Natalie's point of view
"You're late for work again, Ms Natalie Anderson". I heard Mr Jerkins calling.
"Uhm.. Good morning Mr Jerkins", I greeted him, trying very hard to put myself together.
"What is good about the morning when you were supposed to arrive earlier than this?" his tone didn't sound like he was joking or trying to beat around the bush. I tried apologizing but he walked out on me.
"Hmpt" I heaved a sigh of relief as I retired to my workspace, to sign the documents for the day. I had a memory flash from what had previously happened, and I made a promise to myself never to go back to men, no matter what, and I would stay focused on my career as a sales rep.
"Put this together and make sure you stamp the receipt properly". I said to the cashier as I went out to the walkway to meet Caitlyn. She's been my go-to person since childhood.
"Look who's here?" Carityln said as she turned to open the door, exclaiming and beckoning me to come to her for a hug. "Your cologne smells amazing, I love it."
"Thank you" I shyly said as Carityln was all over and about me. "You are so amazing", Caitlyn said, beaming with all happiness-induced sophistication.
"I just arrived at work about a few hours ago and Mr Jerkins didn't have any smile on his face, did anything happen" I said, looking around to make sure the walls didn't have eyes and ears.
Carityln looked at me and was quiet for some time. I equally looked at her confused. Did I say something wrong?
"Well, we had a meeting with the HR concerning your recent inconsistency at work and Mr Jerkins has been considering firing you". She said, breaking the deafening silence.
"Why did he then ask me to come back to work if this is the plan?" I asked, sucking my teeth in an unexplainable manner.
"Maybe he just wanted to grant you an official pardon". Carityln said, looking back at her screen. "I'll meet you in the basement at lunch hour".
"Alright Habibi", I smiled so hard at Carityln as she gave me a hearty peck on my cheek.
I turned like I had remembered something. "I have a gist for you Cat, the type you'd like".
Her eyes burst wide open as though it was mixed with shock and excitement "Spill the damn tea".
"After work hours" I said as I shut the door behind me.
It was already 5 pm. I needed to be home by 7:30 pm. I didn't inform Cat when I was going home.
I thought I needed to take breaks in my life as everything was already too tiring and out of hands and bounds.
I grabbed dinner at Dominos, I ate to my fill, although slowly and steadily. I tried so hard not to choke on it.
My notification alarm rang, it was from Carityln. "You left without a goodbye note, can you come over for dinner tonight?"
I placed the phone gently on the table, and I was going to reply later. I felt a bit awful for not replying to Carityln. She's been a good friend and sometimes looked out for me.
I sipped the contents of the glass beside me while checking the time.
"Hello Cat, I'll text you when I get home, Ciao" I texted back as I proceeded to finish the remaining contents of my cup. I understood she was trying to be there for me, but it's been tough already, and I really wanted to talk about what John did, but on a second thought, It's been a long day already, I wasn't ready to do it longer.
I paid for my food and tipped the steward and made my way to the door to go home. I tried reminiscing about any good memories of relationships I've been in, and my memories kept failing me.
"Sighs" I muttered under my breath as I started the engine of my car. I drove home in the quiet of the night. Mr Jerkins could blame me all he can because he had a wife at home and probably one to two kids, but I didn't have any, talk more of a stable relationship.
It was a few hours' drive to my house and the engine creaked a bit and moved backwards like it had a fault.
"Oh my". I stopped the engine to look at it. It didn't have any physical fault, so I thought it was because it was an old car and needed replacement.
"Hopefully, Mr Jerkins won't eventually fire me as he has me in his thoughts already, so I can fix this mess I said to myself, bringing out the spanner from the booth of the car, and googling what would work with the spanner.
Finally, the car started after so many repairs on it. It was a tough one but I did it. I finally got home, and I was greeted at the sight of the clothes I left unarranged on my bed, unwashed plates in the sink.
"Phew" I was so tired, and I couldn't even do much, I just shifted the pile of clothes to a place and tried to sleep. My phone rang. It was Paula. I knew I needed to get things done for myself and around the house.
My anxiety kicked in, and I knew I needed to get settled mentally. I was getting older as my feminine clock was ticking, I needed to be in a relationship and none was forthcoming. I felt like a failure, I couldn't even cut down some weight, the last attempt wasn't even fun.
My phone rang again, and it was a notification from Paula.
"Come around the house tomorrow for dinner. We have a lot to talk about".
What did Paula want to talk to me about? Doesn't she seem to have a happy life already? What else does she want from me? My heart was beating faster.