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“But—” Gerda says in confusion

“Hannah,” I say, turning my back on the women “In my office, please”

My body is tight and hyper aware as she walks in behinda bit less formality between us When I pivot to face her, she doesn’t have an ounce of fear on her face She does, however, look alo

“Close the door,” I order, not wanting Gerda listening in on us

She reacts i, she turns and starts to blabber “I’ht I’m not usually that clumsy I barely touched the vase, but it wobbled When I tried to steady it, I accidently knocked the daht off the pedestal But please don’t fire ine I’ll pay you back for the vase”

“It was a one-of-a-kind, commissioned piece that cost seventy-five-thousand dollars,” I inform her blandly

“Fuck,” she curses again, and I find ive for that mouth on me

“A payment plan then,” she blurts out

“Pretty sure it would take you the rest of your natural life… and then your children’s lives, too, to pay it back,” I drawl, taking a step toward her She holds her ground Stopping in front of her, I tuck my hands casually in my pockets

“I work three jobs,” she says as she stares up at h and sassy exterior, I like that I tower over her and could probably easily break her if I wanted to “I’ll make it work somehow Please, don’t fire me”

“Why three jobs?” I ask curiously, because while she and I are nothing alike, I do admire a hard work ethic

Her jaw tightens, and she lifts her chin in defiance Her words are short and clipped “I have family to take care of”

Not really of interest to me, but I like that she’s desperate and part of her fate is now in my hands

Turning away froainst one wall “I would be a the debt off for me”

“How?” Her tone is instantly suspicious, and it tellswith this