Page 112 of Open To Negotiation

After another sleepless night I went into the office feeling like shit. I didn’t even know what I would be working on anymore since I’d already sent an email asking to be removed from the Knight Enterprises account, something Richard was more than happy to do.

Tossing my purse on my desk I sat in my chair and didn’t even make a move to wake up my computer. I didn’t love this job and after losing something I did love, it felt pointless to be here.

“You look terrible.” James startled me out of the emptiness.

“It was a bad weekend.” Out of the corner of my eye I saw him lift an eyebrow, he had insulted me like that before and every time I said something sassier back.

“What the fuck happened to your wrist?” No one had seen me last week since I'd called in sick. I looked down at the cast, having kind of forgotten it was there, I was hoping to get it off soon. I didn’t bother answering as Richard called my name from behind me.

“In my office,” Richard barked before turning back and expecting me to follow. I let out a sigh and pushed back from my desk.

“Are you being fired?” James whispered, but I ignored him and went where I was beckoned.

The problem with being all cried out meant that I was only left with the anger.

“Close the door,” Richard demanded as I walked in. I honestly couldn’t work up the emotion to care about why he was calling me in here. I moved to stand behind one of the chairs facing his desk and gripped the back. “You did well with Knight,” he said as he leaned back in his chair and looked me up and down. I didn’t hide my eyeroll.

I had bags under my puffy eyes from crying and not sleeping well, my red hair was pulled back into a single braid down my back with strands falling out and only enough makeup on to cover my bruises. I was wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and a blazer. He could literally see almost zero of my skin. I looked like a wreck and he still decided to be gross.

“I quit the account, I don’t think I did that well.” My comment didn’t bother him.

“Well, they paid their invoices. I don’t know if they’ll do more work with us, I think they said something about moving in house but we were paid and I’ll get my bonus,” he gloated. “I have a dinner tomorrow. I need you to come with me.” I waited a minute to see if he was kidding.

“I’m not going with you to dinner,” I said when he didn’t give me anything else.

“You whored yourself out to Knight, you’ll do it for me,” he said with a smug smile and then licked his lips.

As I stood there being harassed and insulted by my boss, I decided something.

I didn’t have to put up with this.

“I quit.”

Richard burst out laughing but stopped as I stared at him with a blank face. “What?”

I couldn’t believe he was actually confused.

“I quit. Effective immediately.”

“You… you… can’t do that!” he sputtered. “You are required to give proper notice.”

“I’m not working out my notice.” I smiled for the first time in over forty-eight hours.

“Legally—”

“Now, now, Richard, I don’t think you want to start talking legal with me. Because if you don’t let me walk out this door, and pay me out for two weeks, then I’ll find myself a lawyer and then you will have to explain the sexual harassment claim I’ll hit you with.” He paled a little. “And while we are going through proceedings, I might just have to tell your boss how you spend your time here, you know, shoving all your work off on other people and screwing women in other cities. I’m sure your wife would be open to talking to me too.” I lifted an eyebrow, waiting.

He cracked faster than I was expecting.

“You’ll get paid out,” he said in a bit of a panic.

“Wonderful, I expect to see a full package in my inbox today. Get a better life, Richard,” I said as I turned and walked out.

Breathing was easier than it had been all weekend as I strolled to my desk and grabbed my purse.

“He fired you?!” James exclaimed as he rushed to follow me out.

“Nope, I quit.”