Page 7 of Ansel

“And if you somehow figured out that I had feelings for you”—she let out a ragged breath, shaking her head—“I’m sorry that made you uncomfortable. I didn’t think it was obvious. I’ve always been careful, and I don’t believe I’ve ever been unprofessional with you.”

No, you haven’t—but I clearly have, judging by the shit I said to Vanessa. The same shit you overheard, and that’s got you looking like someone just kicked your puppy.

“I’m going to apologize for talking about you to Vanessa and?—”

“It wasn’t the first time you talked about me to her, Ansel, only the first time I overheard you,” she corrected me.

I wanted to argue, to tell her she was wrong, that it wasn’t what she thought, but the words didn’t come. Because the truth was, Ihadsaid those things, not once but several times. And I had meant them.

At least, I thought I had.

“If you heard what we talked about, you also know that if you don’t resign, you get three weeks’ severance.” I felt like an ass for saying it, but I wanted her to get something on her way out.

“Doesn’t matter.”

I hated how hollow her voice sounded. “So, this is your two-week notice?”

“Yes. But I hope you understand that I won’t be coming back to the office, not after what you said about me. I’ve already submitted my vacation request to HR, so you should see it for approval soon. I’ll be taking my remaining days off during my notice period.”

I opened my mouth, but she was already rising, already slipping her bag over her shoulder.

“I really enjoyed working with you,” she said with that same half-assed smile she gave me when we were first seated. “I…I’m sorry for anything that…well, anything wrong I did.”

“Neha, come on. I’m the one who should apologize for speaking about you so callously.”

She shrugged. “You should never apologize for speaking your truth. But for the future, I request you to talk to the person you think you have an issue with and not with Vanessa, who, by the way, is someone who likes to insinuate you and her are more than friends.”

My eyes narrowed.

She chuckled. “Now you don’t know who to believe, her or me.”

I was about to say something, but she held her hand up, and I fell silent. Probably a good thing if I shut the fuck up, considering I’d fucked this up so badly.

“I have talked discreetly with Lori Foster, and she said she would be able to support you until you hire a new assistant.”

Lori was Charlie’s EA, a very capable one—just not as good as mine. Lori would not be able to correct any discrepancies in an Excel sheet or ask me to rethink a strategy.

Shame coursed through me. Even as she was leaving, Neha was taking care of me, while I’d disparaged her to Vanessa.

“Neha, I am so sorry it ended this way.” I got up, wanting to…hug her? Yeah, I wasn’t going to do that as there was a good chance she’d slap me.

“Me too,” she agreed sadly. “But I feel better about doing it this way than being humiliatedfurtherwhen you fired me.”

I closed my eyes to control my emotions. It had seemed so simple, so easy to talk to HR about getting rid of an employee—but now that she was standing in front of me, so brave and honest, I felt a strong wave of self-loathing.

“I don’t know what to say,” I finally admitted.

“I’ll help you.” She hitched her bag on her shoulder. “Say goodbye, Neha.”

I licked my lips. “Goodbye, Neha,” I repeated.

“Goodbye Ansel. I wish you well.”

I watched her leave the restaurant with an ache in my heart. I’d been an asshole while she’d been classy and elegant in how she handled me.

I had never felt smaller in my life.

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