Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Maya's POV

I was trying to imagine how Tom dealt with Mark and I didn't know if I should be happy or sad. I didn't remember most of what happened last night when I woke up this morning.

I remembered the announcement and Mark proposing to Tilda. Heck. I went to the garden and then, I woke up in the hospital. It would have been better if he had killed me. The first man I ever loved was also the one to tear my heart in pieces.

The pain was just unbearable. Tracy told me to pray but I stopped believing in prayer because I felt my prayers were never answered. Anytime I prayed for something, I got the exact opposite. For instance the time that my mother was being driven to the hospital, I prayed that God will bring her back safe with my baby brother or sister but they never returned. Same as the time my dad died. So you see, it's just been like that. But since I didn't have any other option, I decided to give it another try. It will be better than nothing.

I can't get my head straight anytime I am alone and keep thinking of him. My mind wants revenge but my heart tells me to give him a chance to explain. But what if his explanation only makes things worse? The fears and insecurities kept creeping into my heart when all I wanted was to forget everything as if it was a bad dream.

I left the hospital with both Tracy and Tom. They tried everything to make me happy but all I could feel was intense pain and betrayal. They kept talking about random stuffs. Tracy even reminded me of her kid brother's birthday next week and asked about how we were going to surprise him. She knew that will make me happy and it did. It was the only chat I contributed to.

They took me to the park, the beach and even the open gardens. Just my favourite places but even those never made me happy. Jude came over a few times with Sarah. We talked about old times and all yet, it never took away the pain.

It's 2am already and I realized I have been up for two hours with so many thoughts in head. I got down from the bed and drank a glass of water. Tracy was fast asleep. She hasn't slept for a few days so I didn't want to disturb her.

I went to the living room and without turning on the light, I sat on the couch and then I cried out my heart in prayer just as Tracy said. It was as if the tears were washing away the pain and all the anger. All the heaviness in my heart were replaced with a lightness I have never felt. I must have fallen asleep in the couch because I felt someone tap me.

Tracy, good morning, I said with genuine smile. I felt so happy and I didn't know why.

"It's afternoon, Maya. I didn't want to wake you but I thought you should eat something", Tracy said.

Wait, you mean I've slept for that long? I asked with total surprise. I felt like I was asleep for just thirty minutes. I never thought hours have passed.

"I don't think it's too long. I just think you weren't able to sleep last night so you were catching up." She smiled.

How do you know I couldn't sleep when we went to bed together.

"Seriously? Yes, we went to bed together whereas here you are in the couch. Isn't it obvious? He joked.

I smiled shyly.

"It's okay. Tom left an hour ago." She said.

You mean Tom was here? I asked trying to remember anything.

"Yes. He brought us some food but didn't stay long." She replied.

Hmmmmm...interesting, I muttered

"So what's on your mind?" Tracy asked me.

Nothing, I said heading to the bathroom.

"Nothing?" Tracy said following me.

Yes. For the first time, I feel like a baby. I said smiling as I took out a tooth brush and tooth paste.

"Good for you. She said with raised brows and asked again. So what happened"?

"Hmmm somebody told me to pray remember? I think it was a great advise.

"You did not", she said

I did.

"How did it feel", she asked.

When I started, it felt awkward but gradually, it turned serious and since I let out my heart, I felt so much peace. It's like, I am not afraid anymore. I said and started brushing my teeth.

"Happy to see that smile return." Tracy said before turning around to leave the bathroom.

"Well it feels great and if you don't mind, I will eat and go back to sleep. I said after rinsing my mouth.

"No way we have to prepare for tommorow", Tracy said defiantly and continued. The letter, remember?

Oh no. Where is my phone?

"It should be in your purse." She said, walking to the closet to pick my phone from the closet.

What? One hundred and fifty messages and one hundred and eighty one missed calls! I exclaimed after switching on the phone after I took it from Tracy and inserted the charger. Good thing it went off.

