The Bonus

by T.L. Swan

My name is Grace Porter, and I am the personal assistant to Gabriel Ferrara, CEO of Ferrara Media in New York. And it’s the perfect job, great pay, beautiful office, everything I ever dreamed of, if not for one small detail. I am utterly and hopelessly in love with my boss.

You never regret the things that you do, only the things that you didn’t.

“Good morning, Gabriel,” I reply. “Last time I looked, I was not your Gracie.” He lets out a deep chuckle. “You will always be my Gracie.”

“I’ll only ever buy a diamond for someone I love.” “You should probably buy yourself a few, then,” I mutter, deadpan. He smirks as he buttons up his shirt. “I am the diamond.”

“You’re leaving me?” he whispers. “I have to.” His eyes search mine. “I’m sorry.” His jaw clenches, and then without another word he marches back into his office and slams the door, it echoes as the walls shake. Hot tears burn my eyes. You were supposed to beg me to stay.

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…”

“My heritage is very important to me. It is expected that I deliver a strong bloodline; my children’s first language to be Italian.” He thinks for a moment before adding, “I need an Italian wife.”

His words come back to me: I’ll only ever buy a diamond for someone I love.

I can forgive him for not loving me. What I can’t forgive is myself, for ever believing that he could.

“Just because I didn’t want you never meant I didn’t want them.”

“Do the paternity test,” he warns. “And if I don’t?” “Prepare yourself.” My eyes hold his. “For what? “Armafuckinggeddon.”