Page 17 of The Sicilian's Obsession
I grumbled something in reply and grabbed a muffin. It was chocolate, which, of course, meant I was going to devour it. Much like Arturo devoured my mouth last night. I shook my head, breaking up that line of thoughts. He didn't want me. I just had to keep saying that like a mantra, and all these naughty thoughts would go away in time.
"I have to fire Rebecca this morning." I was surprised that I blurted that out with no stuttering. Could it be that I was more comfortable around Arturo? I noticed I stuttered way less around this man. I almost spoke to him like a normal person.
He chuckled. "Good riddance." I blinked at him in surprise. "I don't like her, princess."
I almost melted. He was saying princess again like it was a lover's name rather than an enemy. Just the idea that he wanted to use that name as an endearment, gave me butterflies.
I sighed, "Right, but she's been with us for years. I'm going to have to contact a temp agency to replace her."
Arturo laid a hand on my shoulder. "No, you don't. I have a guy who would be perfect. He just started at my company and could use the mundane work while he learns the ropes from training. That would also give me more trustworthy eyes on everything until our contract ends."
I felt a pang in my heart at the mere mention of our time ending. It had only been a few days and I didn't want it to end. I wanted him to stay with me. We headed out to the lab and I started to fidget when we were pulling up to the parking lot.
"You can do this; I'll be right there."
Arturo was rooting for me and I needed to grow a backbone. Rebecca was already behind her desk when we stepped inside. This was it, the moment of truth. Rebecca looked at me and sneered. When she saw Arturo behind me, she wiped the look off her face and replaced it with simpering pleasure.
Nausea rolled through my gut, but I straightened my shoulders and let out a small, shaky breath. "Rebecca? As of this moment, you're fired."
She gaped at me like a fish. "Fired?Fired?" Her voice rose before she cleared her throat and gathered her thoughts. "You don't have the authority to fire me." She gave me a horrid smirk and went back to typing like I hadn't just laid down the law.
"I called my father last night. We agreed. You'll receive a nice severance package as well." My thoughts were starting to jumble from the hostility I felt coming off her in waves.
"Your father? Let me tell you about your father, honey," she said mockingly. "He's a coward who can't even tell his daughter that she's a waste of fucking space, someone who should be committed!"
"A-Arturo will escort you off the p-premises." I shut my eyes, trying not to feel like a failure, not to feel like a waste of space.
Arturo didn't even let her gather her things except her phone and purse. Then he had his hand under her arm, leading her out, while talking to her in a low voice. I couldn't even give that any attention. I was too stuck to that spot, hearing her words play back repeatedly. My breathing was shallow, but I needed to control it. I sank to my haunches and put my head in my hands, focusing on my breathing.
Arturo came back and was on his knees beside me, trying to help me through the attack. I can't believe I thought I could take on Rebecca by myself. She was going to make my life hell around town.
Once I calmed down, Arturo helped me get her desk in order. "My guy will be here shortly to take over her duties," he said.
I couldn't help but be thankful.
We headed into my lab, but I couldn't concentrate. So, I decided to hang out instead of getting any real work done. Something I have never done before. But I was feeling jittery and needy after the Rebecca debacle.
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