Samantha marched determinedly into the office, desperately trying to ignore the aching memory of what had happened the day before. She was laser-focused on her goal for the day; the events of the previous day be damned. She saw Mark walking away from the lobby with a quick nod in her direction, but he didn’t turn around. Samantha silently sighed in relief, thankful for the reprieve from further confrontation and made her way to Mr. Williams’ office. Just as she arrived, she observed an intense discussion already in progress between Mr. Williams and an investor from London. After waiting a few minutes, she was finally welcomed to explain her report on the project.
Mr. Williams listened carefully before giving his verdict with a smile.
“Well done, Miss Green,” said Mr. Williams after hearing her out. “Your work is commendable.”
The investor echoed his agreement and added, “I’m certainly impressed with your dedication and offer my full support for any future projects you might pursue. I have no doubts you will succeed.”
Mr. Williams agreed, thanked Samantha for her time. With that, both men left the room and Samantha felt her heart swell with pride. She had done it again!, feeling more proud of her accomplishment as she returned to her office.
Arnold strutted into the boardroom full of arrogance, casting hostile glances at anyone who he suspected Samantha was having an affair with. When he reached her, he squinted his eyes, scanning her surroundings. His gaze grew icier.
“What do you think you’re doing here? Get out of my sight!” He spat venomously at her. Gasping and hushed whispers filled the room.
“Oh look, the Queen has finally gotten herself into trouble” They whispered gleefully, joyous with her misfortune.
Samantha shook. Her thoughts raced in a whirl of fear and remorse. “Mark had warned me about Arnold,” she thought sadly, “But I didn’t take him seriously enough.”
Trembling, she hurried away from Arnold’s line of sight, dreading what his words may have hinted at – that Arnold may soon take physical violence against Mark if they couldn’t sort out the situation.
Samantha felt the heat of embarrassment and fear crawled up her neck as the room erupted in shock at Arnold’s aggressive words. She quickly excused herself and sprinted for the door, desperate to escape the gossiping whispers.
She took a deep breath of fresh air and frantically tried to collect her racing thoughts when she heard Mark’s voice in her head warning her about what Arnold was capable of.
“He’s a ruthless man when he’s angry,” Mark’s words echoed in her mind.
His aggression wouldn’t stop at words, she thought with a shiver. She had to act now before it was too late.
She rushed back to her office and frantically dialed Mark’s number, pleading for him to pick up. Thankfully, he did after a few rings.
“Mark! You wouldn’t believe this. Arnold just acted so aggressively towards me in the meeting room! It was so terrible, I wish you were here to see it. Oh God! I’m so worried right now. He might do something drastic very soon if we don’t take action,” Samantha said in one breath.
Mark listened quietly, then simply said, “I don’t know exactly what you need me to do right now.”
Samantha furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
“What do you mean, Mark? Arnold is out for blood and he won’t stop unless he ruins me.”
Her heart sank as Mark’s voice grew colder. Arnold was out for vengeance and she had no idea what he was capable of. He was a jealous, seething lover, and Samantha could sense his rage.
“I’m sorry, Samantha. I can’t help you. I have more important work to do,” Mark said coldly, and he hung up the phone before she could even respond.
Samantha felt helpless with no one to turn to. Valeria, her powerful and influential lesbian partner was the only one she could rely on. She had always wanted Samantha to stay by her side, despite Samantha asking for separation. Part of her still believed Valeria truly loved her.
The next morning, Samantha’s alarm blared in her ear. All she wanted was to stay in bed all day, she was weary from the events of the previous day. However, she had work to do and needed to meet with Valeria as soon as possible. She had scheduled the meeting in advance and had to be prepared for anything that might come up.
Samantha yanked at her clothes, desperately racing towards and tore into Valeria’s house, her heart beating fast. She had finally mustered up the courage to tell Valeria all she was going through and pouring out her mind out on Arnold’s threats and the people who had failed to help her in her time of need. She begged for help – someone someone solid to lean on during this difficult time that everything was falling apart.
As Valeria opened the door and embraced her, Samantha immediately felt uneasy. Valeria’s demeanor had changed drastically.
Valeria’s cold voice pierced her ears as she questioned why Samantha had come, as if she didn’t know.
Samantha quickly recounted Arnold’s threats and how everyone else had abandoned her, her despair and desperation evident in her every word as she pleaded for their ruined relationship to be salvaged so that she might protect the career she had built from the ground up with her own two hands.
But Valeria stayed silent until Samantha finished speaking, then delivered a cutting response.
“You may have kept one of the promises in our agreement,” Valeria said icily, “But you were unfaithful with multiple other partners and only return now that everything has gone downhill for you.” She accused.
Samantha remained uncomfortably quiet.
“Samantha. You only think of yourself, you don’t care about me a bit! That is disloyalty.”
“Anyways,” she continued,
“I am no longer single. I have gotten myself another partner during our brief period apart. She is so pretty, loyal and loves me indeed” Samantha felt lost. How could Valeria replace her so soon without her knowledge.
“I wish you good luck in your quest for more sexual partners to help!”.
Despair and shock ripped through Samantha as Valeria bid her a harsh goodbye.
Her heart shattered into a million tiny pieces. She never expected Valeria to push her away, not after all that had happened. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought to keep them hidden as best she could.
“So that’s it? You’re just giving up on me?” Samantha asked, her lip trembling as she spoke.
Valeria shook her head, but said nothing. She had nothing to say.
Samantha took a deep breath and quickly turned around, leaving before either of them could say anything more.
When she arrived home, depression swept over her like an unrelenting wave the sleepless nights and feelings of loneliness began to creep in. All of her dreams felt like they were crumbling down right before her and now even Valeria – the only person who had always been there for her – had given up too.