Chapter 2

Grace’s POV

“So you are firing me?” I implored, licking my lips nervously.

“Yes, Ms. Hampton. You were on probation, after all. Your contract said I could terminate your appointment anytime.”

I sighed deeply, my hope deflated. “Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Morgan. I wish I had stayed longer to prove my worth here.”

He started to speak, but the tears in my eyes were already threatening to spill. I excused myself and raced to the bathroom.

I bent over the washbasin and cried. I had thought of this job as a miracle. It was challenging enough to keep me on my toes, and the pay was good enough to cover my bills. It was going to be the perfect touch to my CV; working with Sky Communication was a blessing, and now it was over a mirage.

I exhaled and scooped some water onto my face. It was going to ruin my makeup, but I didn’t care. When I opened my eyes to check my face in the mirror above, I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw the woman standing behind me.

Black hair cut in a classy bob, green eyes that accentuated her pale look.

Jane Harris, the office gossip!

“You scared me,” I said as I straightened.

She gave me a tight smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in here.”

It was a lie, alright, but I was too sapped to talk. I nodded to her and moved to the door.

“He’s an asshole, isn’t he?”

I spun around, unsure of her motives. “Huh?”

She tilted her head to the door. “Mr. Morgan. He’s been cranky since the kids started growing up.”

I wanted to ignore Jane’s rant and move to my office to pack up my stuff, but a part of me yearned to know more about my arrogant boss.

“The boss has kids?” I asked in surprise. Kelvin Morgan might be the sexiest man in town, but his private life was out of the tabloids, carefully hidden, or so it seemed.

“Three kids. Can you believe it? They drive him wild, and he returns the favor to his staff. He was never like this in the past.”

I reeled from her revelation. I recalled the little episode in his office and the way I had longed for his touch earlier. It was surprising to hear he had kids; he didn’t strike me as a man who would be good with children.

I managed a smile. “It must be tough running a successful business and the home front, but I’m sure his wife would be a great help to him.”

Jane stared at me like I was silly. “Don’t tell me you don’t know about the divorce?”

My heart thumped painfully, and I wondered why. “He’s divorced?” I asked incredulously.

Jane moved closer, and I could see she was eager to share her secrets with me. “It was messy. It took a lot of high connections to get it off the papers. Rumor has it his ex was seeing someone else.”

My jaw dropped in shock. This was too much information, and it didn’t make my plight any better.

“I should get back to work… the office,” I said and quickly moved out before Jane dropped another tempting detail.

My legs felt like lead as I moved to my office. A few of my colleagues looked up as I strode past, but I was engrossed in my thoughts. I walked into my office, thankful I didn’t share it with anyone.

I sank into a seat behind my desk and bowed my head in thought.

Sky Communication isn’t for someone like you.

His words resounded in my head, and I felt a lump grow in my throat. I lifted my gaze and looked around the room; my eyes landed on the picture on my desk. It was my college graduation; my mom had surprised me when she arrived with a bouquet.

I reached for the picture and fingered the frame. I needed to call my mom now. She would know the right thing to say, and maybe I could spend some days with her before I found my footing.

I dialed her line and waited.

“Hi, Pumpkin.”

I rolled my eyes at her nickname for me. She had been calling me that since I was two.

“Hey, Mom.”

I heard a door slam in the background. “How’s your new job? Isn’t it amazing you got a job like that?”

I bit my lip softly, wondering how to tell her. “Mom, there’s something I need to tell you,” I started.

“Jeez, Pumpkin. You aren’t pregnant for that cheating jerk, are you?”

I winced at her words. “Mom, I’m not pregnant, and please can you stop talking about him.”

“I’m sorry for bringing him up, but I warned you from the onset he was up to no good. He had the gold digger sign all over him, but you were too blind to see it.”

I ran a finger through my waist-length raven hair. “Can I come over after work?” I asked, deciding I couldn’t tell her over the phone.

“I would have loved that, but I’m not home. Have you forgotten the vacation trip I told you about? We are in Vegas.”

I groaned aloud. Now, I was screwed.

“Are you okay, Pumpkin? Do you need me to come home?”

I chuckled to hide the pain I felt. “Of course not, Mom. Have fun. I’m just going to work my butt off and go to bed late.”

She brightened up after hearing that and proceeded to give me a long list of advice I wasn’t going to take. After the call ended, I was twice as worried as I was earlier.

“What am I going to do now?” I asked the empty room.

From a vantage point of my glass double doors, I saw a flustered Kelvin Morgan emerge from his office and hurry down the corridor to the elevator.

I scrambled to my feet and hurried out of the room after him. I was going to get my job back, even if I had to beg.