The Applous
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The Apology
Emerson then continued his voice cold.
“Just because I’m going to marry you doesn’t mean you can make decisions for me, or help me make decisions, or tell me how to treat my son. He is my son. I’ve been raising him since he was born, and after his mother left, I raised him all by myself. I know him better than you! You were married for three years, and you couldn’t even figure out how to reach him. You didn’t have the slightest idea he was going behind your back until it was too late.”
His words cut through me, twisting unmercifully inside me.
‘So next time,” he went on, each word sharp and deliberate, “just like I told you before we got into this agreement, I am going to remind you again…..don’t make a move without me. And you went ahead and made a huge decision like that without me.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. I stood up, my heart pounding. “You know what, Emerson? I’m not going to sit here and let you talk to me like that. I already quit, and I am not taking it back so deal with it. I have no reason to stay in this company or this office anymore. I’m leaving.”
I turned on my heel, heading straight for the door, my hand reaching for the handle.
“Mina, wait,” he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading.
But I didn’t stop. “No, Emerson. I’m not doing this anymore,” I said as I opened the door and stepped out.
I walked out of Emerson’s office, my heart filled with pain and anger. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the office on me, throwing glances my way as I walked down the hall. Whispers followed me as I walked, but I didn’t care. I was too angry, too overwhelmed by everything to care what they were thinking or saying.
I made my way to Eric’s office, the office I had just moved into. Just minutes ago, I thought this space was going to be mine. It was supposed to be my corner office. That I was finally getting rewarded for all my hard work. But now, it was all gone. I had given it all up.
Standing there, I looked around at the space, letting the reality of my decision sink in. But I knew this position and the office wasn’t really mine, not truly. This company wasn’t mine. It was just a fleeting moment, and I was glad I had it while it lasted, it was worth the anger and the look on Eric’s face. I laughed just thinking
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The Apology
about it.
I wasn’t expecting the promotion when it came, but I had it, and now I was letting it go. And despite the pain in my chest, I knew I didn’t regret my decision.
If Emerson had lost Eric because of me, I would’ve felt much worse. I already knew that I won today, I was hurting Eric. He was always lashing out, cornered and scared, grasping at anything to hold onto, and that’s why he had threatened his father.
I understood his fear, but I would never interfere with his relationship with his family the way he had with mine, not because I cared but because, honestly, I didn’t care about him. I cared about Emerson1.
He was the reason for my decision.
I began packing my things into boxes, one by one, when Charlotte, my secretary, walked into the room, a confused look on her face.
“I’m sorry to barge in,” she said hesitantly, “… but what are you doing?”
Charlotte had been with me ever since I started working here. I was the one that hired her, and I liked her from the start. She was efficient, dependable, always on time, and one of the best secretaries I had ever worked with.
“Please, take a seat,” I told Charlotte, gesturing to the chair beside me.
I could see the concern on her face, and I knew why, she was worried about her job. It was leaving, and she must have been wondering what that meant for her future.
“Charlotte, you have been with me from the beginning,” I began, my voice heavy with the decision I had made. “We were all new to the company when we started working here, but you’ve worked with me so well. We’ve spent countless late nights together, coming in early, and pushing ourselves. It is with that in mind that I think you should know… I just quit.‘
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“You really quit? You mean… Did you quit your job? I don’t understand,” she said hesitantly, her voice trembling as she tried to process the news.
“I know it’s not easy to understand,” I replied, trying to comfort her. “There’s a lot involved that I can’t tell you about, but what I can promise is this: your job is safe. I’m going to talk to Mr. Blackwind, and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. You’ll be moved to another department where I know you’ll do even better. Don’t worry about losing your job just because I’m leaving.”
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The Apology
She stared at me, still trying to grasp the situation. “But… I really liked working for you,” she said softly. “Where are you going? Did you get another job? Can you take me with you?” she asked, her voice hopeful and not desperate.
I smiled at her, but it was a sad, knowing smille. “I don’t know where I’m going yet, Charlotte. But I have your contact, and wherever I land, I’ll remember you. I’ll reach out, okay?”
“Thanks,” she replied, a small, grateful smile tugging at her lips. “Do you need help. with your boxes?”
“Yes, that would be great,” I said, feeling a wave of gratitude for her support. “Why don’t you go grab something to carry them in?”
She nodded and quickly left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I continued packing up the office I had just unpacked this morning. It felt kind of unreal, my second time packing up in one day.
Just as I was finishing up, the door opened. I looked up, my heart sinking as Emerson walked in.
I sighed deeply. A confrontation, another shouting match, was the last thing I wanted right now.
“What do you want, Emerson?” I asked, my voice flat and tired as I looked at him. I’m really not in the mood for another shouting match with you. You’ve said all you wanted to say, and I get it. I understand what you’re trying to say. Just… let me leave Your company in peace.”
He scratched his head, shifting awkwardly as he walked towards me a bit too slowly, almost as if he was unsure of what to do. For a moment, it seemed like he was
nervous.
When he looked up, our eyes met, and he exhaled deeply.
“I’m sorry,” he said, the words spilling out in a way that felt genuine like they had been holding him and he was finally releasing them.
His whole body seemed to relax like he was releasing a burden he had been carrying.
I kept looking at him, waiting, not sure how to respond.
“I’m sorry, Mina. I was angry, and I lashed out at you. I was mad at Eric, and I took it out on you, and that’s not fair. I shouldn’t have done that.”
I sighed. “I don’t know what to tell you, Emerson.“.
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The Apology
“I know being angry isn’t an excuse, but sti…” He paused. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a relationship…..since I’ve dated anyone. I guess I’ve forgotten how to navigate all of this. I’m so used to handling everything on my own, making my own rules, and I wasn’t expecting you to surprise me like that. It caught me off guard.”
He continued, “I know you did what you did because you thought you were helping me,” he added. I narrowed my eyes at him.
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