Most of the calls were from the office, then Sir Max, Jude, Tracy, Tom and even Mark. I cleared the whole call log. Then I checked the messages. Most of them were from Mark. I deleted all of them without even reading. I didn't want anything to change my happy mood.

From today, it will be a new me. I don't know if I will ever be able to love again but I will restructure my priorities.

First, I typed out my resignation. Well, Tracy technically did. I just edited. She made the content so strong but I just let her know it wasn't a big deal. She was surprised at my behavior. Well, its not as if I was completely over Mark but knowing that he belongs to someone else is more than enough reason to move on.

I won't fight a losing battle. He made his choice so I will also make mine. What am I even saying? What choice do have I made. I don't know. I think I am yet to.

I sent a soft copy of the letter through email and went to the HR to return the official phone and laptop. It was a resignation with immediate effect. The HR Manager asked of my reasons for resigning. Well how could I tell her? My reasons are not official so I had to lie. I just told her I was starting my own company.

Instantly, I thought of doing just that so I guess it wasn't a lie after all. It actually brought the idea. But now, I had to face my greatest fear and I didn't know if I was ready for this.

Before leaving the HR. She told me that as part of their procedures, I am supposed to have an exit interview with the CEO. Who does that? It must be one of Mark's plans but what if he wasn't even there? It could be his dad. Stop being paranoid Maya, my inner self yelled.

I walked briskly out of the HRs office through the main office to the reception and then the corridor to the CEO's office. I did well to look my best today. If I should be remembered, I should be remembered this way.

I was wearing a black suit with a white shirt and black knee length skirt. My black heels were four inches. My first time of wearing heels that long. My maximum used to be three. I had my hair in a pony tail but with a heavy make up. I didn't want to look miserable. I picked up a black gucci leather bag to accesorize. Well, I wasn't sad but I wasn't happy coming to this office so I chose black. It kind of gave me an authoritative and powerful look. I heard the gossips behind me even though I wish I didn't.

"So she's leaving, after getting the position we wanted. What an ingrate."

"She thinks she's better than us."

"She's so full of herself."

"Look at her all dressed to kill."

"HR didn't have to beg her to stay, we are better off without her."

Surprisingly, I wasn't hurt or anything. This heartbreak, is the worst thing that can happen to anyone and comments from under achievers was nothing to weigh me down.

Yes under achievers because no serious person will gossip about what they don't know and keep on insinuating stuffs like that.

I knocked on the CEO'S door hoping it's Mark's Dad. But did I really wish that? He was even worse than his son. Maybe not worse but what will you think if you were in my shoes?

Mark was sitting on the executive swivel chair with his back to the door. He was looking out of the window but quickly turned around when I opened the door.

His handsome face looked so pale. His eyes were red and sunken. I don't know why he decided not to sleep because that's what he looked like. Someone who hasn't slept for ages.

He forced and smile when he saw me which I quickly ignored. Thank God for the heavy make up because I knew it hid any sorrowful facial expression.

"Please have a seat Maya," he said, standing up to pull a chair for me. Where does he think we are anyway? A restaurant?. I thanked him for his kind gesture and sat with an indifferent look.

To what do I owe this interview if I may ask? I said trying my best to be polite.

"Won't you even ask how I am doing? " He asked sadly.

I am sorry but that is no longer my business. Besides, this meeting is official and not personal. His face grew dark and I thought I saw tears in the corners of his eyes but who is he kidding?

Is he expecting me to sympathize with him after what he did? I am the victim here but he is turning it against me. I just ignored him.

He pulled out a decorative envelope from his drawer and handed it to me. I am not taking anything from you, I said sternly.

"Please take it before you hear it from anyone else", he said looking away. I don't like where this is going. I thought this was going to be an official meeting.

I took the envelope from his hand and I couldn't believe what I saw. It was like my heart stopped and I forgot to breath.