Broken Glass

SHEILA

I walk into the office on Monday morning, armed with my favorite coffee and a smile to take on the week. As I settle into my desk, I can't help but feel grateful for my existence. I've got a good job that fends for my bills and a man who loves me unconditionally.

I couldn't have asked for a better life.

"Morning, Sheila!" calls out Mark, the office prankster, from across the room. "Ready to conquer the day?"

"Morning, Mark! Always ready for the challenge," I reply, giving him a playful wink. Mark is the guy who always managed to brighten up the office with his witty jokes and shenanigans. You never know what he's going to do next, and that's what makes him so fun to be around.

I stroll into the coffee room, eager for a much-needed caffeine boost to kickstart my day. As I approach the coffee machine, I find my colleagues huddled together, whispering and giggling like schoolgirls. My curiosity piqued, I join them with a raised eyebrow.

"What's all the gossip about?" I ask, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

Jessica, the resident office gossip, grins mischievously. "Oh, you won't believe what happened. Last night, Mark accidentally sent a love message to our boss instead of his girlfriend!"

I nearly spit out my coffee in surprise, my eyes widening in amusement. "No way! Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," Sarah chimes in, barely containing her laughter. "The poor guy was mortified. He realized his mistake immediately and sent another message, trying to explain it was meant for his girlfriend."

"He's lucky the boss has a sense of humor," Jessica adds. "Can you imagine if it had been anyone else?"

I chuckle, imagining the awkwardness of the situation. "Oh, that must have been so embarrassing for him!"

"And for the boss too," Sarah adds with a wink. "I mean, who wouldn't be flattered by a love message?"

We all burst into laughter, the tension from our busy morning lifting as we bond over Mark's hilarious blunder.

Just then, Mark himself walks into the coffee room, looking a bit flustered but trying to play it cool. He glances around at our smirking faces, clearly knowing what's up.

"Alright, alright," he says with a sheepish grin. "I admit it was a major oops moment."

"Major oops is an understatement," Jessica teases, earning a playful shove from Mark.

"I've learned my lesson," he says, raising his hands in surrender. "I'll double-check recipients before hitting send from now on."

We all nod, still chuckling at the comical turn of events.

"Anyway, how's everyone's day going so far?" Mark asks, trying to change the subject.

Sarah sighs dramatically. "Oh, you know, the usual Monday madness. But at least we have this coffee break to keep us sane."

"I hear you," I say, taking a sip of my coffee. "Coffee is my lifeline on Mondays."

"It's the elixir of life," Jessica agrees, lifting her cup in a toast.

As we chat and laugh, I can't help but feel grateful for my quirky and supportive colleagues. We may have our ups and downs at work, but moments like this remind me that we're more than just coworkers—we're friends.

"So, any big plans for the week, Sheila?" Sarah asks, nudging me with a playful grin.

I shrug, trying to think of something exciting to share. "Not really. Just trying to survive the week without any major mishaps."

"Well, here's to smooth sailing for all of us," Mark says, raising his cup again.

We all clink our cups together, hastily rounding up and returning to our different posts.

As the day draws to a close, I notice that my stress level is surprisingly low. This is why I love my job. Sure, it could be challenging, but having an amazing group of colleagues make all the difference. They‘re the type of people who turn a mundane day into a memorable one.

"Hey, Sheila, wanna grab a drink after work?" Jessica asks with a cheeky grin as I grab my bag to leave.

I hesitate for a moment. As much as office friendships are to be cherished, I have somewhere else to be. "Not today, Jessica. Maybe some other time.”

Besides, I‘m meeting up with my fiance, Chris, at his apartment. He‘s cooking me dinner and it‘s a chance to unwind from the day’s stress.

I can't wait to see him. After a long day at work, there's nothing like spending time with my loving fiancé to lift my spirits. With a smile on my face, I take a cab to his apartment, eager to spend my evening with him.

As I reach his door, I pause to straighten my hair and adjust my outfit. It's silly, I know, but I always want to look my best for him. Taking a deep breath, I knock on the door, excitement bubbling inside me.

"Coming!" I hear Chris call from inside.

The door swings open, revealing Chris with a surprised expression on his face. But that surprise turns to guilt in an instant when he realizes I'm standing there.

