2: New Me

~ Five Years Later

Life flipped the script on me, but I hustled back and snagged that coveted bag everyone was chasing. I locked in on that goal, with no distractions. As time rolled on, two truths smacked me in the face: everyone's got a price, especially the ladies, and while money alone won't buy happiness, having a hefty stack of it sure makes life worth living.

Each year I make more money than the other, it fills me with so much joy and makes me feel powerful because then, I realize how much I’ve missed and how lame my life would have been if I actually spent it with Laura. I would have never been in such a money-making position, and looking at it I have realized that, no lady will stick with a broke-ass clerk like my previous self when they can have the rich CEO with a hefty stack of money. That is the main reason why I had to work hard and turn my life into something Laura wants. If she can leave me for someone richer I would love to see her crawl back to me because of money.

It’s been five years since she left but I still haven’t forgotten a thing she did to me. I could never forget it, especially because I still have her letter. I had wanted to throw it away years ago but I didn’t because it’s my daily motivation. It’s the reason that wakes me up in the morning to work harder not hard. I want to keep defeating it until there is no room for such words in my life again. However there is something I realized when Laura and I were together, there were signs of her not loving me but it was never clear to me. It just felt as if it was a game for her- a game she played perfectly before she finally found someone wanted.

My mind froze as Jamil tapped his wine glass for attention. "Hey, it's New Year's Eve, folks! Let's kick off by sharing our lessons from the past year. Then, you're first up."

All eyes turned to me, my team waiting expectantly. Each year, we have this obligatory New Year's chat with a handful of employees, the ones in line for promotions. Not my favorite event, but with Jamil in charge, I had no choice. He often makes me do things I don’t want to do and it just makes me wonder if he’s the boss or I am. "What's your lesson and resolution for the new year, Theo?" He inquired. He’s the only one that calls me by my nickname and I don’t react to that. Being his best friend, I really don’t care if he doesn’t add the boss title to my name while addressing me even though I am his boss.

I swiveled my chair to face him, with no hesitation in my response. "My lesson for the new year is loud and clear... if you're not stacking cash, no woman will stick around – not your mom, not your girlfriend. So, get out there and grind because love won't pay the bills."

Jamil chuckled, "Man, you're starting to sound like Andrew Tate."

"Well, he speaks some truth about life and women," I retorted.

"Okay come on, now, what's your New Year's resolution?" He prodded a hint of curiosity in his voice.

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating my response. Despite my reluctance, I finally spoke up, "Make a hell lot of money. That's why I keep you all around. If you're done with the New Year fluff, start hustling. Jamil, meet me in my office," I commanded, my tone firm and direct. With purpose, I rose from my seat, the weight of my words lingering in the air, and made my way out of the room, heading towards my office with a determined stride.

Being the CEO of the three most influential companies in town, I have a lot of tasks at hand. I never get time for myself which I excellent because I don’t really need it. Spending time alone only makes one overthink and that fucks with one’s mindset. I like to occupy myself with as much work as possible. The harder I work, the bigger the money and the better chances she comes crawling back into my life. I just love the idea of having her back and watching her beg me for money. I do not fancy being with the woman that broke me but I fancy having her on her knees begging me.

For the past years, I have disconnected myself from many people and many thoughts. I had a purpose and after five years of hard work, I’m finally about to achieve it. As I dived into my laptop to work on some documents, Jamil walked into the room. Jamil is my assistant, I couldn’t trust working closely with anyone so I made him quit his job and offered him three times as much money as he asked for. Despite being my best friend, he never lets personal relationships get in the way of work. He and I have grown so close that I spent my holiday last year in Afghanistan with his Muslim family.

Strolling over to my desk, he chimed in, "They’re here, Theo."

A smile attempted to grace on my face but I fought back, keeping my demeanor stern. "Good, make them wait for an hour. I’m busy," I retorted firmly, my words laced with a sense of authority.

After a brief pause, he complied, "Okay," and exited the room. I wanted to test their patience, especially hers, to see if she still possessed the patience I once admired.

Engrossed in my tasks, I later indulged in a new game I stumbled upon recently. I decided to extend the wait from an hour to two, determined to reach level twenty in the game.

After two hours, Jamil reentered the room, he inquired, "It’s been two hours. Should I send them in?"

Pausing for a moment, I instructed, "No, not yet. Call them in the next hour."

"Dude they’ve been waiting for two hours." He said, sounding like he’s disturbed

"I know, I check the time. I want her to wait for more than that," I said

He scoffed "Alright, but you’ve gotta tell me what’s going on. This was not the plan."

"Nothing is going on, I just want her to wait. Is that too much to ask?" I inquire

"No."

"Then why do you seem so bothered?" I asked

He scoffed "I don’t know, I don’t care if she waits for an hour or decade. All I want to know is what in the hell is going on with you?"

"Nothing."

"You haven’t moved on from her yet, have you?"

"What the hell are you even talking about? I've moved on," I stated firmly, my voice laced with frustration

"Then why are you pulling this stunt?" he questioned, a hint of confusion in his tone.

"Because I want her to cool her heels a bit. I waited for her, didn't I? So, she can wait for me too. She's got it easy, sitting on a chair and not standing," I explained, emphasizing the sense of fairness in my actions.

"I'm convinced. You haven't let it go," he acknowledged, trying to grasp the complexity of the situation.

"You wouldn't forget if you were in my shoes, Jamil. It's a harsh reality check when you love someone and think they love you, but their actions say otherwise,"

He scoffed, "Women." Despite his attempt to understand, the depth of heartbreak seemed beyond his grasp. If anyone could truly empathize, it would be Kelly; Jamil's lack of heartbreak might hinder his understanding of my feelings.

"Women will always be women; they have a way of igniting your emotions, making you believe they love you when, in reality, they just enjoy the idea of being loved by someone and that doesn't necessarily mean you," I assert thinking deep into my thoughts. "You know Jamil, I never cared to hate a gender but standing at the alter waiting for a bride that left me made me realize how much I hate women and fucking idea of being in love. I should have known better, It is my fault, I fell for someone I love, not someone that loves me."

Jamil suddenly clammed up, obviously unable to understand the depths of my words. This is why I never talk about this, it triggers me and the person listening because I end up spilling too much. I took a moment to compose myself and confidently said, "Tell them to come in; I’m ready for them."

"Are you sure?" he questioned, sensing my mixed emotions.

Despite my anxiety, I couldn't help but let out a scoff. I was more than prepared to face her and her so-called husband after years of anticipation. With a smirk, I replied, "Just send them in."

Jamil gave me a nod before stepping out. I was glad he didn't return; I wanted to handle this on my own. Half a minute passed by and finally I heard a knock on the door and walked in was an average-looking man, his tone tinged, his outfit screamed money but I nothing more than something I pay my window cleaner. I can’t believe ‘this’ is what she left me for. As he strolled in, his wife followed behind, and when I caught a glimpse of her, my heart just shattered into a million pieces. A surge of emotions brewed inside me, and I knew right then that I would make her rue the day she walked away.