Page 48 of It Happened Again

Finally, I was able to take a breather, and intended to eat. I brought up all the data I’d just collected, letting the analytics run on my screen which I went to the restroom to wash my hands.

While there, I ran into Dr. Stone. She greeted me warmly at the sink. “Ah, Maisy. I had a look at your first draft to the presentation and the initial data sets you’ve been collecting. I’m excited about your findings. You’re right on track.”

Her assurances meant a great deal to me. “Thank you so much. I needed to hear that today.”

“I have a few notes for improvements and some suggestions so far, nothing major. I’ll email them to you by the end of the day. Keep up the good work.” She left me in high spirits, the lift I need to get me through the afternoon.

Until I walked back into the sensory room and found Julian at my computer looking at the data. He was the last person I wanted to see.

“What are you doing here? Please get away from my computer,” I yelled. My entire body tensed like someone flipped the switch from serene to guarded.

“Maisy. Good to see you, too.” He sauntered off to the side, but he was still in view of the screen, his eyes focused on it. “It’s been some time since we talked. I thought I’d stop in and see if I could be of any assistance to you.”

“I have Dr. Stone mentoring me now.” That was meant in every way as a slight to him, and he should take it the way I intended.

“Even so, she doesn’t know this area of study as well as we do. Send me your files. I’ll have look at them.”

And steal them, he probably meant.

“No thank you.”

“As your department head, despite thistemporaryassignment of yours, you know I only want to help you.”

I dreaded if the day came where I’d be back under his thumb.

“Like I said, I don’t need it. Now, if you don’t mind I have another testing group coming in and a short window to eat lunch.” My mind raced with any reason to get him to leave.

“I could eat, too. Let’s go get a bite?—”

“Thanks, but no.” I answer quickly. “Julian, I really need you to leave so I can focus.”

He clicked his tongue. “Getting so worked up isn’t good for you, Maisy. I remember there were stressful times for you on the ship especially once you started taking the graduate courses. You’d work yourself ragged. But I was always there for you to help you get through it. Remember?” He stalked closer, too close.

I wanted to cringe but stood my ground. “You’re wrong. I didn’t need your help as much as you thought I did.”

He sighed. Not touching me, because if he had I’d have screamed. “I think you have a higher opinion of yourself thanyou should. I doubt you can do this alone. When it comes down to the last minute and you realize you’ll fail without me, you know where to find me. And I’ll be waiting.”

I released a breath as soon as he left, then I hurried and shut the door behind him. I backed away from the door, eyes trained on the handle fearing he’d return for a reprise.

My hands trembled as I called Sophie, but left a message. Then I called Brooks. As I told him what happened, I could hear his breathing kick up and the clicking of his jaw.

"Come to my place tonight. Leave as soon as you can. I don’t want you there working late along with that asshole in the building,” he fumed.

I shook my head. “No. I need to work. There’s too much to do. "

"You’ve been working nonstop, Mais,” he said. "This isn’t the way to be productive. You’re just running scared."

I knew he was right. The fear, the fight, the weariness took a toll.

"Come home to me tonight. Don’t make me beg. So help me I’ll march right into Orion and carry you out the door myself,” he threatened.

“You wouldn’t do that.” I half smiled, thinking I might enjoy him going all neanderthal on me.

“Try me. Look, you just need to think about your next move with a clear head. You can’t fight him and you can’t win if you’re exhausted,” he pleaded his case.

Brooks was right.Soaking in a bath he drew for me, in his large clawfoot tub at his eclectic loft, the warm water infused with lavender and eucalyptus almost melted me into honey.

“Can I come in yet?” He knocked after giving me a few minutes alone to decompress. His tone of voice spoke volumes of care and worry.

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