As soon as I arrive at Alex’s building, the secretary greets me with a fake smile. I return the gesture, though it feels forced. Walking past her, I head toward the elevator, step inside with a few other people, and press the button for Alex’s floor. The elevator feels crowded, and I keep my eyes on the glowing numbers as they change. People get on and off, some exchanging polite nods or murmured greetings. Eventually, I’m left alone, the hum of the elevator filling the silence.
A soft ding signals that I’ve reached my desired floor. The doors slide open, and I step out, walking toward Alex’s office. As I approach the door, I can hear several bursts of laughter echoing from inside.
“No way, it’s Alex!” an older man’s voice exclaims, loud and mocking.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Alex responds, his tone tinged with irritation.
I hesitate outside the door, unsure if it’s the right moment to enter. My hand hovers near the doorknob, but instead of going in, I turn, considering leaving. Then I hear a sentence that stops me dead in my tracks.
“It means you’re not capable of loving, especially not a girl like the one Gilbert described,” another voice chimes in, dripping with ridicule.
“Short, thin, brown hair, brown eyes, normal in front, normal in back,” the first voice adds, and the room erupts in laughter.
Heat rushes to my face. I can’t tell if it’s from embarrassment or anger. My chest tightens as I realize they’re talking about me.
“Hey, hey! Calm down, people. We’re talking about my son’s supposed girlfriend,” Alex’s father says, and the laughter subsides. “Besides, we all know Alex’s whims. Give it another two months, and she’ll be out of his life,” he adds, his tone dismissive. My heart sinks at his words.
“You’re an idiot,” Alex growls, his voice sharp with anger. “If you’re just here to criticize my girlfriend, then I think you should leave. I’m not leaving her-not her,” he adds firmly, though there’s a hint of vulnerability in his voice.
A few seconds of silence pass before the room explodes with laughter once again.
“That’s what he said about the last one!” someone mocks.
“But the last one had… well, more to offer!” another voice jeers.
“This one looks like a real-life sex doll!”
“Maybe that’s what Alex is into now,” someone else adds, and the room fills with cruel laughter.
The words feel like daggers, each one cutting deeper than the last. My throat tightens, and my eyes blur with tears I’m too proud to let fall. For a moment, I feel so stupid, so uncomfortable in my own skin, so ugly, so…
“Enough!” Alex’s voice thundered, and the laughter abruptly stops. “I won’t tolerate you talking about Nina like that. For God’s sake, you don’t even know her!” he exclaims, his voice rising in frustration. “She’s-”
“We don’t need to know her. We know you,” someone interjects coldly. A loud thud follows, as though a fist has slammed onto a desk.
“I’m so sick of you!” Alex shouts, his voice filled with strong emotion. “I’m so sick of you meddling in every aspect of my life! Every time I find something that makes me happy, you try to ruin it. I’m a grown man, and I don’t need you dragging me into these stupid meetings every time you disapprove of something. Do me a favor and keep your opinions to yourselves!”
“Alexander Gray!” Gilbert exclaims, his tone sharp and authoritative.
“No! You have no right to say anything to me,” Alex fires back. “You’re the one orchestrating all this nonsense just to ruin my life!”
“Are you seriously talking to your father like this over a girl?” the older man spits incredulously. “You, I, and everyone else here know we’re right. She’s just a whim of yours. You like her for her pretty face, probably for sex. But let me remind you-there are plenty more like her. If you think she’s worth all this trouble, you’re making a huge mistake,” he growls. “What am I saying? You made the mistake the moment you got involved with that little tramp!”
“Shut your mouth!” Alex roars, his voice shaking with rage.
“Your biggest mistake was falling for a useless teenager! Can’t you see she’s just using you? That’s what they do, but you’re too blind to see it. She’ll make you fall in love, take you to heaven, and then rip everything away before letting you crash back to earth. Since she’s been in your life, you’ve become a miserable excuse for a man. Look at yourself-disgusting!”
The words crush me. My knees give out, and I collapse onto the floor outside the door. Silent tears stream down my face as their voices continue to echo in my head. I don’t know how long I sit there, broken and motionless, but eventually, I force myself to stand. My legs feel weak as I stagger to the elevator.
I press the button for the lobby, hoping to escape, to breathe, to get away from the nightmare unfolding upstairs. The elevator hums as it descends, and someone steps in. I keep my head down, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill over.
When the doors open, I rush out, searching desperately for a restroom. My chest aches with every sob I try to suppress, and eventually, the tears spill over. I push open a random door, only to realize I’ve stumbled into the men’s restroom.
Several men glance at me in confusion.
“I… I’m sorry,” I stammer, backing out.
Before I can get far, a hand grabs my elbow, spinning me around.
“What the hell happened to you?” a familiar voice asks. I don’t need to look up to know who it is.
I keep my eyes fixed on the floor, unwilling to meet his gaze.
“Nina,” he says softly, his tone full of concern. “Talk to me. Please.”
I can’t. My throat is too tight, my emotions too raw.
Suddenly, I feel his arms wrap around me, pulling me close. He presses a gentle kiss to the back of my head, his voice soothing.
“Calm down. It’s okay. I’m here,” he whispers.
For a moment, his embrace feels like the only thing keeping me from falling apart completely. I bury my face in his chest and sob, my arms wrapping around his waist.
“I… I just want to go home,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
Nail gently wipes my tears away. “I’ll tell Alex-” he says.