Chapter 2: Unjust Termination and Break-Up
1231 Words
Gabrien went home filled with anger and resentment because of what happened at his workplace. He wasn't pleased to see Tayla that day. The last thing he wanted was to see any of his family on his father's side. He didn't care if he would be scolded tomorrow because of his behavior. He would just willingly accept all the sermons that would come from Mr. Rustom.
He arrived home earlier than expected today. Before he walked down the narrow alley to his apartment, he stopped by a small food court to buy their dinner with Amarah.
After that, he proceeded to walk home. He noticed that the lights in their house were off, so he assumed maybe Amarah was already asleep. It was quite late, so she might have fallen asleep due to tiredness from her workout.
He slowly turned the doorknob, and it was pitch dark inside his house. But the moment he turned on the light, he felt like his soul left his body. Spread out on the floor were a man's belongings: black pants, polo shirts, and shoes. Also scattered on the floor were Amarah's clothes and underwear.
He was panting heavily as he walked slowly towards their room. When he finally reached the door, he heard his girlfriend's laughter and the familiar voice of the man inside. It was her "gym instructor."
He slowly grasped the doorknob and turned it slowly. It wasn't locked, so he opened it continuously.
In front of him were his girlfriend, Amarah, and that gym instructor making out. The guy looks way older than them, more like his father's same age.
"What the hell!" Amarah squealed but then stopped as her eyes widened upon seeing Gabrien at the door. "L-love..."
They both covered themselves with a blanket. Gabrien looked at them with disbelief. He felt a mix of emotions: anger, frustration, disappointment. He maintained his cold look on his girlfriend.
"What's going on, Amarah? Get rid of him. Or you leave. Just stay at my condo. I told you, we should have met there. Not here in this crappy old apartment," the so-called gym instructor said.
"L-love, let's talk--"
"Continue what you're doing," Gabrien said, cutting off Amarah, and he slammed the door.
He headed to the kitchen and drank some water. Less than five minutes later, Amarah followed him, now wearing an oversized shirt that he knew wasn't hers. It must be from that guy she's making out with.
"G-Gabrien, I wanted to talk to you about something," she started.
"What else, Amarah? Cheating on me behind my back? Gym instructor, huh? You could have chosen someone more decent. Damn it, Amarah. That guy is almost your father's age! Are you even thinking?" He said.
"H-He was never my gym instructor. He is a businessman, and... And we developed feelings for each other. And it doesn't have anything to do with his age! I'm... I'm sorry, Gabrien. I wanted to end what we have a long time ago, but I pitied you because I knew I was the only one you had."
"I don't need your pity, Amarah. Stay the f**k away from me. You disgust me," he said. Coldness is visible in him.
"I don't love you anymore. I never loved you. I just stayed with you hoping that you could give me something to be proud of because you're a Van der Bilt. Even if you're an illegitimate son of Sebastian Van der Bilt. But I was wrong. You can't give me the life I want," she confessed.
It crushed Gabrien deep inside, but he just let out a sigh and chuckled sarcastically. "Then go with him. Leave now, Amarah. It's embarrassing that you're still living in my old, crappy apartment."
Because of the rage building inside him, he couldn't contain it and threw the glass he was holding against the wall, shattering it on the floor. Amarah almost screamed in surprise.
Before Gabrien finally left the kitchen, he heard Amarah's final words.
"It's not my fault you chose to live this miserable life when you can easily contact your father and fix your life. So don't blame me if I can't live in this trashy place with you anymore. I'm tired of waiting, Gabrien. I don't want to settle for less. I don't want to settle for a poor lifestyle forever! I also have my wants and needs!"
"Tomorrow, you should be gone." Gabrien didn't look back at her and continued walking until he reached his room, ignoring all of Amarah's words.
*****
Gabrien woke up because of the consecutive ringing of his cellphone. He picked it up and saw that it was a call from Mr. Rustom, not his alarm. The time was still too early compared to his set alarm.
"Hello, sir?"
"Gabrien, come to my office! We will have a meeting, and this is urgent!" Mr. Rustom said and ended the call immediately.
Gabrien rubbed his face and, without any choice, got up and started moving. When he left the room, the whole apartment was quiet. Amarah and all her belongings were gone.
Gabrien couldn't comprehend the sudden emptiness he felt with the absence of the only person he had. Deep inside, he questioned if it was his fault that it happened. What if Amarah was right? What if Gabrien had just set aside his pride and reached out to his father?
Perhaps his life would have been better if he had done that compared to now. Even if he wasn't accepted as family, at least his life would be in order, and he could provide everything Amarah wanted and needed. He hoped she hadn't left him.
When Gabrien arrived at Mr. Rustom's office, he noticed that there were no other janitors there, nor any other employees. Only him and Mr. Rustom, which made him wonder.
"Good morning, Sir. What seems to be the problem?" He asked.
"You! You're the problem. You are fired, Gabrien."
Gabrien furrowed his brow. What did he do wrong to suddenly be terminated by his boss?
"Sir, what did I do wrong?" He asked curiously.
"The important and most delicate document involved in our meeting was leaked to the competitors, and the competitors used it against the company. We will lose a lot of profit! And a copy of the document was found in your locker."
"Sir, are you accusing me? I would never do that," he defended himself. "Even if I'm angry with my sister, I couldn't do what you're accusing me of."
"All fingers are pointing at you, Gabrien. I am sorry, but I need to do this," Mr. Rustom avoided eye contact.
"But sir, please, I am begging you. This job is all I have," Gabrien pleaded, almost begging on his knees, but Mr. Rustom remained firm.
"I understand, Gabrien. You are one of the most hardworking janitors we have. But it is strictly an order. I have to do this, or else Miss Tayla will back out, and I will lose my job."
"Sir... I am begging you--"
"You have thirty minutes to pack all your things and leave the building. Good luck, Gabrien."
Defeated, Gabrien walked out of Mr. Rustom's office. He didn't know how to continue with his life.
Amarah left him, and now he's being fired from his job for something he didn't do. He felt like he was the unluckiest person alive.
- Writer
