Chapter 5
1334 Words
Naya's POV.
My phone was buzzing so loudly in my ears before I could even open my eyes.
At first, I thought it was just another notification. But then another popped in and more of it started popping in.
The sound didn't stop. I stirred in my sleep and rolled over, my head was still heavy from everything. My body was tired in a way that sleep couldn't fix, just because I hadn't given it the proper attention it needed.
I grabbed my phone without even looking because I was ready to silence the discomfort. And that was when I saw my name and my face. It was everywhere and my heart dropped into my stomach.
I sat up so fast on my bed that my room spun around. There were pictures of me on the internet, headlines, comments, shares, and quotes.
Strangers who didn't know me and people who had never met me. People who had already decided who I was and I just scrolled past.
My hand started shaking as I read what they had to say about me.
She's just a homewrecker in designer clothes.
She thinks she is a prize but she is just a desperate woman.
Imagine humiliating your husband like this. Such a woman is for the streets.
She just has a gold digger behavior.
She wants attention so bad, it's embarrassing.
She doesn't have any class and any shame.
What a poor man, married to this kind of woman.
I swallowed hard. They didn't know anything about me but they really had quite a lot to say about my personality.
They didn't know about my wedding anniversary. Neither did they even know about Lydia. They didn't know about the years of swallowing pain, and how lonely my marriage had been but they judged me anyway.
It hurts me so much. And it wasn't because I believed them but because I was the only one being dragged.
No one was calling Derek names. No one was calling him a cheater. No one was shaming him for bringing a pregnant mistress home.
It was always me. Because I am a woman. I locked my phone because I did not want to see any of that and I pressed my phone to my chest.
For a moment I almost cried. But then I took a deep breath because I knew for the fact that I couldn't fall apart now.
I had one goal and that was to get my marriage back and make Derek want me. I wanted him to see me as his wife and the only woman he would ever have in his life so the other talks were just noise to my ears, even if the noise was loud enough to break me.
I quickly rushed into the bathroom and freshened up. Then I began to dress up, I did my makeup and I put on the strongest face. If the world wanted to watch me fall, then they were definitely going to see me stand first.
When I walked into the office. I could immediately perceive the change of energy. People stopped talking when I passed by them, whispers filled my ears and they were all looking at me.
I heard my name but it wasn't in the sweetest manner. It was in a very cruel manner.
“Is that her?”
“That is definitely the woman from the picture.”
“She looks so normal. Who would ever believe that she's just a slut?”
“She has so much audacity. She's just a shame to us women.”
I felt terrible inside of me but I was getting used to it so I held my head up and walked away like nothing touched me.
But every step I took felt heavier and every stare that was being thrown at me felt like a slap to my face.
Every whisper felt like a reminder that I was being judged by people who didn't even care to know the truth. I reached my desk and sat down, trying to focus but I couldn't.
My phone screen lit up and then the message came in.
“HR wants to see you.”
My heart sank into my chest because I already knew that this wouldn't be good.
I left to go and see the HR and his office felt colder than usual. The man behind his desk did not even smile at me. He didn't even offer me a seat with warmth, instead he just went straight to the point.
“Naya, you are aware of the controversy surrounding you right now,” he said.
“Yes I am.”
“It's beginning to affect the company,” he continued. “Clients are asking questions and your name is trending for the wrong reasons.”
“I understand. But this is my personal life and it has got nothing to do with my work.” I said quickly and he let out a sigh.
“That’s not how the public sees it.”
“I haven't done anything wrong. I haven't broken any company rules.” I said.
“This isn't about rules. This is about reputation.” he replied.
“So what are you saying?” I asked and he hesitated for a bit, then he spoke up.
“I'm saying your position in this company may be at risk if this continues.”
My heart dropped when I heard him say that.
“At risk?” I repeated. “You are talking about my job.”
“Yes. The board is concerned.” he said and I leaned forward.
“Please sir. I have worked here for years and my performance speaks for itself.” I pleaded.
“I'm not questioning your work Naya. But perception matters.” he responded and I felt tears burn inside of my eyes but I refused to let them flow down my cheeks.
“This will pass. Please just give me some more time.” I said. And he opened his mouth to respond but then his phone rang, distracting us from our conversation.
He frowned at the screen and his tone changed.
“Yes…. understood….right away.”
He ended the call and looked at me differently.
“There's an emergency meeting with the new boss.” he said and I heart skipped a beat.
The new boss? What did that even mean?
“As the head of the planning and survey department, you are required to attend. And there will also be a handover discussion during the meeting.” he added.
“Handover?” I asked.
“Just in case.” he replied and that phrase felt like a quiet threat.
I walked out of his office slowly and I didn't even know what I was feeling anymore. I didn't even know if it was anger, regret, fear, or numbness.
I had agreed to an open relationship to save my marriage. But now, it felt like I was losing everything else along with it.
My peace. My reputation, and my job. People judged me without even knowing me and they did not even see the nights that I cried alone and how I begged to be loved. They only saw pictures and headlines, and they decided I was the villain.
I walked into the conference room. The executives board members sat around the table and their faces were very serious.
I took my seat and I tried to focus and also breathe properly. The HR manager cleared his throat.
“Everyone, thank you for coming on short notice. As you all know there has been a change in leadership.” he said.
I rested my hand on the table.
“Our new boss has joined us today. And he will be seeing major operations moving forward.” he continued.
The door of the conference room opened, I looked up instantly and everything inside of me froze. For a second I couldn’t believe who my eyes landed on.
- Writer
