xXx

It's been a week since Mr Ride's very odd behaviour and if I thought that maybe he was changing…well, I was sorely mistaken. His already horrible mood has only turned worse and he takes it out on everyone who comes in contact with him. he's sent four girls from the office home in tears and has fired two people. I'd made an even more concerted effort not to get on his bad side since I'm already on thin ice regarding last week. I wake up an extra half hour early to give myself even more time to get everything ready in the office for his arrival. I've barely seen Ari the whole week and if I have to ask his dad to take him once more I'm going to lose it. I smooth out the black pencil skirt I'm wearing and tie up my hair in a tight bun, tugging on a pair of black heels as I hobble out the doorway. Leanne is already sitting on the couch watching TV so I don't have to worry about leaving Ari alone.
"Bye Ms Ride!" Leanne calls as I leave the apartment.

I buzz around Mr Ride's office on Wednesday morning making sure that absolutely everything is perfect and I've just picked up his coffee when my cell rings.
"Hey John!" I greet as enthusiastically as I can considering I've been up since five.

"I'm afraid this is Caleb, Ms Martinez." An unfamiliar voice gruffly answers.

I almost drop Mr Ride's coffee I'm so unprepared for it. "Where's John?" I instantly shoot at the stranger, a little freaked out as to why he has my number and where John is.

Caleb clears his throat and says stiffly, "I will be taking care of John's services, Ms Martinez. We met yesterday and he asked me to give you a call before we arrive."

John's fired. He fired John. The words bounce around in my head until it makes me dizzy and I slam the coffee down on his desk, anger bubbling up inside me.
"Thanks Caleb." I grind out then end the call. I march downstairs and wait for the car to pull up. By that point you can see the steam coming out of my ears.

The second a stocky blond man steps out the car who I'm assuming is Caleb to open Mr Ride's door I unleash hell upon my unsuspecting boss. "You fired John!" I yell at him before his foot even touches the sidewalk. A few people around me turn to stare or give me a look of disgust but at that moment I couldn't care less.

Mr Ride eyes me up curiously and says in a level tone, "I am not sure what this has to do with you, Ms Martinez but if you must know then yes. I did."

"Oh don't you start this Ms Martinez shit with me you selfish heartless bastard." I spit venomously, eyes narrowed and hands bunched into fists. "You truly don't give a crap about anything do you? I am so sick of you, how I've put up with you this long is anyone's guess! I have never in my life met anyone as self-absorbed and cruel as you." I continue to rant and when I'm finally done my chest is heaving and I'm sure I'm a light shade of red.

"Done?" Mr Ride enquires and gives a sharp nod. "Good." He says, face completely whipped of any indication that he was even remotely affected by my words which only made me angrier. "Pack your bags, we're leaving for Paris this afternoon."

I can't help it, I'm so damn pissed off with him and completely floored by what he says it takes me a second to come to terms with it. "What?"

"Paris. Tonight. We leave at eight thirty." Then he sweeps off in all his unfazed, ice hearted glory leaving me gaping after him like a fish out of water.

I barge into his office fifteen minutes later after I've paced the lobby about fifty times and yelled at an unsuspecting beagle that passed by to tell the idiot that I am not going to Paris.

"I have a son, I can't just leave to go to Paris!" I exclaim throwing my arms up impatiently.

"I'm sure he has a father, does he not?" Mr Ride muses, leaning back in his chair and making a steeple with his fingers.

"Well, yes, but - " I sputter out only to get cut off.

"Then there is no issue." He says simply with a firm look.

"I am not going to Paris." I snap at him defiantly.

He gives a small resigned shrug that makes me think for a second that I'll actually get out of this until he opens his stupid trap, "Then you will be looking for a new job, Ms Martinez."

And that is why three hours later I'm tearing around my apartment, pulling out the best clothes I have and stuffing them into a suitcase with my phone wedged between my ear and my shoulder.

"Look, Sam, I have no choice alright? I know I'm being a terrible mother but there's nothing I can do about it. if I don't go then I'm out of a job. Besides, it's only for three days, I'm sure you can handle him for that length of time and I'll give you Leanne's number in case you need any help and my mom said she'd stop by to check up on everything - "

Sam chuckles from the other end of the phone in that relaxed way of his, "I said I'd do it, Max. Geeze, give me some credit. I think I know how to look after my wn son for three days ok? You just go and try not to kill your boss, we'll be fine and I already have Leanne's number from last month when you went on that two day trip to Arizona remember? And I have your mom's number and the emergency numbers and everything. Calm down. Everything will be alright."

I heave a sigh and nod even though he can't see it. "Thanks Sam. I'll drop him off before I go to the airport ok?"

"Sure thing, Max. Bye."
"Bye."

Once I've finished packing I tell Leanne to head home. Ari is playing happily on the carpet in the lounge with a whole bunch of his toys surrounding him.

"Hey, honey." I cooe adoringly and scoop him up.

He giggles with pleasure and loops his arms around my neck. "Mamma." He grins at me and his brown eyes sparkle.

I kiss his forehead and inhale the smell that clings to him. "I love you, baby." I whisper, giving him another squeeze.

"Wuvoo." He giggles his cheeks pink.

Ok…so…it's been…quite a while… sorry…what did you think…? Three whole days in a different country…all alone… who knows what can happen ;-)

Please review, I know I don't deserve them but I love them lotz. :-)

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