An Empty Seat
791 Words
Lucas
I stepped into the office and immediately noticed her desk was empty. No bag, no files and not even her coffee mug. Then I saw the envelope on my table, neatly placed beside the apartment key and the car key.
Emma resigned.
I stared at the letter for a moment, not surprised but mildly… irritated. I knew she’d react to the wedding invitation; I hadn’t planned for her to see it yet, but it was bound to happen. I expected tears, maybe an argument, maybe her ignoring me for a week. But quitting and returning everything? That was unnecessary and dramatic.
I knew she liked me. She'd never hidden it, she was good at her job, good with me too. But I didn’t imagine she’d take things this personally. Heartbroken? Is that what this was supposed to be?
I had already planned to settle her properly, give her money, a condo or whatever she wanted so she wouldn’t feel… discarded. I wasn’t trying to hurt her. But walking away like this? Childish.
She should have stayed. At least long enough for me to explain things properly. Now she was gone, and instead of relief, all I felt was an inconvenient wave of irritation and a vacant space at work.
Mark showed up in my office a few minutes after I called.
“Mark, I need a new PA. Emma resigned.”
He didn’t look shocked. If anything, he looked like he’d been waiting for it. “I told you to talk to her when everything started,” he said.
I scoffed. “I didn’t expect her to act this childish.”
“Childish?” Mark raised a brow. “That’s what you call it?”
“What else should I call it?” I leaned back, annoyed. “She should have tried to understand me. I never promised her marriage and I don’t even want this marriage with Cynthia. I’m not ready to marry anyone, definitely not now.”
“Lucas,” he sighed, “Emma is young and emotional. She was in love with you, and you knew it. Any woman in her position would break when she finds out the man she loves is getting married to someone else.”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I went to the cabinet, took out a bottle of whiskey, poured myself a shot, and swallowed it in one go.
The burn was good.
I was about to sit when my phone lit up. I glanced at it and dropped it face down on the desk.
“Who’s that?” Mark asked.
“Cynthia.”I said, letting out a dry laugh. “Talk of the devil.”
“Pick,” Mark said.
“Not now,” I muttered. “It’s not a good time to listen to her rants about the wedding planner.” I let out a long breath and finally took my seat.
“You shouldn’t have accepted the engagement. And definitely not the wedding plans,” Mark said quietly. “You should have stood your ground.”
I snapped before I could stop myself. “You saw my old man that day, lying on that hospital bed like he was already halfway gone. You were there, Mark. He needed me to solidify the partnership with Collins by marrying his daughter. He asked me to make the vow and move ahead with it. What was I supposed to do? Tell him no?”
Mark shook his head slowly. “I saw it as emotional blackmail.”
I shrugged, tired. “The invitation cards were just proof for him… something to show I was keeping my promise. I haven't even sent any out yet.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Now I’ve lost my PA,” I grumbled.
“And your girlfriend,” Mark added.
I shot him a look. He wasn’t wrong. But I hated hearing it out loud.
“I need to find a replacement, right away,” I said, rubbing my temple.
“Have you tried talking to her? Nicely? See if she’ll come back?” Mark asked.
“You think she’ll listen?” I muttered.
“You don’t even know the power you have over that woman,” he said, leaning back. “Call her. Go on.”
I picked up my phone and dialed Emma’s number. It didn’t go through. “She probably blocked me,” I said, voice flat.
“Let me try,” Mark said. I handed him my phone. He dialed her number on his phone. “She’s switched off,” he reported.
I stared at him for a long moment, the thought hitting me hard. Emma hadn’t been this mad with me before. Not ever.
And suddenly, that made everything… more complicated.
- Writer
