Always Into You

Ashes turns to ashes - Chapter 5

Tanya's POV

I knew something was wrong the moment i stepped into Blaze Magazine’s lobby.

The usual morning chaos buzzed around, assistants balancing coffee trays, editors speed walking to meetings, the steady noise of ambition thick in the grounds of the building. But something was off.

People stared. Not directly just quick, fast glances before looking away. A whisper here. A hushed whisper there.

Then, at the reception desk, Clifford the ever efficient front desk assistant wouldn’t meet her eyes.

I ask. “Hey. Is something going on?”

Clifford hesitated. “Uh… you might want to check your emails.”

I felt a chill travel up my spine. I reached for my phone, my fingers becoming clumsy as i accessed my email inbox. my breath tightened.

Subject: Termination Notice - Tanya Brixton

From: Blaze HR Department

My heart pounded as i analyzed the email.

"Effective immediately, your employment at Blaze Magazine has been terminated. You will receive your final paycheck within the next payroll. Thank you for your service."

That was it. There's no explanation. There's no warning. My head twisted. I barely heard Clifford say anything about my I.D being disabled. Then i noticed the name at the bottom of the email.

Ambessa Hightower.

The revelation hit like a slap in the face. I turned on my feet and walked to the elevator.

If Ambessa believed she could fire me without speaking to me, i was in for a surprise.

But before i could click the button, guards moved in front of me. "Miss Brixton," one of them replied nervously. "We're going to have to escort you out." I felt the weight of each eye in the room. my throat clenched. Then, with nothing else to do, i turned around and walked out of the building.

By the time i got to the metro, the adrenaline had worn off, leaving me with a deep, hollow ache in my chest.

I had devoted myself completely to that task. Late evenings. Early mornings.

I had worked tirelessly to achieve Ambessa's unreasonable demands.

Nonetheless, with a single email, i had been obliterated. Just like that. I walked through the streets in despair, the city's view drowning out my thoughts. For the first time in years, i didn't have anywhere to go. No office. No to-do list. No future.

Then, before i could think twice, i pulled out my phone and dialed a number i hadn’t used in months.

Joanna.

It rang twice before she picked up.

A pause.

Then, Joanna’s familiar voice.

“…Tanya?”

My throat clenched.

"Hey." i said

Then Joanna sighed. "So you've finally recalled that I exist? "

I grimaced. "Jo—"

"No, no, it's fine," Joanna said, a sarcastic tone in her voice. "It's not like my best friend completely ditched me when she got her fancy job at Blaze or whatever."

I pinched my eyes shut. "I understand. I f****d up. Joanna was silent for a minute. Then, softly, said "What's wrong?"

I exhaled “I just got fired.”

A beat of stunned silence. Then Joanna’s voice softened completely.

“Where are you?” Joanna asked

“I don’t know. Somewhere near 26th cor 9th avenue.”

Joanna sighed. “Stay there. I’m coming.”

And for the first time all day, i felt like i could breathe and replenished.

Joanna arrived twenty eight minutes later, while i was seated on a bench outside a little café.

Joanna remained the same, with large curls, an oversized sweater, and a face that could be both judgmental and sincerely compassionate at once. Joanna took one glance at me and said "Wow. "You look like hell."

I let out a weak laugh. “Feels about right.”

Joanna stared at me for a second, then nudged her shoulder. “Alright. Spill it.”

So i told her everything. About the email. The humiliation, the dance. The way Ambessa had cut me out without a second thought.

Joanna listened quietly, letting me get it all out.

When i finally finished, Joanna leaned back, crossing her arms. “Well… I hate to say ‘I told you so”

I interrupted. “Please don’t.”

“but I did tell you so.” Joanna raised an eyebrow. “You basically worshipped that woman. And for what? So she could throw you away the second you stopped being convenient?”

I looked down. “I thought I mattered to her.”

Joanna’s voice softened. “You do. Just not to that oldie.”

I cried hard. “I don’t know what to do.”

Joanna nudged her again. “First? You eat.” Joanna shoved a bag into Tanya’s hands. “I got you a muffin. And don’t even try to say you’re not hungry.”

I managed to give her a small smile.

Joanna smirked. “And second? You remember who the hell you are. Because if Ambessa doesn’t want you? That’s her loss.”

I exhaled slowly, gripping the warm muffin in her hands.....

Maybe Joanna was right.

Maybe losing Blaze wasn’t the end.

Maybe it was just the beginning.