Page 90 of Champagne Nights

“Thank you. I will.”

“It was nice to meet you, Aubrey. Hopefully, we’ll talk again soon.” She walked out of my classroom.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Aubrey

I spent the next few days thinking about what Dr. Perry said. As I stood in the bathroom, in front of the mirror, I placed my hand on it and held it there for a few moments. Thoughts about what I looked like invaded my head. There was a question I needed an answer to, so I called in sick to work and headed over to Ethan’s office. If he wasn’t there, I’d wait for him.

Using the app his company developed, I easily found my way up to his office. Using my cane for guidance, I walked down the hallway until I stopped at a desk.

“May I help you?” a woman’s voice asked.

“Is this Ethan Klein’s office?”

“Yes, it is. Do you have an appointment with him?”

“No. But I need to speak with him if he's in there.”

“He’s on a phone conference at the moment. May I ask your name?”

“Aubrey Callahan.”

“Oh my gosh. It’s so nice to meet you finally. I’m Lucy, Mr. Klein’s secretary.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Lucy.” I smiled.

“As soon as he’s finished with his call, I’ll let him know you’re here. I’m sorry to say this, but he’s been an absolute nightmare since—well, you know.”

“Since we stopped seeing each other?”

“Yes. Don’t get me wrong. He’s always been a nightmare, but since he met you, he became a different person, which was nice while it lasted. Gee, maybe I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I understand. He can be a difficult man.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“LUCY!” I heard the door open, and his harsh and authoritative voice spoke. “Aubrey?” His voice calmed.

“Hello, Ethan.”

My nerves were getting the best of me.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at school?”

“I took the day off. I need to speak with you.”

“Sure. Come on in.”

“First, you need to apologize to your secretary for yelling her name the way you did,” I bravely spoke as I stood there.

“Lucy, I apologize for being so abrupt.”

“It’s fine, Mr. Klein.”

I walked into his office, and he shut the door. A feeling of sickness rose in the pit of my stomach.

“Are you standing in front of me?” I asked.

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