I’ve made my decision.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
He folded his hands.
“I can keep you in the company on only one condition.”
I looked at him immediately. At that moment, my mind went to the worst possible place. His voice was calm. Too calm.
“What condition?”
Richard looked directly into my eyes.
“If you want to stay, starting tomorrow, you will no longer work for me for a salary.”
For several seconds, I did not understand what he meant.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“You want me to work for free?”
He did not answer. That silence hurt more than anything. Seven years.
I had stayed at the office late countless times. I had come in even when I was sick.
I had saved meetings, fixed last-minute contract problems, and dealt with difficult clients for him.
And now he was telling me I could stay
