Song for the chapter: Everybody's Fool~ Evanescence

GABRIEL

This is not how I expected this meeting to go.

Simmering anger heats my skin, making it feel like my suit is suffocating me. I struggle to control my breathing. Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I exhale, staring down the CEO of Emerald Properties, Savannah Thompson and well-known New York banking investor, Trent Davis.

The request to meet with them came as a surprise to me yesterday afternoon. I heard through the rumor mill that a new lease-up will be underway for Emerald in a couple of months across town; I assumed they wanted me to head it on. But I was wrong.

So wrong. And now I regret not telling Vanessa about this damn meeting, thinking I was going to surprise her with good news.

"Let me see if I understand this correctly." I rub my hand over my mouth, for the sake of needing to do something with my hands.

"You're demoting the manager at 501 Landing and offering me $50,000 just to complete the lease up?"

Savannah's haughty laugh does little to settle my growing rage. "Demoting is such an ugly word...it's more like relocating." She flashes me a wide smile.

"Relocating where?"

"I'm sorry, but why does that concern you?" Trent questions, the displeasure in his voice evident at my non-immediate willingness to jump on board.

I wrestle with whether informing them about mine and Vanessa's relationship is the right thing to do here. Set the record straight, since they already think she's conducting herself improperly. But ultimately, I decide against it. It's none of their business and I do not want them to use anything else against her.

"Merely curious. I'm not in the business of replacing managers, rather working alongside them." I lean back, trying to give myself more space since I'd love nothing more than to punch the arrogant look off his face.

"The current assistant at 501 Landing has performed remarkably well and is very familiar with the tenants and process so we would promote her so that you can focus on the leasing aspect." Savannah informs me. I wonder if Jenny is the spy, but immediately squash the thought remembering the loyalty she displayed for Vanessa, on more than one account.

I focus on what this will do to Vanessa. While it's true I have personal interests at stake, the underhanded approach they are taking isn't sitting well with me.

I nod, clicking my tongue. "I'm flattered by the consideration. But I have to admit, I misjudged this meeting for what it is and I respectfully decline the offer."

"You're not serious?" Trent unclasps his hands, leaning forward, his face growing a dark shade of red. He glances at Savannah, whose well-practiced smile falters when she realizes I'm not playing some joke.

"Gabriel, we are willing to negotiate the contract amount, if that's the issue." Savannah straightens in her chair, pursing her red-colored lips; preparing to play hard ball.

"Money is not the issue. I've done lease ups for less, if I'm being honest." I adjust my cuffs, not willing to entertain any amount of money would be worth the betrayal Vanessa would feel if I agree to this.

"Come now, Tate, everyone has a price. However, if money is not the issue...what's keeping you from agreeing to work for us?" Trent prods and then he scoffs. "You worked with some of the sleaziest people in the industry, yet you don't want to even consider working for Emerald—we're known for our reputability. What does that say about you?"

"Do not pretend to know me." I glare at him, finding his argument damn near laughable. "While it may be hard for some to understand, I don't do what I do for the money. I happen to like what I do and know I'm damn good at it. And yes, this line of work does involve working with various types of people—some better than others—it has nothing to do with how I execute my work performance. Keith might be one of the lowest forms of human beings there is, but at least he was upfront about what he wanted and how he wanted it. His personal vices on the other hand...well, I'm sure I don't need to go into detail considering the history he has with one of us in the room."

Savannah's face flushes. She smooths down her hair, clearing her throat, nervously.

I inhale deeply, standing and buttoning my suit jacket. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another meeting to attend across town."

Walking to the door, my hand closes over the handle when Savannah stops me. "There's a rumor about a relationship between you and Ms. Torres, is it true?"

Trent humphs as if he discovered the answer to the world's biggest problem. They both stand now, moving toward me.

I don't bother hiding the anger from my eyes. "My personal life has no business being a topic of conversation with you or anyone else. However, I will entertain your substandard gossip inquiry and thank you by the way, for proving my point on your underhanded business practices."

Savannah takes a step back, a hand falling over her chest, completely offended, apparently.

