Chapter 10

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Amanda's heart was torn. She knew she felt something for Francine. But she also knew that they could never be together. She was with Dayne after all. Maybe if she talked to him...

She opened the door to her apartment and the world froze. Nothing moved. Everything was quiet.

Dayne's voice was muffled. Amanda's heart stopped. She stopped breathing. Words could not describe how she felt inside. So, reader, I will tell you what she saw.

Dayne was on the couch. He had beer bottles, blankets, and a woman on top of him. They both were naked, which only meant one thing.

"Amanda," Dayne tried to explain. "I thought-" "What have you done," Amada yelled. "We were only-" "I don't care."

Tears spilled down Amanda's face. "How long has this been going on?" Dayne dropped his head and sighed. "Jen and I have been doing this for a few months." Amanda looked back at the woman, who was hiding behind blankets. "I want you both out of my apartment." "But-" "Out!"

Dayne and the woman put their clothes on and left the house. "And you," Amanda said, pulling Dayne to the side. "We. Are. Done. This was the last damn straw. Expect all of your shit to be outside of my door."

She said the last few words motioning for him to leave. Dayne refused to let go. "Amanda, please." She pushed him out and slammed the door behind him.

Amanda had enough strength to walk to her room. When she finally sat on the bed, her heart crumbled. She could barely see straight with her tears falling so hard. She knew she couldn't stay here. Her heart couldn't take it. She took her phone and called the first person that came to mind.

Basil immediately came and picked her up. "Wow, you're a mess." He meant it as a joke, but that caused Amanda to cry harder. Basil held her until she stopped. "Let's go to my place."

He lived on the more expensive end of town. His apartment was more of a house compared to Amanda's. He pointed to a room on the upper floor. "Go ahead in the guest room. There should be some clothes in the closet." "Why do you have girls clothes?"

"My sister left them the last time she was here," he said as he shooed her away. The bathroom was exquisite. A large tub sat next to a glass shower. Towels and bubble soap were on top of a note:

"To soak your sorrows away - Basil"

Amanda stripped down, ran warm water with the soap, and soaked. After about 45 minutes, she came out dressed in a hoodie and jogging pants. She felt her heart still groaning from pain. Another note was on the bed:

"Sleep. That's the best thing you can do for now - Basil"

He was right. She climbed into the bed, closed her eyes, and was sleep before she knew it.

Amanda woke up to the world's biggest headache. "Rise and shine," Basil smiled at her as he brought in breakfast on a tray. "You didn't have to," Amanda mumbled. Basil sat on the bed next to her.

"I know how it feels to get your heart crushed into a million pieces. It's worse than a hangover. But having friends be there while you heal is what fixes everything." He put his hand on her shoulder. "Let me do this." Amanda nodded and thanked him again. After last night, this is what she needed.

Even after sleep and an amazing breakfast, Amanda still felt icky about Dayne. She gave her heart to him. And he cheated on her. Basil told her to stay at his house, but she insisted that she needed something to keep her mind off of Dayne. She popped a couple painkillers, threw on some shades, and followed Basil to work.

"What's with dark and mysterious," Max asked when they walked through the door. Amanda took off her shades and showed her red eyes and the dark circles around them.

"What the hell-" "Dayne," Basil said, cutting Max off. "Amanda caught Dayne cheating." "Just give me the word, and he'll be gone."

Amanda shook her head. "It's nothing. All I need is time and quiet, so I'm gonna hide in my office." With that, she ran off.

Basil didn't come in at all. He respected Amanda's wish for peace and quiet. However, Stella didn't get the memo. "Knock knock," she smiled and she strutted in. "Not now," Amanda groaned.

"I was just checking in on my files. Are they almost done?" "Well, I-" "Great! I have more things I need you to finish."

"Stella-" "I can taste the promotion."

"Stella-" "Wait until I get that chair."

"Stella-" "I will get all of those people who looked down on me."

"Stella! Can you shut up for one damn minute?"

The room was still. Stella was shocked. In fact, Amanda was shocked also. How did that come out of her mouth. "What did you say to me," Stella said walking closer to Amanda. "Nothing," the poor girl said.

"Did you yell at me?" "No! Never!"

"I will have your head for this, Cox. You just lost your only chance at winning."

With that, Stella was out the door. Amanda's heart fell. First the break up, now she's out of the race. Her only chance of getting anywhere near that CEO job was gone. Again, she left defeated.

Basil begged Amanda to come back to his house, but she told him she had to face Dayne sooner or later. She entered the apartment, her heart full of dread. Was Dayne there? Did he even have the balls to show his face there again?

Her questions were answered in a note on the kitchen table:

"Hey, Amanda. I know you're confused and hurt, and I'm sorry about that. I've been meaning to tell you, but I enjoyed being with you that I thought I could have both parts.

I'll never come back. Ever. I already took my stuff out. I'm sorry I'm doing this over a letter instead of face-to-face.

From, Dayne"

Under the letter was his house key. Even though she was happy to leave him, she still missed him. "What do I do," she whispered to herself.

"You can start by giving me a hug." Amanda turned and looked for the voice. She smiled and ran to the one who spoke. "Hey, Dad."

The two held onto each other. "Hey, kiddo. I'm sorry about Dayne." Amanda shrugged. "He was nothing. I should have seen it earlier." Even though she could say it, her heart was still heavy. Her father placed his hand on her shoulder. "Why don't you tell me about your new job?"

Amanda appreciated the distraction. She told him everything. She told him about the envelope and Harper. She told him about her days with Stella. She told him about Basil and the promotion. She even told him about meeting Francine, but she kept her feelings to herself. The last thing she needed was a lecture about why you shouldn't date your boss.

Her father smiled the whole time and listened to every word. "That's awesome," he told her, hugging again. "I'm so proud of you. And you know what else?" Amanda looked at him. "You are the strongest person I know. You can get through this."

Those were the words Amanda needed to hear. Her dad told her he was staying in the city for a few more days and gave her the directions to his hotel. With her new confidence, Amanda cleaned every piece of Dayne from her apartment. And with it, the memories left in her heart.

The next day, Amanda walked into the office with a bounce in her step. "Wow," Basil sighed. "You look gorgeous!" "Thanks," Amanda blushed. Max walked by. "You are glowing," she grinned. "I guess it's all the baggage I dropped," Amanda laughed.

And she was serious. She felt like a new person. She could finally breathe. No more Dayne or silly fights or being left out. She was now her own woman.

Now all she has to do is figure out this Francine thing.

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