Chapter 2: The Final Straw

I let out a sigh as I gazed up at the towering Wolf Technologies building.

The past month had been a mix of challenging and refreshing. I hadn’t had to dodge calls from Brennan’s family, or break the news to some unsuspecting girl that Brennan wasn’t the settling down type.

I’d considered not coming back, but my dad had insisted he was okay and that I had a career to get back to. Now that I was here, I wasn’t so sure I’d made the right choice.

I strolled through the lobby, the click-clack of my heels against the marble floor creating a comforting rhythm. I found myself smiling. It was the little things I’d missed…maybe coming back wouldn’t be so bad after all.

I took the elevator up to the top floor and stepped out.

Brennan wasn’t exactly expecting me. I’d told him I’d be back this week, but I’d been vague about the exact day. Honestly, I hadn’t been sure myself when I’d return.

I entered the office and glanced toward Brennan’s office. The glass walls offered a clear view.

Brennan was reviewing some files with a tall, blonde woman leaning in close, their shoulders touching. She ran her hand over his and he smiled, his eyes filled with desire.

I swallowed hard and shook my head. A wave of something washed over me—not quite anger, because that would be ridiculous and totally unjustified, but something akin to it.

In that moment, it hit me that, while I loved my job, my boss’s behavior clashed with my own values. I couldn’t expect him to change; he didn’t owe me anything.

I needed to leave. I could start fresh somewhere else—somewhere closer to my dad. Anywhere but here.

I set my bag down on my desk, resisting the urge to knock the temp’s Gucci purse onto the floor. I pressed my lips together and walked across the room to Brennan’s office door, pushing it open.

“Mr. Wolf…” The woman giggled, straightening up, acting as if Brennan had just told the funniest joke ever, even though I knew his humor was more dark and hidden.

I cleared my throat, interrupting their unprofessional flirtation.

Brennan and the woman looked up at me, their expressions polar opposites.

Brennan almost smiled, which was puzzling, while the temp scowled. She stood and began to approach me.

“Excuse me, ma’am, but you’re supposed to wait in the other office area.”

Brennan stifled a laugh by covering his mouth, then raised his eyebrows at me. The woman drew closer, her anger intensifying with each step.

When she reached the door of Brennan’s office, she pointed through the glass doors, as if to show me where I should wait.

“You can grab your bag and head back to the agency.” I smiled.

“Huh?” she responded, her anger replaced with confusion.

“My name is Grace Reynolds,” I said. “Nice to meet you…sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

The woman’s eyes widened, and she bit her lip. She glanced at Brennan behind me and nodded, then mouthed ‘call me’ even though I was standing right there.

I frowned and looked down. It seemed I’d have to resume that part of my duties sooner than I’d anticipated.

“Katrina. Sorry, I didn’t know it was you,” she said, sounding contrite.

“It’s okay, and I’ll make sure you’re paid up until your contract ends.”

Katrina gathered her things and left—rather quickly, I might add. I hadn’t meant to intimidate her, but apparently, I had.

I sat down across from Brennan’s desk and glared at him. He leaned back and shrugged, as if he had no idea why I was currently sitting across from him, judging him.

“Random girls in the club is one thing, but the temps? How many have you gone through while I was away?!” I snapped, sounding less like a personal assistant and more like a jealous girlfriend.

I straightened up and tugged at the front of my blouse.

“Three,” he replied. “And I didn’t sleep with all of them. One of them left because she got a permanent job somewhere else.”

“Oh, well, if you didn’t sleep with all of them, that’s okay then,” I retorted sarcastically, rolling my eyes. “I have work to do. No doubt there is some paperwork to fix up.” I stood and walked to the door.

“I’m glad you’re back, G,” Brennan said as I walked out. I stopped, nodded, and continued back to my desk.

The files were more disorganized than I’d anticipated. I’d hoped the agency would have prepared them properly, but judging by the state of the accounts, the three PAs had been little more than eye candy for my chauvinistic boss.

The feeling of discontent simmered throughout the morning, slowly building up until I knew I couldn’t continue at Wolf Technologies any longer—for the sake of my morals and my sanity.

Brennan was entitled to live his life as a bachelor who bedded anything in high heels and a skirt, but I didn’t have to be a part of it.

I spent the afternoon drafting my resignation letter, and at four-thirty when Brennan called me in for our daily debrief, I handed it to him and waited for him to read it.

I watched him. His brow furrowed and his mouth, usually set in a firm line, tightened even more. His jaw clenched as he put the paper down and ran his hand across his mouth.

“What is this?” he asked.

“My resignation,” I replied.

“I’m not an idiot, G. I mean, what is this—why are you resigning?”

I shrugged. “We have different ideals. I love my family and you make me avoid yours for you. Sometimes I feel like I’m your pimp. I have to screen your hookups from calling and let them down when you don’t.

“Brennan, I’ve put three years into this business, and I feel like your personal life is becoming part of my professional life. I can’t do it anymore.”

Brennan’s shoulders sagged and he looked up at me. His eyes were unreadable, I couldn’t see anything. He nodded and folded up the paper.

“Fine. I accept this resignation, but as per your contract, you need to give a month’s notice.”

The moment I decided to leave, I felt an urgent need to go before I second-guessed myself. My stomach was in knots and I found myself biting my lip. ~Maybe coming back here was a mistake after all.~

“I was hoping you’d be okay with me skipping the notice period. I bet Katrina would be thrilled to step in,” I suggested, my voice barely above a whisper.

Brennan’s face twisted into a scowl. He rose from his chair and strolled to the far end of his office, his gaze fixed on the view outside the window. His hands found their way into his pockets.

“From what I gather, Miss Reynolds, you seem to believe I’m devoid of any compassion. So, instead of trying to prove you wrong, let’s just stick to the contract. One month. You’re done for the day.”

I got up and exited his office. I’d thought I’d feel a sense of relief, but instead, I was left feeling more bewildered than ever.

I had to get out of this place. The sooner, the better. I needed to come up with a plan to convince Brennan to let me out of the contract early.