"You want to know about my relationship with Vanessa? Yes, we are involved romantically. It started out as pure luck on my part, running into her a few months ago," I chuckle, recalling how angry she was when she learned who I was. "When she discovered who I was, she wanted nothing to do with me, moreso when she learned I was working for your infamous ex-husband, Savannah. She actually thought I was hired to seduce her and sabotage her career; specifically, the lease up at 501. After several years in this industry, the loyalty I've witnessed she has for you and your company is something that is rare, and clearly only one-sided."

"Vanessa has a strong work-ethic and values her reputation just as highly. She made it very clear to me that she does not mix her personal life with work. We maintained our professional work life as we continued our relationship outside of work. And while the numbers may not be where you want them to be at 501 Landing, you cannot deny the valiant efforts and the long hours Vanessa puts in every day. Lease ups go through slumps. Sometimes it takes a little patience and time but things will pick up."

"It's my understanding you have someone feeding you misinformation regarding mine and Vanessa's relationship." Savannah's face drains of color. "Another example of a dishonorable and degrading way of handling concerns." I point out. "Instead of confronting Vanessa with the doubts you had, you went as low as having someone on her team spy on her."

I step toward them. "Now that we have that all in the open, I'd like to hear how the hell you would expect me to work for not only a discreditable and corrupt work environment but also an immoral and untrustworthy upper management team?"

They stare back at me without saying anything. Savannah opens her mouth, but closes it again, unable to respond.

"I didn't think so. We all know how rumors and gossip works in this industry. I'd hate for your sordid business practices to be made public. So, I know you'll do good by Vanessa and give her the time and support she needs rather than cutting her legs from under her."

They share a look. And then I remember she's meeting with them, was that today? I've been so out of sorts with what's been going on with my family, I can't remember. Maybe I'm already too late. Fuck.

I need to call her.

I walk out the door. "Good day to you both." My damn manners slip out and I curse myself internally. They try to stop me but then I see Vanessa down the hall. She's on the verge of entering another office door. Emotions flicker on her gorgeous face in quick succession when she sees me and then her eyes shift to the two people behind me.

Surprise, confusion, recognition and then anger. She thinks I've betrayed her.

"Oh, Vanessa! Right on time, come on in." Another woman steps out from the same door, and ushers her in quickly. A part of me wants to follow behind her and stop her from being humiliated, and devastated, but I also know she'd hate for me to cause a scene.

Ignoring the sinking feeling in my stomach, I turn to Savannah and Trent who avoid my furious glare and then I continue my way out of the office, deciding to wait for Vanessa downstairs.

Pacing the lobby floor for twenty minutes, my neck is starting to get sore from my head snapping up each time the elevators open, searching the endless faces. I'll be cutting it close for my next meeting as I recheck the time on my watch.

Another elevator door slides open and Vanessa steps out. As soon as her gaze finds mine, the hurt in her eyes hits me like a freight train. Her shoulders and chest move quickly with her breathing, but she looks away and rushes toward the front doors.

I race after her. "Vanessa—"

"Stay away from me," she grits out through her clenched jaw. Her phone begins ringing within her purse, but she ignores it. I'm both amazed and worried at how she flies down the stairs outside, in her heels.

I reach for her hand. "Baby, listen to me—"

"Don't 'baby' me, you selfish bastard!" She whirls around, her eyes flaming. The stinging slap on my face throbs, matching the pulse of my racing heart. The city noise around us becomes muffled and all I hear is both hers and mine heavy breathing.

A few passerby's stop to watch the drama playing out in the middle of the sidewalk. The odd thought that they must be tourists crosses my mind—most New Yorkers could give a flying fuck to what is happening. When my eyes meet Vanessa's again, she struggles to keep the tears at bay.

"You've certainly lived up to your reputation as 'the closer' Gabriel Tate." She emphasizes my name with complete disdain in her voice. She wipes at the tears with the back of her hand. "I underestimated you. You're good. Very good." A humorless chuckle follows but the pain and humiliation in her eyes pierces through me. "I can't believe I let you worm your way into my life, my head...my heart. All you really care about is getting ahead no matter the cost."

She adjusts her bag on her shoulder. "I guess this was the permanent potential job you mentioned yesterday but so conveniently didn't go into detail about. Congratulations, Gabriel. You win, like always, right? Now, stay the hell out of my life."

I stand there, unable to move or speak, watching as she turns, hailing down a cab and gets in, driving away without looking back. 

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