WHAT IF???

Chapter 5: Diversity

I was strolling through the bustling streets of downtown when I spotted my friends Jim, Tee, and Kade sitting at a cozy café. Excited to see them, I hurried over and greeted them with warm hugs and bright smiles.

"Mon, it's been ages! We've missed you," Jim exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with genuine happiness.

Tee and Kade echoed her sentiments, showering Mon with affectionate greetings and laughter. It felt like no time had passed at all since they were last together, despite the busy lives they all led.

As they settled into their seats, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected reunion. Catching up with old friends was always a joyous occasion, and I was eager to hear about their latest adventures and share stories of my own. With cups of steaming coffee in hand and hearts full of laughter, we embarked on a delightful afternoon of reminiscing, laughter, and friendship.

"Are you here for vacation?" Kade asked eagerly.

"I'm back for good. I won't be going back to England. I just finished up a project there and then left," I explained.

"That's great!! We can hang out again!" Tee exclaimed.

"You always say that, Tee. You're really into Mon, huh?" Jim joked.

"What's wrong with that? Mon is single anyway."

"It's like you're not friends with Sam, huh!" Kade chided Tee, giving him a playful nudge on the arm as he acted like he would put his arm around Mon.

"I am friends with Sam, yes. But where is she? Isn't she married to Kirk already? Don't worry, Mon, you have no competition with me," he flirted with Mon again.

Tee's banter with Kade brought back memories, and I couldn't help but laugh. I missed Tee teasing Kade, that's why I couldn't help but laugh.

"I missed hearing you laugh, Mon," Jim said, leaning in affectionately.

"I remember, Mon, when we dropped you off at the airport, we almost didn't want to let you go because you were crying so much," Jim reminisced about an event three years ago.

Those memories also flashed through my mind. One of those events I didn't want to revisit.

Three years had passed, and I found out Sam married Kirk. Jim, Kade, and Tee were my pillars of support during those times.

"Mon, your mom told us to come up. Can we come in?" Jim asked as he knocked on my bedroom door.

Jim, Kade, and Tee exchanged worried glances as they entered her room, their concern evident in their furrowed brows and hesitant steps. Seeing me in such a state broke their hearts, reminding them of the vibrant friend they once knew, now reduced to a shell of my former self.

I lay on her bed, cocooned in a heavy blanket of sorrow. My lively eyes were now dull and clouded with tears, a testament to the pain that weighed heavily on my heart. Memories of Sam's wedding to Kirk played on a loop in my mind, each scene stabbing at my already fragile emotions.

Kade and Tee nodded in agreement, their expressions filled with compassion as they gathered around me. I managed a weak smile through my tears, grateful for their unwavering presence in my darkest hour.

Together, they sat in silence, offering their silent comfort as I navigated the turbulent waters of heartbreak. In that moment, amidst the pain and despair, I found solace in the unconditional love of my friends, a beacon of hope guiding me through the storm.

As I reminisced about the past, lost in the memories of heartbreak and loss, she was suddenly jolted back to the present by Jim's voice.

"Mon," Jim said gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay? You seemed lost in thought there for a moment."

Blinking back tears, I took a deep breath and nodded, grateful for the grounding presence of my friends. "I'm okay," I replied, her voice tinged with emotion. "Just got lost in my thoughts for a bit."

"Hey, we're not here to dwell on the past. Let's move on, that's all behind us now. But Mon, what are your plans now that you're back?" Kade asked eagerly, eager to hear what I had to say.

"Well, I got hired at Diversity, Ltd. I'll be starting next week, so we still have a week to catch up before my new job consumes my time," I gleefully shared about my new job.

"What?!?" The three of them exclaimed, eyes wide open. Tee slammed the table, Jim dropped the spoon in surprise, and Kade stood up to sit beside me.

"Mon! Are you insane?" I gazed at Jim with curiosity.

"Do you know whose company that is?" Tee added.

"Don't you know that Diversity is a subsidiary company of her Grandmother's group of companies?" Kade exclaimed with concern and shock.

"Meaning?" I asked them out of curiosity, my anxiety level rising as I already had an idea of what they were trying to point out.

"Is she working there?" I anxiously inquired to verify my suspicions.

"She's the CEO of Diversity, Mon," Jim affirmed, still clearly taken aback by my disclosure.

Unable to contain myself, I ran my hand through my hair while leaning heavily against the back of the chair, taking a deep breath.

"What now, what if you come face to face with her? Are you ready to confront your traitorous friend, Mon?" I felt Kade's anger towards my friend Kirk.

"He can't do anything for now, and he'll start in a week," Jim added.

My nerves persisted from the moment we had dinner with Jim until my first day at work arrived.

On my first day at work under Sam's company, Diversity, Ltd., I felt a whirlwind of emotions. Stepping into the sleek, modern office building, I couldn't shake off the mixture of excitement and apprehension bubbling inside me.

As I walked through the bustling corridors, I couldn't help but marvel at the polished professionalism of the workplace. The sight of employees engrossed in their tasks, the sound of phones ringing, and the hum of productivity filled the air, creating an atmosphere of purpose and drive.

Upon reaching my designated workspace, I was greeted warmly by her new colleagues, who welcomed me with open arms and eager smiles. Despite the friendly reception, I couldn't shake off the nagging thought of Sam's looming presence as the CEO of the company.

"Hi, Mon, right? I'm Yha, the admin assistant of our group. I'm sorry, but your manager was supposed to resign last week. You'll be reporting directly to our CEO," Yha explained cheerfully.

Why is this happening to me? First, I applied to the company of the person who hurt me deeply. And now, they will be my boss? What else could happen while I'm here in this company?