Leah
I froze.
Every muscle in my body locked up as I lay sprawled across the table, soaked in wine and surrounded by broken glass.
Please, God. Just take me now. Let the floor swallow me whole.
I could hear the older man's concerned voice asking if I was okay, but it sounded distant and muffled, drowned out by a high-pitched ringing in my ears that grew louder and louder until it was deafening.
Then I felt a hand on my arm, and I jolted upright.
"Are you hurt anywhere?" the man asked gently, his brow creased with worry.
"No, no, no, I'm fine," I said quickly, shaking my head so hard I felt dizzy. My hands flew over my arms and torso, checking frantically for any sign of injury or blood.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, yes, sir. I'm fine." I forced myself to meet his eyes, then immediately looked down at his lap. "Oh God, I'm so sorry! I spilled wine on you!"
There were dark wet patches on his knees, spreading slowly across the expensive fabric.
"No, it's fine. Don't worry about it," he said with a dismissive wave and a chuckle. "The day's almost over anyway."
I nodded vigorously, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might break through my ribs.
I turned slightly and saw June walking away, a smug smile playing on her lips. She'd pushed me. Of course she had.
I glanced back at the girls by the counter. They were snickering, not even bothering to hide it.
Yeah. I got what I deserved.
"I'm so sorry, sir," I repeated, dropping to my knees and starting to gather the broken glass and soaked napkins.
"It's fine. Just be careful there."
My head bobbed up and down like a broken toy.
Then I heard a sigh.
I snapped my head toward Mr. T, who had been silent this entire time.
My eyes widened in horror as I saw the dark wet patches spreading across his sleek gray trousers. Wine. Red wine. All over him.
I looked up, fully expecting him to be glaring at me with fury or disgust.
But he wasn't looking at me at all.
His expression was unreadable as he stood, towering over me, and brushed off his jacket.
"Mr. Raymond," he said, in his deep velvety voice. "I believe we should head out. They're already waiting."
"Alright then," the older man replied, standing as well.
Mr. T walked past me without so much as a glance, like I was invisible.
I scrambled to my feet and hurried after them.
This can't be happening. I can't keep messing up like this.
"Mr. T, please wait..."
The sudden vibration of his phone cut me off mid-sentence.
He answered it without breaking stride, gesturing for Mr. Raymond to follow. His voice was low and professional as he spoke to whoever was on the other end.
I just stood there, frozen, watching helplessly as my chance slipped away.
"Well, as they say," came a smug voice from behind me, "karma's a bitch."
I turned to see the two girls from earlier smirking at me.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I just needed to speak with him."
"Well, how'd that go?" one of them said with mock sweetness. "You literally made a fool of yourself."
"June pushed me," I protested weakly.
"You deserved it, Leah."
I bit my lip, fighting back the frustration and shame burning in my throat.
Should I just let this go?
He wasn't talking to me, which meant he was either still furious or he simply didn't care enough to acknowledge my existence.
Part of me wished it was the latter. Then I could move on, stop humiliating myself, and avoid making more enemies.
But Matthew had risked his job for me. I couldn't just walk away. I had to make sure nothing happened to him.
With that thought driving me forward, I ran toward the exit, hoping to catch Mr. T before he left.
I reached the glass doors just in time to see him sliding into the back of a sleek black car. I quickened my pace.
I was inches away when the car pulled forward.
Even through the tinted windows, I could've sworn I saw him looking right at me.
The car drove off, and I stood there alone, breathing hard, my frustration boiling over.
"Leah, are you okay?"
At this point, that question was starting to drive me insane.
I took a calming breath and turned around, ready to plaster on a fake smile.
"I'm goo... oh, Drew!"
Drew was one of the security guards who'd burst into the executive suite with Matthew last night.
"I think he's still mad at you," Drew said with a light chuckle.
"Or I'm too insignificant to be noticed," I muttered with a shrug.
Drew laughed, clearly finding my misery amusing.
"How's Matthew holding up?" I asked, trying to shift the conversation.
"Oh, he left already."
I frowned. "Left? But he has the night shift."
Drew's smile faded, replaced by a look of surprise. "You haven't heard?"
"Heard what?"
"Matthew's been suspended.".
I froze, feeling the blood drain from my face.
"What?"