Page 54 of Forbidden Desire

“Hey, Erica,” says Jose, popping his head over my cubicle.

“Hey, Jose.”

“Good to have you back.” He winks.

“Good to be back,” I say, trying to muster up a smile.

“How was it working up close and personal for The Shark?” he asks.

“As you’d expect.” I shrug.

“I guess you got your promotion finally. The one youreallywanted.”

“I guess I did.” I look around my small desk and wonder if it’s really that, or if it’s the demotion I see it as. My salary certainly has taken a cut.

“Well, congrats!” he says enthusiastically. “Hey, now that you’re the head of the department…can you take a look at the article I wrote last week?”

“Uh, sure. Did you already send it?”

“Mhmm. Just this morning.”

I scroll through my emails and see his name in my inbox. “Ahh, here it is.”

“I’m really hoping it can go to press this week. I’m really proud of it. Maybe you can nudge it up in the schedule?”

“I’ll see what I can do,” I say, trying not to roll my eyes.

It’s barely my second day and he’s already asking for favors. Typical Jose. He’s nice enough, but is often looking for his work to be at the top of the list, and it’s mediocre at best. I’m surprised George kept him on for so long, and even more surprised that Marco allowed him to stay on staff.

“Thanks, Erica,” he says, rapping his knuckles on the top of my cubicle. “Again, good to have you back.”

I let out a sigh and open his email, spending the next few minutes reading his article that has a good chance of putting the city to sleep. I close out of it and try to find some excuse not to run it. I decide to stretch my legs, so I get up and walk the office. I cross the length of the floor, through the different departments, until I see my old office come into view. It’s now empty aside from the furniture I picked out. I peek into Marco’s office, but it remains empty and dark.

I took this same walk yesterday to find his office empty. I don’t know why I’m even over here. I don’t want to run into him. I don’t know the first thing I would say to him. There is nothingtosay. I know he hates me. I guess I just want to check on him.He was so upset the morning he found out about Josie, and rightfully so. My guilt has been eating at me every day.

I assume his office is empty because he’s off working on his other conquests. It’s not likeThe NY Daily Newsis the only paper he owns, let alone company. Still, I’ve grown so used to seeing him every day. Seeing his office empty is strange and leaves a lonely feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“Hey, Erica,” says Jessica, walking up behind me.

“Oh! Hi, Jessica,” I say, jumping slightly.

I could easily ask her where he is. She is his assistant, after all, but I don’t.

“How are you liking the new job?” she asks with a smile.

“It’s just fine. Thanks.”

“Well, we miss you around here.”

“I’m just across the way, so come by any time.”

“This floor is so big, you may as well be across Manhattan.” She laughs.

“See you around.” I give a small wave and head back in the direction of the editorial department.

She’s right about the size of this floor. Of this building. You could get lost in it. There’s a likely chance that even if Marco was here, I wouldn’t run into him.

When I get to my desk, I find a text waiting from my nanny.

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