Chapter 2: I Quit, Celeste.

Riley's Pov:

I barely had the strength to move. I sat curled up on the couch like a cocoon, hugging a throw pillow tightly to my chest, my eyes puffy and red.

The pink blanket Aria mentioned was wrapped around me protectively like a shield.

But it did little to stop the ache in my heart and the crawling beneath my skin.

A sharp knock echoed through the apartment, two short taps.

I dragged myself to the door, clutching the pink blanket as I opened it.

At first, Aria didn’t say a word. She took one look at my tear-streaked face and pulled me into a tight, warm hug.

My tears couldn't stop flowing.

“Oh honey,” Aria whispered into my hair. “I’m so sorry.”

I broke down in her arms, the dam finally bursting. Sobs shook my entire body as Aria held me tighter, rocking me gently like a baby.

“I gave him everything,” I sobbed. “And he chose her, Aria. My boss, the woman I looked up to. Look what they’ve done to me.”

“I know, baby. I know. Let it out,” Aria soothed. You do not have to be strong right now, I will be strong for both of us.”

We stayed like that for a while, just two best friends in a quiet room, one broken, the other holding the pieces together.

After a few minutes, Aria gently led me back to the couch and sat beside me.

“I brought ice cream,” she said softly, holding up a bag she had left by the door. “And that chocolate you only eat when you swear off men.”

I let out a hoarse, teary laugh. “You mean the ‘I-don’t-need-a-man-to-be-happy’ chocolate?”

“Exactly,” Aria smiled. “Tonight, we binge-watch trashy shows, cry if we want to, and scream into the pillows. Tomorrow? We get even.”

I managed a small smile. “You’re the best.” I said.

"Of course I am, and don’t you forget it,” She said, wrapping an arm around me. “Now tell me everything, start from the moment you walked in on those backstabbers.”

With a shaky exhale, I started to describe how I had met them, entangled with one another.

At first, I thought it was someone else, I was about to apologize for the interruption. Until the side view of the man stopped me dead on track.

I have to turn back to look clearly because it seems like a dream to me.

And what was Celeste's reaction when she saw you?

She remained calm, almost amused, like she is proud of what she did.

Then she said "Riley you are not suppose to be in until 10.

You know what?, let's forget about this honey.

You need to sleep and prepare for tomorrow.

She stood up, pulled me out of the chair, and led me to my room. She lay next to me and tucking me in.

****

I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in my usual soft blouse and fitted work slacks, but something felt different.

My reflection stared back at me, eyes tired, soul heavier than it had ever been.

The mascara I used to wear with confidence now looked like armor.

The weight of betrayal, not nervousness, caused my heart to thud loudly.

I had barely slept. The images of Eric entangled with Celeste, the woman who once mentored me keeps replaying in my mind like a cruel movie stuck on loop.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Aria:

“Want me to slash his tires?”

I smiled faintly. That’s why Aria was my best friend.

I slipped my resignation letter into my purse, took one last breath, and headed out.

#####

The office smelled like fake lavender and ambition. People greeted me like everything was normal. As if I was not walking through the rubble of my dignity.

I walked past Eric’s desk without a glance, past the photo frame of us together, still sitting there like some twisted trophy.

Then I stepped into Celeste’s glass office. The woman looked up, perfectly polished in her designer blazer and red lipstick that now made my stomach churn.

“Riley,” Celeste said smoothly. “You are early.”

"So were you," I sharply replied, "when you decided to sleep with my boyfriend."

I placed the letter gently on her desk.

She blinked. “What’s this?”

“I’m resigning,” I said simply.

Her smile faltered. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I quit.”

A flicker of discomfort crossed her perfectly made-up face. “Now isn’t the time to be impulsive, Riley. If this is about,,”

"This is about betrayal," I interrupted her in a firm tone. “From the man I trusted and the boss I respected. But don’t worry. You can keep him. He matches your level of trash.”

Her expression twisted, eyes narrowing. “Watch your tone.”

“Or what?” I leaned in slightly. “You will sleep with someone else's boyfriend next time?”

She flinched.

I turned to leave but stopped at the door. The scent of her latte drifted over, burnt and sharp. I looked back, lifted a finger, and pointed at her. “One more thing,” I said. “Your latte smells bitter. Just like you.”

With that, I walked out, heels clicking like punctuation marks on marble.

I didn’t even make it to the elevator before my breath caught in my chest. But this time, it wasn’t heartbreak. it was relief.

####

Later that afternoon, Aria barged into my apartment with a duffel bag and her signature red lipstick.

“You did it?” she asked, practically bouncing.

“I did it,” I said, exhaling.

“Then get dressed, honey. Tonight we are dancing. And drinking. And if needed, getting revenge in the form of fun.”

I hesitated.

“No men,” I said.

“No commitments,” Aria added, already digging through my closet.

We exchanged a look. Heartbreak or not, tonight we were taking back control.

I was going to dance it all out.

Or So I thought