn't make sense. Why would anyone take on a debt like that?
“Kane and Madden Industries,” she replies with that chirpy voice of hers.
“That son of a bitch,” I growl into the phone. I don't know which one of them I’m going to strangle for getting in my business but I’m not some fucking damsel in distress for them to save.
“Excuse me?” The woman on the other end doesn't sound so happy anymore. Oops.
“No, not you. Thanks for your help.” I hang up the phone with one well-timed jab. What the fuck do they think they are doing? Those are my finances, my bills! The only thing either of those assholes need to know is how much I’m paid a week. Beyond that? It’s all my business, not theirs.
I don't even bother eating lunch. Rage is my food for the day and its fiery grip is enough to fuel me as I march straight back to work. I nearly break a nail when I jam my finger into the up button. They are lucky I’m wearing heels, otherwise I'd just run up the stairs. I have that much fire in my stomach, desperate to leap out and burn them for this stunt. Tears of rage shimmer to life in my eyes, my hands tremble as I clench and unclench them, imagining myself strangling two business executives that don't know how to pay attention to their own lives.
The sound of the bell is like the start of a fight. Before the doors are completely open I march, my heels echo my aggressive pace on the marble floors. Tobias's office is my first target. If he isn't the one responsible, I'll ream out Theo next. I grab the handle and throw the door open, letting it slam into the wall.
“How dare you?” I demand. Theo and Tobias are both in the office. I appreciate that I don't have to run around yelling at them both. They jump at my growl.
No, that isn't nearly strong enough for what I need to get across to them. “How fucking dare you? You have no right to go snooping into my business. I can’t believe you would do that.” Most people might have been relieved by this timely rescue, but not me. My mom had raised me to be independent. Is life hard? Sure, but I have it under control, I know what I’m doing. This is just straight up an invasion of privacy. I visibly shake, tears still threatening to spill.
“Imogen?” Theo has his hands on his chair, he looks torn between staying in his seat and coming to my side. He glances between me and Tobias, his brows furrow. “What are you talking about? What happened?”
“Both of you, that's what's wrong,” I mock him while pointing at both of them. Because even if Tobias is this particular fault, they both keep getting in my way, determined to be my own personal prince charmings somehow. “You, both in my business. You have no fucking right to do that! I’m not some fucking charity case or some damsel in distress you need to rescue!” I pant from all the screaming. Every fiber of my being vibrates. I grab my hair in fistfuls, clutching hard and rip them as I laugh maniacally. I won't cry, it doesn't hurt, but I'll laugh my ass off seeing the shock in their eyes. "You caused this!" I sneer at them both, throwing my hair at them. Dramatic? Maybe, but I've never entered a realm of rage like this before. I can't even get over the death of my mother without these two interfering. I open my mouth and scream wordlessly at them both.
My screams are cut off when Tobias gets up from his chair, crosses the floor in two strides and pulls me to his chest. Theo continues to stare at us.
Someone else might have relaxed against Tobias' chest and been gentled, but not me. I jab my finger into his chest, poking him. He’s the one responsible, so he’s the one in the doghouse for this. Theo is an asshole, but not the one ruining my life at the moment. “It was you, wasn't it?” I growl at him.
He doesn't answer, just stares down at me with those dark eyes of his. Does he think that will stop me? That I'll magically just fall into his arms and be a good girl?
“Fix it right now or I'm done. I'll fucking quit.” I toss the receipt at him, but since there isn't much heft to it, the stupid thing lands in front of him instead of against his face where I aimed.
He catches it before it hits the ground and uncrumples it. His eyes scan the numbers and something like realization sparks in his eyes. The pity that has been present before dies out. Good! His chest heaves and his lips lift from his teeth. “No, you needed the damn help. If I had known about your mother when she was first admitted, I would have changed the policies right then. But you never let anyone in your life.”
What? He has no right to be mad at me! He’s the one at fault! I take a step away from him, not letting him get close enough to touch me again. “Fuck you, Tobias. I didn't ask for you to come rescue me, I don't need your fucking help, and I don't need you. I'm not some broken person you need to fix.” The tears I held back before stream down my cheeks. Hopefully mom will forgive this moment of weakness. I let someone else see me cry, I failed her. It only serves to make me cry harder.
Theo reaches out to me again, fingertips brushing against my back. “Imogen.”
I glare at him, moving out of his way too. “Don't you fucking touch me either, Theo. I'm done with you, done with both of you.”
“Imogen,” Tobias snaps my name. Where Theo's cry of it has been soft, Tobias' is harsh like he’s disciplining a dog. “I never said you are broken. But, you are fucking broke. I won't have my fucking MATE living in her car and rotting away because you're too damn stubborn to ask for fucking help,” he snarls every word at me.
The red in my eyes fades away. I focus on this word, this thing that he stresses so hard. What the hell? “Excuse me? Mate? I'm not even fucking dating you. I don't know what you thought I'd agreed to by taking that apartment, but you're going to cut this shit out now. You're going to stay out of my business. You're my boss, nothing more, act like one. You'll never be my mate, Tobias.”
Those dark eyes widen, I have the sensation of punching him with my words. The color drains from his face and he staggers back, hand curling around the chair and swaying. “Get out,” he whispers softly, body trembling. He gets the strength to look me in his eyes, rage and pain etched on his features. “Get the fuck out of here! Take the rest of the day off, I can't even look at you.” The last words are soft, but he punctuates them with a punch to his desk. A large dent forms underneath his hand and the metal holding the desk up creaks as it physically bends underneath the pressure.
I open my mouth to tell him I quit when Theo jumps from his seat. He pushes me out of the room and shuts the door behind us. I don't wait to hear what he has to say. Flipping my hair behind my shoulder, I march back to the elevator, smacking the button with my palm. While I wait for the damn thing to show up, I can feel Theo's gaze on my back. Why is this taking so long?
I whirl around and Theo takes a step backward, still staring, but not engaging with me. Fine, let him be a coward. I slip my heels off and sling them from my fingers as I head to the stairwell. I kick the door open and jog down the stairs as fast as I can.
I must have been halfway by the time I work the rage from my body. Am I being a bitch here? Any other boss would have fired me once I slammed the door open. I slow down, muscles aching from the extra pressure I put on them. My feet ache from doing this stupid childish stunt. Why won't I be an adult and not let my emotions get hold of me like that? It takes a while, but I finally get to the bottom. Instead of kicking the door open, I weakly push it and hobble over to a bench by the elevator.
I slip my shoes back on my now sore feet and cradle my head in my hands. How has life gotten this bad? When did I become some cosmic joke? What I wouldn't give to have my stray here, I want to hug him. Did he even know I’m okay? Is he still at that storage garage? Maybe I'll see him again. Lunch isn't happening for me, but maybe I can get something for him. I head to the cafe and buy him some quality dog food. It’s even good for dogs with long fur. Not that he needs much work on his beautiful hair but I want to keep it in good condition.
With nothing else taking my time, I head to the park and to the place I met him before. “Here puppy, puppy,” I call out. I hope he recognizes my voice. But no matter where I look, he doesn't appear. Maybe he’s mad about the puppy thing. He’s the size of a small bear. I need to get him a proper name the next time I find him, if I find him again.
My brain turns to the dark and I force it away from the negatives. I'm sure the dog is fine, probably just with his real owners. I need to get back to the apartments and it’s a fairly long walk. I hope I can remember how to get there. But isn't this what I wanted to do at the start of my day? Ironic, I’m being forced into it now. My phone buzzes and I glance at the screen. What does Theo want? I try to ignore it but after the fourth ring I give up. It's not like things can get that much worse for me. “What do you want?” I demand.