CHAPTER 5
1085 Words
“Sorry for any inconvenience this summons might have caused.” Isabela apologized without remorse.
Isabella didn’t need to raise her voice to command attention. She simply had it.
“I’ll admit,” Isabella said, tapping her pen lightly against the desk, “I was concerned about how you would handle things with Grayson today.” She leaned her head slightly, following Raven with sharp, calculating eyes.
“But I see I underestimated you,” she said.
Raven swallowed. She wasn’t sure if that was a praise or just an observation.
“You didn’t just present problems,” Isabella continued, “you provided solutions, and that’s what matters. That’s what sets apart a complainer from a fixer.”
Raven nodded quickly.
“I just; I mean, I wanted to make sure the situation was handled properly. I didn’t want to waste his time with unnecessary back-and-forth,” she said.
A slow, approving smile curved Isabella’s lips, though her eyes remained impossible to interpret.
“Exactly. That’s why none of the briefings without his knowledge will suffice anymore, but handled this very well.” she sounded, leaning back.
Raven’s chest tenses. Isabella’s words were appreciative, but there was no warmth behind them. It wasn’t praise, it was acknowledgement. A confirmation that Raven had done what was expected of her. Nothing more, nothing less. Still, it was better than nothing. “Thank you, Mrs. Blackwood,” she said softly.
Isabella gave a small nod. “Don’t let that be the last time you handle things with that level of competence.” With that, the conversation was over. Isabella turned her attention to her paperwork, dismissing Raven without another word.
Raven stood, feeling a strange mix of relief and exhaustion. It’s close of business. She made her way to her office.
She had spent the entire day buried in work, typing reports, scheduling meetings, and organizing documents for Grayson.
By the time she finally gathered her things and left the office, her shoulders ached, and her fingers felt stiff from typing.
But none of that mattered when Mason was waiting for her. She got into her car and drove home, her journey home was filled with anticipation of what plan Mason had in place for her this time. She could feel his presence in the car.
She got home, freshened up and sat in front of her mirror, carefully applying the finishing touches to her makeup.
“Tonight will be special.” she let out.
She had spent extra time choosing the perfect dress, a deep red, hugging her figure in all the right places.
The neckline dipped just enough to be teasing but not too much. Her heels made her legs look longer, and she had picked out a perfume Mason loved.
He had been distant lately. Distracted.
She figured maybe work was getting to him, the same way it got to her. That’s why tonight mattered. They needed this time together.
She grabbed her clutch, took one last look in the mirror, and smiled. “Mason was going to love this,” she thought.
Raven’s heart thrummed with excitement as she drove through the quiet streets, the soft hum of music filling her car.
She imagined the way Mason’s face would light up when he saw her, how his arms would wrap around her, pulling her in. The way he’d whisper in her ear, telling her she looked beautiful.
It had been a while since they had a proper date without distraction. But tonight, she was going to change that.
She switched off her phone and dropped it in her bag.
Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel as she pulled up to his house.
Raven sat in her car, gripping the steering wheel as a slow, excited smile spread across her face.
And then; Something felt off, his car wasn’t there.
That was strange. Mason always parked in the same spot, right outside. He hated using the garage, always complaining that it was too much effort to open and close every time he went out.
Maybe he had gone out quickly and would be back soon.
Raven pushed the thought aside and stepped out of her car, her heels clicking against the pavement as she approached the front door.
It was unlocked. Her stomach twisted slightly. She stepped inside.
The living room was empty. So was the kitchen. “Mason?” she called, her voice breaking the stillness.
No answer. She walked down the hall, her heart pounding harder with every step. The bedroom door was ajar, so she pushed it open.
Everywhere was empty, and no clothes were scattered on the bed as usual. Her breath came a little faster now, confusion moving slowly into her chest.
Then, she saw a single envelope on the bed, her name was written on it in Mason’s handwriting.
Slowly, she reached for it, her fingers trembling.
She tore it open.
And as her eyes scanned the words, the floor seemed to drop beneath her.
Raven, By the time you read this, I’ll be gone.
I know this is sudden, but I’ve made a decision; I’m leaving. And I’m not coming back.
There’s someone else.
I met her three months ago, and it made me realize something. What we have; it’s not enough.
I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t lie either. I’m in Istanbul now, starting over with her.
Don’t come looking for me.
Mason.
Raven’s vision blurred. Her knees buckled, and she sank onto the edge of the bed, taking the letter as if holding it tighter would somehow change the words.
This wasn’t real; This couldn’t be real.
Mason… gone? With someone else? Three months.
He had been with her, kissing her, whispering promises; while secretly planning to leave.
“No wonder he refused to pick up my calls when I tried to reach him on several occasions. Mason was right after all,” a different thought hovering in her mind.
Her body trembled violently. The excitement she had felt earlier, the butterflies in her stomach, the anticipation of seeing him; it had all been for nothing.
She had been planning a night with the man she loved.
And he had been planning his escape. Her stare landed on the envelope again, on his handwriting.
Don’t come looking for me. Her fingers curled into fists, crumpling the letter slightly.
She had thought she was going to see Mason tonight. Instead, she had been left with nothing but a note and a broken heart.
- Writer
