A Love To Last

c h a p t e r (13)

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Mona sat next to Ellery, one foot tucked beneath her and the other dangling. She scooted closer, keeping her mouth shut as she tried to eavesdrop on their conversation. She kept squinting her eyes and nudging Ellery to tell her what was going on.

Ellery repeatedly slapped her index finger on her lips, warning Mona to be quiet as her boss's voice droned on. Mona could hear the faint sound of Ellery's manager, but she couldn't quite make out what he was saying. Her gaze never wavered, studying Ellery's every nuance.

"Miss Thatcher, I was informed about your tardiness. A customer complained that you came to work past the required time and she had to wait extra minutes for you."

"Sir-"

"Also, you behaved rudely to her even though you were late. She told me about verbal abuse and body language, and you even asked her to leave your office."

Ellery bit her lower lip. Ursula meant every word she said. She was going to ruin her life, and this was just the beginning.

"No, sir. I agree that I was late, but I wasn't rude to anybody. This is something personal sir-"

"I clearly stated that we must not bring our personal issues to the workplace."

"I'm sorry, sir."

"And I'm sorry too, Miss Thatcher, but I have to let you go. I have zero tolerance for disrespect and especially to our customers."

"But, sir-"

"You're fired! I expect you to have cleared your office tomorrow, before 10am. Leave all the documents on my desk and also, the key."

And then he hung up, making her swallow what she wanted to say.

"What did he say?" Mona asked.

Ellery's trembling hands clutched her phone-a lifeline that had just delivered a cruel verdict.

'You're fired'
The room seemed to echo those two damning syllables.

"I-i-" Ellery stuttered.

"Talk to me." Mona urged.

"I'm sorry, Mona. Please don't get worked up after hearing what I have to say."

Mona nodded, "Hurry, tell me."

"Mrs Lancaster came to my office. I mean, I met her seated at my desk..." Ellery explained everything and Mona balled her fist. She shot up from her seat, her face red in fury.

"WHAT!? 40 MILLION DOLLARS? What in the world is wrong with that woman?"

Ellery burst into tears.

"I'm fired, Mona. I don't even know what to do. My boss won't listen to me, he only believes what that woman has said. I'm doomed."

Mona paced the room. She couldn't stand seeing Ellery like this. The injustice of it all boiled within her. How could someone so heartless manipulate Ellery's life like this?

She clenched her fists, her own anger simmering. Her footsteps were a metronome of frustration. She couldn't stand idly by, not when Ellery's dreams lay shattered at her feet.

"Ellery," Mona said, her voice firm, "you can't let her win. That sea witch is playing a cruel game, and you're caught in the crossfire. But you have to fight back."

"How?"

Mona groaned. "What do you mean, how? You have to call Cassian and tell him about this."

Ellery looked up at her friend, her eyes red from crying. "Mona, I can't. I don't want to ruin things. He loves his mother, and I won't be the reason they drift apart."