Finding Rebecca by Jessica Silver Read Free Book Online Page B

that I need to tell you all.”
    Everyone’s gaze was fixed on her and the expression on their faces told me that they were thinking the same thing that I was. “What could possibly have such a dynamic, professional woman so shaken?”
    “As you all know, Neil has been out in our L.A. office trying to get it back in shape. I know we have all missed him here. I spoke with him a couple of days ago and he was telling me how great things were going. Everything seemed to be on track and he was planning to be back here next Monday. Unfortunately, that is not the case as of this morning.”
    My heart sunk and my head was spinning as I tried to figure out just what was going on that would make Neil not want to come back. I silently tried to calm myself.
    “Maybe she means he will just be delayed a bit. He might have more work to do,” I thought.
    “I received a call about an hour ago to inform me that Neil has been in an accident,” she continued.
    Everyone in the room gasped. At least I hoped that it was everyone. It may have been just me. I don’t know. Nausea came in waves as I tried to listen to what Samantha was saying.
    “He’s in the hospital out there. They wouldn’t give me a lot of information other than he was in critical condition. I have been trying to reach his family since I got the news, but all I’m getting is voicemail. If any of you know how to get in touch with anyone in his family, please see me after we disperse so that I can relay what information that I have to them.”
    That was all I could take. I jumped up from the table and ran directly to the ladies’ room down the hall. I barely made it into the stall before I started throwing up. Tears were streaming down my cheeks when I heard the door open.
    “Rebecca?” Samantha called out. “Are you all right?”
    “Yeah,” I managed to get out between heaves. “I’m just not feeling very well.”
    Collapsing on the cold tile floor, my body shook as I cried. I hadn’t locked the door on the stall and Samantha pushed it open.
    “I had no idea you were that close to him,” she said as she softly touched my shoulder.
    I wiped my eyes and looked up at her. There was nothing but concern in her eyes.
    “Samantha, I didn’t know when I met him. We had a-a fling, I guess you would call it, when I moved into the apartment. After I found out we would be working together, I tried to break it off. He didn’t want to. We tried to keep it a secret from everyone that we were seeing each other. I just talked to him on the phone last night. He said he loved me for the very first time.”
    I couldn’t stop the words or the tears from rushing out of me. I knew that I was putting my job in danger with every sentence that I uttered, but I had to tell her.
    “I’ve got to go to him,” I continued. “I’ve got to see for myself that he’s all right.”
    “I don’t know that they will let you see him, Rebecca,” Samantha said as she put her arm around my shoulders. “He’s in ICU and usually only family is allowed in there.”
    “I don’t care. I’ve got to be there.”
    “Okay. We’ll make arrangements for you to go, but first tell me how I can get in touch with his family.”
    “I don’t know,” I whispered. “I haven’t ever met any of them. I know someone who might know though. Let me get myself together and I’ll make a call.”
    I pulled myself up off the bathroom floor and splashed some cold water on my face in the sink. It didn’t help. I looked in the mirror and saw how pale I was.
    “I feel like a fool now,” I said as I looked at Samantha’s reflection in the mirror. “I’m old enough to know better than to get involved with a coworker. I probably should resign now.”
    “Don’t,” she soothed. “It’s understandable. Neil’s a great guy and, trust me, there are plenty of women here that would love to land him. If I wasn’t his boss, I can’t say that I wouldn’t have tried it myself. You’re going to take a leave