Chapter 4 Finally Off the Clock

The gala ended, and Grant had drunk far too much. Sylvia was the one holding him up as they came out. "Ms. Leavitt, Grant's drunk, and he keeps calling my name," Sylvia said. "I don't feel comfortable leaving him like this, so I'll go back with you and help get him home." She looked at me with open provocation. I looked at Grant. He was out cold from the alcohol, and I couldn't help feeling a little put off. He was heavy, and he looked like he was about to throw up. I'd be the one cleaning up afterward. That would be overtime. If Sylvia wanted to take over, I couldn't have been happier. "Then, I'll have to trouble you, Ms. Knox." I graciously opened the car door, helped them shove Grant into the back seat, then got into the front passenger seat myself. The entire drive, Sylvia stayed in the back, taking care of Grant. She gave him water and wiped the sweat from his face. The two of them were so intimate, it was as if no one else existed. The driver kept his eyes on the road and stayed silent, not daring to breathe too loudly. I put on my headphones and pretended to listen to music when I was really listening to a finance lecture. Before long, we arrived at the apartment building. Sylvia helped Grant out of the car, then turned to me. "Ms. Leavitt, Grant needs someone to take care of him tonight. You can go back first." This was supposed to be my "home" with Grant. She was trying to take my place and push me out entirely. I should've cried, made a scene, and fallen apart. But I glanced at the calendar on my phone. It was December 23. There were only two days left until the contract expired. This wasn't the time to stir up trouble. What if I pissed Grant off and he docked my year-end bonus? So, I took a deep breath and forced a smile that looked just sad enough. "Okay…" I said softly. "As long as you can take good care of him. I'll… I'll go." "Elodie…" Grant seemed to sober up a little right then. He cracked his eyes open in a haze, saw me turning to leave, and reached out instinctively to grab me. "Don't go… Where are you going?" Sylvia immediately wrapped both hands around his arm and soothed him gently. "Grant, it's me, Sylvia. I'm here." The moment Grant heard her name, his hand froze in midair. He looked at me, then at Sylvia, his expression tangled. In the end, he lowered his hand and let Sylvia support him into the elevator. I stood there in the cold wind, watching the two of them from behind. There was only one thought in my head. I was finally off the clock.