Chapter 25

Nathaniel’s spiteful game.





My lids were heavy, and my head was pounding painfully. The sound of my alarm was slowly making me feel sick. Hazy memories ran through my head like a corrupted film, but I knew it was just a terrible dream. Yesterday didn't happen, it couldn't have.
"Someone please switch off the alarm!" Kelsie shouted, pressing a pillow over her face. I remembered that the girls came over yesterday to support me. That’s why we all got drunk, so I could forget about the half vampire who ripped my heart out of my chest.
The alcohol was a dangerous idea and right in that moment I wanted to murder Nicky for bringing more bottles. We didn't just stick to wine like normal women would. No, we had to drink the heavy stuff.
"It's nine o’clock, and my head feels like it's been split in two."
I opened my eyes, seeing Nicky scrambling off the floor, cursing loudly. Yesterday was a bad day. I realised my grandmother truly wanted to separate me from Nathaniel because of some stupid piece of paper. Now she’d achieved what she wanted, even in death. We were no longer together. He had cancelled the engagement and called me a slut. He turned into a monster.
"Please tell me yesterday didn't happen," I said to Kelsie who’d fallen off the bed and was moaning on the floor, holding her head. Kate was standing at the door looking grim. I’d never seen her drunk, but last night we’d all crossed over to the dark side. I doubted I would be sober for a day or so.
"No, Nathaniel La Caz broke the engagement and we’re both late for work," Kate said.
I groaned feeling enveloping sadness spreading through my heart. It was the worst feeling I had ever experienced and now I had to face the reality of it. The next twenty minutes were manic. Nicky started screaming that her husband was going to kill her, Kate had lost her phone, and Kelsie threw up on my carpet. Eventually I managed to call a taxi. Half an hour later, the three of us squashed into the cab, feeling like crap.
"Holy shit, please tell me that all these people aren’t here for us," Kate whispered when we arrived an hour later. On the street at half past nine in the morning a bunch of reporters were standing just outside the entrance to the building. I didn't believe the human world cared much about the fact that Nathaniel and I had split. All the reporters were paranormals. I’d seen a few of them before, stalking me outside my home and the agency when my grandmother was accused of stealing five hundred thousand pounds. In our world, Nathaniel was a well-known businessman, and I knew they wanted to hear my side of the story.
"Those snakes want the juicy details. You guys go. I’ll deal with Lucinda somehow. Nicky you need to get home first," Kelsie said, putting her headphones on. "Just don't talk to them, Julia. They’ll go away later on."
It was easier said than done. As soon as we headed towards the agency, the reporters surrounded us. I could only hope that Dad didn't read the paranormal press, because this was really embarrassing.
"Any comment about your recent split with La Caz?"
"Miss Taylor… do you still love Nathaniel?"
"Julia, can you tell us more about Mr. La Caz’s ex- girlfriend, the—"
"There have been rumours about a prenup. Can you tell us more?"
I couldn't listen to this anymore, not wanting to believe that we ended up hating each other. I stormed inside the office with Kate right behind me. The reporters were taking our pictures, trying to barge inside. Sara came out of the kitchen looking worried. I locked the door with my magic. I hated myself for letting it go this far.
"They’ve been standing there since seven o’clock in the morning," she said. "Is it true, is your engagement off?"
"Yes, Sa—"
Kate interrupted me sharply. "Why don't you make us a cup of coffee, Sara? It's going to be a long day and we have lots to do." Sara nodded, looking quite surprised that Kate had snapped at her like that. Since I’d known her, she’d never been so abrupt. I bet it was the hangover. I was suffering badly too.
I logged into the system, and an hour later, Sara let in a few clients. I had a long induction today, plus a couple of factories needed skilled workers. I gave them a few forms to fill out and then started going through the terms of the contract.
Every time I had to mention Nathaniel’s surname, my voice vibrated. I still had the engagement ring on my finger, so during the first break I went to the bathroom and took it off. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, wondering what I had done to be so unlucky in love. My power had been quiet until yesterday, but now the waves of electricity were whipping through me, reminding me that my excess magic needed to be released soon.
Once I drank two litters of coffee, I took my group of inductees to the boardroom. When the presentation started rolling, I was able to divert my thoughts into something else rather than my hangover and Nathaniel.
My group consisted of giants, witches and two werewolves. It turned out that one of them was a reporter from Daily Secret. I got suspicious when he pulled me aside during break and started asking personal questions. By that time, I had lost my temper, cried and managed to look like a complete idiot in front of the entire group. I cut the induction short and told them all to come in the next day. I was surprised Lucinda hadn't called yet. By that time, she was normally on the phone asking for numbers for the night.
"I wish we could go home early today," I muttered.
Kate shook her head, typing furiously. She looked unwell too. Neither of us wanted to be stuck in the office, but we had tons of work. I needed to keep myself busy.
"It's not even lunch yet, Julia. Cut it out. I'm going to get us some painkillers in a minute," she told me. "And freshly squeezed orange juice."
"Thanks, I really need to stop drinking vodka," I added. Then, we looked outside, hearing some cursing and seeing sudden flashes. A moment later Kelsie barged inside, showing the middle finger to a few wizards. She slammed the door and then walked towards my desk.
"He fired me, that motherfucker… that scumbag bloodsucker fired me!" she roared, waving her fists. I’d never seen her so furious. Kate stood up, opened her mouth, but didn't say anything.
"What are you talking about, Kelsie? Who fired you?" I asked, wondering if she meant Lucinda. Technically Kelsie didn't work for the agency anymore. After a couple of months, she got a permanent contract with La Caz Pharmaceutical. Recently her boss wasn't too happy with her work, and maybe after this morning Lucinda had finally had enough.
"That motherfucker, La Caz came to my office today and told me that the company didn't need me anymore. Lucinda was gobsmacked. She had no fucking idea! He doesn’t even deal with personnel; its Lucinda’s department!" Kelsie shouted again, breathing hard, looking around, like she was ready to smash something. Only now I noticed that her face was red and swollen and her jacket was torn.
I couldn't wrap my head around it.
"Nathaniel fired you?" I repeated.
"Yes, the bastard told me to pack my bags and get the fuck out," she said pacing around.
Kate was staring at her in disbelief. I had no idea what to say. Maybe this was some sort of misunderstanding. Maybe Kelsie had offended Lucinda in some way and she told Nathaniel that she didn't need her anymore.

