Page 46 of Legally Yours
Good.
“This won’t take long, Mr. Anderson.”
“Mr. Anderson? What gives?”
I pull the envelope from my breast pocket and hand it to him. “You will see it takes place effective immediately.”
I see Liam glance over the page. I know when he sees the word resignation because he looks up at me.
“Cassandra, no.”
“I’ve hired movers to clear out my office. I won’t take anymore of your time.”
I shoot dagger glares at Eunice and Liam’s mother, who both unsurprisingly are stifling smiles. I turn on my heels and head for the elevator. Thankfully for me, the car is resting on the executive floor, and I immediately begin my downward trek. The last thing I see before the elevator doors close is a rushing Liam, his eyes bulging, his face full of fright.
On the ground floor, I bump into Leslie. She’s carrying a takeout bag. I glance down at my watch. It’s noon. Time flies when you flee.
“Hey, girlfriend, where are you headed? I just bought lunch for us both.”
“I’m done, Leslie.”
“Oh, an early day?”
“No, I’m completely done. I handed in my resignation to Liam, just now. It’s over. Personally, professionally. I’m done.”
“No, Cass, you can’t do that. The agency needs you.”
“Maybe, but I can’t watch Eunice stop in everyday drooling over Liam like that. And today, she came with Liam’s mother, who looked deliriously happy. That’s the last straw. I can’t stand another minute around that mind game.”
Leslie takes me to one of the marble benches in the foyer, the one with the two huge potted palms, as if their presence provides more cover. I smile at her choice of seats. I don’t need cover anymore.
“Cass, you haven’t thought this through. You’ve never let petty games pull you down before. You’re the queen of deflecting office politics. You know those two are playing games.”
“Maybe so, but I will not be a spectator to that junk anymore. I’m leaving while I still have a smidgen of self respect.”
“You’re too emotional to think things through. Cass, do you really think Liam would give Eunice a second glance after how she left him at the altar? That chick is an opportunist. She goes wherever is the best advantage. And I’ll deny this if you tell others, but Liam’s mother is the same. She wants Liam to marry into image, privilege, brand, and she doesn’t care who wears the skirt.”
I turn to Leslie. My face is painted in sorrow, but damn if I’ll shed one tear.
“Leslie, listen. I can’t take the pain anymore. I don’t know if those two are playing games or Eunice’s picnic baskets are thawing Liam’s heart, and I don’t care either way. I’ll not put myself through this visual BS any longer.”
“But you’ve always…”
“Maybe so. But this is too much. I need to physically remove myself from the pain in order to let it go, Leslie. Can’t you see that?”
Leslie bows her head and nods. I fear she may cry. I pray she doesn’t.
Leslie looks up at me with doe eyes. “What will you do? Where will you go?”
I exhale. I’m relieved I finally got through to her.
“Honestly, I’m not sure yet. There are other agencies in town, you well know. Or maybe I’ll really pick up and leave New York.”
“Leave New York? Oh, my God, you’ve got to be joking. NYC is modeling Mecca.”
I smile. “Yeah, okay, but maybe I’m done with traditional agencies. I could head to LA. There’s work there. Sure, it’s different, but it still pays. Another coast. Another outlook on life. It might be healing for the soul, you know? Isn’t that what deflated New Yorkers do? Head to California to find themselves?”
“Maybe for a vacation. But to stay? You’re off your rocker if you stay.”