Chapter 19 - The New Rules
|
Emily stood in Alexander's office, watching the devastation wash over his face. He made no move to pick up the resignation letter. He just looked at her, accepting his punishment.
“You kept your promise,” Emily said, breaking the heavy silence.
Alexander looked up. “I told you I would.”
“You gave my lawyer the footage. You didn't swoop in to save the day, you just leveled the playing field. Margaret dropped the case. Noah is safe.”
“I’m glad,” Alexander said softly. “You fought for him. You won.”
“We won,” Emily corrected gently.
Alexander’s breath hitched. He stepped out from behind the massive desk, stopping a few feet away from her. The physical distance between them felt agonizing.
“I’m leaving Crownridge,” Emily continued, her voice steady. “I’m taking the new job. I start on the first of the month.”
“They are lucky to have you,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Emily took a deep breath. She looked around the opulent office, at the sweeping view of the city, and then back into the eyes of the man who had sat on her cheap linoleum floor and argued about dinosaurs.
“Noah asked about you,” she said.
Alexander’s eyes widened slightly. “He did?”
“He wanted to know why Batman stopped coming over.”
A short, breathless laugh escaped Alexander’s lips. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him that adults do stupid things when they are scared. I told him that you lied because you were terrified we wouldn't like the real you.” Emily took a single step closer to him. “Was I right?”
“You were exactly right,” Alexander said, holding her gaze. “I have spent my entire life being loved conditionally. For my money. For my company. When you and Noah looked at me… you just saw Jack. And I was terrified that the second you saw Alexander, you would look at me the way everyone else does.”
Emily reached out, her fingers gently brushing the fabric of his suit jacket. He shuddered at her touch.
“Well,” Emily said softly, “Jack was a terrible mechanic. But he was a good man.”
“And Alexander?” he asked, his heart hammering against his ribs.
“Alexander,” Emily smiled faintly, “is going to have to learn how to ride the city bus without falling over. Because my new job doesn't have executive parking.”
May you like
Alexander stared at her, the realization slowly washing over him. A small, brilliant light of hope ignited in the dark room. “Are you saying…?”
“I’m saying I don't work for you anymore,” Emily said, stepping back. “Which means, if you want to take me out to dinner, you actually have to ask me.”
