"Emma, you know him..." He made another meek attempt which got shunned again, "please Augustin. That's it, I have made up my mind. If he ever bothers to ask, tell him, I am fine with this."
Helpless and dejected, soon Augustin left, and the moment he did, I crashed on the cold floor, crooked my legs to my chest, and wept my heart out. I could see from the big window in my living room, that it had started snowing outside. It was the first snow of the season, and my favorite time of the year, yet here I was, warped in the small corner of my apartment, with a throbbing pain in my heart.
I decided this would be the last time I would ever be pushed over like this. The last time, I will wince in agony, and struggle to cope up with decisions that people selfishly made on my behalf, and leave me to deal with, without any explanation.
I had gotten my feelings hurt, mercilessly, time and again, and no matter how painful the process be, this time, like Jake said, I will move on.
It took me a week to come abreast with the fact that he abandoned me; he left me behind so that I could find someone better.
How thoughtful of him, isn't it?
Life is not always rosing; you can never have rainbows without a little rain. He misunderstood me to be weak and fragile. He thought maybe my life should always be decorated with love, warmth and friendship because even if a trace of sorrow would hit me, I could break. This only showed, he didn't know me that well, after all. He crushed all my dreams because of his narrow understanding of what perfect life meant to me.
The most beautiful memories of my life were the ones that had Jake in them. Yet, he didn't trust our love, our bond enough, and was too quick to give up on us.
For this, I will never forgive him.
I decided I am not going to mourn for yet another failed relationship. I am not going to punish my family and friends by being a mess again.
I will be strong, for them, for myself and for the pure feelings that I had for Jake. I can never stop praying for his happiness, so wishing him best in my heart, I decided to stand my ground again.
What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger, right?
I had to move back to my apartment, as media personnel and journalists, hovered at my parent's house, round the clock, making all of our lives difficult. I settled to live by myself again, it was difficult, especially after all these months, but I decided to get on with my normal routine.
I also reached out to Benjamin a day before and requested him to talk to the HR team at S&M, to allocate me another client.
I just could not continue to work at Richmond Corp. Thankfully, Benjamin could pull some strings on a short notice, and finally, I was not placed at Jake's office anymore. As the last formality, I had to go to Richmond Corp for one last time to drop a letter to the HR team and pick my things.
I collected all my courage and stepped in that office again. I kept my head high amidst the trail of whispers and gasps that followed me until I made it to my cabin. I was the subject of scrutiny and gossips, again.
My heart was racing, and I felt knots in my stomach, as I started packing my things. Unknowingly my tears were flowing too as sitting right in this cabin, I have had numerous aspirations to work hard for his company. I thought of it as my small way of contributing to his success.
I didn't realise when, but after I was finished collecting my stuff, I saw Mark was leaning at my door, with his arms crossed against his chest.
"Hi Mark. When did you come?"
"Been a while, you were so lost in shedding those precious tears, you didn't notice me."
I didn't say anything to him in return; honestly, I didn't know what to say.
"I am sorry, Emma. I heard what happened. Boss moved to Europe until further notice."
"It's fine, Mark, don't be sorry. Things happen." I murmured as I picked my bag and box full of stuff, ready to head out. I scanned my cabin for one last time before I walked out.
"Hey, let me help you." Mark said as he took the box from my hands.
"It's fine, don't worry. I can manage."
"Of course, you can. I still want to help. You took the subway?"
"Umm yes, why?"
"Let me drop you home."
"No, don't trouble yourself, and stop sympathizing with me, alright? I said I will manage." I was irked and let it out in a rude tone. I know it was unfair on him, but I couldn't help the frustration I felt.
Mark was taken aback, but he responded politely, "stop being ridiculous, let me help."
"Don't you freaking get it? Now that Jake isn't here, and I am left all by myself, don't think you have a chance okay? Stop this pity party and let me be." I retorted by channeling all my pain towards him. The moment my words left my mouth, I felt guilty. Extremely guilty. It was so wrong to take it out on him, but I still did because I was a walking mess.
He inhaled sharply before his jaw stiffened at my harsh words, it took him a minute or two, before he replied softly, "okay noted. I will remember this,
