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"James, can I see you in my office?" Mr. Harper said, peering into James's workspace. "Sure, I'll be right there." As James entered Mr. Harper's office, he was advised to close the door behind him. "Take a seat." "Is something wrong?" "Just take a seat," Mr. Harper repeated. Once James had settled into a chair, Mr. Harper continued, "It's come to my attention for a while now that something is going on between you and Melissa. I didn't say anything at first because I thought it was just a phase, a way for you to cope with missing my daughter. But it seems like it's gotten serious over the last few weeks. I'm sure you're aware of the office romance policy?" "But I married your daughter, who worked here." "Yes, which created a lot of conflict among the staff and management. I can't go through that again, James. You must understand. So, I want to hear from your side what's going on, so I can clear the air with everyone." "It's exactly as you see it, George. Melissa and I are getting serious, and personally, I think everyone should just deal with it." He stood up. "Sit down. We're not finished here." "Well, I am. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of work to get through." "James, what is really going on?" "What do you mean?" "You haven't been yourself lately." "I'm just trying to move on with my life. I will always love Jessie, but instead of wallowing, I have found someone else who makes me happy. Is that such a crime?" "No, definitely not, but why her, of all people?" He shrugged. "It just happened." "That's not a good enough reason. I'm afraid I'm going to have to get HR involved this time. I'm sorry, James." "Do what you have to, George. I need a few days off." James headed out before George could say anything. He was busy gathering his things when Melissa popped her head into his office. "Hey, I saw you go into George's office. Is everything okay?" "No." "What happened?" "It seems our relationship is a big issue, and now he's involving HR." "We'll figure this out, won't we?" "I need some time. I'm taking a few days off. I'll see you around." He walked past her, giving her a peck on the cheek. "But James..." James drove home in a daze, his mind clouded with frustration and uncertainty. The long route&nbsp;felt more interminable than usual, each passing minute amplifying the tension coiled within him. When he finally reached his house, he slammed the door behind him and tossed his keys onto the counter with a clatter. Without thinking, he headed straight for the cabinet where he kept a bottle of whiskey, one he had almost forgotten about. His hands shook slightly as he pulled it out and unscrewed the cap. The familiar scent of the liquor hit his nose, a blend of warmth and bitterness that he hadn't indulged in for some time. James poured himself a generous glass and downed it in one swift motion, the burn in his throat mirroring the turmoil in his mind. He poured another, and then another, each one blurring the edges of his frustration just a little bit more. He sank into his leather armchair, the weight of the day pressing down on him. Images of Melissa and the confrontation with George swirled in his mind, mixing with memories of his late wife, Jessie. The room around him seemed to tilt slightly as the alcohol took hold, dulling his senses but not his emotions. He poured another glass, the amber liquid glistening in the dim light. As the evening wore on, James continued to drink, the whiskey becoming a temporary balm for his pain. He tried to make sense of everything: his feelings for Melissa, the fallout at work, and the shadow of Jessie that still lingered over his heart. But the more he drank, the less clear everything became, his thoughts slipping away like water through his fingers. Eventually, the bottle was empty, and James was left in a drunken haze, slumped in his chair. His eyelids grew heavy, and he felt the numbness settle over him, a brief respite from the storm of emotions. In the quiet of his home, with the last remnants of whiskey on his breath, James drifted into a restless sleep, hoping that the morning might bring some clarity to his troubled mind. "Dad, wake up," Ellie said, shaking him. James' eyes fluttered open slightly, indicating he was waking up. "Where am I?" "You're at home. What happened?" Ellie asked, glancing at the empty bottle of whiskey lying on the floor beside him. "I don't remember much," he mumbled. "Dad, you were doing so well. What prompted this?" Ellie asked, her voice filled with concern. "I just had a bad day at work, that's all." "So you had to drink a whole bottle of whiskey because of it?" She sat beside him. "What's going on?" "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" he replied, frustration creeping into his voice. "Maybe because we're worried about you." "I can handle myself, Ellie. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a shower," he said, getting up unsteadily. "What about work?" "I've taken a few days off." James stumbled into the bathroom, his movements unsteady and sluggish from the alcohol still coursing through his system. He fumbled with the shower knobs, finally managing to get the water running at the right temperature. As the steam filled the small space, he stripped off his clothes and stepped under the hot spray. The water pounded against his skin, but instead of providing the clarity he sought, it only seemed to intensify his dizziness. He leaned against the tiled wall, letting the water cascade over him, trying to wash away the confusion and frustration that had driven him to drink in the first place. Despite the soothing warmth of the shower, James' mind remained a tumultuous swirl of emotions. He closed his eyes, hoping the water would somehow cleanse his mind as well as his body. But the alcohol's grip was too strong, keeping him tethered to a haze of regret and uncertainty. After what felt like an eternity, he turned off the water and stepped out, barely managing to dry himself before collapsing onto his bed, the exhaustion and intoxication finally overwhelming him.

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The Irresistible Hope - Book Two

BBunge

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Kyla Jensen

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