Ashley Whitner couldn't help but grin when she spotted her friend, but her smile vanished when she saw how downcast Trisha looked.
She remarked sympathetically, "Trish, you look like you've been through a lot. What's the matter?" Her gut feeling told her that something had gone terribly wrong with her best friend.
Before she could speak more, Trisha collapsed into her arms, her tears flowing uncontrollably as she sobbed in misery.
Ashley held her close, offering her a comforting embrace as they stood in the quiet solitude of her living room. After a few moments, Trisha's sobs began to subside, and she looked up at her friend with red, swollen eyes.
She sniffled as she spoke, "I... I can't believe what just happened, Ash. Everything fell apart tonight."
"Can you tell me what happened?"
Trisha took a deep breath as she said, "Damon... he... he cheated on me, Ash. I caught him with his assistant, Olivia. They were... having sex, right in front of me."
Ashley's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, Trish, I can't believe he would do that to you. "
"He accused me of not being good enough for him. He even had the audacity to say that I'm not up to his standards," Trisha replied with a heavy heart. "And he spew some hurtful words about me."
"What did he say?"
Trisha nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "He said I was too focused on my career, that I'm too ambitious and not feminine enough for him. It's like he doesn't even know me."
Ashley's expression turned into anger. "I can't believe he'd say such things about you, Trish. You deserve better than that."
"And that's not all. He's the one who arranged my transfer to Azure Bay Island, as if it's some sort of banishment."
"What? That's unbelievable! Why would he do something like that?"
"Dunno, Ash. He said he thought it would be a 'fresh start' for me, but it felt more like he wanted to get rid of me."
"He's the one who should be gone, not you!"
"I wish it were that easy, Ash. My whole world has crumbled tonight. I don't know what to do. I'm lost." She gazed at Ashley, her voice wavering as she asked, "Am I really that undesirable, not good enough for anyone, that he could say those things?"
"No, Trish, don't even think that way!" Ashley reassured her. "You're an incredible person. Damon's words don't define who you are. He's just blind to see the amazing woman you are."
"I just can't understand why he'd say something so cruel," Trisha murmured, wiping away her tears. "It's like everything I thought I knew about us was a lie. I sacrificed so much for him only to be treated like this, it's just... it's not fair. I deserved better after all I've given."
Understanding the depth of Trisha's pain, Ashley responded sympathetically, "I can't believe he would treat you like this. You've given so much for him–giving all your best for supporting his career, putting all your dreams on hold, even moving to this secluded project. It's just not fair, Trish."
Trisha let out a heavy sigh in sorrow. "I guess I only truly saw how cruel he could be after a few years of being with him. It's heartbreaking to realize that the person you thought you knew so well could treat you this way."
"Sometimes people show their true colors when things fall apart. But you're stronger than you think, Trish. You'll rise above this, mark my words."
"I'm not sure about everything, Ash," Trisha admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I just need some time to figure it all out."
"You don't have to go through this alone, Trish. We'll figure it out together. First things first, we need to make sure you're in a safe and stable situation. Are you okay staying here for a while?"
Trisha nodded. "I'll stay with you for a few hour now but I must head back to my apartment later since I have to get ready for my departure to Azure Bay Island tomorrow."
Ashley was taken aback and exclaimed, "Tomorrow? That's so fast!"
Trisha continued to share the news she had received from Mark Petrunich and explained the details of the Azure Bay Island project. She recounted the unexpected turn her career had taken and the turmoil it had brought into her life.
After a brief moment, there was a silence in their conversation. Ashley's comforting expression shifted into a thoughtful and somewhat perplexed gaze as she looked at Trisha.
Trisha noticed the change in her friend's expression and furrowed her brows in curiosity. "Ash, what's the matter?"
Ashley hesitated for a moment before finally speaking with a hint of concern. "Trish, I've been meaning to tell you something, and I hope you don't take it the wrong way."
"Of course, Ash, you can tell me anything."
Ashley took a deep breath before saying, "It's just... there's something I've already learned about Damon and Olivia."
Trisha's eyes widened in curiosity as she wiped her tears. "What is it, Ash? Please, tell me."
"I've already learned that they have been intimately involved. Their relationship was more than just professional."
Trisha struggled to process the shocking revelation. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Are you sure, Ash? How did you find out?"
"Trish, I wish it weren't true, but I saw them with my own eyes. I spotted Damon and Olivia leaving a hotel together few weeks ago, and they were walking hand in hand, looking incredibly close. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but there's no denying it," Ashley confessed with a heavy heart. "I decided to keep it a secret until the right time to reveal it to you. I didn't want to add to your pain until you were ready to hear it."
After a brief pause, she continued, "And there's more. I overheard some senior folks who were at the big meeting. It's confirmed that Damon intentionally spilled the beans about that deserted project on Azure Bay Island. Our holding company has dozens of projects, but we've never had such a disaster. Because of this deserted project, we're bleeding money all over the place. That guy is a real jerk. He came up with the idea to banish you to that awful place, leaving you with no choice but to take it or leave it. It's like a career suicide, Trish."
As Trisha processed this new information, her dismay and rage grew. She clenched her fists, her voice quivering with frustration. "I can't believe he would sabotage my career like this! This is beyond betrayal, Ash. It's like he wanted to see me fail and go downhill."
"I'm so sorry you're going through this, Trish."
"He is a real jerk! But you know what, Ash? I won't let him taste the victory. I'll find a way to turn this around, even if it means taking on that damned project on Azure Bay Island."
"Trish, I admire your willpower, but please be cautious. That project has a reputation for being incredibly challenging, and if Damon had a hand in sending you there, it's likely he's hoping you'll struggle. We need to come up with a smart plan to deal with this."
"You're right, Ash," she replied with unwavering resolve. "Tomorrow, I'll head to Azure Bay Island and see what's in store for me. I won't let his games break me. I'll face this challenge head-on, and who knows, maybe I'll turn it into an opportunity."
Ashley smiled, clearly impressed by her friend's resilience. "That's the spirit, Trish! I've known you for years, and I've seen that you can handle whatever comes your way. Nothing could let you down unless you choose to give in."
"Thanks, Ash. You've been a big support to me. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"We'll get through this, Trish. I promise. But there's another thing."
"What's that?"
"I've noticed how consumed you've been with your career lately. Don't get me wrong, your dedication is admirable, and you're achieving incredible things. But I can't help but wonder if you're putting too much on your plate. Are you taking enough time for yourself, for your own happiness?"
Trisha blinked, surprised by the question. "Ash, you know that this job means a lot to me, and I wanted to see this project through successfully."
"I just don't want you to burn out, Trish. Remember, life's not all about work and achievements. You need to take a break and unwind. Sometimes, it's the little moments of joy and relaxation that matter the most," Ashley insisted with concern. "Remember, all work and no play isn't a recipe for a happy life."
"Don't worry, I've got everything under control. Tomorrow, I'll confront whatever hurdles Azure Bay Island throws my way, and I'll treat it as a little break from all this tension. I'll do it with my head held high."
As her friend spoke, Ashley could see a real dramatic change in her. The anger and sadness that had filled her eyes before were gone, replaced by a strong sense of willpower and confidence. It was clear that she had made her decision to take on whatever came her way with a lot of grit and strength.