AmazonWarrior | Garrett | Other

January 4, 2020

Two years ago, I had promised myself that I wouldn't allow myself to be made out to be a fool- not again. The anger boiling inside my chest, threatening to explode on anyone that gave me the wrong look today was deadly.

The one person I find myself falling for and he's cheating on someone with me. Maybe he isn't and he's telling the truth?

My fragile heart hoped that was the case, but cheaters lie and liars cheat. When I had caught David cheating, I witnessed him and Cindy kissing with my own eyes, but I still gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Not this time.

The pen I numbly held in my hand drummed against the conference table as I waited for my client to arrive for our emergency meeting. I hadn't even bothered with makeup today, because I would have just cried it away, and my regular high-heeled shoes were left home.

I heard someone walk in, but I was too lost in thought, staring out the window to see who it was. The Atlanta sky-line was beautiful from the fortieth-story window of our office.

My usual light-hearted expression was lost to deep loneliness as I finally tore my eyes away from my peace to make eye contact with Garrett. I tried not to notice his gasp when he saw my face, but it was clearly audible in the empty room.

"I heard what happened."

"Ha." I let out a small chuckle filled with annoyance just as my client walked into the room in a panic.

"They know! What are we going to do?" Mr. Hubble said just as the doors closed, leaving us alone to discuss his case against Darth Medical supplies.

"Have a seat, Mr. Hubble, and tell me what they know," I said, hopefully calming his erratic nerves. I gestured to the other side of the table and Mr. Hubble nodded as he pulled out the leather office chair.

I felt Garret take the seat next to mine as our client quickly descended into the chair. His elbow brushed against mine, but I was solely focused on the thirty year old man in front of us chewing on his thumb nail.

"What's going on, Mr. Hubble?" Garrett asked, unbuttoning his suit jacket under the table.

"I was walking into work yesterday when someone in a black coat and sunglasses slapped this against my chest," He tossed a manila envelope onto the table and it slid towards us. I reached for it and sunk back into the chair as I pulled out a blurry picture of a hotel room.

"What is this?" I asked through my teeth, not believing what I was looking at.

Garrett tensed next to me and quickly took the photo out of my hand to see for himself. He forced out air as he cursed under his breath.

"I did-didn't know we were being followed. I-"

"It's not about if you're being followed or not!" I stood up from my chair and pointed at the photos in front of Garrett.

"What's going to happen?" Mr. Hubble asked quietly.

"We lose the case! What jury is going to listen to a lying, cheating, disgrace like you! You cheated on your wife? On what, a secretary? A nanny?" The anger I had been holding in erupted and flew across the conference table and the unsuspecting man. His eyes widened in disbelief.

I felt a hand grab onto my wrist.

"That's enough!" Garrett commanded before standing up. He re-buttoned himself and turned to me. "Go to your office and wait for me."

I closed my eyes once I realized what I had done. I just called our biggest client a disgrace. When I opened my eyes, I could feel the whole office staring at me.

Lately, I have been making a habit of being the center of attention.

I nodded before slipping past Garrett with a soft apology to Mr. Hubble. I quickly power walked to my office and once I was alone, I broke down crying.

"Stupid, stupid stupid!" I yelled at myself.

A few minutes later, a soft knock sounded at the door. I didn't bother answering because I knew he would walk in anyways.

"Faith?" He called for me through the door before letting himself in. I stared at the carpeted ground that I had collapsed on.

"Don't," I groaned and wiped my nose on the sleeve of my blouse in a very unladylike fashion.

"Are you okay?" He asked, sliding down the wall that I was leaning up against. I hadn't looked at him yet, but I knew that his brow was laced with worry by how softly he was speaking.

"It doesn't matter how I am. How is Mr. Hubble?"

"Don't worry about that dirty- old man. He'll get over it."

I let out a small chuckle before another tear fell down my freckled cheek. I cursed myself for feeling this way about Gideon. Even though I had seen him in person, I had only spoken one word to him. I didn't realize how much I cared for him until I heard that woman's voice.

"I'm glad I can still make you laugh," Garrett joked, causing me to glance up with a straight face, not caring if I was a mess.

"I was laughing at the picture. I mean... He had a crown on his head. Like, what a weirdo. And stop being so full of yourself!" I nudged Garrett in the side and he moved away from me and clutched his side as if I had hurt him.

"I'm wounded!" He said leaning back a little closer to me until our legs were touching. I stilled at the contact, realizing I had just flirted with him.

What is wrong with you!

Garrett reached over and lightly touched my jaw. I stopped laughing and cleared my throat, looking in the direction that he was pulling me to.

"I didn't realize you had freckles," He said close enough that I could smell the mint on his breath.

"Yeah, well. I hate them." I shrugged and looked away.

"He doesn't deserve you, you know,"

I closed my eyes and fought the tears that threatened to fall again.

"I just don't understand why he would lead me on for over a year. Did...did you know?"

"He spent every day dropping Daisy off at the same daycare as you and looked right through you," His voice trailed off as he continued to find the words to express himself, not answering my question. "I noticed your smile the moment you walked off those elevators. I can remember exactly what you were wearing... a pink dress with a white flower on the bottom."

His words sunk into me.

Oh my... Garrett is in love with me!

That was the reason why he was so distraught in the bathroom that day. He was protecting his brother from me, the same woman he wanted. I turned to face him. His eyes were flickering back and forth as his chest heaved up and down as if he just ran a marathon.

"Garr-" I started, but he cut me off by pressing his lips to mine.