Starting Over

chapter twenty-six

Scarlett

Three weeks later ...

I pull my jacket around my body as I fight against the wind blowing me backwards.

Now it has reached mid October, the cold weather has finally made an appearance. I dug out all my warmer coats and jumpers from the back of my wardrobe last weekend, in preparation for the winter months.

Today is officially the start of my new role.

Michelle left last Friday and I stepped into her position as Linda told me I'd done a great job balancing two workloads. The only problem is my relationship has suffered.

I haven't seen Brody since our weekend together where he surpised me a few weeks ago now. We've barely even spoke on the phone too, our jobs just clashing during the week.

I've missed him more than anything, this is what I was worried about when I left Whitedale at the end of summer. He promised me that we would make this work, but it's getting hard.

However, this weekend I haven't taken on any extra work and I've not made any plans with my friends. Brody has been asking me every Friday if I'm coming to spend the weekend with him, or if he can come here but I've been busy. So this weekend I'm driving to his and we can have the weekend together.

Making it into the building ready for my morning coffee, I freeze as I see two familiar faces with their arms wrapped around each other and sickening happy smiles on their faces.

Linda spots me and waves me over. Taking a deep breathe, I walk over slowly to the desk.

"Hi Scarlett, Michelle here came to collect a few things from her desk. Her boyfriend offered to help, how sweet."

Linda gets called away and I'm left stood staring at Michelle holding hands with Ryan.

"Oh yeah, you two already know each other." Michelle smirks at me.

"You two are together?" The disgust evident in my voice.

"We just moved in together actually."

I can feel my heart hammering in my chest, I bite inside my cheek to stop the tears falling that are building up.

"A bit quick." My throat tightens as I speak.

"Hmm not really, we've been dating for over a year and we are in love." Michelle responds, placing a kiss on Ryan's lips.

They've been together while he was with me this whole time.

"Fuck you both." I spit at them.

I storm outside, running to my car as the hot tears fall down my face.

Slamming the door behind me, I take my rage out on the steering wheel, repeatedly hitting it with the palm of my hands. I can't go back into work like this.

Finding my phone from my bag I dial Linda and tell her I'm not feeling well so I'm going home. Next I call Brody.

"Hey Scar."

"H-hi." I stutter, my throat bubbling with emotion.

"What's happened? Shouldn't you be in work."

I don't even know where to start.

"Michelle, whos position I've just stepped into, for over a year now she has been with Ryan. Like together with him, can you fucking believe that? I can't believe those two showing up where I work like nothing is wrong. I just saw them both now. I told my boss I wasn't feeling well so I'm going home for the day. Also, I don't think I'm in the right frame of mind to be driving, so I won't be coming to yours tonight. I'm sorry."