Griffin by Rahela Ferarri (best books for 8th graders .TXT) 📖

want to marry her? What could you possibly offer to a woman like this? A fancy house in which she could make you a dinner and wait ‘till you get home from work? In which she could raise your children? This cognition felt like a dagger in my stomach. The end was inevitable. Not a single scenario I could produce in my head had a positive outcome.

 

I thought of her. This was probably awkward for her too. What should I do when I see her? Hell, I have no idea. Maybe I should ask her for a dinner and straighten things out. No, she would never accept it. A drink after work maybe? If the guy doesn’t pick her up before I do. Anyway, tomorrow is the meeting about the data issue. Let’s see how it goes first.

Chapter Eleven

 

Meeting room was getting crowded, but the seat next to me was still empty. Where are you? She must come, for sure. She has a job. Let’s wait for a little longer. Fifteen minutes longer, everybody was there, and getting more impatient. She was still not there. I discretely called Claire.

 

Griffin:                 “Claire, please go to Miss Petrov’s office and inform her that she is expected on a meeting and late. We are all waiting for her.” – Claire was fidgeting, and trying to explain something, without being able to make a sentence.

 

Mrs. Claire:         “Umm, Sir, well the thing is she is not in the office, and I ...”

 

Griffin:               “Claire, I don’t have all day, just do as you are told. Just go and find her.”

 

Mrs. Claire:         “But, Sir... Miss Petrov is not in the office, or in the building, because she didn’t show up on work today.” – What??? I was furious.

 

Griffin:               “Well, did you call her?”

 

Mrs. Claire:         “Of course I did Sir. I tried, I even offered a chauffeur, but she...”

 

Griffin:               “What Claire? Damn, just say it already.”

 

Mrs. Claire:         “She quit, Sir. She will send her resignation by the end of the day.” – She was contrite. Suddenly, I became aware of the consequences. I lost her. She pulled down completely. Bit how could she just walk out of her job? She loved it! She was good at it. It was her. What kind of a person does that? What is inside this pretty head of yours? I lowered my voice and calm myself down.

 

Griffin:               “Did she say anything else?”

 

Mrs. Claire:         “No Sir. She hung up.”

 

Griffin:                “Thank you, you may go now.” – Claire, retired with a sign of relief on her face. I added: “And Claire, please find Miss Petrov’s address, and leave it on my desk.” She nodded, and walked away. I addressed the management board. “Okay, we may start. Miss Petrov is unable to join us today, but she will be informed of today’s conclusions.”

 

The meeting was vastly exhausting. After it finished, I went into my office and poured myself a glass of fine brandy. I held the piece of paper in my hand. This is where she lives. There is no point in calling her. This way, she won’t be able to avoid me. I won’t let her make some rash and harmful decision just because of me. It was inappropriate of me to follow her to the backstage. Even though we felt the same thing. I should have known better.

 

It was around six p.m. and already dark outside. Snow finally unleashed it’s power. I was sitting in my car, dwelling over whether I should knock on her door, or just wait until she shows up. Maybe she wasn’t home. Snowflakes were getting bigger and bigger, and my car was already covered with snow. I have no idea how long I was sitting there, bit finally I saw her. In her leather coat, wearing white boots and a matching color fur coat. Very elegant and sexy. I watched her a couple of moments, until she walked to the street. I stepped out of the car and called her name.

 

Griffin:  “Miss Petrov!” – She stopped, and slowely turned around and faced me. She was shy and looking at the snappy snow beneath her feet. Okay, James, it’s your turn. Try not to fuck it up this time. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Please, look at me.” – I lifted her chin with my hand and looked her in the eyes. I needed to see what was inside. “What you said last night….me not knowing you… you were right. And I apologize. We both had a bad start last night. I’m not here to ask for your apology, nor am I here to give you one. I’m here because I don’t want to see you wasting your potential and your brilliant mind to entertain some idiots for the rest of your life. There is so much more of you underneath, and please, don’t waste that because some idiot boss of yours has made an inappropriate move on you. I couldn’t live my life knowing that.”

 

Mia:       “It’s too late now…”- She whispered, trying to hold back tears and remain strong.

