Free Finally His by Doris O'Connor Page B

years, and thus she didn’t think anyone would dare complain about her, let alone go to HR, but it seemed they had.
    “We are a team here at Tomlin Enterprises, and as such there is no room for anyone who goes out of their way to not only exploit their fellow employees, but also turns out to be extremely economical with the truth. I will not abide dishonesty in my company, Ms. De Costa, so consider your employment terminated forthwith.”
    A collective gasp went round the office, which Richard ignored and carried on speaking.
    “In lieu of notice, HR has six months’ severance pay, the check for which you can pick up on your way out of the building. Under the circumstances I’m sure you will agree the company is being more than generous. Now, remove yourself from my presence and never darken my company’s door again.”
    Richard pushed his hands into his trouser pockets, looking every inch the pissed off executive, but, of course Stephanie was not going to take this lying down.
    “That’s rich. You’re talking of honesty, when all this time you’ve been sleeping with that little cunt, and no doubt will put her fat ass into my position the minute I’m out of this door.”
    Here it came. Jolie fervently wished there was a mouse hole for her to hide in, but no such luck. Instead, Richard’s soft curse carried, and the tone of his voice alone could have cut glass when he replied.
    “If that is what you truly think of me, well…” He laughed and glanced over toward Jolie again, as did everyone else in the office. Yep, she was so not liking this being in the spotlight thing.
    “Not that I have to explain my private life to anyone, but in the interests of being transparent, here. Yes,” he smiled at Jolie and winked at her. “Miss Pierson and I have entered into a relationship, one that I hope will continue for a long time yet, and one that has absolutely no bearing on anything that has taken or will take place in the office.  Like I have already stated my private life is not the company’s concern, nor is Miss Pierson’s, and if I find anyone spreading malicious gossip about Miss Pierson, they will have to answer to both me and HR. As for the position freed up by your dismissal, Ms. De Costa, it will be open to internal applications forthwith, and if no one suitable is found within two weeks it will be opened to the general public. If Miss Pierson chooses to apply for the position she will be considered on her own merit, as will everyone else in the company, and the filling of this vacancy is entirely at the discretion of our very capable HR department.” He paused again, and looked around the office as though daring anyone to disagree with him.
    Stephanie looked ill, and when the security guards stepped up to her, wordlessly followed them out. The stern looking HR manager smiled at Jolie, and then went after them.
    As for Richard, he nodded and addressed the floor again.
    “As you were then. The spectacle is over. Get back to work. Jolie.” He glanced her way and something inside her shifted, because there was open vulnerability in his face as he continued.
    “Will you please come and see me in my office, when you can.”
    Not waiting for her answer, he stalked back to his office and shut the door. The resulting click seemed to spur people back into work mode, because the office floor returned to the general hubbub of noisy activity it usually was.
    How long Jolie sat there and stared at Richard’s closed door she wasn’t entirely sure, but eventually she got her feet to obey the commands of her brain and got up. She was sure every pair of eyes in the office was trained on her again, but no one said anything, and the general din continued, so maybe it was all a figment of her over active imagination, and no one actually gave two hoots about her sleeping with the boss.
    Oh God, I’m such a cliché.
    Richard’s deep voice bade her to enter before she’d even managed to knock at the door, and through the