FFADS Chapter 26 on fanfiction.online
My stomach churned and my heart lurched. I’d never seen her so shattered. Her disappointment was apparent in her posture, her eyes and her voice. She was close to tears. I wanted nothing more than to take her into my arms, but I couldn’t be what she needed. Not at this particular moment …
I had to be the boss. I had to be fair. Impartial. I had to take what she said into account. I also had to listen to James, as much as I abhorred him. He had crossed the line with Bella. He was already treading a fine line, but this was beyond the pale.
Seeing Bella’s look of betrayal in her eyes, it made me sick. I shot up and stomped into the bathroom. I fell to my knees, emptying my stomach of my lunch. I gripped the edges of the toilet bowl, feeling disgusted with myself. I sat down heavily, trying to calm myself down. I could feel my emotions surging beneath my skin. I had hurt her, betrayed her. I was no better than the assholes who had hurt me.
Fuck, I was an asshole.
I didn’t deserve her.
She’ll never forgive me.
“Sit down, James,” said Emmett. His voice was tight, clearly angry with his employee. “Edward will be right back.”
I heard James mutter under his breath, but I couldn’t understand it. I took a few deep breaths, flushing the toilet and quickly brushing my teeth. I ground my teeth together, turning off my emotions and walking back into my office. “Emmett, do you have the incident report?”
“He said he’d only talk to you, but I did have him read the employee handbook. Specifically, the section going over sexual harassment,” Emmett growled.
I took the blank incident report from Emmett and I sat down. “Okay, Mr. Holden, tell me, in your own words, what transpired between you and Ms. Swan?” I asked.
“I needed to make a copy of a contract for one of our clients,” James began, leaning back on the couch. “Isabella was in the copy room, tearing apart the machine. I made a comment about her attire and she flew off the handle.”
I arched a brow at him, gripping my pen tightly. “Her attire?” I asked dubiously.
“Yep. I did not sexually harass her,” James scoffed. “She’s delusional.”
“You said that she was on the rag. How is that not sexual harassment?” Emmett snapped.
“Cullen would know,” James said, giving me an evil grin. “She is your girlfriend. Or, is she?”
“James, you are … deplorable,” I hissed. “You knew our expectations from the moment you walked into our offices. We knew that you had some difficulties with your last employer and it appears that you have not learned your lesson. Saying that another employee is ‘on the rag’ is not appropriate, nor is any commentary about their attire.”
“Aren’t you the king of double standards?” James yelled. “She’s your subordinate! And yet, you’re dating her!”
“Human resources is aware of our relationship and if you’d actually read what Emmett gave you, as long as we don’t flaunt our relationship, it’s okay. But, my relationship with Bella is not being contested. Your actions toward her are,” I explained, my voice sounding almost robotic. “James, with your actions and behaviors, you were clearly in the wrong here. Based off the statement that Bella gave and your subsequent reactions to …”
“This is bullshit,” James spat. “Complete bullshit.”
“No, what’s bullshit is you making another employee in my company feel unsafe and uncomfortable. You’re suspended for a week, without pay. In addition to that, your probationary period has reset. One more toe out of line, and you’re done,” I said. “You also need to write a letter of apology to Ms. Swan for your words.”
“What about Bella? What’s her punishment?” James asked.
Having me as her boyfriend. I’m a worthless piece of trash …
“She was the victim, Mr. Holden,” I replied. “You can take your punishment and come back. Or, you’re fired. No references and a personal letter to every advertising agency that you’re a sexual harassment cancer. You won’t be able to work in the field you built your reputation in. Your choice, James.”
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