Page 117 of The Other Side
“You’re telling me that you put that young woman’s career at stake for another notch on your bedpost?” She was incredulous. “You’re disgusting.”
“Like I said, I was bored,” he replied nonchalantly.
“Get OUT!” she shouted. “You’re fired. Effective IMMEDIATELY. Get out of my office. Pack your things. I want you off this campus NOW! I don’t care who your father is!”She slammed her fist on something hard enough to rattle the doorframe.
Suddenly the door flew open and Chance skulked out, followed by the seething headmistress.
“Chance?” My voice quivered, betraying my dread.
Cold and vacant blue-grey eyes, which matched his father’s demeanor so precisely, met mine. “Sorry, Violet.” He shrugged impishly.
“Enough, Mr. Harper.” The headmistress shoved him past me. “In my office, Miss Price,” she barked at me.
“Chance!” I called out after him. I couldn’t believe what he’d said to her. He’d told me he loved me. We’d spent nights tangled up in each other. He’d been so open about his family, and I with my upbringing. This couldn’t be happening.
He turned slightly, before the headmistress shoved him around the corner and out of my sight. But for a split second, I could have sworn I saw his hand placed over his heart. Had I only seen what I wanted to see, stuck in some sort of delusional state? Or had he really done it to show me I shouldn’t believe what I’d heard—the way he’d looked at me, like I was nothing?
“Jolene, have him escorted back to the carriage house right now—he’s not to speak with anyone.”
I heard a flurry of activity as Jolene went into action to call the security guard on duty to come to the admin offices.
“And you,” the headmistress spat. “You should be ashamed of yourself.” She was out of my sight, but I was sure she was addressing Chance.
A moment later she appeared at the end of the hallway, stalking angrily toward me. “I told you to get in my office.”
Still in a daze, I numbly entered the room, shaking as I sat down on the chair opposite her desk.
It was still warm.
Chance had only been there moments earlier.
Was this some sort of nightmare?
“I’m sure by now you know why I called you in here.” She rounded her desk, taking a seat herself.
I nodded slowly, too embarrassed to make eye contact with the intimidating woman.
“Judging by your reaction, I’m guessing he was telling the truth.”
I looked up at her, knowing my face was flushed and feeling tears threatening to spill down my cheeks.
“He took advantage of you?” she questioned in a softer tone, perhaps just then realizing how frightened I was.
I nodded again.
If Chance meant what he’d said, he’d done so much more than taken advantage of me…he’d ruined me.
“How—how did you find out?” I whispered, my eyes back on the carpet.
“These arrived today. They were sent to me and a few board members.” She slid printed photos across the desk. They had been taken in the lounge. Chance and I were in various states of undress, and thankfully, neither of us were fully exposed in the images, but it was blatantly obvious we were having sex.
I shuddered at the thought of someone being in the room, taking those during our most intimate moments. And it could have been anyone, since the police and everyone else on staff at Montgomery knew about the lounge.
I was mortified.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry.” I tried to stand to leave, knowing I’d surely be dismissed, and frankly, I thought I might throw up and didn’t want to do so in front of her.
“Where are you going?” she snapped.