 

Griffin:  “Come back to work tomorrow morning. I’ll consider this as a day of your vacation. Claire just knows that you had an emergency family issue, and that’s all. Do we have a deal?” – I saw a sign of relief in her eyes. Relief and hope. I can’t believe she actually thought that running away was the only possible way out of this situation. Was she always running from something? Is this how she ended up in my office that morning, on the interview? Running from herself? Looking for a fresh start?

 

Mia:       “Yes.” – Good girl!

 

Griffin:  “Good. You made the right choice. So, goodbye Miss Petrov.” – I didn’t want to put additional pressure on her. This was already too much. Then she again said something to disarm me.

 

Mia:       “Please, just Mia. I mean…umm…after everything that’s happened lately, we’re past that Miss thing.” - She brought the most sincere smile on my lips.

 

Griffin:  “All right…Mia.” I loved how it sounds and resonates after it leaves my lips. Mia. “I’ll have to get used to that. I assume that, out of the office of course, I would be just James too?” – Encouraged by her regain of trust, I also allowed myself a small step forward.

 

Mia:       “Okay. James.” She smiled. The prettiest smile I have ever seen. And earned. I was proud. “So, we’re really cool?”- She asked playfully, with the innocence of a child, and she totally disarmed me. How can that much be contained in one fragile creature? I laughed, loving the child in her. So pure and intact.

 

Griffin:  “Yes, we’re cool.”

Chapter Twelve

 

We were cool. I decided to lose the pressure, and just be by her side while pulling the best out of her. I was curious to find out her limits, and up to this point, she didn’t seem to have one. I mean, she learned so much, focused, and excelled in everything I gave her to do. She never showed with a single gesture that she intended anything more, and I respected that. A man must admit when he had lost. The only thing I was sorry about is that I lost from a musician. Was he really her league? Did he know what he has by his side and how fortunate he was? Maybe. But she made a choice, and I was here to respect it. I didn’t want to make another inappropriate move, which could make her pull back again and leave her future behind. She was made for this. I couldn’t see her waste her potential, just because I behaved like a child, and wanted something out of my reach. No. I will nurture her like a precious bourgeon, until she grows enough to know what flower she wants to become.

              

It was spring again. Di and I still had this thing. She was actually not so demanding, and she managed to turn my focus from Mia. I mean, she was always present in my mind, but I was aware that life is going on, and I supposed that she was also still happy with this guy. Di reserved a luxurious place on the east coast, and I decided it was time to move on with my life. I worked really hard, and she was actually managing to make me relaxed. It was actually enjoyably easy. Easy was good.

 

It was Friday. Di should drop by every minute. We were already closing the week, and I was almost ready. Just needed hand some papers to Doug and leave. I didn’t actually remember taking a vacation. Di was probably right. We’ll it was about time for me to take a break. Doug’s office was full. They always gather there.

 

Doug:    “Jamie!”-exclaimed Doug. “Come with us tonight! We could use some time off to celebrate.”

 

They were all there. Mia was there too. Well, it’s none of her business anyway. She also has a life, and I shouldn’t feel this guilty by having to say I am going on a vacation. With another woman. It felt like I was somehow cheating of her, and I hated it. I don’t have to justify myself to her. God knows where she travels with her guy.

 

Griffin:  “I’ll have to pass. Anyway, I just came in to inform you I’ll be away for the next couple of days. Doug, please, take over my meeting schedule, and report to me about that merger contract when I get back from vacation.” – I didn’t mention anything about Di, but she’ll find out eventually. I was in a rush anyway, so I hurried outside, trying not to be late. Di was already waiting by the car.

 

Diane:   “Ready to see what normal people do for fun?”

 

Griffin:  “I bet you’ll show me.” – I smiled.

 

Diane:   “Yeah, actually, you won’t believe it but some people spend their vacation days on a vacation.” – She was teasing.

 

Griffin:  “I thought it was just a myth. Who in their right mind takes a vacation when they can work?” - We were laughing and chatting. I opened the door for her, and we drove off.

 

For the next ten days I managed to keep my mind from office. I could get used to this. On our back from the airport we passed the section that lead to my parents’ house.

 

Diane:   “Is this where your parents live?”

 

Griffin:  “Yes.”

 

Diane:   “You promised you will take me there once. I would like to meet them. And your brother.”

 

Griffin:  “Not now, it’s going to be dark soon, and I have a