He wouldn't do that. He wouldn't fire someone just because we’re no longer together.

"What happened to your face?" Kate asked all of a sudden, walking up to Kelsie.
"Well, I told him a few things that he didn't take too well."
"Kelsie, what did you say?" I asked.
"Just that he was pathetic and I was going to wipe my arse with his last paycheck. I think I spit in his face, too," she said, smiling weakly.
My head was dizzy. I told myself that Nathaniel wouldn't have fired her for no reason. Kelsie must have done something; she wasn't telling us everything.
"Oh, Kelsie… no," Kate whispered, looking horrified.
"As you can imagine, that tripped him over the edge. He went slightly mental and told me he was going to make sure that I never found employment in London ever again. Then he called security. I was resistant, so they had to force me out."
I could no longer pretend that I understood any of it. I’d known Nathaniel for over five years. He’d never behaved this way. He had no reason to fire Kelsie. What had gotten into him?
"This isn't happening. Please tell me he’s not doing this out of spite," I said, wondering what I’d done to anger him so much.
Then we heard the door again and Rufus walked in. My stomach made a funny jolt. He didn't look too good either. His hair was sticking out and he was flustered, like he ran all the way to the agency.
"La Caz pulled the contract. We just lost fifty percent of the business. All the investors are panicking. I have no idea what to do."
I kept staring at him, unable to comprehend what was happening. These words hit me like a storm. My perfect world was falling to pieces. Nathaniel would never do anything to harm his business. We were the only agency in London that was able to supply thousands of temporary workers in order for him to sustain the work, so his business decision didn't make any sense.
"Rufus, I—"
"Let's talk, Julia, in private," Rufus requested, not letting me speak in front of my friends. My magic was going crazy, my pulse was skyrocketing. I was going to be sick at any moment.
"Julia, I normally don't do this, but tell me what’s going on between you and La Caz. I’ve read the papers. The engagement is off, right?"
What was I supposed to tell him; that Nathaniel couldn't handle the fact that my ancestors had signed a contract that mated me with a complete stranger? That I was weak, and let Jasper into my life, hoping he would help me? That Nathaniel had been acting strange since my grandmother had passed away? No, I couldn't tell him any of that.
I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to think of what to say or do. Nathaniel and I had chosen a life together and now he was ruining my life. We were done with breaking up and getting back together.
"He called off the engagement, Rufus. My father punched him when he disrespected me in front of him. I can't explain why he’s doing this, but it's clearly some sort of revenge."
Rufus stood up, running his hand over his face and looking around anxiously.
"You broke up before. God, Julia. I don't mean to get involved with your personal life, but this is huge. The agency will go bankrupt and we’ll all lose our jobs. I’ve tried talking to him, but he refused to see me."
My blood ran cold. Of course, Nathaniel’s exclusive contract had produced a massive revenue. The agency cash flow was in jeopardy. I never thought about what would have happened to the business if we hadn't met.
"I don't know what to say, Rufus. He hasn't been himself in the past few months. We were having dinner at my parents and then suddenly he started saying all these horrible things. I can't explain any of this," I said, feeling incredibly guilty. "Maybe if I talk to him, he’ll change his mind. Surely, he needs to give himself a bit more time."
"We were very fortunate that we managed to get that contract in the first place. La Caz is making a mistake. He won't be able to find another agency in such a short space of time. It's the wrong decision and he must realise that. Let's hope he’s bluffing, and things will get back to normal soon."
I didn't want to crush his dream. I knew Nathaniel: he was doing this because he was punishing me. There wasn't any other explanation.
"I’ll try to make an appointment with Lucinda and get to the bottom of this, Rufus."
He leaned over and placed his hands on my shoulders.
"The investors are packing up. I can't do anything. La Caz has money in other businesses, too; it's not just London. He’s pulling the plugs everywhere. This will cost him, but he doesn’t seem to care. This whole thing is like a game to him, Julia. It seems to me that he’s trying to destroy us."
I promised Rufus that I would to try to solve this, but I had no idea where to even start. I had never felt so hopeless. Rufus was on the phone to the director when he left. When I went back to my desk, I heard Kate on the phone with Lucinda. All the orders for tonight were cancelled. Sara was running up and down the office with stacks of files. I didn't need to look at my emails; I knew what this meant to the agency. We were screwed without sustaining a long-term work force.
"Julia, what the hell is wrong with him?" Kelsie asked. I’d forgotten she was still here.
"I have no idea. You heard Rufus. Nathaniel pulled the contract. We’ve broken up before, but he’s never done anything so drastic."
"Well, this time he’s doing everything in his power to hurt you. Maybe he learnt that from Craig," Kelsie added. She was right. Nathaniel was using his connections, money and power to let me know that this was just the beginning. He had a lot more cards up his sleeve.