Chapter 4

ALINA’S POV

“I cannot believe this,”

“I cannot believe… that’s him? That’s your ex? THE ex-boyfriend, Lina?”

I just sighed, letting my head hang low for a bit.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, rising. “Oh my… Lina, he's the boss. He’s the boss! In charge Oxygen and… Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn't you say anything back there?”

“Say what exactly, Cleo?” I looked up, exasperated. “Say what? We were already in there, you were seated and we had a presentation to give! I had to get it done somehow.”

“Still.” She came close. “Still Lina, you should’ve said something. You should’ve… oh God. No wonder you were all rattled at the beginning. Sweating and… oh God, I’m so sorry.”

Her voice broke, eyes tearing up. “I didn’t know. And he… how dare he talk to you like that?! We’re not strippers! He very well recognized you and still said those things. After everything he’s done? Does he have no shame at all?!”

“He’s just a jerk,”

“Worse than that, he’s an arrogant jerk!” she spat, “How dare he? Sure he looks exceptionally fine to the eyes, and may damn right be the owner of the most prestigious lounge in the city. But that doesn’t give him the right to walk all over you!

“I cannot believe that's the same man you almost lost your life for! Pinning away at the damned bus station for an entire week straight!”

I looked away. Her words bringing back memories I didn’t want. My chest tightened, eyes stinging as tears built up.

“Girl, you missed exams.” She whispered, “I watched you miss out on an entire semester because of this guy. He almost ruined you… and now, you just want to give up? You’re going to let him win again?”

“Well what do you want me to do?” I broke, facing her. “What am I to do right now, you tell me. I’m not okay, Cleo. I’m not okay.”

The tears fell then. Hot. Humiliating and annoyingly painful cause when last did I let myself cry? I'd long made a promise not to sit around crying. Worse over a man again.

So I wiped them off, violently. Not wanting them to spend less than a second on my cheeks. The cream walls of the meeting room we were currently in blurring as I did.

After the presentation, we drove back to the office. It was still a workday, but nothing about it felt exciting as I’d hoped when leaving in the morning. From the conference room to the parking lot, our drive back, and now.

Everything felt wrong. Just wrong.

The sting of betrayal burning through my insides. I felt betrayed. By the world. The heavens, everything!

On a day that should’ve been my proudest, I told Cleo I wanted out of the project. The same project I worked my butt off preparing for! For weeks, and throughout last night!

I hadn’t slept a wink. Didn’t give myself excuses, because I wanted to do good. Wanted to give it my all and very best today.

So why did the heavens let things happen this way? Why did they have to test me today of all days and with the one thing that I so badly wanted!

That I needed. I’d needed this contract, needed to get it!

“I’m not okay, Cleo.” I sobbed, lips trembling. “I’m not okay at all. I’m not.”

Her lips trembled too, “It’s okay.” She held me, voice breaking. “It’s okay, Lina. You’ll be fine, we-

“Why?” I breathed, “Just why? Why??”

She just held me. Comforting and crying with me, until finally, the initial wave of disappointment passed. My tears drying up. “What do we do now?” she asked, eyes slightly swollen from crying. For sure I'd look worse, but we’ll be alright. “You still getting off?”

The project? Yeah.

I had to. If there was anything I wanted as bad as the benefits attached to the Oxygen project was having absolutely nothing to do with Roman Ward ever again in this lifetime.

The first time was enough. Spent 4 years with him, extra 5 and still counting to recover from all the problems he caused me.

I couldn’t get the project now, even if I wanted to. Roman wouldn’t let me. Made that abundantly clear with his utter disregard and unfriendliness to me today.

There was no hope for that anymore.

Suddenly, my crying didn’t seem entirely pointless now. If even it just came out of nowhere.

“I’d better head to Joe’s office.” I muttered, rising up. “We probably won’t get the contract but still, I should inform him first.”

“Can you handle it though?” Cleo asked, “You caused a ruckus in his office about this project yesterday. Everyone’s still talking about it, and now you want to go tell him you want out? Before the results are even out? This isn’t going to end well, Lina. Don’t do it.”

I paused for a bit, her words settling in. She was right no doubt.

Going back to Joe after yesterday’s exchange didn’t exactly sound smart. I’d threatened to report him for several reasons, including Nicole.

Oh God, Nicole… how smug she'll be with this news.

“Argh,” I groaned under my breath. “Why did I have to take things that far, hm?”

Talk about something coming back to bite you in the butt.

