106- I will always be there for me

I turn to her. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. But is it decent that I continue to work for the son of the man whose actions killed my father?”
“You’re not just working for him. You’re also building a path for yourself and you’ve told me that his company is a golden opportunity to do that. Dad wouldn’t be happy if you gave that up.”
I’m perplexed. “How is this so simple to you?”
“Why isn’t it to you?” She shoots back… then she stops. Her eyes bore into mine and she straightens. “Ah, I get it. You have feelings for your boss. Are you two involved now?”
I turn away from her, feeling exposed, but truthfully, I can’t even trace the true source of my anger. All I know is that I’m furious at Grady, at his father, at myself, at Lee Rang and at life in general and how fucking sucky and unfair it is.
“Blair,” she calls. “Talk to me. What’s the problem?”
I erupt in a scream at her, tears bursting from my eyes. “His father fucking killed Dad! How the hell am I supposed to have anything to do with him?”
She watches me ever so calmly. “His father,” she says. “His father made the mistake, not him. Or wait? Is all of this connected? Him meeting and hiring you? Has he known about it from the very beginning?”
My eyes widen slightly in amazement. That hadn't even crossed my mind. “No, I don’t think so. I met him at the bar, remember, and... he wasn’t the one that invited me for the interview.”
“Sure, but doesn’t your burrito boss get his instructions from him? Maybe your boss told him to hire you.”
I ponder more on the speculation. “That can’t be. I got the call before we went out that weekend. Before I met him at the bar.”
“What does that have to do with anything? Maybe he didn't even know your face but was just aware of the story. “
“I don’t think that’s it, Lee Rang. He seemed just as shocked as I was when I came into the office for the first time.”
“Alright,” she says, “then let’s move on. If you’re involved with him and you think based on this revelation, you can’t continue to do that then why don’t you put an end to it and just continue on with your job?”
“Is it really that easy? He owns the company.”

“Okay,” she says. “Then look for another job. Or don’t you like living in Denver?”
I hear the unhappiness in her tone and finally understand what she is dreading. I release a heavy sigh. “Lee Rang, I don’t mind living here, and I don’t mind living in Houston either but I was beginning to love it here because of you. The problem is that I just don’t know if I’ll be able to move on and heal from this if I’m here. I will definitely come back. I’m not going to miss being around my niece for anything in the world which is why I’m thinking that maybe this is the best way. Leaving for a little while to get my perspective and emotions in order, and then returning to start anew.”
She nods. “I understand what you mean.”
“It might be a week or two or more, but I don’t want to wallow and I feel as though if I remained here, then that is all that I’ll do.”
“You’re right but... what about him? Will he care that you left?”
I feel an ache in my heart but force myself to ignore it. “He probably won’t. It’s not as if we were in a relationship or something.” I continue with my packing.
Lee Rang rises from the bed. She comes over to me and wraps her arms around me for a hug which I reluctantly lean into.
I hold on tightly to her locked hands and almost wish that she would never let go. The tears once again fall from my eyes and wet her arms. “It still feels like it just happened,” I managed to croak out. “Like we just lost him.”
“I know,” she says. “I feel it too. When you love someone and lose them, you’ll most likely cry forever. But don’t let it overwhelm you Blair and definitely do not let it completely affect the present.”
I pull away and wipe the tears off my face. “I know,” I respond. “I know. I’ll be fine.” With a kiss to my forehead, she turns and exits the room.



have arrived, Sir. I’ll wait till you’re done with your meeting.
I’m in the conference room when her text arrives on my phone and from that moment
onwards, my attention is completely removed from the room full of executives. I consider just leaving the meeting in order to settle things with her, to receive the answers I need, so I can move on with the rest of my life.
But despite my agitation, I can’t get myself to rise from the chair. My heart is apprehensive as I suspect that not the very best news awaits me. For one, she didn’t resume her normal time and instead, informed me she would be coming in later on to speak to me. If that is not the sign of trouble then I don’t know what is.
After the meeting, I take my time speaking with the executives and only when I’m finally done, do I quietly head back up to my floor.
I recall the days of walking together with her, discussing projects and schedules as I realize just how accustomed to them I became. Now, the previously quiet commutes and ambience that once used to comfort me, no longer seems as desirable.
I get into the office and just as I expect, she’s seated at her desk and waiting. She rises to her feet in greeting and I respond with a nod before heading to my office. I’m certain now that she is specifically here to torment me because somehow, she seems to have become more beautiful in the last two days. Her hair isn’t falling down her back as usual but is secured in a tight ponytail to the back of her head. Then her dress, patterned with little grey and white flowers is molded to her curves, stopping just below her knee and revealing the smooth, glistening skin of her legs. Her makeup is minimal, her lips peach and plump, and her gaze piercing.
She’s no longer looking at me with the timidness of an employee.