24. Marissa

CHAPTER 24

MARISSA

W hen I arrive at work, Isaac is standing in front of my desk, scowling.

Just like that, all the joy in my heart vanishes. I slow to a shuffle, my heart racing.

"Good morning," I say, testing the waters.

He scowls even more. "In my office."

He turns around and marches into his office, and I stand there, blinking after him. His moods can be unpredictable, but there's always a reason for them. Not that they're my problem.

I do need to navigate them, though. I'm an employee here.

For now, anyway.

"Close the door," he says as I enter.

I do. And then I stand there. Waiting for whatever comes next.

He sits down, grabs his phone, and turns it to face me. A video of me and Charlie, dancing and kissing in the club last night, plays.

My stomach drops to my feet, but I do my best to keep my face calm.

"This is you. With your client," he says.

I stare at him. "Isaac. We're supposed to be out acting like a couple. It's what's been getting us through doors. We can't let the act down."

He puts the phone down, and I can tell from the look in his eyes that he's not buying it.

"Acting like a couple, yes," Isaac agrees, pressing his fingertips together in front of him. "But there's a line, Marissa. And you've crossed it."

"It's all part of the job." My voice wavers and I hope he doesn't catch it.

Are Charlie and I really that obvious?

Shit. I knew we shouldn't have gone out last night. I let him convince me because I was also tired of being stuck in the house, and I wanted to be seen with him. I wanted everyone to know how truly happy we are.

Well, it looks like I got my wish. Everyone is seeing us for real, seeing past the facade and to who we really are.

Including Isaac.

God, I've been such an idiot. How could I do this to myself?

Maybe I should keep lying, keep trying to save face.

But no, I can't do that. Honesty is the last thread tying me to any self-respect.

So I take a deep breath. "Okay. Charlie and I have been dating for real. But there's no company policy about not dating clients."

Isaac scowls deeper, the lines on his forehead deepening alarmingly. "This isn't part of the job and you know it. You're not supposed to be emotionally involved." He points at me, that index finger like a dagger in my chest.

"I am not emotionally…" I stumble over my words, my heart pounding in my chest. "Isaac, this is…."

He raises a hand, silencing me. "It's not professional," he says, his words slow and deliberate.

My heart slams against my ribcage. This is such bullshit. I've heard the other agents talk about dating clients — hitting on them, too. This industry can be real sleazy sometimes.

But Charlie and I aren't like that. I wasn't even the one to initiate.

And why should we be treated differently than anyone else?

Of course, I know why. Isaac has always had it out for me. Ever since I started here, he's been trying to stop me from advancing. At this point, I'm seeing it as a cruel pastime he likes to indulge in.

I lift my chin. "If you're going to tell me to stop seeing Charlie, that won't happen."

He doesn't so much as blink. "Oh, I wasn't going to do that. I plan on just taking him from you."

My jaw drops. "What?"

"You're no longer representing Charlie Elwood. Darren will take it from here."

"Darren?" I sputter, my face heating up.

Darren is another one of the junior agents — a complete bro of Isaac's, who's been shown favoritism before.

"Charlie is my client." I have to fight to stop myself from yelling.

"Was," Isaac corrects. "He was your client."

"Are you really suggesting that he'd prefer to work with Darren over me?" I ask, my voice loud and firm. I can feel a veil of anger descending over me.

"Oh, I'm sure Charlie will adjust just fine." Isaac shrugs, the corners of his mouth lifting in a taunting smirk.

"You can't dictate my personal life, Isaac," I declare, standing up abruptly. The chair behind me squeaks in protest and my head spins from the sudden movement. This is a nightmare.

His eyes flicker with amusement. "I can dictate who you represent at this agency."

"You're doing this because you're threatened by me, aren't you?" The accusation slips past my lips before I realize it. It's not a question; it's the truth.

The smirk falls off his face. He looks shocked.

A moment later, though, he recovers. "You flatter yourself."

"But it's true," I counter, leaning over his desk. The sharp edge digs at my hip bone, grounding me. "You've seen my work, and you know I'm good."

"Oh, you're good," Isaac admits, rolling his eyes. "But not that good."

I refuse to back down. "Better than Darren."

"Maybe," Isaac says nonchalantly, but I catch the flicker of doubt in his eyes. I'm getting to him.

"So why am I being replaced?" The words taste bitter in my mouth.

Instead of giving me an answer, Isaac leans back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. His gaze rakes over me as if he owns me. "I make the calls here, Marissa. Not you."

"You can't control everything," I snap back. I'm tired of his games.

His smirk returns full force. "I don't need to control everything… just enough."

With that, he dismisses me with a wave of his hand.

"I'm not letting Charlie go," I say, not moving.

This isn't about Charlie. If Isaac had never seen that video, I'm sure he would have found some way to deny my advancement in the company.

Isaac's upper lip curls. "Have it your way, then. You?—"

"I quit," I spit out before he can say another word.

His eyes widen momentarily, before the cool, collected facade returns.

"You what?" he asks, almost amused.

"I said I quit. You don't own me, Isaac." I spin around and walk away, my pulse thundering in my ears.

Isaac's voice follows me out the door. "You'll regret this, Marissa!"

I don't look back.

I step out of the building, my heart thudding against my chest as if it wants to escape. My cheeks are hot and flushed from the confrontation.

I want to feel relief. I just left a job where I would only be held back.

I feel nothing of the sort, though. Instead, I feel lost.

Confused.

Alone.

It doesn't matter that I'm not with the agency anymore. Isaac can still just give Charlie to Darren.

Which leaves me not only without an employer but also without a single client.

I might as well have just stepped five years back in time.

Getting into my car, I sink into the seat and close my eyes. I either just made the best decision of my life… or the worst.