Housekeeper (Lavens Family, part 1)

14. Life goes on

*Vanessa*

Weeks had passed with no sign of Dave. He hadn't responded to my emails, not even once. After my fifth attempt at reaching him, I resigned myself to silence. Stephanie had been my rock throughout it all, offering unwavering support as I struggled to piece myself back together.

On a brighter note, she and Arturo had officially become a couple. While I was happy for them, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy whenever I saw them together.

During yet another one of their countless kissing sessions right in front of me, I grabbed the newspaper to avoid watching them. As I unfolded it, my eyes landed on a headline that made my stomach drop:

Dave Lavens Bids Farewell to Bachelorhood.

Frequently seen in the company of Sarah Lips, the once most eligible bachelor sparks rumours. Could this signify he's ready to settle down? Are wedding bells ringing in...

So, it was true. I had been nothing more than a fleeting indulgence to him. My fingers trembled as I stared at the accompanying photograph. Dave and Sarah, stepping out of a restaurant, both radiant with joy. His smile—the one I had cherished—was now meant for someone else.

I couldn't bear to look any longer. The newspaper slipped from my grasp, and hot tears welled in my eyes. I tried to hold them back, but the weight of everything crashed over me. A sob tore from my throat, and for the first time since that night, I let myself weep.

A warm arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me into a comforting embrace. I turned and met Stephanie's sympathetic gaze.

"Is it finally time, girl?" she whispered gently.

I nodded, my voice breaking. "It hurts so much, Stephanie. I thought it was just a fling, but I was wrong. I developed feelings for him... and now, I've lost him."

Stephanie handed me a handkerchief, which I clutched tightly as I wiped my eyes.

"I apologize for my friends behaviour, Vanessa," Arturo murmured, his voice heavy with remorse.

"You shouldn't apologize, sweetheart," Stephanie said sharply before turning back to me. Her expression hardened with anger. "That scumbag Dave Lavens should be the one apologizing!"

A fresh wave of sorrow washed over me as Stephanie pulled me closer, holding me as I cried. The only sound in the room was my quiet sobbing.

After a while, Stephanie turned to Arturo. "Have you heard anything from him?"

Arturo shook his head, his brows furrowed. "No, and that's the strange part. He's been ignoring all my calls and messages. It's not like him at all."

Needing solitude, I pushed back my chair and rushed to my room, my vision blurred by tears. I collapsed onto my bed, clutching my pillow as though it could hold me together.

Stephanie's voice was gentle as she approached. "Vanessa..."

"Please, Stephanie. I just need to be alone," I choked out, pressing my face deeper into the pillow. She sighed softly, and moments later, I heard the door close behind her. That was when I truly broke. I cried until exhaustion finally pulled me under.

A month later, I resigned from my position as Dave Lavens' housekeeper. With that, I lost the house and moved into a modest one-room flat in the city, using my savings from months of free rent to sustain me. I sent my resignation via email and mailed a formal letter to the address listed in my contract. The only response I received was a standard C4 form and a brief, impersonal letter expressing regret over my departure. Nothing from Dave himself.