Page 37 of Cherry's Jubilee

“I know you’re behind me losing my job,” she whispers.

I roll my eyes and go around her without responding. She follows me to Daniel’s office, and since he told me I never have to knock, I push the door open. My steps stop at the scene in front of me.

Amira and Daniel are in the middle of the office, and she’s in his arms. He pushes her away when he sees me, but I don’t miss the lipstick on his chin.

“What the hell are you doing, Amira?” he asks, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

I stare at them without a word, but when I notice the smug satisfaction on Ashley’s face, I know she’s behind this. This is who she texted, and she stopped me to give Amira enough time to wrap herself around Daniel like the snake she is.

“Cherry, this is not what it looks like. I don’t know what Amira’s doing, but—”

I tune out the rest of Daniel’s words and take slow steps toward Amira. She won’t make eye contact with me, but she’s blushing and looks embarrassed. Without a word, I reach back and slap her across her face. She screams and stumbles into Daniel. Her body touching his again sends me into another rage. Daniel reaches for me, but I move away and slap Amira in the mouth with the back of my hand. Blood oozes out the side.

I turn to Ashley, and her smug look is gone now. It’s replaced with something I’ve never seen from her before. It’s fear. She’s not as dumb as I thought because she should be scared.

“Cherry, don’t,” Daniel says. He steps between me and Ashley, but I’m far too gone to see reason. If I wasn’t, I’d know that this could get me in serious legal trouble, but I refuse to think about the repercussions.

“You bitch,” Ashley says. “You’re going to get arrested.” The smugness is back in her voice, and I assume it’s because she thinks Daniel has saved her from the consequences of her actions. Stupid mistake.

“If the police are called, Amira’s getting arrested for assaulting me,” Daniel says, and that smugness leaves Ashley’s face.

“What?” Amira asks while she holds one cheek with her hand. “I told you and Mom I didn’t want to do this, and now I’m going to get arrested because you both are jealous of Cherry.”

“Shut the hell up, you stupid idiot,” Ashley says.

“What did you say?” Daniel asks. When all Amira does is cry, he walks to her and says, “Answer me.” While his back is turned, I smack Ashley across the face like I did to her sister. I smile in glee. I’ve been wanting to do that since I was a kid.

“You bitch,” she whispers.

“We’re going to end this once and for all, whore.” I slap her face again. “Let’s go. Here’s your chance. I’ll let you throw a punch,” I taunt. “Come on, Ashley. You’ve waited your whole life for this. Let’s make it count.”

She takes a step toward me, and I sucker punch her in the face. I hear a crunch, and blood gushes out of her nose. She falls on her ass, and I grab her by her hair and twist.

“Let me go!” she yells as I yank her to her feet. Blood is now gushing from her nose and dripping down her chin.

“Come on,” I taunt. “Hit me.” But all she does is step back like the insecure coward that she is. So, I walk toward her, eager for my fist to meet with her face again. I raise my hand to strike. Ashley screams but Daniel grabs my wrist before I can make contact.

“Cherry, enough,” Daniel says, but I ignore him and try to lunge for Ashley again. He easily lifts me off my feet and holds me with one arm like I’m a football.

“She broke my face,” Ashley says before she starts to hyperventilate.

Daniel walks to his desk, picks up his phone, and yells at someone to get to his office. I move against him, hoping he’ll drop me, but his grip tightens.

Seconds later, his door swings open, and two members of his security team rush inside. Daniel gestures towards Ashley and Amira, and they rush to them.

“Put me down,” I order.

“No,” is all he says. He walks to where the security guard is helping Ashley while he is still carrying me. “I want you out of this building in the next fifteen minutes. If you’re not gone by then, I’m havingyou arrested. And do not return on Monday. You don’t work here anymore.”

“She’s the one who assaulted me,” she says, but her voice breaks, and she bursts into tears.

“That’s not how I see it. Amira sexually assaulted me by forcing herself on me, which is the absolute truth. If either of you ever step foot in this building again, I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”

“That’s it? I’ve worked here for three years, and you’re getting rid of me because of her?” She talks as if the idea of someone not choosing her over me is unthinkable.

“Get the hell out of here and take your sister with you.”

“Feel free to warn your mother. She’s about to get her ass whooped too,” I say as they’re escorted out.

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