Chapter 127

Fiona

“Friday at one o’clock. Yes sir,” I confirm, entering the new meeting on Ethan’s schedule. I glance through the glass of Ethan’s office which is still empty. He’s been in a development meeting for the last hour with Chris’s company to discuss the equipment for the new wing at the hospital.

“I’ll be bringing my secretary with me to keep notes on the meeting, is that alright?” The man asks.

The elevator dings to my side, but I keep my focus on the call. I don’t want to miss anything.

“Of course. If there’s anything you need before the meeting from us, please don’t hesitate to call or email me a list and I will get it together for you,” I tell him. It’s customary that I gather general supplies, but sometimes these business meetings require more specific preparations.

There’s a pause on his end of the phone before he speaks again, “Thank you. I’ll have my secretary send you a list. Have a nice day.”

“You as well.”

I set the phone back onto the base, and not even two seconds later, with my hand still hovering over it, it rings again.

“Hello, this is Ethan Montgomery’s office. How may I help you?”

“Good afternoon. This is James Smith, the attorney Mr. Montgomery contacted about the lawsuit against Silverclaw Law Firm,” the deep voice says, and I sit up straighter.

Ethan mentioned he’d called a Mr. Smith about the lawsuit against Jack. He said he was waiting for Mr. Smith to contact him with their decision on whether to sue the firm or sue Jack.

“Yes, Mr. Smith. We’ve been waiting for your call,” I tell him. “Unfortunately, Mr. Montgomery is in a meeting, but I can take a message or have him call you as soon as he’s finished.”

I cross my fingers under my desk, hoping that Mr. Smith isn’t offended. I can’t really help the fact that he called when Ehtan is away from his desk, but he may not see it that way. Some lawyers, especially ones that are partners at their firms, are less than cordial when things don’t go their way.

“I’ll leave a message, and he can call me back when he’s finished with his business,” the man says, then pauses.

“Go ahead when you’re ready, sir,” I prompt.

“My client looked over the information Mr. Montgomery, and she decided that she will gladly accept his terms to shift the lawsuit fully on Mr. Aldridge. However, she would like to meet with Mr. Montgomery to make sure there will be no repercussions for the original threat of a lawsuit.”

I blink at his words, jotting down a paraphrased version of his message before asking, “What day would you like to meet? I can look at his schedule.”

“I know he’s a busy man, but does Wednesday at two or Thursday at eleven work?” He asks. I flip through the calendar, my finger running across the paper on each day of the week until I find Wednesday and Thursday.

“He has Wednesday at two open,” I announce.

“That would be perfect. I’ll bring my client and meet him then. Thank you.”

The moment I hang the phone back on the base, a presence at my side makes me turn.

“What are you doing here?” I ask Jack. He’s leaning against the wall, watching me with an interested gaze. Honestly, it sends a gross shiver down my back because he shouldn’t even be here.

“I’m admiring a beautiful woman who looks hot when she’s taking charge and answering important calls,” he answers then steps closer. I roll my eyes and focus back on my computer. Maybe he’ll leave if I ignore him.

He has enough problems already, so leaving would be the wisest decision. If Ethan catches him here, talking to me, I don’t think he’ll take it well.

But does Jack leave?

Of course not.

“Fi, I need your help. I made a few small mistakes at work,” he says, and again, I roll my eyes. I wouldn’t say nearly getting the firm sued for half a million dollars is a small mistake, but I don’t voice my thoughts.

Ignore him, and he’ll eventually get frustrated and go away.

Scheduling the new appointment, I input the information of who with and when Ethan has a meeting in the electronic schedule. It’s easier for Ethan to use because he can pull it up on his phone and doesn’t have to keep up with papers.

“Fi,” Jack says, trying to get my attention.

I type up the message from Mr. Smith into the notes box on the appointment, but half way through, my screen goes black.

“What the—”

“Are you going to listen to me now?” Jack asks, pulling his hand back from my monitor. Did he just…

“Did you just shut my monitor off while I was working?”

Jack scoffs and gives me an annoyed expression as he crosses his arms over his chest and says, “If you’re not going to listen, I’ll get your attention other ways.”

Shock jolts me, and I fully turn to him. The audacity this man has astounds me. Who does he think he is coming in here and bothering me while I’m working? Doesn’t he know he’s caused enough trouble?

“What do you want, Jack? You have thirty seconds to tell me then leave,” I growl, mimicking Ethan’s angry tone as best I can. Clearly, it doesn’t have the same effect because Jack just chuckles and looks down at me.

“I said, I came here for your help,” he starts, “I’ve been having trouble since the divorce, feeling that we could’ve fixed things between us. I’m upset that you wouldn’t give me a chance to try to mend our relationship, so it’s been messing with my head. I want you to talk to Ethan on my behalf. Can you explain what’s been going on and get him to help me keep my job?”

My mind reels, spinning like a top at his words.

“It’s Mr. Montgomery to you,” I hiss, standing from my seat. “And no. I won’t speak up for you, Jack. I can’t believe you would even think coming here to ask for help is a good idea after everything you’ve done.”

“But I need this job, and you’re so close with—”

“I’m not helping you keep your job. If you wanted this job so badly, you could’ve done more to help yourself. I can’t and won’t clean up your messes,” I tell him, nailing my finger into his chest. He steps back, surprised, as I continue. “I’m not your wife anymore, not that you treated me like one when I was still married to you. Nothing will bring us back together.”

Jack’s jaw drops, and I continue herding him back toward the elevator. He doesn’t push forward to my surprise, but he does stop after a few steps.

“I already apologized about cheating, Fi. I think that if we really try—”

“Stop calling me that!” I burst, my voice rising with my anger. “Get it through your thick head that nothing will fix this. I have no sympathy for you because you brought this on yourself, Jack. Nothing you say or do will bring us back together, and no amount of apologizing will help you at work. You’ve royally fucked up and now you have to deal with the consequences.”

Turning around, I gather my belongings. If he’s not going to leave, I will. I’ll send Ethan a message, and he’ll understand my need to leave. If I stay near Jack any longer, I’m liable to end up in jail for assault.

Jack continues to beg and pleads for me to listen to him, but I ignore him all the way down the elevator. He follows me into the lobby, and I’m afraid he’ll follow me to the bus stop, so my only escape is to find somewhere he can’t go.

Ethan is in the main meeting room on the first floor, so I turn down the private hallway. Security stops Jack when he can’t show a company ID, keeping him from following me.

“Please escort him out of the building and make sure he leaves,” I tell them. The large men glance back at Jack then nod in affirmation, walking toward him.

If he won’t leave me alone willingly, I’ll wait until they escort him out. Jack can’t stay where he’s not wanted, and he’s about to learn that the hard way.