2

Hazel

A yawn escaped me as I stretched my body getting off the bed. I immediately trekked to the bathroom to take a shower. Normally, I take my time in showering which is why I stick to waking up as early as possible. I prefer to be at work first before anyone else. Including my boss.

"Shit!" Reality slapped me across the face when I remembered I'm no longer working anymore. All the events that transpired replayed in my head. I know I've displayed my job at stake just to expose his dirty little acts. And I don't regret doing that. He deserve more than the humiliation. Since he's not ashamed to be sleeping with women however he like and harassing his employees because he cannot keep his desires at bay. Someone needs to teach him a good lesson. And I'm proud I was able to do that.

I discarded the outfit I planned to wear to work and went for a simple denim jeans and a white crop top normal for an ex-worker like me. I tied my hair in a bun and sauntered my way to the kitchen. I live in a moderate flat which was given to me by the company. If they decide to take it away, then I'd be on the streets. All my savings are going down to the debt that was left by Dad. Sometimes I used to wonder how he managed to take up that loan. And I'm left to pay all that.

Whenever month is coming to an end, it gave me this chills. Because I know I'd receive an alert of payment that will be due. Either by the loan sharks or by my father himself. He'd always come up with excuses that he used the money on me. To cater for my education and whatnot. And my mom supports him in that. The time he borrowed that hefty amount, he didn't confront me. They went ahead and did what they wanted to do. My parents live in Saugerties, New York where they managed their restaurant business. Although, it's not that big but my dad has a way of winning customers heart with his signature dishes.

The chiming of my phone snapped me out of my trance. And I left the kitchen to the living room. A cuss erupt out of me. I hope it's not from the company. I've left an effect there that I know they will definitely come looking for me. However, it wasn't from the company. I rolled my eyes before sliding the accept button. "I hope what my eyes just watched isn't true" Was the first word that came out of her mouth.

I crashed on the sofa and let out a sigh. "Exactly. That's the truth Sofia" I answered.

"What the hell Hazel. Do you know the trouble you put yourself into? The Lorenzo won't let you be" I know that will be what she'd say. She'd lecture me on what I did is wrong. Whereas if it's Kylie or Layla, they will support me. But Sofia is always the different one amongst us.

Sofia, Kylie, Layla and I have been friends since university days. We do almost everything together. Even though everyone is busy with their own career We're still in touch. The bond keeps stronger than before.

Sofia works at the hospital as dietitian, Kylie is an interior designer and Layla has her own fashion brand. Each of us earn quite a moderate amount to cater for our needs. While, I Hazel Dalen, spends her salary on paying off dept. sounds crazy right.

"Am I speaking to a ghost?" I was brought back to reality by Sofia's loud voice.

"No, you're talking to a human being" I replied back.

"What is going to happen now because I know Damon won't let this slide; He took his reputation quite serious"

I leaned my back on the sofa. "Well, I don't care about that. I've done what I can"

"What did you do?" She asked.

I lament the short discussion that transpired between me and Mr. Lorenzo. It's left to her if she still want to take his side because that's what she did.

"Wow. I'm speechless" Came her answer after keeping quiet for a while. "I don't think they have any shame. Because if he has a slightest bit of it, he wouldn't have taken his son's side who is nothing but a womanizer"

"I'm glad you finally understands why I did that"

"What will you do now? This job has helped you a lot" To be honest, I don't have any plans. Maybe, I will start sending my CV to some companies. I might get lucky. The same luck I got three years back when I received an email that I got the job. It was a memorable day. And now, it's becoming memories.

"I don't know yet. I will rest for now before I think of what to do. By the way, aren't you at work?" Sofia's boss is a strict one. Any slight mistake, the woman will take it far. Sofia once had a query at work when she was a fresh intern.

Her sigh resonate from the phone. "I'm at the office. But my boss is currently in a meeting. So I have a resting time for myself. Hope you're fine dear"

"Yeah. I'm fine. I know what's coming for me before I took that decision; so it's okay. Thanks for caring"

"You got our back. I got to go. I can hear my boss voice. Bye. Take care" And she hung up before I could answer back. I let out an exasperated breath. Sofia has done her own part. Kylie and Layla will do theirs. I didn't finish closing off my thoughts when my phone chimed again. This time around, it was a message.

Dear Miss Dalen,

Hope you had a great night! We know how your hard work and enthusiasm has brought a lot of changes and impact to Lorenzo Industries. We won't say much but send our appreciation towards your competence and dedicated to your work. Which is why we decided to promote your level of work to Accounting Director of Lorenzo industries. Take this as a formal appreciation from the Lorenzo family.