"Sheila! Hey, I wasn't expecting you," he stammers.

I raise an eyebrow, chuckling a little. "Oh, really? Well, I just wanted to surprise my loving fiancé after a long day at work."

My eyes shift to the bed behind him, where a woman is sitting up, looking equally startled. The smile instantly dies on my lips.

"Uh... Sheila, let me explain," Chris begins, his face turning red.

I hold up a hand, trying to keep my composure. "Save it. I think I can see what's going on here. And honestly, it's so cliché. I can't believe you would do this to me."

The woman on the bed clears her throat, looking sheepish. "I'm really sorry, I had no idea he was engaged."

I laugh bitterly. "Oh, don't worry. You're not the one I'm mad at. It's Mr. Cheater here."

Chris looks down, unable to meet my gaze. "Sheila, I messed up. I don't know what came over me. It was a mistake, I swear."

I shake my head, trying to hold back the tears. "A mistake? Chris, we've been together for three years, and you do this? It's not a mistake; it's a betrayal."

"I know, and I'm so sorry," he says, reaching out to touch my arm.

I take a step back, feeling the anger and hurt swelling inside me. "Sorry isn't going to cut it this time. I thought we had something special, but clearly, I was wrong."

The woman on the bed looks uncomfortable, glancing between Chris and me. "I'll just go now," she mumbles, slipping out of the bed and hastily putting on her clothes.

As she leaves, I turn my attention back to Chris, my heart breaking with every word. "I deserve better than this. I deserve someone who respects me and loves me enough not to cheat on me."

Chris looks devastated, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. "Sheila, please, give me a chance to make this right."

I take a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears that threaten to spill over. "I don't know if I can do that. Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and you shattered mine."

"But I love you," he says desperately.

I nod, my voice trembling. "And I love you too, but love isn't enough to fix this. We need more than love; we need trust and respect."

"I promise I'll change. I'll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust," he pleads.

I take a step back, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. "No. It's over between us. Don't even think of calling or texting me."

With that, I turn and walk away, the tears finally spilling down my cheeks. It's not easy to leave, but I know I can't stay and pretend that everything is okay.

As I step out onto the street, I'm a mess of emotions. Hurt, anger, sadness—they all swirl inside me. I can't believe this is happening. But in the midst of my pain, there's a tiny voice inside me, reminding me that I deserve better.

I decide to take a walk to clear my head, hoping the cool evening air will soothe my troubled heart. But just as I'm lost in my thoughts, I hear someone calling my name.

"Sheila! Wait up!"

I turn to see my best friend, Rachel, jogging towards me. She looks concerned as she reaches me, her eyes searching mine.

Between wallowing in my misery and trying to gather the pieces of my broken heart, I'd forgotten she lived in the area too.

"What happened? Are you okay?" she asks, wrapping an arm around me.

I take a shaky breath, trying to find the words. "I caught Chris in bed... with someone else."

Rachel's eyes widen in shock. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Sheila. That's awful."

I nod, feeling a fresh wave of tears threatening to spill over. "Yeah, it is. I can't believe he would do this to me."

Rachel pulls me into a hug, offering comfort without needing to say a word. After a moment, she pulls back and looks at me with determination in her eyes.

"You know what, Sheila? You deserve so much better. You deserve someone who treats you like the amazing, beautiful, and strong woman you are."

I smile weakly, grateful for her support. "Thanks, Rachel. It's just hard, you know? I thought he was the one."

Rachel squeezes my hand. "I know, but sometimes, the people we think are meant for us turn out to be the wrong ones. But that just means the right one is still out there, waiting for you."

I take a deep breath, feeling a glimmer of hope in Rachel's words. "You're right. I can't let this break me. I need to be strong and move forward."

"That's the spirit!" Rachel exclaims, giving me a playful punch on the shoulder.

I chuckle, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks for being here, Rachel. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She smiles, her eyes warm with affection. "You know I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

Even though I'm heartbroken, on hearing Rachel’s comforting words, I start to feel a little better.

Maybe this heartbreak is just a detour on my journey to finding true love.

To hell with Chris.

“Now, let's get you some chocolates so we could do a Friends marathon tonight.”

Ah, the show that has the ability to lift even the saddest of spirits. I'm counting on it tonight.