NAILEA LAURENT: Nailea, the owner of Laurent Enterprise, is thirty-six years old. Without any assistance from anyone other than herself, she started this business from the ground up. She is distant and cold. She doesn't accept bullshit from anyone...
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"Aspen, get up. It's time for you to go back to work. You've been out long enough." I hear from Paityn behind me. I groan in response as I put the blanket over my head.
Two days after our date, Nailea sent me a message breaking up with me: "Aspen, I'm so sorry to do this to you. I've had some time to think and I believe that we shouldn't be together anymore."
Ever since I received the message, I've been crying my eyes out. I just don't understand why she ended things, we were doing perfectly fine. Our love was beautiful. We challenged each other, pushed each other to grow. She wasn't afraid to call me out on my bullshit, and I loved her all the more for it. She saw me, truly saw me, beneath the layers I presented to the world. I saw the passionate, and dedicated woman beneath her cold demeanor.
It wasn't a fairytale, not by a long shot. We had our fights, our moments of doubt. But even in anger, there was respect, a desire to understand, not to wound. I've made many attempts to understand why she did what she did. Nothing came to mind. Maybe she found someone else. Someone who could give her what I never did.
I sob loudly at my own thoughts making Paityn peel the blanket off my body and embrace me completely.
"I don't like seeing you sad. You know that." She brushes my hair out of my face giving me a warm smile. I can tell my eyes are bloodshot because they are burning.
"I miss her so much Pay." I start to tear up again and I lay my head against her chest. She holds me tightly placing kisses on top of my head.
"I know you do but you need to continue with your life. You've been through so much Aspen, and every time you've come out on the other side stronger. Don't let this be the one thing that makes you any less stronger."
I take in my best friend's words letting them process. I love Nailea, and while I may not agree with her decision, that love is not going to fade anytime soon. I quickly come to my senses as I dry my eyes with the back of my hand. I abruptly stand up before pacing back and forth around my room. I stop and turn around facing Paityn before speaking.
"You know what, you're right."
"When am I not?" She says smirking. I roll my eyes at her comment before continuing my speech.
"I will not allow this to be the one thing that brings me down. If she doesn't want me anymore then fine. But, I was an amazing girlfriend. Like, I was top notch. If there was a world record of being the best girlfriend, my name would be on it. That's how good I was-"
"Okay, we get it. You were an amazing girlfriend. Next topic." I watch as Paityn waves me off with her hand.
"You know, I've just gotten out of a relationship and for you to treat me like this is just unacceptable."
"I literally just comforted you, not even five minutes ago."
"Anyways, I know that I was an amazing girlfriend. I knew it, she knew it, I mean everyone knew it. But, all good things come to an end. I am going to use this experience as an example of what not to do. Never again will I fall in love with my boss for her to leave me stranded like I was nothing. Never again will I mention her name. Never again will I acknowledge her." I say while plopping down on my bed.
