Chapter 2

Michael pulled his arm away from Brenda' s touch.

Her smile faltered for a split second.

"No," he said. His voice was flat, cold.

Brenda blinked. "No? Michael, what are you talking about? We discussed this."

"We didn't discuss anything, Brenda," Michael stated. "You told me what you wanted. Like always."

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't be difficult, Michael. This is important for Rick. And what's good for Rick is good for us."

"Good for you and Rick, you mean," Michael corrected.

The color drained slightly from her face. "What are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything," he said, his gaze steady. "I know about you and Rick Donovan. I know you want him to get that GM position, and you'll do anything to make it happen."

Brenda scoffed, trying to regain her composure. "That's ridiculous. You're being paranoid. Rick is your colleague, a friend."

"A friend?" Michael let out a short, harsh laugh. "Is that what you call the man you're sleeping with?"

Brenda recoiled as if struck. "How dare you!"

"I dare because it's the truth," Michael said, his voice rising slightly. "I'm not withdrawing my name, Brenda. I'm going for that promotion."

"You'll ruin everything!" she hissed, her sweet facade crumbling. "Our marriage..."

"What marriage?" Michael shot back. "The one where my wife is in love with another man? The one where she plans to ensure he gets promoted over me? That marriage?"

He saw panic flicker in her eyes, quickly masked by anger.

"You wouldn't dare divorce me," she said, her voice low and threatening.

"Try me," Michael said, his tone final. "I'm not the fool I once was. I won't be your stepping stone, and I certainly won't be Rick Donovan's."

He turned and walked out of the breakroom, leaving Brenda standing there, stunned and furious.

The air in the service bay felt cleaner, fresher than it had in years.

He had drawn his line. The game had changed.

Over the next month, Michael threw himself into his work as Service Manager. He knew his stuff, and he made sure Mr. Harrison saw it.

He also watched.

Brenda was a whirlwind of activity, always smiling, always charming.

He saw her talking animatedly with Mr. Henderson, the Parts Manager, who suddenly started finding rare components for Rick' s pet projects.

He saw her having a long lunch with Mr. Davies, a junior partner known for his wandering eye. Davies came back looking flushed and overly pleased with himself.

She was working her magic, just like he knew she would.

The day of the announcement arrived.

Mr. Harrison called a staff meeting.

"After much consideration," Mr. Harrison began, his eyes sweeping over Michael and then Rick, "I've decided the new General Manager of Metro Motors will be... Rick Donovan."

A polite applause, led enthusiastically by Brenda, who beamed at Rick.

Rick stood, a smug, triumphant grin spreading across his handsome face. He caught Michael' s eye and gave a slight, condescending nod.

Michael kept his expression neutral. He' d expected this. This time, it didn't crush him. It fueled him.

That evening, there was a celebratory dinner at a local steakhouse. Michael had to attend.

Brenda sat next to Rick, her hand frequently on his arm, laughing too loudly at his jokes.

Rick, full of cheap champagne and arrogance, made a toast.

"To new beginnings," he said, raising his glass, his eyes finding Michael. "And to those who know when to step aside for better talent."

Later, as Rick walked past Michael' s table, he "accidentally" stumbled, sloshing his red wine down the front of Michael' s clean white shirt.

"Oh, terribly sorry, Thompson," Rick slurred, not sounding sorry at all. Brenda giggled from her seat.

The old Michael would have seethed silently, or mumbled an apology for being in the way.

The new Michael stood up slowly.

He picked up his own glass of ice water.

He looked Rick directly in the eyes.

Then, he calmly poured the entire glass of water onto the plush carpet at Rick' s feet.

"Accidents happen, Donovan," Michael said evenly.

He turned and walked out of the restaurant.

Brenda' s furious shout followed him into the night. "Michael! How could you!"

He didn't look back.