2

I should have called in sick.

I was sick...at heart. I thought I could handle being single again, but I was wrong. When I saw Hardin in the elevator, my heart had a seizure and broke like glass. I blew snot in another wad of tissue and dumped it in the bin. I look... unattractive. 

'Thank God for make-up', I thought to myself as I re-applied concealer around my eyes. The restroom door opened, and a woman stepped in. With a surprised gasp, she gave a tiny bow, avoiding my eyes, and shuffled to one stall.

What's up with her?

I sauntered into my office with my bag. The title, Market Research Analyst, signed on the door. Hushed whispers filled the air. I pretend to dig through my purse for something as I glanced at the surrounding people. Strangely, they peered at me while they muttered something to one another.

What is going on? They could not possibly know Hardin and I broke up, could they?

“Maya,” I called for my secretary, “In my office. Now!”

The dark-skinned young lady scurried to my office. As soon as she closed the door behind her, I quietly asked, “What is going out there?”

Her eyes roamed everywhere but me as she stuttered, “Actually...”

“What?”

“The thing is—”

My phone buzzed in my bag. With a groan, I pulled it out. There was an unread message from Hardin.

Come to my office now, it said.

Not hesitating, I dashed to the first floor. 

“What is it?” I asked, as I stepped into the office. Theresa greeted me with a warm smile, but the glint in her eyes said something else.

“You mean the fact that everyone in the office knows you're infertile?” She said.

I gasped in horror. Only Hardin and I knew that. How could everyone know?! 

“Did you tell them?” I asked the man, who leaned back in his chair. When he did not reply, I asked, “What exactly did I do wrong? Why would you tell people that!”

“Brie, listen.”

“Listen to what exactly?!” Anger bubbled in my chest like an inferno. To think that someone I trusted with my darkest secret could throw it back in my face hurt. 

“I am sorry.”

I clenched and unclenched my fists and fought back my annoying tears. “I will take a break! A long break.” I stormed out of the office in anger, ignoring the scornful and pitiful stares of the employees. As soon as I got my hands on my belongings, I exited the building.

“Welp! You look amazing with the puffy eyes and never ending waterworks.”

I rolled my eyes with disdain at the man relaxing in my chair like he owned it. Victor Bill is brother to my other beat friend, Anna. He was also the only person available to listen to me whine about my heartbreak.

“So, he didn't tell you why?”

I nodded slowly, feeling another flood threatening to pour out of me.

“And you didn't ask why?”

“I did. He said he could not tell me. He just wanted me to know we were over. After five fucking years! And then he tells the entire office that I can not have a baby! It was our secret. Why did he have to tell the entire world?” I dug my head into my pillow and sobbed. 

He made a loud groan. I felt the bed dip and a hand pat my hair. “Well, that was mean. Stop crying. How about you cherish the memories you two made instead of crying over what you think you lost? He lost you.”

I sniffled and turned my head to him. “Is that what you tell yourself when you get dumped?”

“Yes, and it works every time.”

“You make it sound like it's easy. What am I going to do about those plane tickets?” I turned my head to get the tissue box and blew my nose with another wad again.

“What plane tickets?” He asked. The next time I'm looking at him, he had his hand in my handbag. 

“The ones for the brief holiday. It's the one I prepared for Hardin and I. What are you looking for?”

“To where?” He asked, ignoring my other question.

“Cuba. Why?”

“Let's go together.”

“Don't you have work?”

“I need a break,” he whined, seizing his search through my handbag.

“Okay. Just so you can make sure I don't jump a bridge,” I said.

“I said I needed a break, not a rescue job.”

I burst into tears again, patting his leg. “Please,” I pleaded.

“Fine.” He grinned, showing all teeth. Vic hummed and toyed with my hair. 

Revenge will be sweet, don't you think?

It would be better if you took the necklace off.

I read with disdain and curiosity. Who had given this person my number and why was this person sending vague texts?

Who are you, I typed back?

Within a minute, the person replied with, Someone who wants to help.

I do not need your help; I typed back and blocked the number used to text me.

“What are you looking at? Our plane is ready to take off,” Victor said, slurping a smoothie. 

The aroma of fried chicken filled the air. 

“Thanks,” I said to the server as she placed a plate of a whole chicken in front of me. In the first class suite, we slouched in our seat like royalty. But then again, we kind of were. Speaking of royalty, I remembered Anna.

“When was the last time you talked to your sister?” I asked as I switched off my phone and wore my seatbelt.

“Last week. It was a video call, though. Elian stayed over at my house when she and Nolan went for that trip to Manhattan,” he explained.

Anna and her husband, Nolan had a son named Elian. Nolan is actually King Nolan of Lilaria, which makes my best friend Queen. They got married back in high school. I remembered there were quite a lot of rumours and scandals involved. Now, they solved national matters together and often left Elian with a family member.

I looked out the window and see that we were airborne. The earth below looked like a sea of green and black dots.

Cuba would hopefully bring a distraction to my newly single life.