Love

Part 3

Half an hour later, Hailey and Naila enter the boardroom, buzzing with excitement. Black and

blue suits pace around the room back and forth. The smell of coffee lingers in the air. Her boss

sits in the center of the conference table, shuffling through papers. As he mets eyes with her, he

gives her an encouraging nod. Naila smiles back nervously, looking over her shoulder.

"It'll be OK." Hailey rests a hand on her shoulder. "You'll do great."

"Thanks," Naila responds as both of them sit down.

Soon after the boss introduces everyone, he calls Naila's name. Everyone in the boardroom claps

as Naila stands up.

Naila took a deep breath and grabbed her briefcase, her heartbeat pounding. This was it—her

chance to shine. But as she opened the case, her vision tunneled in shock.

The papers were shredded, ink blurred beyond recognition. A note burned into her spinning

mind: "You'll never leave."

No. It couldn't be. She spun to see the boardroom door bang open, rebounding off the wall.

Laiden staggered in, breath thick with alcohol.

Gasps and whispers filled the room. Out of the corner of her eye, Naila saw Hailey cover her

gaping mouth in horror.

"Thought you could sneak around behind my back?" Laiden spat. He then said a very not-nice

word that started with a B.

Naila found her voice trembling. "Laiden, stop. You're making a scene."

"We were supposed to be together!" he roared. "But you had to chase some stupid dream."

Hot tears stung Naila's eyes. "It's not stupid! It's my life!"

For a moment, devastation etched Laiden's features. Then the rage returned tenfold. "You'll pay

for this."

As he lunged, two security guards grabbed his flailing arms. "No!" Naila cried, then locked eyes

with Laiden, words like knives: "I'm done being your prisoner. We're done."

Laiden flailed his arms as the guards dragged him out. Naila collapsed, feeling every emotion

crash through her all at once.

The boardroom erupted into whispers after the door closed with a BANG. Naila collapsed into

her chair, body wracked with sobs. Through blurred vision, she saw Hailey rushing over.

"Naila, come on, let's get you out of here," Hailey said gently, helping her stand on shaking legs.

As they entered the empty bathroom, Naila's tears came faster, her breath hitching painfully in

her chest. Hailey guided her to the floor and pulled her into an embrace.

"I'm so sorry," Naila choked. "I should've listened to you. I should've left him the first chance I

got...."

"Shhh, just breathe. It's over now," Hailey soothed, stroking Naila's hair until her sobs began to

subside.

After what felt like hours, Naila's cries faded into sniffles. She met Hailey's eye, finding only

compassion. "You were so brave to stand up to him. I'm proud of you."

Naila nodded weakly. Hailey was right—she had reclaimed her power. And she would never let

someone like Laiden control her again.

—-

At the airport, Naila and Hailey embraced tightly. As they pulled apart, Hailey's eyes lingered on

Naila's lips before closing the gap in a tender kiss.

"I'll miss you. Call me when you land?" Hailey asked, hands lingering in Naila's.

Naila nodded, overcome with emotions. "I wouldn't be doing this without your support. Thank

you."

With sadness, they parted ways. Naila sat contemplating everything that had led her here - the

confrontation, her brave stand, and blossoming feelings for Hailey. Though shaken, she had

survived and grown stronger.

After Naila's boss had heard her story, he had pulled some strings to have Naila resubmit her

newly done blueprints. The company loved them! So, three weeks later, Naila was on her way to

Denver.

Naila had learned from an old friend that soon after she moved out, Laiden has been attending

AA meetings to help with his alcoholism. This news made her shiver, wondering what would've

happened had she stayed longer.

Lost in thought, Naila looked up to see Laiden approaching through security, clean-shaven with

flowers. She tensed before noting his calm demeanor.

"Naila, may we talk?" Laiden asked. At her nod, he continued. "I'm truly sorry for how I

behaved. You didn't deserve that.."

"You're right. I didn't." Naila crossed her arms.

Laiden was taken aback for a moment but quickly continued. "So, I've been going to these AA

meetings. I've been doing good."

"I'm sure you have."

He cleared his throat. "Would you... like to move in with me, again? Everything would be

different." He swallowed. "I promise."

Naila thought for a moment, looking into Laiden's face. This had been her boyfriend of 5 years.

The one who demanded dinner every night. The one who didn't let her go out with friends.

Screamed at her. Followed her to work.

How dare he ask if he could have another chance? He didn't deserve it.

"No."

Laiden's jaw dropped.

"But thanks for apologizing."

Naila's flight was called. "Goodbye, Laiden. Have a nice life."

As Naila walked away from Laiden's shocked and saddened face and towards the gate, she smiled to herself.

Her blueprints would look really nice under her new skylight at her new apartment.