003

Olivia

I woke up late with a pounding headache and a mouth that felt completely dry like sand paper.

For a moment, I couldn't wrap my head off where I exactly was because obviously, the room didn't look like mine.

The bed was unfamiliar, too wooden than mine, and the light filtering through the curtains made my head hurt even more. I groaned softly and turned to my side.

Then everything from the night before came back in pieces like a refreshed memory of my misery.

The supermarket, the red lingerie, Ethan cheating on me with my cousin and ….

The bar!

The drinks

The man.

I sat up quickly, panic rising in my chest as I checked myself, my face burning red with embarrassment.

What have I done?

Asking a man for a night?!

Fortunately for me, my clothes were still on, nothing felt wrong, no soreness and certainly not discomfort..

I frowned, confused.

Slowly, I remembered more. He hadn't touched me.

Even when I was adamant, clinging to the stranger's body, he only helped me to the bed, gave me water, and told me to sleep because I was too drunk to leave. He'd left after making sure I was okay.

Relief washed over me, so strong it made my eyes sting of embarrassment.

What was I even thinking trying to get myself a one night stand on the night of my breakup with Ethan?

I pressed my hands together and whispered a quick prayer, hoping I would never run into that stranger again.

My phone buzzed on the bed stand table.

I checked the time and froze.

I was late for work.

My panic replaced everything else. No matter how much I didn't want to go, I had to. I couldn't afford to lose my job because of my personal life.

I rushed through the shower, three of the same clothes I wore yesterday, and left the hotel room with my head still aching.

I had some office wear in my car and hopefully, I could change in my car.

The moment I walked into the office, I felt something was wrong.

People were whispering as if something new had happened.

“I'm so happy for them.”

“They look perfect together.

“Such a hot match.”

“Their kids will be beautiful.”

I slowed down, my stomach tightening with people stealing glances at me, then looking away.

I didn't understand what was happening until I reached my office.

Security was inside.

And what?

They were packing my things into boxes.

My files, my notebooks and my personal items.

“What's going on?” I asked, a frown settling across my face with fear.

One of the guards looked at me apologetically. “We were instructed to clear out your office.”

“Instructed by who? I didn't even get an email about these changes.”

“The Acting Manager,” he replied. “Mr Ethan.”

My chest rose and fell at the same time.

“No. No. No. There's been a mistake,” I said. “I need to talk to him first. You can’t just do things without me making any offense.”

I didn’t wait for permission. I just walked straight to Ethan's office and opened the door.

And as if yesterday's pain and embarrassment wasn't enough —He and Sophie were kissing.

Comfortably!

They sluggishly pulled apart when they saw me. Sophie adjusted her clothes and walked past me without saying a word. As she did, she lifted her hand slightly.

And that was when I caught it. A diamond ring sparkled on her finger.

She paused at the door, smiled faintly and uttered out the word. “Guess I am the one fulfilling your Christmas fantasy wedding.”

Then she left.

My jaw clenched and with everything I had in me, I restrained from saying anything aside from work.

I turned to Ethan. “Why is security packing my office? What's going on?”

He leaned back in his chair, calm like he had not done anything. “You’ve been let go.”

“What?” My eyes widened in disbelief and my voice shook. “Let go?! Why? How? For what reasons?”

“They are issues,” he said. “Lost documents and misconduct. They even found out you brought in someone from your side, to work in the same company that you're in.”

Yes, it was true the company didn't like a staff bringing in another staff to them and I had explained this to Sophie before letting her in. Until she made it known to Ethan.

“That's not true,” I yelled, tears clouding my eyes. “I don't even handle those files and people don't even know we are dating! They don't even know if Sophie is my friend, sister or cousin! We weren't even that close at work! So what are you saying?”

He shrugged. “Well, the papers say otherwise.”

“You're lying,” I yelled. “You did this.”

However, he shook his head nonchalantly.

“What did I do to deserve this?” I asked, tears burning my eyes.

“You’re making things difficult,” he replied flatly. “You being here only makes my work here a threat. And I can't risk that, so I am calling the security.”

That was it.

~~~~~

The two weeks that followed my life felt empty.

Sophie didn't come home after that night and I?

I drank more than I ever had in my life. I stayed in bed. I stopped answering calls. I barely ate. I even stood in the bathroom and cut my hair short without thinking much about it. I didn't care how I looked anymore.

Doesn't matter anymore because I didn't care to impress anyone.

I had no one here.

No parents. No distant family. No close friends nearby.

Jenna had called most times to keep me happy but all I ever did was act all happy to make her less worried.

My life had been work and Ethan.

And now both are gone.

I turned on the television just to drown out the silence in my life but as always things don't work out in my favour.

The headline that started made my chest tighten.

“Acting Manager of Northstar Holdings Set To Marry His Longtime Best Friend and Secretary.”

I stared at the screen, a snort escaping my lips.

And there they were, Ethan and Sophie, smiling for cameras. She held out her ring and he stood close to her, proud and confident.

He had insisted our relationship stay private but now, this was everywhere. Every fucking where.

I snapped.

I threw the remote at the wall and knocked things over. I cried until my throat hurt and my body felt weak.

Eventually, I went out onto the balcony.

I leaned against the railing, staring down, feeling empty and tired. Life felt unfair. I felt completely alone.

But maybe it wasn't completely lonely.

The doorbell rang and I ignored it.

It rang again and I still didn't move, then the door opened and a familiar voice came through.

“Liv!”

“Liv! My sweetheart!” Jenna screamed and in that instant, everything bone inside of me loosened.

I didn’t know how long I stood crying in her arms, but when I finally calmed down, we talked.

Jenna was my everything.

Just name it and she's doing it, she's there, helping you, relieving you off your stress and doing everything that would make you happy.

I met her during my high school and years now, she has been the best so far.

Jenna sat beside me on the couch, handing me water and occasionally squeezing my hand.

She called Ethan every name imaginable, called Sophie even worse, and told me firmly that none of this was my fault and I was still going to do something crazy before Christmas came.

And….I was still going to use my lingerie which left a smile on my face.

I was honestly too drained to defend people who didn't deserve every word from me.

After a while, Jenna leaned back and sighed. “You need to get out of here.”

I frowned. “Out of where? Jenna, I don't even have that kind of money right now. I just lost my job because of my personal life and I definitely need to be out of this apartment very soon.”

“Out of the city. Out of your head.” She smiled slightly. “And you don’t have to worry too much, I’ll handle all the bills.”

I wanted to protest but she beat me to it, “See it as my gift to you, an all paid expense trip to California. My family house is damn empty and I need an accomplice.”

I blinked twice. “Jenna I…”

“No excuses,” she said quickly. “Sulking wouldn't stop the heartbreak, but space, enjoyment and having fun, will. And who knows, we might find another perfect Prince Charming to fulfill that Christmas wedding.”

She winked and a small laugh escaped from my lips. “No way I’m falling in love again, not after what Ethan put me through.”

“Never say never, Santa might be listening,”

I nudged her playfully, chuckling.

That was the realest laugh I have had for weeks.

“Fine, I accept your offer. When do we leave?”

“Now!”

“Now?!” I repeated in shock, as she dragged me from the couch.