It's been a week since my short-lived relationship came crashing down - a week since Xavier brought so much chaos into my life and I'm still reeling from the effects.
I have been frantically searching for a job but to no avail. Xavier had somehow gotten in touch with almost every employer in this city to make sure I don't get hired anywhere. Not even as a cleaner or waitress-not like I would actually accept that role. I shiver at the thought of stooping that low.
He really did carry out his threat perfectly.
"Dear Mr. Crest,
I have considered your offer, and I would like to know whether you would have me back. However, I do have certain demands that must be met if we're going to proceed.
Kind regards,
Sydney Poe"
I stare at the email for a long moment, wincing at how pathetic I must sound - surrendering like this. Then I hit send.
I have been forced to succumb to Xavier's games. Still, I must hold on to the tiny shred of dignity I have left. If my life is about to change this drastically, then I will demand something in return.
Not long after, I heard a knock at my door. It must be Ava, I have narrated the whole ordeal to her.
"Heyyyy" she says, pulling me into a tight hug, the kind I desperately need. "I'm so sorry you've been through hell these past few days, I can't even imagine the emotional turmoil you must be in now" She cried, holding onto me tightly.
"My life should be a TV show at this point" I mutter with a half-hearted laugh, trying to make light of the situation.
She drags me to sit.
"First of all," she says sharply, "Drake had absolutely no right to act the way he did. He called you a bitch for fuck's sake!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air.
"Well.... maybe I did behave like a bitch" I mumbled.
She shoots me a glare
"Or maybe not" I correct quickly.
"Of course, you don't deserve to be talked down to like that even if anything happened. Why did he feel the need to talk to you like that?" She asked rhetorically. "Look the situation spiralled beyond your control"
She pauses, then continues more gently.
"What were you supposed to do? You didn't offer yourself to your boss willingly. Xavier cooked up a crazy plan and turned your life into a mess. That's not on you - it's on him."
"I know right?" I roll my eyes. "I mean why can't he just go marry his crazy ex"
A thought suddenly hit me.
"Wait!" I sit up. "What do you think she'll say or do when she finds out Xavier is getting married to me!?"
"Ouuuu" Ava grins. "I smell some drama"
"Well I can't put it beyond her to-"
My phone chimes loudly with a notification popping up, interrupting Ava.
I grabbed it almost immediately. Praying and hoping it's a text message from Drake, responding to my several calls and text messages.
I frowned on seeing it was just Xavier, responding to my email.
Ava leans over my shoulder, scoffing as she reads the message.
"I thought as much, see you at work on Monday, Sydney. My lawyer would discuss whatever silly demands you think you have"
"Such a cocky bastard!" Ava huffs in annoyance, while I try to steady my breath. I take a deep breath, fighting the anger rising in my chest.
"So," she says, folding her arms. "What demands are you making?" She asked inquisitively.
"For starters, I have to protect my future," I say firmly. "No matter how this ends, my career must be secure. I can't be stuck working with my 'ex-husband.' " I make air quotes, making her laugh.
"I also want the freedom to have a personal relationship," I add. "Discreetly, of course. Because I will not be loyal to that man-whore."
"Oh, absolutely," Ava agrees.
"And I want to explain the whole situation to Drake and see if we can work our way around this and maybe get back together"
"Well, how do you intend to do that since he blocked you everywhere?" She asked
"I have no idea" I whine, burying my face in my hands. "We talked about the whole kids situation, maybe if he somehow finds a place in his heart to forgive me probably we can kick start that"
She frowns. "Wait. So you'd be legally married to Xavier... but possibly carrying Drake's child?" Ava asked, confused.
My head snaps up. "Oh my God. I didn't even think about that."
She stares at me.
"This is already a façade," I mutter. "What's one more lie?"
"Yes, it is bad!" Ava exclaims. "If you were in Drake's shoes, would you accept that?"
"...No," I admit.
"Well then."
I sigh. "Fine. Baby or no baby, I'm still insisting on the freedom to date whoever I want."
"Oh, hell yes you are," Ava says.
Then she pauses - and laughs.
"Do you realize that in the span of three months, you were single, in a relationship, trying for a baby, and now getting married?"
I blink... then burst out laughing.
"Wow," I say. "When you put it like that, it sounds insane."
We laugh until it hurts - until reality creeps back in.
Later, lying awake, my thoughts drift to one person.
Xavier's ex.
I can only imagine how she'll react to the news.
******
I walk into the office with a knot in my stomach. I am so anxious about how today will turn out
Breaking the news will be awkward - unbearable, even. My coworkers greet me like nothing has changed, smiling, chatting... unaware that by the end of the day, they'll think I slept my way into becoming my boss's wife.
On getting to my workspace, I saw a tall, slender- attractive, and familiar woman, standing in front of Xavier's office.
Arms folded while tapping her left foot impatiently. Her back was turned to me so I couldn't make out her face.
In a split second, she turned and her eyes snapped to mine.