“See?” Cleo came closer, “Even you know it doesn’t sound right, let’s just wait it out. You need this just as I do. Maybe even more, remember the repayment plan? It’s due this month, isn’t it? Plus you’re not planning to run from him forever, are you?”

“This earth is pretty small, reason you crossed paths today. What if you see him again, someplace else? Will you leave again? Why are you the one to leave and not him?"

"He’s the demon here, heartlessly abandoned you at that hospital, I’ll never forget. He’s lucky I didn’t know him back then, else he would've gotten it from me! Let’s see how he’ll become the arrogant luxury lounge owner he is today.”

I just sighed. My eyes drifting shut to keep out the flashes again. The blood, screams, yells… “I’m doing it.” I said finally, opening my eyes. “I’m speaking with Joe. I have to.”

She didn’t stop me this time. A defeated and now annoyed look on her features. “I’ll be at my desk then,”

And with that, I left. Headed to that Godzilla themed office. Steps calm, controlled, the fourth time this week I was doing this.

First was to explain the bullet points for Oxygen to him. Which he turned around to give to his dearest Nicole. The second was to drop off a pile of client’s file. Which then led to the unfortunate encounter of walking in on him wanking the hell out of his desk.

Yuck.

I still grimace at the memory.

The third time was our exchange yesterday and the fourth, right now. Hopefully this wouldn’t end as badly as the others. Even if I know it was near impossible.

Still, a girl can hope. Right?

“Is he in, Ava?” I asked his assistant once I reached his door. Her narrowed eyes impolite as she turned to stare at me.

“Yes, you can go in.” She finally said, checking her nails. Didn’t pay her any mind, my own future was more important. “Dear heavens, please don’t let me be reassigned to a different department,” I prayed silently before turning the knob.

“Excuse me, sir. Can I speak with you for a minute?” I asked politely, sticking my head through the door.

“Oh! Monroe! Wonderful, come in.” He greeted ecstatically, phone in hand. “Just the woman I was looking for. Our star!”

Huh? Star?

I did expect a bit of violence but star?

“Err…sir. There’s something I need to discuss with you.” I began,

“Right, right, but first, have a drink!” He brought out a glass, “Let’s celebrate!”

“Celebrate? Celebrate what?”

“What else?” he chuckled, “Your success, Monroe! Your success with the Oxygen project! They just called. We got in. We landed the deal!”

What?

I froze. “W-what do you mean we landed the deal?”

“Exactly what it means, Monroe. Do you not understand?” he laughed, handing me a glass.

“I understand,” I stammered, “But I don’t understand how. They didn’t even like our presentation! The boss there complained about everything and even wanted me to strip at some point. He was disrespectful!”

Joe paused, confused at first. Then a slow grin crept across his lips. “Guess you did as he asked then,” he smirked, eyeing me weirdly, “Didn’t know you were one for such desperate moves, Monroe. I’m impressed, believe me. Good job!”

What?

“No! I didn’t do as he asked!” I blurted, frustrated now. “I didn’t do anything and- you know what? That’s not why I’m here, Joe. I came for something else; I want out of the project.”

“What project? Give me the name and I’ll get it done! We need all your focus now on Oxygen so we can-

“No,” I cut him off, “I want out of Oxygen. I no longer want to be a part of it.”

Now his eyebrows furrowed. First with a look that made me feel silly, next disbelief and finally understanding when he saw i was serious.

“What did you just say?” he asked slowly, “Repeat that,”

“I said I want out of the Oxygen project.” I sighed, “Look, I know this sounds insane right now, especially after yesterday.”

“You damn right it does!”

“But this is what I want,” I insisted, “You can have Nicole head it. I don’t mind. Cleo can do it too, she’s good and you know it.”

He arched an eyebrow, scowling. “No. Not happening.”

“Why not? I’m not causing trouble, you can easily let someone else handle it. I don’t care.”

“And I said, no Monroe. Not happening.”

“Why?”I snapped, “What’s so hard about letting-

“Because that’s the rule.” he cut off, “Oxygen already sent the contract and I've signed. Signed to their terms and conditions. I even spoke to their CEO before you came in.”

Right. He was on call, but that’s not the point.

“I’m not going back on our agreement with them because of you, Monroe.”

“And why not? It doesn’t affect me. I don't affect ‘your agreement’, so why?”

“Because you're the one they want.” He said, “You're the one they want on the project. Oxygen wants Alina Monroe as their Creative Consultant, and only Alina. Deal's off otherwise. Hence, congratulations once more!”