Fired

It must’ve looked like I had tummy problems for Mr. Mávros’ lips to twitch.

“Thank you, Sir,” I lowered my head, gazing at the tip of my black shoes.

When Mr. Mávros didn’t speak, I looked up again and saw him already browsing his phone. So much for paying attention to me.

Dream on Green. Why would he even care to spare you a second glance? Your boyfriend dumped you on your anniversary!

“Is there anything else, Ms. Green?” he muttered after a few moments. I didn’t realize that I was zoning out.

“No, Sir, I- I’ll-I better go. Have a nice day, Sir.” I spun on my heels, knowing well that my cheeks were in flames from embarrassment.

I let out a deep breath as soon as the door kissed the frame. I glanced at Angie, smiling meekly. She gave me a warm smile in return before focusing on her computer again.

I sauntered to my room, just across from Mr. Mávros’, and continued to finish the report for the Rome hotel we opened last week. When I say ‘we,’ I mean them. I’m not included in the travel package, and sometimes I envy Coleen. Ms. Garcia usually tags her along whenever she goes out of the country, and it’s free, of course. I wish my boss would tag me along too. But whenever I imagine him with his dates, relief courses through my system. I wouldn’t want to be the third wheel, especially with those demanding rich-asses he dates.

My day flew as usual, and the following days as well. Boring, filled with papers and tears. Thursday came, and I was still on my black dress journey. I have a few little black dresses, and this is my last one. Hopefully, tomorrow will be another fun day, and I’ll forget about Max. He said that he needs time to think things through, that I was holding him back in pursuing his dreams.

What he said surprised me, honestly. I wasn’t able to say or do anything but agree until I was on my bed, and my tears streamed like hell.

I didn’t realize I was holding him back. Whenever he goes out of the country, I never asked whether it was for pleasure or business because I didn’t want to be a clingy girlfriend. I thought he liked me that way - that I am a good girlfriend by keeping my silence - but it turns out I wasn’t. I should have asked more and more if I saw things differently. Maybe I wouldn’t turn out to be this suffocating girlfriend in the end.

Max was my first boyfriend, and I loved him with all of my silly heart. I guess that’s why it hurts like hell. My cheeks and eyes are numb, and my voice is barely understandable. It’s like I visited a karaoke bar and sang a Whitney Houston song for five consecutive days. The throat pill I bought was working just fine. But if bad luck is on my side - which I’m sure it is - and my friends ask me about my situation, I would break down for the nth time.

I also ate lunch at my office to keep things on a low profile, but my friends worry about me too much. They phoned me a few times. The reason ‘paper deadline by the devil’ is becoming overrated as the day passes by.

My office phone rang, leaving me no choice but to answer it.

“Hey,” it was Coleen. “Are you okay, Ren?”

“Of course.” I cleared my throat, hoping it didn’t give away my crying escapade again. “I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?” I faked a giggle.

“Stop pretending with me, Ren,” she berated, but I didn’t retort and kept my silence. “I saw Max’s profile.”

“What about it?” I asked, sounding disinterested. My fingers were already tapping my phone to check his profile, though. I bit my lip, seeing that he changed it all too soon. My heart shattered into ashes as I stared at his account.

It was an image of him, arms draped on the shoulder of a petite blond. She is pretty, with brown eyes and plump lips with a body to die for. Max never uploaded our photo on his profile. He said that he wanted to keep it to himself, that it was too personal to share. Now I realize what kind of fool I am. He gave me reasons, and I believed him like a lovesick puppy.

I didn’t even realize that the line went dead until I saw Coleen enter my office. She rounded my desk, wrapping her arms around my shoulder. I fisted her blouse, holding on to something - anything - as I allowed my tears to fall, whimpering in pain.

“Shhh...” Coleen cooed. “I’m here. It’s his loss, not yours.”

Those are the words of a friend. A good friend and I have to keep my shit together. At least until I’m in the safety of my bedroom. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, but we broke off when the intercom connected to Mr. Mávros’ office rang.

I wiped my tears, cleared my throat, and pressed the receive button, but before I could even say anything... “office, now,” he commanded.

I looked up at Coleen, and she gave me a sympathetic smile. I fixed myself in the mirror as quickly as I could. There was nothing I could do about those eyes.

Holy hell! I look like shit!

I sprinted to my boss’ office, but while closing his door, Mr. Mávros slammed a tabloid on his desk. “Am I not paying you enough to do your job?”

“S-sir?” I stutter in nervousness. He was mad, and I didn’t even know what I did wrong.

“Stop acting like a lost kitten and answer for your futility! How did they get a hold of this information?” he waved the tabloid in my face. He was so close that I felt extremely intimidated by him. I couldn’t even look at the newspaper. “You are the only one who knows about my date with Gretchen!”

She was one of his hookups this week, and I can’t believe that he blamed me for such a thing. It isn’t even part of my job! I took the chance to peek at the newspaper. It was a picture of them exiting an apartment building, which I recognize as Ms. Gretchen Law’s place.

“I didn’t even know-“

“Fuck!” He cursed, running his hand through his hair. “You’re so incompetent, Green! I can’t believe I’m working with such useless shit like you. Do you even realize how this is going to affect my image? I told you to work discreetly!”

“I-I’m sorry, Sir, but-“

“Stop apologizing! Pack your things and get out of my office. I don’t even want to see your useless face in my building!”