The knight in shining armor

EMMA'S POV

    Was I still drunk? 

  Was this a new version of a hangover?

   I really hoped I wasn't hallucinating?

  I reached out to feel the supposed girl's skin,and true to her word,she was human.

  If she was human,then that meant Alex had actually replaced me.

  He spent the night at my place,cuddling me,and the next day he fired me?

  There was no sense in that.

I diverted my attention back to the young girl.

  She had a bright smile on her round face. 

  “I am so grateful you let me take your spot.” She said in a way that was doting yet mature. I had to give it to her,she was definitely hot. An upgrade from me.

Alex had made his statement.

   “I gave you my spot…” I said,repeating her words.

   “Didn't you?” She asked,corking her neck.

   I walked out,unsure of what to say.

   

  Why would Alex fire me? 

 He knew everything about me. He knew how I depended on this work to survive. He knew that I had my sister's bills to pay.

     I had to get to the bottom of the issue.

I walked head-on to Alex's office. 

  His receptionist sat at the door,typing furiously on her keyboard.

     “I need to see Mr Blackwood.”

   “He's busy.” She replied.

    “It's urgent.”

  “He's busy.” She grunted.

Had this girl forgotten who I was? 

     “Get me in. I need to see Mr Blackwood.” 

     She looked up at me for the first time.

  “I said,he is busy.”

I clicked my tongue.

  I knew what Alex was playing at. I had been his receptionist,before I was promoted to secretary. He would always ask me to use the word “busy” as his excuse.

   I watched the door,thinking of what to do.

  I could barge in,and cause a scene. It would make Alex mad,but at least,I would get an audience.

    While I pondered on what to do,his office door opened,and I watched him as he walked out.

   He was draped in a black,three piece suit,and I watched as he shook hands with another elite businessman.

   They exchanged a few words,and the man went his way.

    I watched as Alex finally noticed me. His eyes slowly scanned me from top to bottom.

    “You look horrible.” He commented,and as much as I wanted to slit his throat,I had to suppress my anger.

       “You fired me.”

   “No,” he corrected, “I laid you off.”

     “That's the same fucking thing!” I screamed.

   He shrugged.

    “Why?”

 “I don't owe you any explanation.”

    “You fired me without cause?”

  He shook his shoulders,again.

     “I can sue for that.”

He laughed. The man laughed at my threat.

    “Good luck.” He replied,walking off.

I quietly walked out of the office,holding my attitude on my shoulders. If Alex wanted me to go bankrupt,I would prove him wrong.

                            —

     “He actually fired you?” Faith asked,setting the glasses on the table.

  I nodded.

   “Damn…” Kristy conceded.

    “I've always known Alex as a horrible person.” Faith said,as she poured the liquor into the cups.

 We all stared at her in shock. The same Faith that gushed over Alex yesterday was already rebuking him today.

  I smiled at that thought.

   “He doesn't even deserve you” She sneered as she handed me the cup.

 I took it gently.

    “I know.” I replied.

    “I think he fired you as a payback.” Katy finally spoke up.

    “Payback for?”

   “I don't know. You refused to be his mistress for the second time. Remember when you told us he was stalking you?”

I pretended not to remember.

   “I think that was a few months ago. The rejection must have really hurt his ego,and now he's looking for a way to hurt you too.”

    “He's fucking stupid.” Faith voiced out,as she laid her weight on the sofa.

  I was yet to tell them that Alex had been spending nights at my place. He would spend three days,then later on disappear for two weeks.

    “Well,this gives you an opportunity for a fresh start.” Katy spoke.

I turned to her. She had a point.

  “At least you can start working in a non-toxic environment. You can build a new character.”

I nodded my head. She did have a point.

    “Thank you,guys.” I appreciated them.

   “It's no big deal. At least you still have a good supply of liquor, we'll take that as payment.” 

  We all laughed at that.

   The entire room grew quiet as we were all consumed in our thoughts.

A few minutes later,we heard a knock on the door.

     “Are you expecting anyone?” Faith asked.

  I shook my head. “But don't worry,I'll get it.” 

I rose up,and walked to the door.

 As I pulled the door open,my jaw hung in the air.

    “Hey,” he said to me,flashing his bright smile.

  My eyes widened. He was here. Why was he here? What was he doing here? How did he know where to find me?

   He was dressed in a blue top,and black joggers. 

  I couldn't help but notice the flowers in his hand.

     “Emma?”

I looked at him.

   “Can I come in?” 

    “Yes.” I replied,stepping out of the way.

  

I noticed how everyone's eyes widened as they saw him.

   Faith gasped.

   “Guys,meet Romeo. Romeo,please meet my friends,Kristy, Katy,and Faith.”

   They all exchanged pleasantries. 

   Romeo handed the bouquet to me.

     “What are you doing here?” I asked in a tone that I hoped did not seem panicked.

  I liked Romeo quite alright,but I wasn't ready to introduce him to my friends. They were a menace.

     “I came to see you,I've missed you.” He replied,enveloping me in his arms.

   “I've missed you too.” I replied.

I turned around to find my friends rising from their seat.

   “I think it's time we leave. We need to get some things picked out for the wedding.” Faith addressed Romeo as she picked up her hand bag.

    She had set the trap.

    “A wedding? Who is getting married?”

He fell right into it.

   “I am!”she squealed. “Emma is on my bridal train. She needs a plus one.” She revealed with a wink. “She has been trying to secure a guest but it's been impossible for her,she really needs someone to save her,”

Romeo turned to me with a brighter smile.

    “Can I be your knight in shining armor?”

  I sighed in fake resentment. I would love Romeo to be my plus one.

    “Definitely,” I replied,with a bright smile.

There it was,Alex was out of my life,and he paved the way for the ever stunning Romeo,my knight in shining armor.