Loosing her job

Valerie’s POV

As I stepped out of the public elevator, a wave of whispers crashed over me like a tidal wave of judgment. The office seemed to freeze, every eye turning toward me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

“What is she still doing back here?” a voice murmured, loud enough for me to catch.

“Broke, much?” another snickered, their laughter cutting through the air like a knife.

“Gold-digging slut,” someone hissed, their words a sharp slap to my face.

I forced myself to keep walking, each step feeling heavier under their collective gaze. My heart pounded in my chest, but I squared my shoulders, refusing to let them see how much their words hurt. My face remained stoic, a mask of indifference hiding the turmoil inside.

As I approached my desk, the whispers only grew louder. I could feel their eyes following me, judging every move I made. I sat down and tried to focus on my work, but the air was thick with their hostility.

A text from Jasmine appeared on my phone, offering a brief moment of solace. Her sympathies and emojis brought a small smile to my face, but it was quickly overshadowed by the tension in the room. I started to type a response when an expensive fragrance invaded my senses.

I placed my phone down only to be caught staring at the bluest doll eyes I had ever seen. She had the skin of a royal princess, her hair luscious, and her well-manicured fingernail was firmly placed on yet another luxury bag. She radiated wealth, and a wave of self-consciousness and inferiority washed over me.

“Miss Valerie?” she asked, her voice commanding respect with an icy tone. My mouth went dry. Did I know this woman?

“In my office. Now.” She turned and walked briskly into the office connected to mine. I glanced around, seeing shock and a hint of pity on my coworkers' faces. They knew her. Why didn’t I?

I stood, my red-bottom heels clicking against the floor as I followed her. My tight-fitting skirt and high heels, meant to project a professional image, now felt like a cruel joke, making each step painful. I closed the door behind me, but her voice stopped me cold.

“Did I ask you to sit?” she snapped. “And who asked you to close the door? What I have to say needs to be heard.”

I opened the door again, dread pooling in my stomach. This was going to be bad, and I could feel all of my senses pounding down on me.

“So, you’re the famous gold digger,” she said, her tone mocking. “You really live up to the name.”

“I... I don’t understand what you mean, ma'am,” I stammered, my mouth dry.

“Did your boss know that you’ve been siphoning money and using it for your benefit?” Her gaze was sharp, cutting into me, the previous comment thrown over my head.

“I never did such a thing!” I defended myself, my voice shaking. She laughed, a cruel, mocking sound.

“I swear, I would never steal from the company. My boss knew me to be a hardworking employee,” I continued, desperation creeping into my voice. “I am not that kind of person.”

“And yet, that is exactly what you are. A bloody thief with nothing to her worthless name!” she yelled, her voice echoing in the office.

“I did my research on you, you know. Your father died of a stroke after getting caught siphoning money, mother followed soon after when the lawsuits became too much, and your brother…” She trailed off, but the damage was done. My hands curled into fists, rage and humiliation boiling inside me.

“That’s enough from me. I believe you get what you deserve every day and for good reasons too. Pack your stuff and get out. You’re fired.” Her words hit me like a sledgehammer.

“What?” I gasped, my body trembling.

“Did I stutter, or are you also deaf? Get out!” she screamed, her soft hair bouncing with each word. The tiny gasps from my coworkers outside filtered through the open door.

“And keep your gold-digging hands away from Drake,” she spat, her eyes fierce and cold. Recognition dawned on me. This was Charlotte Lloyd, Drake’s fiancée. The woman who had turned my life upside down. The woman Drake never spoke about.

I bit back angry tears as the realization of losing my job sank in. I quickly cleared my desk, not wanting to break down in front of everyone. I couldn’t let them see how pathetic I really was, not the gold-digging slut they believed me to be.

…….

Back at the penthouse, my phone rang. Seeing Drake’s name, I felt a surge of anger and despair. What did he want? Wasn’t it enough to be dealt with so much heartbreak? I pocketed the phone, ignoring the call, and dressed in the most comfortable outfit I could find before heading to the hospital to see my little brother, Jacobs.

The nurses greeted me with a warm smile as they led me to a sterile room that smelled of antiseptic as it filled my nose welcoming me as I entered his room. He lay in a drug-induced coma, his small body fighting leukemia. I buried my face in his bed sheets, my body racking with heart-wrenching sobs.

I didn’t want to do this anymore. I didn’t want to be with a man who didn’t regard me, who didn’t even like me. I didn’t want to have a baby with someone colder than ice. But then a memory flashed through my mind. Drake wasn’t always like this. He was warm when we first met, warmer until I signed the contract. I fell for every bit of his lies.

My phone rang again, snapping me back to reality. It was Drake.

“Hello?” I said, trying to sound composed.

“The wedding is 11am, Be there.” His voice was cold and detached, and the line went dead.