How Could You?

15

Wilson

The anticipation of Leona's answer haunted me all night, but having Willy by my side was like a herbal ointment to my wounded hope. Her bright smile and infectious giggles soothed my sick nerves. Thankfully, the next day was Sunday, so I didn't have to face the drudgery of work.

I spent the entire day with my daughter, surrounded by the warm scent of freshly baked cupcakes and the soft hum of her favorite movies playing in the background. We spent hours huddled around the coffee table, engaged in fierce battles of board games and card games, the sound of her laughter and my own deep chuckles filling the room.

Later, my parents joined us for dinner, bringing with them the comforting aroma of my mother's cooking and the familiar warmth of their presence. Though they had spent the day at a funeral, their somber mood lifted as they smiled at Willy's antics, and we shared a meal together, savoring the taste of love and family.

The next day, I stepped into Jerome's office, the soft click of the door closing behind me, as I stepped towards the decisions ahead. The scent of old books and fresh coffee filled the air as I settled into the worn leather chair opposite his desk.

Jerome's calm, measured tone reminded us we might still be friends as we looked over the legal documents, his pen scratching out notes and strategies on the page.

I felt a sense of determination growing within me, steeling myself for the possibility of a long and grueling battle ahead. "I want to be prepared," I told him, my voice firm, "in case Leona decides to go through with the divorce." Jerome's expression turned sympathetic, but his eyes remained resolute, assuring me that together, we would face whatever lay ahead.

Every now and then, I'd glance at my phone, the screen glowing with an unsettling silence. I yearned for Leona's response, my heart racing with anticipation, hoping against hope that her text would light up the screen with a simple "yes".

But the possibility of her denial hovered me, casting a shadow of dread that felt like waiting for the results of an exam I knew I'd failed, the knot in my stomach, the sweat on my palms, and the creeping sense of despair it all blended together like a distasteful healthy smoothie.

As I drove to work, the familiar route felt like a countdown to freedom. I was eager to wrap up the project and tick off the final days on my mental calendar, ready to leave this chapter behind. The hum of the engine and the rush of the wind outside seemed to echo my growing impatience.

I felt trapped, like a bird straining against its cage, longing to break free from the monotony of this job and the emotional turmoil that came with it. Alenia was under house arrest, awaiting further investigation.

But her maniacal deeds in the company was like gasoline, her reckless decisions burning its very foundation. The once-respected reputation of the company was now tarnished, like a polished gem left to gather dust. The shares plummeted, the numbers bleeding red on the financial reports, only the starters of the chaos she had unleashed. We lost too major deals this week.

Yet, Jameson seemed impervious to the destruction his sister had created , his expression a mask of indifference, his eyes gleaming with a calculating intensity that sent shivers down my spine. He didn't seem to care that the company was burning to the ground, its future hanging precariously in the balance. We'd be fortunate if the company isn't banned or sealed.

But the chaos no longer churned my stomach like it once did. I had finally found a sense of detachment, a calm determination that came with knowing my exit was near. Just this one last project, and I would be free to leave it all behind, no regrets, no looking back.

My family's faces flashed in my mind, their smiles, their laughter, their love. They were my moon light, and I had lost sight of that for far too long. With my work finally done, I left the office early, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Leo had texted me to meet her at our favorite restaurant, and she'd added a sweet request: "Bring Willy along!"