To Natalie Callan
I'm sorry to tell you this way, but I have to end this thing between us now. The situation has turned too complicated and I think it's better this way.
I wish you all the best.
Austin Ames
I've reread the email twice already. Every time the aching feeling in my chest just becomes worst.
I finally make my way out of the Ames building. Knowing I will probably never set my feet near it again.
When I'm on the sidewalk gasping for air, Danny suddenly appears.
"Are you okay?" She asks concerned.
I hand the phone that still has the email on display. I'm starting to feel hot and nauseous.
Danny read it. "That son of a bitch." She growls angrily.
"He fired me," I say before emptying my stomach on the pavement.
"Shit Natalie. We have to get you home." She says while taking out a water bottle in her tote bag.
I take a sip to rinse my mouth. Danny also hands me a piece of gum. " Come my car is parked over there." She points to a blue car parked over the street.
************************************
When I open the apartment door am unexpected sight greets me on the couch. I find James and Jennifer entangled with each other. Both half-naked.
"Great. How long have you two been screwing each other behind my back." I ask, before heading into my bedroom and locking it. Leaving Danny in the doorway of the apartment.
Right now I don't care about them. I don't really care about anything. Accept for the aching in my chest that wants to pull me to the floor.
It wasn't supposed to hurt like this. There wasn't supposed to be any feelings involved. Not yet. And I definitely wasn't supposed to lose my job over this.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid," I mutter out loud. I get up and open my bedroom door. Only to find three faces looking at me with sympathy. Danny must have told Jennifer and James everything.
Without a word, I close the bedroom door. But this time I don't lock it.
"Natalie, can I come in?" I hear Jennifer ask.
"No! Just leave me alone!" I shout as I feel myself starting to unravel.
When my knees hit the floor I suddenly feel someone's arms snake around me.
"I'm here for you." Jennifer's voice came as my body starts to shake.
####
When my tears finally dry up I find my voice again. "Can you believe that I did it again? I fell in love with an inappropriate guy again. And it's going to ruin my life again." I say my voice croaking.
My words make Jennifer tightened her hold on me. As if she can hug away the pain that she knows I'm feeling.
"Just when I thought my life was on track again... After John, I told myself I will never let myself just fall again." I say with a wry smile, shaking my head.
"First I loved my business partner who ended up marrying my sister. And I gave up part of a business that I made great. My life's work I gave up because I was stupid enough to love John. I had to move away from friends and family. And now." I sigh.
"Now I'm jobless because I fell in love with my boss who broke up with me in an email. And my life is ruined again. How screwed am I."
Jennifer just listens to me as the words and hiccups stumbled from my mouth. And I'm grateful for that. She was there the first time my life went downhill. And I'm sure she will be here again.
