𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 | 𝓙𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓻 𝓟𝓮𝓷𝓪 |

~ 27 ~

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:

Days had passed since the tense meeting, but the weight of that day still lingered heavily on my mind. After hanging up with Olivia, my emotions were a whirlwind of tears, laughter, and overwhelming nostalgia for the sibling bond we once shared.

Yesterday, I made a decision that would alter the course of my life—I quit my job. The realization hit me hard as I packed my belongings into a suitcase, tears streaming down my face. Anxiety pills offered no solace, leaving me in a state of emotional limbo, unsure if I had made the right choice.

As the clock struck noon, my phone buzzed incessantly with missed calls and texts from coworkers, Teresa, and even my boss. Surprisingly, Javier's name flashed across the screen, adding to the chaos of my emotions.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, disrupting the solitude of my turmoil. I debated whether to ignore it, but the persistent knocking urged me to answer. With a piece of paper hastily grabbed from the bathroom to wipe away my tears, I reluctantly opened the door.

There stood Javier, his expression etched with concern, his breaths ragged, and his car hastily parked in the street. My tear-streaked face betrayed the inner turmoil I was experiencing, leaving Javier visibly shaken.

Without a word, he enveloped me in his embrace, his hands cradling my face as he demanded to know what had happened. "Madison, what the hell happened? They called me saying you wouldn't be working with me again."

I shook my head, taking his hands away and going to my room to continue putting clothes in my suitcase. I picked up the cigar I had in my room and when I was about to light it, Javier took it away from me.

"What the fuck are you doing with that? Where did you get that from?," he asked, clearly mad.

"I'm so stressed Javier fuck off," I said exhausted. "Yesterday, my boss made verbal and physical advances on me, and Liam too," I confessed, my voice trembling with emotion. "I needed to get out of the circle I had gotten myself into. I need time for myself."

Javier's brows furrowed with concern as he listened intently, his eyecontinues reflecting a mix of shock and anger. "Madison, why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have gone there to break their fucking faces, I really can't stand your boss."

I paused, trying to compose myself before continuing. "I didn't know who else to turn to. I felt trapped, suffocated by everything around me."

He reached out, his hand hovering over mine. "You should have told me."

"I just couldn't take it anymore, Javi. My boss, Liam... they crossed a line. I don't even recognize myself anymore."

Javier's reaction was immediate—he urged me to stop packing, to cease my anxious ramblings, and to simply breathe. His calm demeanor grounded me as I listened to his reassurances.

"Stop, Madison. Just breathe. Why are you even packing? Where are you going?"

I felt tears coming back to my eyes. "My sister called, she wants to see me and... Everything that happened yesterday I just quit everything, I need time for myself, I need to recover some things I left behind."

"I'll go with you. You shouldn't have to face this alone."

I balked at the idea, citing Javier's responsibilities. "Javier, you can't just leave your company."

"It's fine. I have people I trust. Besides, I can take the chance to visit my offices in New York," he caressed my cheek. "Look, lets do this trip, let me go with you, and when we come back, I want you to work with me. We'll start a that new department I told you, and you'll lead it."

His offer left me speechless, tears once again welling in my eyes. The sincerity in his words and the depth of his commitment washed over me, dispelling the doubts that had clouded my judgment.

"What if I don't come back? What if I decide to stay in New York with my siblings?"

A calm smile appeared in his face. "Are you a quitter or a fighter? People give up just when they are about to achieve their goals, and I know you are in a lot of pain, but you are one of the smartest and most talented people I have ever met Maddie," she wiped away tears that were sliding down my cheeks.

"I know Javi, and I'm trying," I whispered, the words barely out of my mouth."

"This world needs you," he leaned closer to me, brushing his lips against mine. "I need you," our lips melted into a kiss.

My head began to think clearly, thinking about everything I had to do before closing that suitcase.

I wanted to get everything done before disappearing for a few days.

I separated from Javi to look at him silently, and then I hugged him, feeling his arms around me and holding me tight against him. "Thank you Javi, for coming, I needed this."

The sound of his phone wanted to interrupt us. "I do what I can my love, you don't have to thank me," he left a kiss on my neck and broke away. "I have to finish a few things at the office, when do you plan to leave?"

He looked at his phone to see who was calling, but blocked it and put it in his pocket again. "I was planning to leave tonight, or in the early morning, I still have to look at available flights."

He took my hand in his. "I'll look into flights, do you have accommodations there?," I nodded. "I'll call you later, if you need anything let me know, promise."

"I promise," his phone rang again and he mumbled something between his teeth. "Go Javi, I'll be fine."

Once he left, I finished packing away my suitcase for the final time, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose and determination. It felt even better knowing that Javier will be by my side.

[To be continued...]