Samantha stood at the edge of the ballroom, watching as Valeria moved gracefully between the various guests. The conversations and laughter around them were a sharp contrast to her inner torment. She felt a weight pressing down on her chest. Doubts kept growing within her until they reached a climax at a lavish party attended by many powerful people.
“Things have to change,” Samantha muttered to herself, the words barely audible over the chatter.
Suddenly Valeria’s voice cut through the noise, her words like ice. “What was that?” she demanded, whirling around to face Samantha.
Samantha met Valeria’s gaze without flinching. “I said, things have to change,” she said, her voice rising despite her fear.
Valeria’s lips curved into a satisfied smile as she stepped closer to Samantha. “Change?” she purred. “What kind of change are you talking about?”
“I do not even know what I am doing here” thought Samantha as she took in all the faces in the room.
“You can leave whenever you want,” Valeria said from behind her, her voice dripping with condescension.
Samantha spun on her heel and faced the woman she had been stuck with for months now. She had been bound to Valeria with an invisible chain of manipulation, and it was slowly tearing away at her inner strength.
She could feel the pressure of Valeria’s gaze on her skin like a physical touch. She desperately wanted to turn away, but somehow held her ground. Memories of her life before Valeria filled her head; she had been so full of hope and ambition back then. In that very moment, Samantha realized that if she wanted to regain control over her own life, she had to fight for it and break away from Valeria’s manipulation. She knew it wouldn’t be easy given their complicated relationship, but with determination fueling her courage, she was ready to make a move and take back what was rightfully hers.
When the nightly chill descended upon the room after the party had come to an end, Samantha exhaled and steeled herself, her voice ringing through the air that held the tension between them.
“It’s time for us to go our separate ways.” Valeria’s face crumpled in pain and humiliation, her desperate eyes darting around in a frantic effort to retain control and searching for a way to keep Samantha. She edged nearer and snarled in a threatening manner, wagging a finger in Samantha’s face, her voice filled with venom.
“Do you honestly believe you can leave me over what those people think? It appears you are more distraught by hearsay and care more about gossip than I comprehended.
What about all the affairs? Frank, Arnold in his office, Mark in your office and that fancy hotel in town? Not to mention you sleep with your chairman on a regular basis. God knows I’m aware that there are many more people involved, yet I have refused to utter a single word about it. I let you sleep with me and I’ve given you everything-my time, love, money, status… and if you’re determined to walk away from it all, If you still want to go, then go! But if you do so, I’m taking away all that I have bestowed upon you, including the power and reputation associated with being my better half.”
Valeria growled menacingly, her voice quivering with both loathing and manipulation.
***
The next day at work, Samantha’s hands trembled as they held her face in despair, her thoughts racing to the menacing warning Valeria had given her. She felt a chill of dread run through her spine when she heard the click of the door, announcing the arrival of Arnold, his face turning red with fury.
His piercing eyes locked onto Samantha, his voice dripping with contempt as he yelled,
“I’ve heard about your tryst with Mark. How dare you! Don’t you realize I have the power to ruin your career in this company? Are you that oblivious to my stature? You are committing a grave offence by disrespecting me in this way!” The air seemed to crackle with rage as Arnold stepped closer and closer, making it clear he would not allow his authority to be challenged.
Samantha could only stare in disbelief. She had experienced enough drama in less than 24 hours already. She steadied herself and calmly replied,
“Listen carefully! I did not give myself to anyone. Whatever rumors may be flying around about me are untrue and baseless. But you should also note that there is a limit to my patience, so if such disgusting accusations persist then I wouldn’t hesitate to take it up with you.” She decided to lie, not having much mind power to go all confrontational with Arnold.
“Oh! Don’t even dare lie. I have all the evidence. He was here huffing and puffing over you right in this office. And the slutty you still went ahead to finish it all up at an hotel in town. Do you think I wouldn’t know? After all I have done for you” He retorted angrily
Samantha rose to stand and took a deep breath. She wouldn’t let anyone take away the respect she had earned or intimidate her anymore. With an unwavering look on her face, Samantha started speaking slowly with full confidence,
“I may not be a part of your elite circle but this company is as much mine as it is yours! You’re right about my relationship with Mark being inappropriate given our positions here – but It doesn’t give you the right to instigate fear in me or treat me like property. Whatever mistakes I’ve made are my own- ones of which I am fully aware.”
Arnold looked surprised and stared at Samantha for a few seconds with deep disdain, then he smiled begrudgingly.
“I can’t believe you are even unremorseful about this dirty thing you have done to me. I will let you know I am the CEO of this group.
I will see to it you go down in this company.”
She looked Arnold straight in his eyes, not swaying an inch before him.
“Don’t even think about it!” she spat out venomously without losing eye contact from him
“I refuse to be intimidated by you or anyone else for that matter. I can live my life the way I want and its none of your business.”
The defiance was electric as she sat in her chair and clenched her fists hard together against the table making sure Arnold noticed it plainly. Valeria had been right after all; power was always an effective tool when mastered with wits!
Arnold’s eyes widened; taken aback by Samantha’s audacity, he stepped back slightly.
“You think too highly of yourself missy!” He spat out before slamming the door behind him while exiting.