“Amelia?” Sylvia called, her voice dripping with concern as she stepped towards the desk, taking the seat opposite Amelia’s. “What’s going on? Why do you want to leave?”
“Y-you haven’t heard?” Amelia stuttered, sniffing to hold back her tears.
“No, sweetheart. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” she reached for Amelia’s hand on the desk, squeezing it softly.
Amelia sniffed again, biting hard on her lips to hold off the tears that were threatening to spill.
“I have to leave, Sylvia. I… I can’t…”
Sylvia stared at her patiently, waiting for her to explain more.
“There are rumors. I heard them. Everyone here thinks I’m his mistress and I’m sleeping with him to keep my job,”
“But you know it's not true and you don’t have to listen to them or feel bad about it when you’re not guilty, Amelia,”
“But that’s not all. His family wants him to be married to another woman and now the media is spreading the news that they’re about to announce their engagement. How do I compete with that?”
Sylvia smiled
