The Publicist's Plight (Book I in The Harrison Inc. Series) | ✓

Chapter Fifty Three: Under New Management

****

It's been one day since I quit my job.

Well, it's been one day since I terminated my services to Garrett. Because if I would have quit completely, I would have been packing my things and hauling my ass back to Los Angeles, looking for a publications firm that would possibly want me. But no. Instead, I'm in my room in the guest house, tucking my lavender silk blouse into my black slacks as if I'm still a working woman, and thinking of more press strategies that will mend Sebastian's image.

I haven't told anyone that I have quit; everything happened so fast. One moment, I was standing next to Sebastian in the hospital hallway, accepting the harsh words being told to me by Patrick, then the next I'm trying to get out of the hospital. After that, I'm stuck in an elevator with Garrett himself, and lastly, I'm denouncing my loyalty to him all while throwing a two-million-dollar check in his face.

Each of my days are like lifetimes condensed into 24-hours.

So my plan is to waltz into that library and pretend like nothing is wrong. Lucas, Sarah, Sebastian and I are meeting together for the first time with some normality into play; I can't remember the last time we've actually sat together in our meeting spot with the intent of getting work done in mind, because these last weeks have been a hectic mess. Though our stay here is almost over, we still have some work to do, and I'm determined to get some events in for Sebastian in the southern area before we go back to L.A., where the big prizes are ripe for the picking.

I check my phone before I head downstairs. Darcy hasn't texted me or contacted me at all, which makes me assume that she wasn't told about me quitting. I know soon that Darcy is going to have to find out, and I'm going to have to clean out my office, too. With that in mind, the reality kicks in harder than before.

Think of the positives, Leslie. For one, you aren't under Garrett's manipulative control anymore for now, which is good. And, soon you will be going back home for good, where you can see your only two friends and your socially awkward Chihuahua, Pedro. All while still being jobless from the job that was once the occupation of your dreams.

Well that didn't help much.

I go downstairs and find Loretta at the table, mug of hot coffee in one hand, and a plate with a bagel on top in the other.

"Good morning," she greets to me. Her spirits are much higher than I've ever seen before.

"Good morning, Loretta."

She sets the plate and mug down and gestures for me to sit. I thank her before taking a sip of coffee. And I don't know what it is, but this woman brews the richest cup of coffee I've ever tasted.

She sits down across from me. And for once, she looks eager to talk to me instead of eager to avoid conversation.

"I talked to Cecil yesterday evening," she tells me. "She was quite happy about Sebastian stopping by. It was good for all three of them."

"I think so, too," I say. "I noticed Sebastian was a little better than before."

Now that I think about it, he was a little too happy yesterday when we left the hospital; like someone told him a funny joke. After my encounter with Garrett, I decided to wait in the car until they were done, and after an hour inside, Loretta and Sebastian finally came out of the hospital. His face was lit with this cocky smirk that confused the hell out of me.

"Is he gonna be going to the luncheon Fiona is holding today?" Loretta asks me.

Luncheon? I wasn't aware of that.