Chapter Five: Completely Busted

Quiting her current job had never been an option, besides, she had been promoted too but her decision was final and it was as round as her stubbornness. With confidence within her hand, Taya made her way out of the elevator that brought her to the human resources department.

The click and cluck of her stiletto echoed through the corridor. Her wavy blonde hair that she let loose below her shoulder bounced rhythmically. She greeted everyone who passed her while smiling bright as if she were the happiest woman alive. Taya stopped at a desk that behind it was Drea, her boss' assistant.

"Hey, Drea! You look very good, today!" Taya greeted with a brighter smile on her face.

"You sound like a guy I met in the club last night." Drea almost rolled her eyes. "Didn't you call that you were sick?"

Taya snapped her fingers. "Yeah, I did."

"You don't look like you are sick at all. You even smell like a bride already." Drea teased but it was a stab in Taya's heart.

"I am not. It was just my excuse not to  go to work." But Taya replied in a normal tone.

Drea rose her eyebrows, "Really? Why are you here now, then?"

"Because I am going to resign."

"Wait, what?" Drea was half surprised hearing Taya's statement.

"You heard me in the first place."

"When?" Drea still looked surprised because she never expected Taya to resign anytime soon.

"As soon as possible. If I can today then it will be today." Taya lifted one of her shoulders in a little shrug.

"I am afraid you can't. You need to wait for the replacement to actually resign, and surely you need to train."

"Do you think I care? That was not in the contract I signed. So, I need to see Mr. Duncan, right now. Is he here?"

"Is it because.. you are gonna be married?" Asked Drea. Fully curious to the blood. She titled her head aside, waiting for the answer.

Taya sighed, trying to cover her heartbreak with a smile. "None of your business. Just tell whether Mr. Duncan is in the office!"

Drea looked pissed because of Taya's reply but she informed anyway, "He is in the office but he's going to leave in ten minutes."

"I'll be quick!" Taya waved her fingers at Drea who was still pissed and strode towards her boss' office.

Knocking the door once before pushing through, Taya saw Mr. Duncan, the head of Human Resources Department who was in his neat office attire, sitting behind his desk. He was a man in his mid 50s and still got completely natural black hair. He instantly looked up seeing Taya storm in. "Taya? Is there anything I can help?"

"I am sorry, Sir, I am here to personally excuse myself resigning." Taya said without hesitating.

"What?" Mr. Duncan frowned, taking off his eyeglasses. "Are you kidding me?"

"Apparently, I am not." Taya took out a file and put it on Mr. Duncan's desk. "This is my resignation letter."

"Taya, you know this company has protocol to follow."

"Yes, I know." Taya said assertively.

"You should have informed earlier." Mr. Duncan shook his head in disbelief. Taya was actually a very good marketing supervisor. Being able to sell automobile unit over company target.

"It's an express decision, Sir. Because I am moving out of the city." Taya replied simply, she wouldn't tell the truth about her situation, of course not.

"Have you prepared your replacement?"

"That was not mentioned in my contract." Said Taya.

Mr. Duncan sighed. He had no power to argue with Taya since Taya had been his favorite employee but it was mostly because he saw Taya as his own daughter.

"You have been promoted." Mr. Duncan added, reminding her.

"I am well aware but I've decided, Sir." Not wanting to argue, Taya nodded.

Mr. Duncan looked at Taya in silence for seconds before exhaling. "You are the last person I want to see resigning." Mr. Duncan uttered in explicit disappointment.

"I've never expected myself to quit this job, either." The pain suddenly stung her heart like a wet wound being touched. Taya held back her tears as possible as her slightly shaking body allowed. And that was kind of pain she constantly learned to bear stoically.

"Alright, then. If that's what you have decided. We have no rights to block you. You were one of the best marketing supervisor we have ever had, Taya."

"Thank you, Sir." Her voice shook but she remained calm.

"May I ask a question, where are you moving to?"

"I am still thinking." Taya murmured.

The next minutes, Taya was already out of the building, walking her way to the parking lot of the company building. She knew what she would do next. Disabling her car's alarm, Taya unlocked the doors. She half ran towards her ready car and pulled the door open.

Behind the wheel, she sat and drove quickly to her next drop. Her heart still broke and she seemed too weak to pick every piece of it. Glancing at her wrist watch, thinking she still had time to pick up some coffee before lunch.

Definitely coffee would do its justice, Taya thought so she turned to get her own coffee to go. She also would bring Ella coffee and snack too. Talking to her best friend was like a medicine that her soul required. Silently she thanked God for giving a best friend such Ella.

Buying two cups of espresso and pastries, Taya left the drive thru of the coffee shop and drove straight to Ella's office. Ella owned a boutique, she was a brilliant fashion designer, after all. Being friend with Ella since highschool, Taya and Ella had gone through thick and thin together.

Within thirty minutes, Taya had parked her car on the edge of the street, just in front of Ella's boutique. She grabbed the goodies and coffee cups to head out. The door chimed when she pushed through. Ella's front desk staff glared in surprise upon Taya's appearance.

"Good morning, Michelle, is Ella here?" Taya asked with a friendly smile.

"Uh.. Good morning, Ms. Cage. Miss Addison is in her office." Explained Michelle.

"Can I come in?"

"She is with Mr. Darken." Added Michelle.

Taya frowned instantly hearing Lucas's last name being mentioned. "What? Lucas is here?"

"Yes." Michelle half whispered.

Her blood boiled just by hearing his name. Inhaling deeply, Taya jetted, breaking into Ella's office. Lucas was inside with Ella in his arms. They were about to kiss but interrupted by Taya. The coffee and goodies in Taya's hands dropped off onto the floor. The black liquid splattered all over the floor near Taya's feet. Taya's eyes glared, her heart beat faster against her ribcage.

"Disgusting!" She muttered through her clenched teeth while she walked closer to Lucas and Ella.

Ella let go of Lucas' arms and turned to face Taya. "You have no idea just how much I've wanted Lucas to be my man. You stole everything from me since we were highschool. You were way popular than me, you were way smarter than me but now you are not good enough to keep Lucas. I am so sorry."

Taya faked a loud laugh that sounded sad. "I didn't know that I have been around hypocrites." Taya walked even closer, close enough to slap Ella across the face but she held back. She just shot a glare to Ella then to Lucas.

"You two are the sweetest couple alive." Taya sarcastically clapped her hands before their faces. "Bravo!"