The Promotion

Chapter One

5 years later...

"Calum... Calum... CALUM!" I shouted from the kitchen.

I waited a few seconds for a response. Nothing.

My voice echoed around the apartment, bouncing off the walls, but no words bounced back. I checked the time on my phone—fifteen minutes until I had to be at work. A frustrated grunt slipped from my mouth as irritation bubbled inside me. The longer I waited, the tighter my head felt, a headache slowly creeping in.

I stormed into the bedroom and found Calum sprawled across the bed, fast asleep. His scruffy light-brown hair was twisted across his face, lips parted as soft snores escaped him. Without hesitation, I grabbed the water bottle from the bedside table and splashed its contents straight onto his face.

"Louisa, what the hell!" he shouted, jolting upright as he wiped the water from his eyes.

"Calum, get up," I snapped. "I don't have time to wait around for you to wake up. Don't forget you've got an interview today. Please—please—make sure you go to it."

"Alright, alright, relax, babe," he replied sleepily, waving me away.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes.
"No, I'm not going to relax. This could be good for you. I know it's not the best job, but working in a call centre can get you places."

I glanced at the time again—ten minutes left.

"Look, I have to go now," I called as I headed for the door. "Just make sure you look presentable. Love you. Bye!"

I jumped into my car and drove off as fast as I could. My thoughts were all over the place, circling around how Calum would do at his interview. Deep down, I hoped—wished—he'd get the job, but doubt lingered quietly at the back of my mind.

When I finally arrived at work, I rushed to park and hurried toward the grand building that was AP Enterprise. Even after five years of working here, the breathtaking feeling of walking inside never faded. I made my way to my desk, where Sarah was already seated.

"Morning," I said, dropping into my chair.

"Morning, Louisa. Ready for another day of complaints?" she chuckled.

"You know me—always ready. Anything to distract me from my stress," I replied, raising my brows.

She immediately caught on and rolled her eyes. "Oh no. Don't tell me you're stressed about Calum."

As much as I didn't want to be, I was. I nodded shamelessly.

"Bloody hell," Sarah muttered. "What's he done this time?"

"It's not about what he's done," I said. "It's about what he hasn't done. I managed to get him an interview at the call centre here. I just really hope he actually goes." I hesitated before blurting out, "And I've realised... I honestly can't remember the last time we had sex."

I cringed at my own words, bracing myself for laughter.

Sarah's eyes widened in surprise before she burst out laughing—exactly as expected.

"Woah—where did that come from?" she whispered, lowering her voice. "Wait, are you serious? Things really that bad?"

I sighed. "I don't know. I'm just so stressed. He doesn't bother applying for jobs, we're barely intimate, and the closest thing we have to a relationship lately is sleeping in the same bed. Sometimes I wonder if it's my fault because my job takes up so much of my time."

Sarah leaned forward and took my hands.
"Don't," she said firmly. "Don't put this on yourself. You do everything for him—helping him find jobs, supporting him. You do so much." She hesitated. "And you might kill me for suggesting this again, but if you're struggling... maybe taking a break wouldn't be the worst thing."