~Felicia~
The atmosphere at KingCorp was buzzing and delightful. I was enchanted by the view because I organized the ceremony myself. My CEO boyfriend, Leo Herring was supposed to be the star of the show! But he was nowhere to be seen.
"Nice decorations, Felicia! But where is the man of the event? We should be celebrating him, but he's an hour late to his own party?." A colleague inquired.
"I've been texting him, even called him. He.. seems busy. But I'm positive that he'll be here soon" I said, feeling like a cat on the wall. I had my own doubts. Will he be able to attend to celebrate being the best CEO again? He's on the Forbes list this time, too.
"Come on, pick it up..." I said to myself, greeting three other employees who waved at me. The rooftop of our company building was glimmering in the evening.
"Hey, if boss isn't here, there's no need to celebrate, right? I had plans with my girlfriend. I canceled them for boss Leo." Another colleague approached and I felt like I was on the brink. They were relying on me to bring Leo here because I'm his girlfriend? I was starting to lose hope and patience.
"Yes, just gimme a min—"
"Felicia. You gotta see this." Naina, a friend of mine from another department, suddenly urged me to check the company group chat. My eyebrows knit close in confusion.
-Happy and safe wherever he is. Was injured GHASTLY as the storage fell on my foot. Sad sad me~-
I stared at the caption in disbelief. This can't be happening. It was from Maya Grande, Leo's favorite PA.
"The post was made fifteen minutes ago, Felicia..." Naina pointed out and I looked up to see discomfort etched on everyone's face.
"Um...guess there's no party then. Sorry for wasting your valuable two hours, guys. I'm...Sorry." It felt wrong for me to apologize to them all. But I had no choice. My boyfriend was the one who humiliated them by not showing up. I had to take the blame because I was the 'good girlfriend'. Leo was always a punctual person. But since he made Maya his PA, things have gone downhill.
I had to watch everyone leave. The empty rooftop was filled with eerie silence after the employees and their plus ones left.
Leo Herring, the brilliant CEO recognised by the top tech brands doesn't want to attend his own success party. He loved these things. But he was dedicating his time to someone else. He's been spending more time in the office and less time home and socializing after Maya came into the picture. What's going on?
"Oh dear," I heard Aunt Gemma's voice from behind.
"He's done it again. Prioritized someone else over your efforts and happiness." She stated in a voice laced with compassion. It's been a while since I got that from anyone. I stared at her, wide eyed. Does she know something that I should?
"We all know she's faking it. Never in the history of mankind did an empty box fall from table height and break a foot. I saw it." Aunt Gemma shared as I stared at the railing in disbelief. I bit my lower lip, shaking my head. I was right. Maya was acting.
"Why couldn't he see through her act?" I was just as confused. Leo's not that dumb. Unless he has other intentions with her, spending time in solitude like that.
"He feels obliged to give her his services. I don't want to plant seeds in you, but it seems his interest has shifted." That night, Aunt Gemma helped me open my eyes. At that moment, it felt surreal to even think Leo was capable of cheating on me. It sounded so bitter to me.
We've been together for four years, our anniversary coming up soon. He was always overly kind and dutiful to his employees. Overly being the keyword. It was an attitude that was beaten into him since his childhood. Born to heirs of a multibillion company, this attitude was desired excessively.
"It seemed more than duty to me. Just saying." Aunt Gemma ended her reasoning.
"I'm...tired. i don't care if I wasted a wad of cash from my own pocket for this event. I need to go home and...rest." I spoke my mind. It felt like I lost a piece of me that day. I spent a chunk of my savings on him, and he does this.
"I'll drop you to the mansion then." I nodded and let Aunt Gemma guide me back home safely.
It was around midnight and I found myself pacing around the room. I Couldn't help but notice how everyone in the company chose Maya for some reason. Maya is great, Maya did this, Maya this, Maya that. It was as if my efforts were invisible to everyone. I've worked so hard from the background and contributed to our success. But all the credit went to Maya, somehow.
Out of the blue, the notification lit the room up and I saw it. It was from my boyfriend Leo. Well, not my boyfriend anymore I think.
-Sorry, had to cancel last minute babe. Maya's not well-
I lifted my eyebrow.
-Whatever. Call me first, we need to talk.-
Texting back assertively, I waited for his call to come. Three hours passed and I was fuming at 1 am, holding my phone and tapping my foot impatiently.
*ring ring*
"Oh look who's called me! Mr. Party Canceller!!." I exclaimed the moment he said ‘Hello’.
"Don't talk to me like that, Felicia. My employee wasn't feeling well in my presence. I had to get her to the hospital." He argued without me even telling anything about Maya!
"What a convenient time for her to break her foot, right?" I asked condescendingly.
"I needed to ensure she was alright. It wasn't anything out of convenience. What are you implying here?" He asked rudely.
"...Nothing. But let me tell you something interesting. I hope this will ease your heart." I could feel him raise his eyebrow from the other end,
"What?" He sounded annoyed and irritated.
"I'll relieve you from taking care of me and prioritizing me, 'cause we are over."
"What!? Felicia—" He raised his voice to change my mind but I didn't let him. I cut the call and switched my phone off.
