Bittersweet Memories (Off-Limits)

“Do you know why the boss called this meeting?” Jessica asks, her tone concerned. “He’s never called for such a large-scale meeting before.”

It took a while, but Jessica and I are on better terms now. It isn’t like before, where we’d grab coffees together and joke around, but at least things aren’t awkward between us anymore.

I shake my head as I follow her to the rooftop. Silas requested that every single Sinclair Security employee attend this meeting, but didn’t disclose what it’d be about. “I’m as clueless as you are.”

Jessica and I both frown when we see Silas standing in front of a large white screen, a microphone in his hands. His eyes find mine, and he smiles at me. What is going on? Normally he mentions even mundane work things to me, but this is catching me by surprise.

“Most of you must be curious about why you’re here, so let me address that first,” he says, his gaze roaming over the large crowd that has gathered. There must be hundreds of people standing here, all of us focused on Silas. “The prime purpose of this meeting is to address some rumors that have been spreading.”

He turns toward the screen and points a small remote at it, the screen lighten up with the words Project Sunshine.

“Ever since I founded this company, I’ve heard rumors about me starting this company because of a woman.” The crowd falls silent, and Silas looks around for a moment, as though he’s ensuring he’s got everyone’s attention. “Those rumors are true.”

Whispers erupt around us, excitement spreading across the crowd. Jessica looks at me with concern in her gaze, but I merely smile at her reassuringly before turning back to Silas.

Silas waits for the noise to die down before he speaks again. “Project Sunshine was Sinclair Security’s first official project, and as of today, I’m officially closing it.”

The slide behind him changes, revealing a photo of the two of us a few years ago, Silas’s arm wrapped around me. This photo must have been taken at the shelter shortly after we started dating. I can feel people turn toward me, whispering and pointing. It’s what they’ve done from the moment they found out about Silas and me, and it never gets any easier, but today it feels a little less malicious.

“Those of you who suspected that Project Sunshine was about a woman were right. The girl in this photo was the reason Sinclair Security was founded. She is the reason you all have a job today. Project Sunshine was named after Ray of Sunshine, a nickname I gave Alanna Jones many years ago. Five years ago, Alanna was in a car accident that resulted in her losing her memory. For five years, I searched for her. Last year, I finally found her. I haven’t spoken up about this before, because Alanna only recently regained her memory, but it’s time I put all the rumors to rest. That includes rumors about Alanna and me.”

He holds his hand out, and I hesitate before walking toward him, my heart racing as I place my hand in his. Silas entwines our fingers and holds onto me tightly, and I look up at him, unsure what he’s doing, and why. Why did he call this meeting?

“Most of you are aware that Alanna and I are dating, but none of you knew our story. Now, let me be clear, our private life is none of your business. The only reason I’m telling you about our past is so you have all the facts as you decide what to do next.”

Silas wraps his arm around me, his grip tight. “I’m aware some of you have been slandering my girlfriend, spreading rumors and subjecting her to workplace harassment. It seems you have forgotten that you work for a security firm, one filled with high-tech cameras and microphones. The only reason I’ve remained quiet as long as I have was so I could identify those of you who failed to adhere to our company’s policies.”

I watch as half the crowd reaches for their phones, several gasps breaking the silence.

“If we have identified you as slandering Alanna, you’ll have received a termination notice. You will not get a recommendation from me, and I strongly recommend you seek employment outside of the industry, because no company will take you after being fired from Sinclair Security.”

My stomach drops, and I look up at him wide-eyed. “Are you crazy?” I whisper.

Silas tips his head toward mine and smiles. “Yes,” he tells me. “So what?”

“You can’t do this, Silas. You can’t just fire people!”

“I knew you’d say that,” he tells me, sighing. “The world doesn’t deserve you, Alanna. These people hurt you and slandered you, and you still want to advocate for their jobs?”

I send him a pleading look. This will just alienate so many of his employees, and I suspect it’ll also tarnish his reputation in the industry. He’ll just be known as the guy who fired people because of his girlfriend. “I don’t care about them, Si. Please don’t do this, okay? This is unnecessary, and it’s crazy. You cannot just fire people over something like this. You’d better take back your words.”

Silas shakes his head as he turns back to the crowd. “At Alanna’s request, I’ll tell you that these termination notices aren’t final. I will allow you to make amends for your mistakes. Those of you who, based on the story I just shared with you, wish to apologize for their actions, may submit a formal letter of apology to Alanna by the end of the day. She may, at her sole discretion, choose to recall my termination notice.”

He makes it sound like he’s doing them a favor, but in reality, he’s just making matters worse. Apology letters? Is he insane? He’s just humiliating anyone who offended or hurt me.

“Yes,” Amy says. “That sounds fair.”

I shake my head at her in disbelief. She’s worked for Silas for far too long. He’s influencing her in the worst way. Before long, she too, will be a complete nut job.

“You’re dismissed. Get back to work and think long and hard about your actions. You had the guts to speak the words you did, so you’d better handle the consequences with the same vigor.”

The crowd disperses, most of them sending me pleading looks as they walk away. “You truly are insane,” I tell Silas. “You can’t just do stuff like that!”

He wraps his arms around me, his gaze intense. “I can, and I will. Did you really think I’d make you suffer in silence? I was just biding my time. I will never ever let any harm come to you again, Alanna. Anyone who so much as harms a hair on your head is going to pay ten times the price. I’m done being lenient. I won’t compromise on anything relating to you.”

“You’re crazy,” I tell him, “but I love you.”

He grins at me and cups my face, leaning in. “I love you more, Ray,” he whispers, his lips brushing past mine, once, twice, before he kisses me.

“Hey, you know what?” he whispers against my lips.

I pull back to look at him. “What?”

“I think that wish of yours has been granted. This. This is true happiness, the kind we’ve always wanted.”

I grin at him, my heart overflowing with the exact happiness he’s describing. This really is it. This moment, right now. It’s all of our dreams come true.