** Anna’s POV **
I was packing my personal items in a box back in the office. It wasn’t much though, just a few books, pens and a flower vase. I couldn’t help but think about the whole thing.
Was I doing the right thing? I had saved up quite a few bucks to take care of my needs for a few months while I went job hunting. With my work experience, I don’t think it would be that difficult to find something decent to do.
Who wouldn’t want to employ a former employee of Blackwood Precious Stones and Jewelries? This was to my advantage.
Without a knock, the door was pushed open and Megan walked in, a frown on her face. I turned to her with a little smile, expecting a lecture from her.
“What do you think you are doing, Anna?” she asked with a wrinkled face, curiosity etched on her face.
“Did Mr. Blackwood send you to come and try to change my mind?” I asked coldly and turned my back to her.
“He didn’t have to, the moment I learnt that you were leaving, I decided to come over and talk sense into you. girl, what do you think you are doing?” she asked again.
“I am sorry, Megan. I have to leave, this environment is not conducive for me anymore, and I don’t mean that physically.”
“Well, what is it about? Talk to me girl, is it Mr. Blackwood? Did he do something? Did he say something? Look, you know you can always ignore him, it is no secret that he is full of himself.” Megan blurted.
Anna sighed and shook her head. “No Meg, it is not that, it is more complicated. Don’t waste your time, I appreciate concern but you shouldn’t worry about me, my mind is made up. If anything, look at this as the opportunity you have always been looking forward to.”
“What do you mean by that?” Megan asked with a frown on her face.
Anna exhaled deeply and turned to face her. “Meg, you said that you wanted the position of assistant to the CEO, maybe this is your chance. Just fill the hole that my absence would create and you would get the job, I don’t mean this to offend you, I am just saying that what we both know. I am the only thing standing between you and your dream promotion, in my absence, you could finally get there.”
“Stop it Anna! I won't deny that I envy your position even before you joined and always had my eyes on it, but working with you and your friendship is of more importance to me than a stupid promotion. So don’t think you are doing me a favor by quitting this job, I want you to stay, Anna, I need you.” Megan pleaded.
I took her hand like a loving sister and covered them in my palms. “Meg… Please stop trying, I appreciate all the beautiful memories we have made in the past four months, and the ugly ones we had two months prior,” she said with a chuckle. “But this is time for me to move on, I have reasons which I cannot tell you but believe me, they are worth it.”
“Keep in mind that quitting this job doesn’t mean the end of our relationship, we are still going to be best of friends. We are in the same city, you know my house, you can always come by or send me an invitation and I would be at your place. If we miss each other, we will just meet up. This isn’t goodbye.” I explained.
She sighed, probably realizing that it was a waste of time to keep persuading me. “So you are not going to change your mind?” she asked softly.
I pressed my lips together and shook my head sideways. “No, I am sorry.”
“Fine then,” she muttered in a sad voice. “You go then,” she added as she turned around and stormed off like an angry child.
I chuckled softly, I am sure she will come around in time. I packed the rest of my stuff and walked out of the office, leaving the door open.
I did not bother to corner into the CEO’s office, I couldn’t bear to watch him one more time. I was scared he would convince me to stay and once again I would be stuck in the dilemma.
I don’t even know why a part of me had wanted him to ask me to stay, I yawned to hear him confess my importance to him. even if he didn’t take off the conditions, I might have reconsidered. But Mr. Blackwood would never do that, he was so full of pride that he would rather watch me go.
I got into the elevator and headed for the down floor. My heart was racing, because I knew there was no turning back to this decision that I was making, but it was for the best. If I was single, I wouldn’t care about having sex with my boss, but Jimmy loves me so much, he would be broken if he ever learns of this. I cannot deal with the guilt and the fear of getting caught, but worst of all, I cannot deal with the feelings…
The elevator door opened on the down floor and I ran into him. my heart skipped. “Mr. Blackwood,” I muttered.
He stood there with his hands in his pocket as he stared at me coldly, his face masking his feelings and his words.
I swallowed hard, and made up my mind to play tough. He already raised his voice at me once, I needed to make it clear that I was no longer scared of him, I had no reason to be. I am back to being the Anna who had threatened to push my heels through his throat, no longer the weak girl he had created.
“So your mind is made up.” He said coldly.
I nodded and gulped down saliva. “Yes, If you are here to try and stop me, I am sorry but you can’t.”
“Stop you?” he scoffed and chuckled sarcastically. “You wish! I am only here to get the car keys, it is company property, you lose the job, you lose the car as well.” he said.
My heart jumped a little. Of course, I hadn’t even thought of the car, it looked like I would be taking a cab home. Mr. Blackwood is so mean, I can’t believe he would take that off me right here and now, he could have at least come to pick it up at my place like he dropped it off there.
I didn’t hesitate to bring out the keys from the box and hand it over to him. “Here,” I whispered.
“Good, the security will see you off the property.” He replied and then he walked into the elevator.
I stood there in disbelief and watched the elevator go up. How could I forget so soon that this man was wicked, reminding me why I chose to hate him in the first place; he never changed and he would never change, unfortunately.
And so the new Phase of my life begins, a life without CEO Blackwood…
!