Facing the Lies
641 Words
Back at the office, a client call from the startup CEO. “Elara, loving the mood boards. That atrium with the skylights? Genius. Can we add VR integration zones?”
She brainstormed on the fly: “Absolutely, modular pods with immersive tech, surrounded by plants for that zen focus. I’ll update the renders.”
The call ended on a high, confidence surging. She could handle work, at least. Love? Messy.
Afternoon flew: emails, supplier negotiations for custom furniture. A delivery of fabric samples, velvets in jewel tones, linens in neutrals. Elara felt them, envisioning executive suites. But her phone buzzed: Alex. “Miss you. Home early? Talk?”
Dread knotted her stomach. Time to face the music.
Evening traffic crawled, giving her time to rehearse. Home, Alex had set the table with takeout from her favorite Thai place, pad see ew, spring rolls. Candles flickered, his attempt at romance. “Babe! You’re home. I got your faves.”
Elara crossed her arms. “Cut the act, Alex. I know about Mia.”
His face crumpled, fork pausing midair. “What? How?”
“Your laptop. Emails. Photos. ‘Incredible nights’? Ring a bell?”
He stood, hands raised. “Elara, listen. It was a mistake. Work stress, the app launch. Mia… she came on to me. Flirted, pushed boundaries. One night after a late meeting, drinks led to… more. But I ended it.”
“Liar. Emails go back months. Hotels, your place, our place?”
He winced. “Okay, it happened more than once. But it’s over. I love you, not her. She’s ambitious, used me for career boosts. Fired her today.”
Elara’s eyes widened. “Fired? Or covering tracks?”
“Truth. Here’s proof.” He showed his phone, email to HR, termination notice.
But rage boiled. “You think that’s enough? While I planned our wedding, you screwed her? In our bed?”
“No! Never here. Hotels mostly.” He dropped to his knees, grabbing her hands. “Please, babe. We’ve built so much. Three years, the ring, our future. I’ll do therapy, anything. Don’t throw us away.”
Tears streamed down her face. “You threw us away first. I trusted you.”
He pulled her into a hug, her resisting at first, then sagging. “I’m sorry. So sorry. Let me make it right.”
She pushed away. “I need time. Couch tonight.”
He nodded, defeated. “Whatever you need.”
Elara tossed, dreams mixing Alex’s pleas with Damian’s touch. His hands on her, lips whispering promises. She woke up sweaty, heart racing.
By Morning, Alex was already up early, coffee ready. Note left on the counter “I’ll fix this. Love always.”
Work beckoned. Lila ambushed: “How’d it go?”
“Grovel fest. Fired Mia, begged forgiveness. I’m torn.”
Lila huffed. “Don’t cave easy. Make him sweat.”
Flowers arrived mid-morning, from Alex. Lavish roses. Card: “My world without you is empty.” She tossed them in the trash, team whispering.
Afternoon client meeting at the startup site,empty warehouse, potential brimming. Elara walked them through plans: “Here, the open collab space with modular walls. There, wellness rooms with aromatherapy diffusers.”
The CEO beamed. “Brilliant. Timeline?”
“Three months to completion.”
Back at the office, another text from Damian came in : “Thinking of you. Hope you’re okay.”
She replied: “Rough, but surviving. Coffee soon?”
His response: “Name the time.”
Hope flickered. By evening, Alex came home with groceries, cooking her favorite, lasagna. “Truce dinner?”
They ate in silence at first. Then talked “Remember our first trip? Hamptons, that storm?”
Elara softened. “Yeah. Cozy in the cabin.”
“We can have that again. Please.”
Emotions warred. Forgiveness? Or freedom?
- Writer