Bianca.
My heart skips a bit and I suddenly felt a sense of doom.
She knows.
Or maybe she doesn't.
Either way... this is about to get ugly.
It's been a week since my short-lived relationship came crashing down - a week since Xavier brought so much chaos into my life and I'm still reeling from the effects.
I have been frantically searching for a job but to no avail. Xavier had somehow gotten in touch with almost every employer in this city to make sure I don't get hired anywhere. Not even as a cleaner or waitress-not like I would actually accept that role. I shiver at the thought of stooping that low.
He really did carry out his threat perfectly.
"Dear Mr. Crest,
I have considered your offer, and I would like to know whether you would have me back. However, I do have certain demands that must be met if we're going to proceed.
Kind regards,
Sydney Poe"
I stare at the email for a long moment, wincing at how pathetic I must sound - surrendering like this. Then I hit send.
I have been forced to succumb to Xavier's games. Still, I must hold on to the tiny shred of dignity I have left. If my life is about to change this drastically, then I will demand something in return.
Not long after, I heard a knock at my door. It must be Ava, I have narrated the whole ordeal to her.
"Heyyyy" she says, pulling me into a tight hug, the kind I desperately need. "I'm so sorry you've been through hell these past few days, I can't even imagine the emotional turmoil you must be in now" She cried, holding onto me tightly.
"My life should be a TV show at this point" I mutter with a half-hearted laugh, trying to make light of the situation.
She drags me to sit.
"First of all," she says sharply, "Drake had absolutely no right to act the way he did. He called you a bitch for fuck's sake!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air.
"Well.... maybe I did behave like a bitch" I mumbled.
She shoots me a glare
"Or maybe not" I correct quickly.
"Of course, you don't deserve to be talked down to like that even if anything happened. Why did he feel the need to talk to you like that?" She asked rhetorically. "Look the situation spiralled beyond your control"
She pauses, then continues more gently.
"What were you supposed to do? You didn't offer yourself to your boss willingly. Xavier cooked up a crazy plan and turned your life into a mess. That's not on you - it's on him."
"I know right?" I roll my eyes. "I mean why can't he just go marry his crazy ex"
A thought suddenly hit me.
"Wait!" I sit up. "What do you think she'll say or do when she finds out Xavier is getting married to me!?"
"Ouuuu" Ava grins. "I smell some drama"
"Well I can't put it beyond her to-"
My phone chimes loudly with a notification popping up, interrupting Ava.
I grabbed it almost immediately. Praying and hoping it's a text message from Drake, responding to my several calls and text messages.
I frowned on seeing it was just Xavier, responding to my email.
Ava leans over my shoulder, scoffing as she reads the message.
"I thought as much, see you at work on Monday, Sydney. My lawyer would discuss whatever silly demands you think you have"
"Such a cocky bastard!" Ava huffs in annoyance, while I try to steady my breath. I take a deep breath, fighting the anger rising in my chest.
"So," she says, folding her arms. "What demands are you making?" She asked inquisitively.
"For starters, I have to protect my future," I say firmly. "No matter how this ends, my career must be secure. I can't be stuck working with my 'ex-husband.' " I make air quotes, making her laugh.
"I also want the freedom to have a personal relationship," I add. "Discreetly, of course. Because I will not be loyal to that man-whore."
"Oh, absolutely," Ava agrees.
"And I want to explain the whole situation to Drake and see if we can work our way around this and maybe get back together"
"Well, how do you intend to do that since he blocked you everywhere?" She asked
"I have no idea" I whine, burying my face in my hands. "We talked about the whole kids situation, maybe if he somehow finds a place in his heart to forgive me probably we can kick start that"
She frowns. "Wait. So you'd be legally married to Xavier... but possibly carrying Drake's child?" Ava asked, confused.
My head snaps up. "Oh my God. I didn't even think about that."
She stares at me.
"This is already a façade," I mutter. "What's one more lie?"
"Yes, it is bad!" Ava exclaims. "If you were in Drake's shoes, would you accept that?"
"...No," I admit.
"Well then."
I sigh. "Fine. Baby or no baby, I'm still insisting on the freedom to date whoever I want."
"Oh, hell yes you are," Ava says.
Then she pauses - and laughs.
"Do you realize that in the span of three months, you were single, in a relationship, trying for a baby, and now getting married?"
I blink... then burst out laughing.
"Wow," I say. "When you put it like that, it sounds insane."
We laugh until it hurts - until reality creeps back in.
Later, lying awake, my thoughts drift to one person.
Xavier's ex.
I can only imagine how she'll react to the news.
******
I walk into the office with a knot in my stomach. I am so anxious about how today will turn out
Breaking the news will be awkward - unbearable, even. My coworkers greet me like nothing has changed, smiling, chatting... unaware that by the end of the day, they'll think I slept my way into becoming my boss's wife.
On getting to my workspace, I saw a tall, slender- attractive, and familiar woman, standing in front of Xavier's office.