Yours,

Kane Morris

Publicity Director

I read and read the message making sure my eyes are not deceiving me. I was expecting to get a letter of dismissal instead it went the other way round. But why? I quickly switched on my mobile data and I almost dropped my phone with the amount of notifications that began coming in.

B*ich you should be taught a lesson!

How dare you raise your hands on Damon!

Go to hell!

An apology isn't enough. Damon should request a compensation from her. She won't be able to pay. Even with her life.

It went on and on. A video catch my attention. Mr. Lorenzo personal secretary. "What the hell!" I reached for the remote control and switched on the TV. The exact video was being displayed on the screen. The face of the lady was blurred as she sprout out rubbish. That I slapped him intentionally because he didn't want to take me as his girlfriend. So, I did that to because I was jealous.

"Wow. What a bullshit!" I fanned myself trying to calm myself from breaking the TV screen. What a good way to come up with a good lie. Now they're making me the bad person. And then they came up with the nonsense letter of promotion. For what? To compensate me for using me as a scapegoat? My phone buzzed. More notifications coming in. I switched off the phone completely. The TV also.

They must've have taken me for a fool. They have their motives already. The Lorenzo aren't people to let their reputation go in vain. I've seen how Mr. Lorenzo cover up some of his son dirty little acts and he's doing it now. Feeding lies to the media.

I paced around the room thinking of what to do. How to tackle the situation. I can't hide away in the room when I know I didn't do anything wrong. The best thing to do is confront the people behind it. The devil himself. Damon. "Yes Hazel. Let's do that" I planned to cook something for myself but after this, I lost all appetite.

I changed out of the jeans and crop top and went for the ones I intended to wear in the first place. Grabbed my purse and heed out. If they think they can tame me, then they're mistaken. I will see to it that Damon succumb to me. He'd be the one to apologize and not the other way round.

I hailed a taxi to my former workplace. Yes. Because I'm not going back there. After the humiliation. My pride is still intact. The drive to the company was faster than I anticipated. Maybe because of the speed the driver was lodging as if he knew how eager I was to reach my destination.

I ignored the greeting from the security guard outside. I'm coming for a fight. I'm in no mood for any greetings or such. Looks were advanced towards me. Yet, I paid no attention to them. They can say whatever they want. The only person I want to set my eyes on is Damon. I pressed the button to his floor. Tapping my foot eagerly in the elevator.

I walked out my heels making a sound as I made my way towards his office. I stopped in front of his office heaving in and out a sharp breath before reaching for the doorknob and pushed the door open. A small smile erupts from me.

"I knew it. You won't change your bad ways" I ushered as I stepped in his office. He was making out with a new woman. She was in nothing but her bra. The straps were no longer in sight. Revealing half of her breast. Her short dress which was close to nothing was leveled down to her waist. While some few buttons were left open from Damon's shirt. The woman was in between his legs as he hungrily kiss her on the breast part. The two were startled by the sound of the door.

"How dare you come in here. And don't you know how to knock!" He seethe. The woman was busy trying to cover up her chest. I spared her a look which lasted for one second. My main target is Damon and not his slut.

"You should've at least locked the door if you don't want any interruption" I said folding my arms across the chest. He buttoned up his white shirt.

"Lily, I will call you" He said to the girl who has already dressed up herself. Just by looking at her face, you'd know she's a slut.

"Okay baby" I watched as she walked herself out of the office as if nothing happened.

"Why are you here? Haven't you recieved enough to show your face here" He said taking his seat.

"You know exactly why I'm here. What's with the news? Was it your plan all along? To use me as a scapegoat"

His lips curved up into a smile. "Miss Dalen. I think we should skip the formal way of talking. You know..." He trailed off rising up to a standing position and trekked his way to where I was standing but giving a little space between us.

"You don't mess up with the Lorenzo's and get away with it. I planned to do more than that but then I looked back to your good work to the company which Is why I lessened it for you. And besides, you earned a promotion isn't that a good thing" He profound with a smile. The smile I so much hate.

"Promotion?" I repeated a chuckle escaping me. "I don't need that nonsense you call promotion. Maybe you don't know something about me Mr Damon Lorenzo" I said marching forward closing the small distance that was left between us. I looked at him straight in the eyes. "My dignity is far important than anything you can offer to me. Be it money or the so called promotion"