31. Drew.

© viennamata — This work is protected by copyright. Donot repost, copy, or translate without my permission.

Andrew

Well, things are going exactly as expected. Claire barely talks to me, and Jared won't stop talking to me—especially about how great of an assistant Claire is.

"Well, I wouldn't know, Jared, considering most of my stuff gets handed off to that airhead Barbie doll you hired."

Jared smirks. "She's not that bad, Drew. Plus, she's nice to look at—and loves being looked at. Win-win."

"Yes, Jared, it's a win for you, but my stuff isn't getting done. And I already have someone beautiful to look at—and I do, every chance I get! I've even started working with the door open so I can see her from my desk."

"That's... not creepy at all."

"She didn't even want to get lunch with me. She would literally rather starve than sit and eat with me. I went and got her lunch from her favorite spot and even wrote a note. If she won't talk to me, at least she can still read what I have to say. Jared? JARED!"

"Ugh—yes, Drew?"

"Dude, are you even listening?"

"Honestly, Drew, I tuned you out once you started talking about Claire."

"That's all I've talked about since I walked in."

"Yeah, I know. Hence the tune-out."

"Can you at least get her to help with my work stuff too? I'm falling behind. Daisy's been doing most of my paperwork and none of it makes sense. Her dad must've paid for her to pass university. Do we owe him something? Is that why you hired her?"

Jared smirks. "Nope. I just thought she was hot. Plus, hiring her gives us an in with businesses in the next city over. I honestly didn't know Claire wasn't doing much of your work—I'll talk to her."

"I can talk to my wife myself, Jared."

"Well, no, you can't. Because when she's here, I'm her boss. And also, your wife doesn't seem to want to speak to you much, so again—I'll take care of it. You're dismissed."

I whip my head toward Jared. "You do know I'm still your boss, right?"

"Right, right. I forget. When Claire's around, you turn into a little bitch, so it got to my head—since I'm her boss and she's kinda yours... I guess I'm technically now your boss."

"Yeah, that's not how that works. Claire's my world—when she says jump, I say 'how high.' You are my best friend—when you say jump, I punch you in the face. Oh, and I'm also your boss."

Jared shrugs. "Semantics."

If you are reading this book anywhere butWattpad, then it has been stolen. You can read this book for free on Wattpad.The title is "From me to you and back" by viennamata

I walk back to my office and notice Claire ate the lunch I brought her, which brings a smile to my face. The note I wrote is gone, so I'm assuming she either read it—or threw it in the trash.

As I reach my office, I hear the elevator doors open... and out walks my mother. She hasn't noticed me yet, but she definitely sees Claire.

I move faster than I've ever moved in my life and block her line of sight.

"Mother, what do you need? I wasn't aware there was a shareholders' meeting today."

She tries to look past me toward Claire, but I block her view.

"I don't need a reason to be here, Andrew. My husband ran this company for years."

"Yes, Mother. And then he ran away from you. So again, I ask—why are you here?"

Her mouth opens slightly, shocked.

"How dare you, Andrew? I worked—"

I pull out my phone. "Hey, can you send security up here for my mother, please? And have her access revoked unless there's a shareholders' meeting in the building."

My mother steps around me and points directly at Claire.

"This is all your doing, isn't it? He wasn't like this before you. He's only gotten worse! This isn't the end—you'll be seeing me, Claire! That little baby you're supposedly carrying is my grandbaby, and you can't—"

"MOTHER. NO! That is my and Claire's baby. You will not speak of that baby. And you will not see that baby. Now get the fuck out."

Security finally arrives. As they escort her out, she tosses Claire an envelope.

"I told you I'd get rid of you."

She smiles. Cruel. Wicked. Delighted.