Arms folded while tapping her left foot impatiently. Her back was turned to me so I couldn't make out her face.
In a split second, she turned and her eyes snapped to mine.
Bianca.
My heart skips a bit and I suddenly felt a sense of doom.
She knows.
Or maybe she doesn't.
Either way... this is about to get ugly.
have considered your offer, and I would like to know whether you would have me back. However, I do have certain demands that must be met if we're going to proceed.
Kind regards,
Sydney Poe"
I stare at the email for a long moment, wincing at how pathetic I must sound - surrendering like this. Then I hit send.
I have been forced to succumb to Xavier's games. Still, I must hold on to the tiny shred of dignity I have left. If my life is about to change this drastically, then I will demand something in return.
Not long after, I heard a knock at my door. It must be Ava, I have narrated the whole ordeal to her.
"Heyyyy" she says, pulling me into a tight hug, the kind I desperately need. "I'm so sorry you've been through hell these past few days, I can't even imagine the emotional turmoil you must be in now" She cried, holding onto me tightly.
"My life should be a TV show at this point" I mutter with a half-hearted laugh, trying to make light of the situation.
She drags me to sit.
"First of all," she says sharply, "Drake had absolutely no right to act the way he did. He called you a bitch for fuck's sake!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air.
"Well.... maybe I did behave like a bitch" I mumbled.
She shoots me a glare
"Or maybe not" I correct quickly.
"Of course, you don't deserve to be talked down to like that even if anything happened. Why did he feel the need to talk to you like that?" She asked rhetorically. "Look the situation spiraled beyond your control"
She pauses, then continues more gently.
"What were you supposed to do? You didn't offer yourself to your boss willingly. Xavier cooked up a crazy plan and turned your life into a mess. That's not on you - it's on him."
"I know right?" I roll my eyes. "I mean why can't he just go marry his crazy ex"
A thought suddenly hit me.
"Wait!" I sit up. "What do you think she'll say or do when she finds out Xavier is getting married to me!?"
"Ouuuu" Ava grins. "I smell some drama"
"Well I can't put it beyond her to-"
My phone chimes loudly with a notification popping up, interrupting Ava.
I grabbed it almost immediately. Praying and hoping it's a text message from Drake, responding to my several calls and text messages.
I frowned on seeing it was just Xavier, responding to my email.
Ava leans over my shoulder, scoffing as she reads the message.
"I thought as much, see you at work on Monday, Sydney. My lawyer would discuss whatever silly demands you think you have"
"Such a cocky bastard!" Ava huffs in annoyance, while I try to steady my breath. I take a deep breath, fighting the anger rising in my chest.
"So," she says, folding her arms. "What demands are you making?" She asked inquisitively.
"For starters, I have to protect my future," I say firmly. "No matter how this ends, my career must be secure. I can't be stuck working with my 'ex-husband.' " I make air quotes, making her laugh.
"I also want the freedom to have a personal relationship," I add. "Discreetly, of course. Because I will not be loyal to that man-whore."
"Oh, absolutely," Ava agrees.
"And I want to explain the whole situation to Drake and see if we can work our way around this and maybe get back together"
"Well, how do you intend to do that since he blocked you everywhere?" She asked
"I have no idea" I whine, burying my face in my hands. "We talked about the whole kids situation, maybe if he somehow finds a place in his heart to forgive me probably we can kick start that"
She frowns. "Wait. So you'd be legally married to Xavier... but possibly carrying Drake's child?" Ava asked, confused.
My head snaps up. "Oh my God. I didn't even think about that."
She stares at me.
"This is already a façade," I mutter. "What's one more lie?"
"Yes, it is bad!" Ava exclaims. "If you were in Drake's shoes, would you accept that?"
"...No," I admit.
"Well then."
I sigh. "Fine. Baby or no baby, I'm still insisting on the freedom to date whoever I want."
"Oh, hell yes you are," Ava says.
Then she pauses - and laughs.
"Do you realize that in the span of three months, you were single, in a relationship, trying for a baby, and now getting married?"
I blink... then burst out laughing.
"Wow," I say. "When you put it like that, it sounds insane."
We laugh until it hurts - until reality creeps back in.
Later, lying awake, my thoughts drift to one person.
Xavier's ex.
I can only imagine how she'll react to the news.
******
I walk into the office with a knot in my stomach. I am so anxious about how today will turn out
Breaking the news will be awkward - unbearable, even. My coworkers greet me like nothing has changed, smiling, chatting... unaware that by the end of the day, they'll think I slept my way into becoming my boss's wife.
On getting to my workspace, I saw a tall-slender, attractive, and familiar woman, standing in front of Xavier's office.
Arms folded while tapping her left foot impatiently. Her back was turned to me so I couldn't make out her face.
In a split second, she turned and her eyes snapped to mine.
Bianca.
My heart skips a bit and I suddenly felt a sense of doom.
She knows.
Or maybe she doesn't.
Either way... this is about to get ugly.
