Love, curves and heartbreak Chapter 34

I would like to say that my days got better, but that was not the case. My work became more and more torturous, thanks to Kate.

“What the hell is this, Priscilla? I mean... use your damn brain!" Kate said, pointing at my report.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"This is a disaster! The photos, your choices make no sense, the materials! This wasn't ready when I asked for it... frankly, I don't know what we're going to do with you, girl," she says bitterly, trying to underestimate me.

I remained in shock, unable to answer, while the rest of my colleagues looked at me. My colleagues, who, like me, had come for a simple informal meeting, are surprised, frankly, they did not expect this.

"What are you even doing here? You should be working on this, fixing this! Good god! Do I have to do everything myself? I can't supervise you all the time. You know that? I have a thousand things to do, I can't be your babysitter." She yells as she hits the desk, scattering papers.

I don't understand why her anger and annoyance seems to be directed only at me. What have I done to this woman? I breathe and encourage myself.

"Actually the report is almost finished, we have worked a lot on it, surely we need some corrections and even Clark has already given the green light..." I say, coming out of my daze.

I have to set limits for her, or she'll torment me forever. If what she said made sense, I would listen to her and even take notes, but this seems to be just an act to make me feel bad, to humiliate me in front of everyone.

Around me, I see my colleagues nodding in support. It's not just my job, it's the whole team's job, even if it's my design.

"I agree, I think the work has been delivered on time and we all know that the client is very happy with the progress... we are just waiting to go to Seattle and check some details, in a short time everything will be in order, I think Priscilla..." begins one of my colleagues.

"No, no, no... if the client is happy, it is a team effort, she is just an assistant to whatever we need," she says, taking credit from me as if I were nothing.

I feel like I've been stabbed in the back all these days and I can't take it anymore, but we all hear another voice in the room.

"I totally disagree," he says, and I know immediately who he is.

Ethan stands by the entrance of the conference room. Although he's not facing me directly, his expression is stern, his lips are pressed together, and there's a hint of irritation on his face, as if he's incredulous about what he's hearing.

He appears unchanged, retaining his usual grace and allure. It feels like ages since our last encounter during that wonderful weekend, and yet, here he is, appearing so nonchalant.

"Ethan! Great! It's good to have you here...I'm pretty sure you would agree with me after..." Kate says, suddenly nervous. She fixes her blouse, then her hair, and gives him an innocent look.

"I think I heard..." he adds.

"Of course, your opinion is extremely important here. I have already told the team that your clients deserve the best, and only the best! But you will understand that I have to be firm here, right? Especially with Priscilla, who... could do better..." she says coquettishly.

The rest of us looked at each other like she was crazy. What's wrong with this woman? Why does she scold us and when he arrives, she seems like a kitten? Yet, she seems determined to make my life a living hell.

It's become apparent to me that Ethan commands genuine respect from everyone. While he holds me to high standards, he's otherwise a very agreeable client, always polite, fair, and composed.

"Actually, Priscilla did a great job and the client adores her. I am sure more projects will come thanks to her," he says emphatically, and I look at the whole scene as if it were a statue.

I've never had someone stand up for me like that before. I'm not sure how to respond or what to anticipate next.

"Thanks to her? Oh my god! She is just an apprentice!... she is not a professional, she is not comparable to what the rest of us do in this company. There is a hierarchy in this company, with duties and merits, and I think you know that it is important that everyone knows their place. Just as you are the client, I am the leader, Clark is the boss, the other guys are part of the team, and Priscilla helps us, gives us a hand sometimes. Clark has designated her as the main designer for these projects because everyone else is busy..." Kate says with all the venom she can muster, pointing at me as if I were a thing, a piece of furniture.

My hands are sweaty, and I really want to say something, but Ethan speaks first.

"All the people here are important. Where I come from and the company I represent, we believe that. Especially our suppliers, who allow us to give our customers what we cannot. And believe me when I tell you that if you, all of you... are here, it is because we trust your skills, your abilities, and your creativity. If Clark made Priscilla the lead designer on this project, it was for a reason" he says seriously and obviously annoyed.

"Looks like we hit a soft spot with Mr. Fairfax," Kate says as if this is a game, even giggling. Ethan doesn't change his expression.

"Kate... we need to talk" he says without looking at me and suddenly leaves. Kate behind him is not so calm now, she hides her expression well, but she's nervous, no doubt.

We all took the opportunity to leave the conference room in a tense atmosphere. As I pass Clark's office, I hear a heated argument. I honestly don't know how to treat Kate, she's my superior, but she is so disrespectful and rude.

I take the opportunity to go out and talk to some suppliers, go see how some more work is going on at the hotel and generally avoid getting to the office, but I have to get back... to that little hellhole.

I didn't dislike my job, but between Kate and Ethan's disappearance, and now back... it's become karma. Not to mention, I'm afraid of what he might say to me. Does he want to end our agreement?

It seems like the stab in the back keeps popping up. It's like I have no one to lean on. I distract myself for a few hours, but as soon as I get back to the office, I feel depressed again.

"Priscilla, I finally found you!" Ethan suddenly tells me as soon as I come back.

"I was looking for you a couple of hours ago," he adds, trying to get my attention, and my eyes go to my bag, looking for my things. I look around, and the office is visibly empty, it must be very late.

"I was busy with a visit," I say in a muffled voice.

"I understand It's been a crazy day... but if you have time... I need to talk to you" he says.

I literally don't know what to say to him, I'm exhausted, and I've never been the best person to confront someone. I don't like this.

"Ethan... I just..."

"There's a quiet café nearby... maybe we can sit and talk... I really need to talk to you..." he says to me suddenly.

"I'm exhausted and to be honest... depressed. I don't think I have the strength for anything else" I confess, sadly.

"Priscilla... you shouldn't pay attention to what Kate says, it was incredibly rude of her, and I've already spoken to her and Clark. I really think you're doing a wonderful job," he tells me when I feel that I'm only a few inches away from him.

"And I thank you, Ethan. I really do, but I think I should go home, I'm so tired, if you'll excuse me," I tell him as I quickly walk away from him. I walk straight to the parking lot.

"Prissy... wait" he yells walking behind me, but I don't pay any attention to him.

I really want to get out of here. He calls after me a few more times. Suddenly, he grabs my arm, when I was almost reaching my car in the parking lot. He's not going to let me go that easily.

"Princess, please don't go like this...I hate to see you like this" He comes even closer. Well, he would be horrified at the number of times I'm like this. This is my day to day... except for that weekend... with him.

"I'm dead tired, I haven't had a good day, not even a good week, could you leave me alone?" I tell him in a whisper, wanting to end the conversation and feeling like I'm going to cry. He looks at me worried.

"Prissy, please come back, let's talk..." he almost begs me.

But I don't listen to him and I leave, leaving everything behind, when what I most wanted was to be in his arms, to be comforted by him like no one else ever does.

But he is part of my problems... what can I do?