Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 88228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
She meets my gaze. “Don’t pin this on me. I told you Braden Black was trouble. I told you to stay away from him.”
This time my hands hit my hips. “Why? Because you want him for yourself?”
“Because I care about you,” she says, though her tone negates her words, “or did you forget that conversation we had at the office?”
“Before or after you fired me?”
She shakes her head. “You’re so young.”
“I’m older than you were when you were involved with him, Addie.” I smirk.
She opens her mouth but says nothing.
Ha! Point, Manning.
“You’re nothing but a spoiled brat,” I say. “You’re obsessed with Braden and you can’t have him. Now, because I have what you want, you’re trying to break me. Like I said, give it your best shot, Addie, because I’m a hell of a lot stronger than you seem to think.”
“Please.” She scoffs. “We both know how you got this job. I can bury you in a minute.”
Can she? Probably. Her platform is much larger than mine. But how will that make her look? Of course I know how I got that job. I’ve been ruminating on it all week, but right now my anger takes charge over my feelings of fraud. For the third time, I say, now through clenched teeth, “Give it your best shot.”
She huffs. “You’re hardly worth it.”
“If that’s true, why the snide texts and comments?”
She huffs again without replying.
“I can’t believe it,” I say as I finally understand her. “You’re insecure. The great Addison Ames is a scared little girl.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Another point, Manning. I can’t help a self-satisfied smile. I’ve hit a nerve, and damn, it feels good. After all her bitchy comments that undermine my confidence, I’m freakishly glad I’m getting to her. “Don’t I? I guess we’ll see.”
As if on cue that our conversation is over, the door finally opens on the twenty-seventh floor. I walk out ahead of her, enter through the transparent doors, and approach the receptionist. “Hi, Lisa,” I say. “Skye Manning for Eugenie.”
“I don’t see you on her schedule.”
“She’s expecting me.”
Eugenie comes walking out to the reception area. “Skye,” she says, “I tried calling you. I got the signed contract by messenger. You didn’t have to come over today after all.”
“Good,” I say, warmth creeping up my cheeks. “I just wanted to make sure it arrived.”
“It did. Thank you.” She looks beyond me. “Addie, come on back.”
Please, please, let a giant hole open up and swallow me. I may have given Addie a taste of her own medicine in the elevator, but at the moment, I look like a complete airhead.
Addison’s face splits into a giant grin as she smirks at me and then follows Eugenie.
“Don’t let her get to you,” Lisa says.
“Who?” I ask, feigning innocence.
A young man approaches. “Ready for your break, Lisa?”
Lisa grabs a purse. “Yeah. Thanks, Brody.”
“How long do you get for your break?” I ask.
“Fifteen minutes.”
That’s enough time to find out more about Addie. “Can I buy you a coffee?”
“Coffee’s free in the breakroom,” she says.
“Of course.” I smile. “It was nice to see you again.”
Lisa comes out from behind her desk. “Walk with me for a minute.”
“All right.”
We leave the reception area, walk outside the transparent door to the ladies’ room, and enter.
Lisa looks under the stalls. We’re alone.
“I just want to tell you that Eugenie talks about you all the time,” she says. “We all know how Addison is. She makes the company a lot of money, but no one likes working with her.”
“You told me yesterday that she was great.”
“I did. I wouldn’t dare say anything other than that in the office.”
“Are you sure you should be telling me this?” I ask.
“I’m sure I shouldn’t be, but I see the way she treats you. She treats me the same way. She thinks everyone is beneath her. I’ve even seen her treat Eugenie badly.”
“Then why—”
“Money,” Lisa says. “It’s all about money.”
“I see.”
“In a perfect world, only good people would get ahead. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world.”
I chuckle with sarcasm. “True enough. Thanks, Lisa.”
“Don’t mention it. You just seem like a person I can trust.”
“Absolutely.”
She checks her lipstick and then washes her hands. “I’ve got to get back. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”
“I’m sure we will.” I smile as she leaves the restroom.
Lisa means well, and I appreciate her candor.
She knows all about Addie, just like I do.
So why do I feel like such a fake?
A fraud?
A piece of shit?
The answer comes to me, only it doesn’t. It’s been there from the beginning of this new venture.
Deep down, I know the truth.
No one cares what Skye Manning thinks.
People only care what Braden Black’s girlfriend thinks.
I’m losing myself.
I’m selling my soul for an influencing career.
Yes, it’s a wonderful opportunity.
Yes, it’s a way to showcase my photography.