How Could You?

8

Leona

At this disastrous turn in life, I was grateful for the support, and loving family I have. I had a terrible panic attack after seeing picturised evidence of the soul-wrenching deceiving of the Man who was my everything, my pillar of strength, my pride and my honour.

But even the toughest of foundations shift because of an earthquake right? Ours cracked up bit by bit and shattered to dust when I just woke up the next morning and felt empty.

Like all that love, the disappointment I had for my hopes being crushed and my wounded trust, all of it has taken off somewhere unknown. I skimmed through my head and my heart, in my memories but I felt nothing warm towards that Man.

He Facetime a couple of times, and I handed the phone to Wilona each time since he texted he understood if I didn't want to talk right now, but could he speak to her? I didn't want our daughter to hate her Father, or grow distant from him. He did end up injuring us all but that should be her decision whether to be around him or not.

Nonetheless, my daughter still offered me the comfort and confidence I needed at this time. She was far more sweet and resilient than I was, then again kids are Angels.

With whatever parts left of my courage, I gathered them up and drove to work still worried about having to face my Boss after I practically skipped two weeks of work. I had an inkling of a feeling that I was about to be fired, so I kept the other opportunities onboard if that happened.

I parked the car in the lot and took the stairs up to the entrance. Once I scanned my employee ID I was lent inside and I took the left for the elevator. The security checked the charts and approved my visit I pressed the sixth level, straight to the CEO's Office. My hands were clammy, as I rode the elevator alone trying to calm my flickering nerves.

The tightening of my stomach only got worse as I walked through the small corridor, in the end, there was a wooden door.
I fixed the part of my skirt I was clutching hard and knocked biting my lips.

Oh God if he fires me that would be humiliating on top of everything else happening.

Maybe he didn't hear the soft thud, so I knocked a little harder this time, all while wishing I could fist my heart that was thundering so badly.

"Yes, come in," came his loud, but gentle voice. I entered his office with my chin up not wanting to appear shaky like my legs. He was half seated gracefully on top of his desk, reading a file. His office smelled like those luxurious hotels, I've only been there once though.

"Please sit down Miss Leona," he addressed softly as he moved out of the way walking around and sitting on his chair. I sat down, pressing my lips together with his hands came up to the desk, resting together.

"Well," he begins. "How're you for the starters?" He asked and my head was slightly hanging low shot up in surprise. Well! This wasn't the question I was hoping for, in fact, I wasn't hoping for any questions at all. I thought I would be straight-up fired.

"Miss Leona," he calls out and I mentally dusted my surprise for now.

"I am well Sir," I answered.

"Then I am sure you have an explanation for your uncalled leave," he speaks before sighing. "The management wants me to fire you, but I thought I would give you the benefit of the doubt." He says.

"Yes," I nearly stuttered out.

"I mean thank you, sir, I promise I have an explanation," I asserted to him.

"Okay then go on," he mutters leaning back on his chair and checking his watch. "You have ten minutes." Then he was watching me with attentive eyes and I cleared my throat.

"At first I took my daughter to Hawaii to visit a Neurologist," I started up with a slow dry sentence, unable to lay it out like it was such a regular, normal occurrence I choked on my words.

"What's wrong with your daughter?" He inquired surprising me again.

"She had an accident and she can't walk, she's had two failed surgeries," I enlightened.

"So you were gone for two weeks?" He says.

"No." He sighs at my reply.

"Then what caused such a responsible employee to skip without informing before the leave Miss Leona." He puzzled. It took everything in me to stop myself from just exploding out not because I was frustrated with his interrogation or something. Because the thought of finding another job while going through a divorce with someone as defying as Wilson isn't something I want.

"I found my husband was cheating on me, Sir. And I had to drive to my Parents in the middle of the night to Greenwich, I've been staying there ever since." I explained in a hasty row, my voice coming out low. I did not dare look at him, I didn't want to see any humiliation or pity in people's eyes anymore. Shit happens, and I have decided to move on and try forgetting it.

"His loss." He mutters and I look up to see there aren't any of the looks in his eyes that I thought.

"I am sorry?" I asked just to make sure I heard right.

"I mean cheating is a cowardly way out, it's his loss." He clarified with his mouth dropping in a shrug, shocking me once again. Regardless of trying so hard, a lone tear escaped my teary eyes sliding down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it. I hate Wilson for doing this to me.

A tissue box and a glass of water were pushed forward to me and I appreciated the generosity. I gulped worried if I still had the job, then mustered up the courage to ask so.

"Do I still have the job?" I questioned.

"Depends." He asserts." You live approximately four hours away now." He pointed out.

"I promise this won't happen again, Sir," I guaranteed. Maybe I should rent an apartment here after all or find another job that pays just as well.

"I will talk to Management and put in a few good words for you. I am sure they'll understand." He says checking his wristwatch again and standing up and fixing his blazer.

"Thank you, Sir." I hurriedly thanked him following him on the way out.

"You can go continue your work at your place," he assures before entering the conference room where already some people were seated.

"Thank you," I thanked again trying to calm my fidgeting nerves. When he was gone, I made my way to the elevator to get to work I was begging God in my mind to let me continue working here. Or maybe I could ask if I can ask for a transfer to the other branch that's nearer.

Well, I would be blessed if I even get to keep the job let alone a transfer.

I have to work harder for Wilona and take her to South Korea for further treatment. I want to see my daughter walking and running again. Completely happy and healthy. And for that, I need to have a conversation with Wilson despite my intentions not wanting to speak to him.

The day at the office just went fine, some senior gossip queens did give me side eyes, but they do that for no reason too, so it doesn't matter. I don't have any friends at work, just some friendly co-workers dropping a hi and bye here and there, and I am glad.

I wasn't good at making friends anyway. But my sisters-in-law, I could say they are like my friends as well. When I left work though, Wilson was waiting by my car in the Parking Lot.

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Hey there readers. Another update, make sure you leave comments if you want updates to keep coming frequently.

Do check my other story in Random Realities As Well.