Chapter 3: A New Job

Vanessa's POV

“Vanessa! Please don't go!”

Three months since I walked away from Carl yet his plea for me to stay never left my mind. I also resigned from the company because I was unable to bring myself to face him.

I loved him so much but our love was already a losing game from the very beginning.

It was hard but I moved on. Not like I found a new lover or something, I managed to suppress the heartbreak until I felt numb—like it didn't exist.

And on days where the memories slipped out of my mind, Betty was my comforting shoulder. My best friend helped through most of my emotional breakdown and honestly, that was all I really needed to heal, to do away with the past.

After weeks of slacking off at Betty's with an almost failed baking career, she vetted for me at her friend's company and helped me get a job.

My boss instantly liked me, my co-workers were sweet and my paycheck was huge. It was safe to say that life was actually going great!

I straightened my shirt as I approached the receptionist’s table, “Hey Brie, Where is it?”

Brie’s lips spread into a smile, “It’s here! Oh my gosh, the boss's secret admirer must be a rich guy. Look at all these gifts inside. I tried my best to not check them,” she threw me a naughty wink.

I shook my head with a smirk on my lips as I took the basket from her, “Don’t tell me you've started fantasizing about some wealthy man dropping gifts for you as well.”

Brie swayed her brown hair with confidence, “Of course I am. I mean, look at me. I'm everything a billionaire would want.”

“Sure, sure. I bet you'd attract one soon,” I called as I walked back to my boss's office.

As I carried the basket adorned with red bows and flowers, I couldn't help but recall how Carl had done the same thing while we were dating.

Seeing him come to the office with so many gifts was something I couldn't forget. And today, it was Valentine's Day but there were no gifts and no Carl.

I swallowed hard as I twisted the door knob, “Here, we are!” I wiggled the basket as I walked into Cassie’s office.

Cassie's eyes lit up with joy the moment she set eyes on the basket, “Wow, it looks amazing.”

“I said the same thing!” I giggled as I dropped the basket on top of her desk.

Cassie slowly took the basket, examining its content with a flushed face. I fixed my gaze on my notepad while taking occasional glances at her whenever she raised a different gift.

“This man is so romantic,” Cassie said softly as she pulled the jewelry box into her embrace.

I pretended to be making notes until Cassie called my name.

“Vanessa, can you believe this?” She shyly extended the card towards me.

“Hey babe. I'm not really the best at writing love letters but for you? I'm willing to put my words together till they make sense and sound romantic.”

I mouthed a smile seeing that. That was corny and still romantic, just like Carl.

‘Stop thinking about him!’ The warning reminder from my mind stirred me back to reality.

I blinked back multiple times with soft nods, “He's such a romantic man. You're really lucky, Cassie.”

A tight smile spread across my face as I finished saying the words Cassie wanted to hear.

Not sure it was professional but Cassie always wanted my say on everything—which I didn't find normal because I was just her personal assistant.

But hey, on the flip side, these little side talks outside office work strengthened our relationship.

“My boyfriend is the sweetest person ever, honestly. It makes me wish I never ended the relationship initially.” Cassie said with a heavy sigh.

My heart stopped.

“Ended the relationship?” I inquired with hopes that she wasn't as hurt as I was.

Cassie nodded curtly, “Yeah, we were so young and in love. I needed to further my education so I could manage my own business someday so I had to break up with him.”

“But I'm back now and it feels like I never left!” she said, sitting up with all smiles as she admired the card.

My throat burned with words I was unable to talk about.

Fuck my head for thinking every woman was hurt and broken like me.

Cassie stared at me, her brows straightened as she waited for me to speak.

“That's…that's so amazing Cassie. Y'know, I think the distance made you guys bond grow stronger.”

Cassie beamed as she played with the roses from the basket, “You're right. He's always all over me and he makes me so happy. When I'm with him, he makes me feel like a princess in some fairytale movie!”

I forced a smile as my fingers trembled from the memories of Carl flooding my mind. I could feel tears welling up from the back of my eye, I tried to blink them back but I was barely able to keep all the fluid at bay.

Cassie turned from side to side with her arms spread on boths sides.

I clasped my hands over my stomach in a fit to reduce the knotty feeling but it didn't help.

“Why aren't you saying anything?” Cassie inquired but upon setting eyes on me, a soft gasp escaped her lips.

“Are..are you crying?”

I shook my head from ear to ear, “No no, something got in my eye and I was unable to remove it so it made me teary a little bit.” I lied as I pretended to remove nothing from the corner of my eye.

Cassie's smile returned to her face, “Well, I've been the only one talking. Tell me about your relationship, is he also showing up with gifts for you?”

Well he would have if I didn't break up with him. But of what use was it telling her this?

I simply shrugged as I scribbled on my notepad, “I used to have one until I didn't.”

Cassie leaned forward with a slight frown, “Oh my God, I'm so sorry. What happened?”

I straightened my brows to fight off the feeling of breaking down.

I shrugged. “Well, his mother didn't like me and she did everything possible to cause a rift between us but none of her plans worked as her son was crazily in love with me.”

My mouth released a heavy sigh as I tried to lighten the weight of the pain in my heart.

“And then when she couldn't come between us, she decided to make my life miserable. I worked for her but I was treated like a slave. Seriously, I tried to impress her but she was never satisfied.

“When she found out about our anniversary and his plans to propose, she threatened to make life a living hell for me in the city if I ever accepted that proposal.”

The next thing I heard was a loud gasp, “She's such an evil woman! I hate her already! Gosh.”

“I know right?” I replied in a soft tone.

“I'm sorry she was such an obstacle to your love. You deserve better. Was your boyfriend aware of this though?” her face split with concern as she finished.

I parted my lips to speak but the words caught in my throat but I managed to force it out.

“No.”

The next thing I heard made me question myself if I had actually made a mistake.