Everything was perfect.
Until Jade walked in. She was carrying a small stack of papers, and I let out a groan at the sight of them. It truly was amazing how quickly the stuff built up, even overnight. But even the stack of paperwork wasn't enough to ruin the good day I was having. No, it was the frown on Jade's face that suddenly brought me back to reality.
Something about the way she looked at me had my heart racing. I clutched at my coffee and fought to keep calm, but deep down, I knew something was going on. Whatever news she had for me, I was not going to like. That much was clear even in the short few seconds it took for her to cross through my office and set the stack of papers on my desk.
"What's wrong?" I asked immediately. If something was going on, I wanted to know upfront, not spend time beating around the bush. Whatever the problem is, we could handle it.
Jade took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. She looked me straight in the eyes, and I knew something was very, very wrong. "I'm putting in my two weeks," she said simply. It looked like it took all of her willpower to get out those six simple words.
And it knocked the breath out of my lungs. For a long moment, I just stared at her, trying to process what she'd just said. Even though she'd said everything as straightforward as possible, it was still nearly impossible for me to comprehend what she'd just said. There was no way she could quit. She was much too valuable and important, for me to lose her.
"Why?" I asked, unable to form any other words at that moment. I refused to accept that she was just leaving. Whatever was going on, I could help her with. I just needed her to talk to me. I couldn't afford to lose her.
But Jade just shook her head. There was a sadness there, along with a determination. The look of a person begging for help but not willing to accept it.
"Is it money?" I asked, leaning forward. My heart pounded rapidly as I struggled to figure out what was going on. "We can discuss a raise if that's the issue."
Again, Jade just shook her head. I wanted to walk over there and shake some sense into her, but I managed to stay seated, only because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to actually stand. My entire body felt weak and defeated. All that energy I'd had a few minutes ago had disappeared completely.
"Tell me what's going on," I demanded, slowly losing my patience. "Whatever the problem is, I'm sure we can fix it."
So far, I'd yet to find a problem I couldn't fix. And I wasn't about to let whatever Jade's issue was become the first.
But still, Jade just shook her head. The poor woman looked ready to burst into tears. I was torn between wanting to comfort her and wanting to scream at her. Unfortunately, the latter option seemed to be winning.
"Do you have a job offer somewhere else?"
"No," she said, speaking for the first time since giving me the news. Her voice was small and hoarse, and it sounded like she was barely holding herself together. And yet, I couldn't stop the anger rising up inside me.
"Then why are you leaving? Do you think you can get a better job somewhere else?"
This time, Jade just shrugged.
I balled my hands into fists and gritted my teeth. I had to fight to keep my composure, and it seemed I was slowly losing that fight, too. "I can assure you, you won't. If you tell me what's going on, we can fix it. Money, time off, whatever. But if you leave, I promise you won't get another job in the industry."
A small part of me felt guilty for saying that, but I couldn't take the words back once they were out. I could not, would not lose Jade.
But Jade stiffened at the threat, just like I should have known she would. Jade wasn't weak-willed, which was one of the reasons she was a great employee. Threatening her just solidified her resolve.
"I don't care," she said, at last, glaring at me. "No matter what you say, I'm leaving in two weeks. Even if it means I have to work as a waitress or leave town. I can't stay here any longer."
I ran a hand through my hair as I struggled to get my temper under control. Jade didn't deserve my anger. She was her own person, free to make her own choices about where to work. I didn't have any right to tell her she had to stay here, no matter how badly I wanted her to.
Finally, I stood up and walked over to the window, staring out at the city below us. From the top floor, it was like looking at ants down below. Normally, it was a soothing view, but today it didn't help calm me in the least bit. When I turned to face Jade again, I could see her shaking slightly. I walked over and stood right in front of her, taking her hands in mine.
I'd have never considered such an intimate gesture with any other employee, but for Jade, it just felt right. "Please. Just tell me what's going on. Tell me why you have to leave."
Jade's eyes went wide as she stared up into mine. For a long while, the two of us just stood there in silence, only a couple inches separating us. Jade's breathing hitched as my heart pounded harder and faster.
"I.... I can't....' she finally managed to get out, her voice hoarse. She blinked, whether to clear her mind or keep away tears, I wasn't sure. "I'll tell you after two weeks."
I bit back a string of curses. I didn't want to know what was going on after she
