I go still, every muscle in my body freezing as realization crashes over me like a cold wave.
How could I forget that contract?
When Braxton had presented it to me in place of my renewal contract, I had been surprised by the generous terms. It had guaranteed a massive increase in my salary in exchange for me continuing to work here for four more years. The only downside was that if I were to breach the contract and leave, with or without a notice period, I would have to pay the company an exorbitant sum that would bankrupt me. At that time, I had been desperate for money, so I signed it quickly. Besides, I hadn’t had any intentions of leaving this job.
How was I to know that this contract would come back to bite me in the ass?
My back is still to Ethan, and I can feel the heat from his body as he comes to stand directly behind me, close enough that I can smell his cologne. He dangles the contract in front of me, and I snatch it from him, trying to ignore the way my hands shake as I go over the papers. “This was signed when Braxton Thompson was CEO. It can’t apply now?—”
“I’m afraid it does.” I hear the smirk in Ethan’s voice, and I turn around, coming face-to-face with him. My mouth goes dry when I realize how close we are—there’s barely an inch of space between us, and my back is pressed against the door. There’s nowhere to move. I’ve been effectively cornered, both contract-wise and physically.
“I signed that contract in good faith?—”
“You signed that contract with the company.” Ethan’s smile is smug and taunting, the same expression he used to wear when he knew he’d won an argument. “The company is a legal entity. The acquisition changes nothing about existing contracts. We are not changing the name of the company. We are not changing the operations of the company. Therefore, the contract is still in force.”
I narrow my eyes at him, trying to ignore the way hisproximity is affecting me. “Why are you so well-informed about my contract?”
“As the CEO, it’s my job to be informed of every contract that could impact my business.” His voice is smooth as silk, but there’s steel underneath. “You’re welcome to look over the contract if you think you’ll be able to find a loophole to get yourself out of it. But I can tell you now that it’ll be useless. I’ve studied the contract in great detail.”
My jaw clenches so hard I’m surprised my teeth don’t crack, and he shrugs, giving me a half-smile that makes me feel uneasy. “Of course, you’re welcome to break the contract. That is, if you can afford to pay the amount that comes along with it.”
When I don’t say anything for a few seconds, his smile broadens like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “I look forward to working with you, Natalie.”
When he holds his hand out for the contract, I lower my hand, still clutching it like a lifeline. “I’ll send this back to you once I’ve gone over it with my lawyer.”
His eyes dance with amusement that makes me want to slap him. “Is that all?”
“Yes.” He steps back finally, giving me room to breathe, and before I can reach for the door handle, he’s already opening the door for me with exaggerated courtesy. Holding on to the last shred of my dignity, I walk out, and as I do, I hear him say softly, his voice carrying just enough warmth to make my heart stutter.
“It was good seeing you again.”
A strangled sound escapes my throat as I storm out of his office, my composure finally cracking at the edges.
Clarice looks up from her laptop as I walk past her, probably taking note of my flushed face. Once I near the elevator, I hear her call out to me.
“Miss Thorne!”
Stopping in my tracks, I pause and turn back. “Yes?” Myvoice is tense, and she gives me a wary look, like she’s dealing with a live grenade.
“I was told that you had just taken your vacation days. Mr. Wilder instructed me to tell you that all vacation days are to be put off unless it’s a family emergency. Everyone, including you, will be fairly compensated for the inconvenience. Your flights will also be covered by the firm. You were in Hawaii, yes?”
I nod slowly, still trying to process everything that just happened.
She smiles at me, and it’s genuinely warm. “Please send me the list of your expenses incurred, and it will be adjusted in this month’s salary.”
“Okay,” I murmur, still reeling from the earlier shock.
Before I can leave, something occurs to me, and I hesitate. “Miss Jameson?”
I turn to face her, and she smiles at me. “You can call me Clarice.”
I let out the breath I didn’t know I had been holding. “Natalie, then. When did this acquisition take place? I mean, when did it go into the works?”
She hesitates for just a moment. “Three months ago.”
“When were the company contracts reviewed by your company?”
“Three months ago.”
