I tucked my hair behind my ear and walked into the company. I was going to put everything behind me and immerse myself in work.
But Leo wasn't done with me yet. He wasn't tired of causing me pain, at least not yet.
Getting to the company, I realized that there had been a new appointment. The position of the investment team manager.
Oh no, that was supposed to be my position. Who did Leo have to give it to? I worked so hard to sign this last contract. It was almost clear to everyone that I was going to be the manager. Why was Leo taking everything away from me?
I walked quietly to my seat and took out my phone. I checked the company news, and then I saw her. Lizzy Morgan was the new manager. Leo had given her everything I ever wanted: him, his love, the publicity, and lastly, my position in the company.
I was tired of fighting. No, I was going to give up now. I could feel the piercing eyes of my colleagues on me. I didn't look up. I didn't want to see them, whether their eyes held disdain, pity, or disrespect. I didn't care. I turned on my computer and began to type my resignation letter.
This was the height of it. I was going to give up here.
I had barely finished typing when Leo showed up with Lizzy. Their arms were linked, and Lizzy wore a sweet smile.
“Hello everyone, this is Lizzy, my fiancée and the new head of this department.”
It was supposed to be my name, not Lizzy's, in that sentence.
It was to have this said about me, that I worked so hard to make this contract work. But Leo was giving it to another person. He went ahead to sing her praises on how she made this project work until I could hear no more.
"Miss Mia,” a colleague, tapped me, and I was startled.
“Miss Mia, are you okay?” Lizzy feigned concern. They had been calling me for a while, but I was zoned out.
“The Felix Group team is here to see the site,” Leo's secretary announced.
All who were involved, including me, stood up and left the office. Felix Group was another company that Leo wanted to partner with.
"Where's the investment plan document?” I heard my colleagues whisper as we got into the office.
In the past, I would have gotten it ready, even though it wasn't my duty to do so. I would do it for Leo's sake, to make sure he gets the contract.
Leo turned to me and fired,
“Miss Mia, where's the document?”
“I'm sorry, sir, it's not part of my duties to get it.” I was done over playing my role.
“You incompetent fool,” he barked.
"Honey, please calm down. I'll have someone get it ready immediately," Lizzy jumped in, pretending to calm the situation.
“Mr. Felix, do you mind if we proceed without it? I'll personally have it sent to your office today,” Lizzy pleaded with the prospective investor.
"Alright,” the man agreed.
They proceeded with the meeting, and it was soon over.
“Miss Lizzy is so great. See how she handled the situation brilliantly.”
“She's super smart and amazing.”
“Miss Mia almost ruined things today.”
“She seemed off lately.”
The other employees gossiped as they filed out of the meeting room.
I waited for everyone to leave before I stepped out. I had only gotten to the staircase when Lizzy stopped me.
“It's a pity to see you wear a sunken face. Were you expecting a low life like you to be the manager too?” Lizzy mocked.
"Lizzy, move,” I said firmly.
“Or what?”
I didn't want to speak with her, or I might end up breaking her neck. She was such a nuisance. I made to move towards the right, but she blocked me. I did the same towards the left, and she repeated her actions.
Before I could say anything, I saw her falling down the stairs.
“Lizzy!” Leo shouted and rushed to help her, but it was already late.
“I... I didn't push her.”
“Lizzy, are you okay?”
By now, some of the employees had come out of their offices because of the noise.
"Mia, how can you be so mean? I only wanted to apologize to her for what happened in there, but she pushed me down the stairs,” Lizzy wailed.
“What? I didn't push you…”
I didn't get to finish what I was saying before a deafening slap cut me short.
The office went deathly silent. Leo had slapped me.
“How dare you lay a hand on her? Apologize to her immediately.”
“Leo…” I muttered .
“I didn't do it and you know it. I'll never do a thing like that,” I pleaded with tears in my eyes.
“Enough!” Leo snapped, and slapped me again.
“Are you saying that she threw herself down? Apologize this instant, or you're fired.”
I stood up from the floor, where the impact of Leo's slap had thrown me. Leo had crossed yet another line.
“I will not apologize for what I did not do. You can check the cameras. I didn't hit her. I won't apologize. I will leave the company.”
I turned and marched down the stairs, caring less about the whispers behind me. I walked straight to my office and took out the letter of resignation I had typed earlier. I signed it and took it to the human resource department.
As soon as I dropped it, I turned and left the company. I didn't care if they approved it or not. I was done here. I would go home now, pack up, and leave for the airport.
