Chapter 36
Thane POV
A bottle of half–drunk whiskey lay by my side, along with the diary I hadn’t dropped ever since yesterday. Needing to be alone, I
gave all the staff today off.
It’s easy to forget all the things one does out of anger or indignation, but I know the recipient of that action would not have
trouble recalling it.
Andera’s diary had shattered something inside of me. Andera, being such a creative person, had documented every tumultuous
moment of our marital life together.
A few of her entries were pleasant to read, the rest made me want to go back in time and re–do everything right. If only I could, I
would twist the hands of time to the day when she asked me out to lunch.
That morning, Andera had worn a stunning dress, she mentioned in the diary that she took extra time to groom herself that morning, in hopes of a compliment or appreciation, but it never came, and then, to make matters worse, I had stood her up after
she went out of her way to secure us a spot at one of the most exotic restaurants.
My heart twisted in my ribcage when I read the part about how she cried back home, feeling dejected and unloved.
The pain I caused this woman.
I have no reason to justify myself. Yes, I thought she was breathtakingly in the dress, but I didn’t compliment her because I was just being an ass; missing the launch was, however, not intentional, I had forgotten about it the moment I stepped into my office, the reasons being I never gave such things priority.
I stretched my hand to reach for the diary but withdrew. How does a man take back all those horrible things and make his woman. fall in love with him again? How do I make Andrea understand that I have only understood the value of what I had when I lost it
Do I tell Andrea I think of her every hour of every day, that her safety worries me, her smile makes my heart full, and I would do anything for her, that I was willing to become a better person for both of us?
Will she ever completely forgive me?
There’s only one way to find out–by trying, and even if Andera doesn’t forgive me at first, I would not give up, no matter how long it takes.
It’s a good thing we are business partners; I have enough time to slowly work my way into her heart back again.
Tomorrow is Monday. I would find a way, anyway in which I can start making amends. With these thoughts in mind, I finally gave
way to sleep.
“Good Morning sir.” Paul sang song, pushing his glasses down the bridge of his nose.
+20 Bonus
“Morning Paul. Are you with the files I asked of you?” I raised my head from my computer.
“Ah, those. I have them on my desk. Should I bring them for you?” He asked.
My shoulders slumped, please not today; I don’t have the strength to deal with this weird side of Paul right now.
“What did I tell you when I called you a minute ago,” I asked him.
Paul seemed to think about it. How he could forget what I told him less than a minute ago baffles me. Paul’s face lights up when
he finally remembers, and he pushes his glasses upwards.
It’s that way with Paul. Pushing his glasses down his nose, or closer to his face.
I sighed.
“You requested I get all the files of the financial budget and management for last month.” He replied, standing straight as if he
were meant to give an orientation speech.
“And?” I pressed further
“And what?” Paul asked back in genuine confusion.
Lord, it’s a miracle I have such tremendous patience when it comes to Paul. My next word came out with a hint of frustration and
Impatience
“I asked you to bring them to my office. Why are you here empty–handed?”
“Ohh. And here I thought it was because you missed me.”
My lips twisted into a frown. Was he seriously joking with me
Paul laughed. A short high–pitched, cackled laugh.
“That’s not even remotely funny,” I said calmly, with a mix of confusion and surprise.
silent when he
Paul is the kind of person who would be smart and active one day, then childlike and annoying the next. Paul went sile saw I wasn’t finding him funny.
“I’ll go bring them for you. Geez, stop looking at me like that. Why are you so pent–up? Let me guess, you haven’t gotten laid in a while?”
He wiggled his eyebrows as he fell into another obnoxious laughing fit and walked out. If Paul continues like this, I don’t think the electric chair would be enough to stop me from killing him.
A few minutes later, he handed me the files; this time, Paul was careful to keep his loose mouth shut. I was going through them when he burst into my office again.
“I swear to God I’m going…..” The words died on my lips when I saw Paul’s face.
“Thane, we have a problem,” he said, out of breath.
This isn’t good; Paul only ever addresses me by my first name when we have humongous problem.
“What is it?”
“It’s about Harrison,” Paul said, referring to one of our top executives. “There’s been an allegation of misconduct.”
My gut tightened. “What kind of misconduct?”
Paul hesitated before speaking. He took off his glasses.
+20 Bonus
“Sexual harassment. One of the interns has come forward on social media, and…it’s not looking good. She said Harrison was
demanding more sex from her or he would upload her nudes on the internet”
I felt a wave of anger wash over me. Harrison had always been one to break the rules. The only reason why he was still working
here is because Harrison is good at what he does. Not to mention, he had been here since my father.
But sexual harassment? This was the last straw.
“How widespread is this?” I demanded.
Paul shook his head. “It’s all over social media, Thane. The news has spread like wildfire. We’re getting calls from reporters,
and…it’s chaos.”
“Where is Harrison now? And what about the victim?”
“Neither of them are e at work.”
I sprang into action, grabbing my phone and dialing Imogen’s number. “Get the PR team on it, now,” I barked at Paul. “We need
to contain this before it gets any worse.”
As I waited for Imogen to answer, I could feel my heart racing. This was a disaster, a big one.
“Imogen,” I said, as soon as she answered. “We have a crisis on our hands. Harrison’s has been accused of sexual harassment, and it’s all over the news.”
Imogen’s voice was calm and steady. “I’m already on it, Thane. I’ll get the PR team to draft a statement, and we’ll go from there.”
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Good. I want to be kept updated on every development. We need to move fast to
protect the company’s reputation.”
I slumped back into my seat, why was this happening? Why didn’t the intern come to me or any other executives? We would have made sure Harrison faced proper discipline and also protected her. I raked a hand over my hair.
My phone was vibrating with endless calls and messages.
Then a call came from Andera
