𝑺 𝑬 𝑹 𝑬 𝑵 𝑰 𝑻 𝒀 (18+)

Forty-eight.

                               S E R E N I T Y

                                           ♥

I was a believer in second chances. A wrong could be made right with the proper work. A little bit of groveling, maybe a little begging, definitely gift-giving but mostly time. A wrong could be made right with time. Learning, growing. Those were the steps to take before you even thought about asking for a second chance. I wanted to give Noah one. A restart button, a chance to make things right. But I had to do what was best for me, whatever that entailed I would do.

I went to work like normal, got Noah's coffee from Roasted chatted with Corrine for a short while, and then I went to work and greeted Paul. I met Andrew in the hallway and asked him to join me in Noah's office. He was confused but he agreed and was a little scared of being caught in a lover's quarrel. Noah was stoic as always, almost awkward. We took a seat at his desk and I thought I would feel nervous but I didn't. I was confident, I was self-assured, I had to do this.

"What can I do for you two?" His voice was soft and melodic. Nothing like the tone he'd used the other day. It was familiar, warm. I missed that voice, missed him.

"There's something we need to discuss." I cleared my throat and sat up straight wanting to appear stronger than I felt. His eyebrow raised and he tensed in his chair. His hands were folded at his desk and his knuckles were turning white—stressed, he was stressed.

"Are you two together?" He rushed the four words out like word vomit. I wanted to laugh, I almost did but this was serious. What would possibly make him think Drew and I were together? Especially after the week we just had.

"If we were it would be none of your business."

"He's my best friend Serenity, and the C.O.O. of this company—"

Fuck his company, and fuck him, "if you're going to scrutinize Andrew and me you should go ahead and apply the same cruelty to yourself."

He frowned, "that isn't what this is about Serenity."

"Ms. Taylor," I replied and it pained me to do so. His face faltered and he held his breath, only for a moment but it was long enough to take note of.

"Right," his voice was hoarse and he hung his head. I'd hurt him, but he hurt me much worse.

"I've made a decision," it was final, absolute. There would be no going back, not even if Noah and I made things right.

"Regarding?" Andrew glanced at me, also unsure of what I was about to say next.

"I'm resigning."

"What!?" Both men exclaimed. I was surprised. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt free, in control. Most of all I felt like I'd done the right thing.

"I'll give you two months to replace me. That should be more than enough time. I need to focus on my writing and I can't do that and work here, not anymore."

"Can't we discuss this further? Andrew, will you give us the room?"

He was trying to regain what little control he had left but he couldn't, not this time.

"Sure," Andrew started but I sat him down.

"I don't need the room and you don't need anything from me? Remember?"

...

Jane was ecstatic that I'd finally given her an answer on France. We had six months of learning to do and she wanted me to meet the other writers accompanying us as soon as possible. She stressed making friends was the best way to learn from the people around me.