Book 1

Chapter 19: Manipulation

I’m so pissed off right now!

This is ridiculous that we had to leave Hawaii just because they can’t do their job back in New York! I’m going to tell John that he must hire someone to do the job while he’s away. John and I don’t know what the big deal is yet, but we will soon, and if it’s something so stupid I’m going to flip out on Brad.

It’s just frustrating to me that he needed to call John and demand that he get back to NY when we were having a great time in Hawaii! I don’t see a reason for it, but I know that John is the best at his job and they need him, just not when he’s on vacation. I thought that was Brad’s job when John is on

vacation, but what do I know! I rolled my eyes as I thought about this and kept getting angrier and angrier, but I kept it to myself because I know how important his job is to him.

The whole flight back to NY, John was on his phone talking to Brad and whoever else about job stuff. I didn’t understand what he was talking about, but the way I took it, it had something to do with the numbers. I don’t understand finance stuff so I kept my mouth shut.

We finally landed in New York. John’s driver is already here waiting for us. Something seems weird to me, I’m not sure what it is, but something just doesn’t seem right about this whole phone call.

I had the driver take me home and John went straight to work. I figured that he could tell me what Brad was so worried about, “I

Chapter 19: Manipulation

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rolled my eyes when he got home. I got kinda upset because John hurried to the office and didn’t give me a kiss. But I had to think, maybe it’s because he’s worried, maybe there really is something major going on that only he can fix? Those thoughts did enter my mind, but I still feel something is funny about this.

John has been gone for almost four hours. I’m going to call him and see what’s going on.I hate to bother him, but this is ridiculous. I called him and I let his phone ring ten times, he didn’t pick up so I hung up. I thought to myself, “This must be important since he didn’t answer when I called.” I for sure was not gonna call him back, so I decided to wait until he got home to ask him what Brad needed him so badly for.

After five hours of being at the office, John finally is home. I greeted him at the door and gave him a kiss. We went into the kitchen and I poured him a cup of coffee, we sat at the table and I asked him, “What did Brad need you back so soon for?”

“Our finances are messed up big time! The numbers aren’t adding up.” John replied.

“I’m confused, what do you mean when you say numbers?” I said.

“Our money! Brad is saying we are missing money, he checked the paperwork and it’s not adding up. I also checked the

paperwork and I can’t find anything wrong, but Brad is saying his numbers are way off.” John replied.

“Hmm, that seems odd to me!” I said.

“It’s odd to me as well. I searched for everything possible and I couldn’t find the mess up.” John said.

Chapter 19: Manipulation

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“You were there for five hours and you couldn’t find anything?” I asked with a smirk on my face.

“I know I was there a while, and no I couldn’t,” John replied.

“Babe, don’t you think that seems weird, you get called home from vacation just for a mess up on the numbers,” I said.

“Well, no. I mean my business is my life and I must make sure everything is on point.” John replied.

“I understand. Well, maybe when you go to work tomorrow, you will find the mess up.” I said.

“Yeah, maybe,” John said in frustration.

THE NEXT DAY:

John left for the office early, before he even had his breakfast. I could tell this really is bothering him. I hope he can find. something out today. But then I had a weird thought, “Maybe Brad is just saying this, maybe Brad is lying to John?” I’m not sure, but this must get straightened out soon. I hate seeing John disappointed.

I went to the flower shop a few blocks away from John’s building, I bought a bouquet of flowers and I’m going to surprise John with them. I’m going to bring them to him at his office. I’m hoping this will brighten his day! Walking into the front of the building, I stopped at the front desk and talked to his receptionist. She said how beautiful the flowers are. I told her they are for John. Everyone is going to find out we are dating, so why not tell his receptionist.

I told her that we are dating and she was actually happy for us,

Chapter 19. Manipulation

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she told me that she’s glad he found someone like me! After we talked for a bit, I went up to John’s office and his door was closed. I figured I’d just walk in and not knock since we are beyond that point in our relationship.

I walked in with the flowers and Brad is sitting across from John, I did not expect to see him there. I gave John the flowers and then kissed him, I noticed Brad was staring at me. I couldn’t figure out why he was, but it was kind of creepy like he was mad that I brought John the flowers. John appreciated the flowers and thanked me. As I was sitting inside his office with them, I heard what they were discussing, and to me, it sounds like Brad is lying to John. John was showing Brad all of his paperwork and swore up and down that there is not a mess up with the numbers. Brad looked through all of the papers and said, “John, I swear nothing was adding up right, I went over and over it many times, the finances were off.”

“Maybe you were looking at last month’s papers compared to this month’s sales, I don’t know, but everything is right to me,” John said.

“Okay. As long as everything is good with you.” Brad replied.

Something definitely is not right here, I mean with Brad. He seems to be manipulating John into something. I’m not sure what it is, but I’ll find out.