The Better Woman and Her Boss.

Ex's and New Beginnings.

Once I arrive at my building after leaving Sam at hers, my heart thinks back to the busy day, I feel like life’s good and will only get better with time.

That is until I find Tom waiting outside my apartment with two bags in hand, and a bouquet of flowers…

I push him out of my doorway, unlocking the door I let myself in, I push the door backwards only to hear Tom catch it.

“Ouch, ok your mad…” He says, I ignore him heading for the kitchen to make a coffee, that’s when I remember he took the kettle and the fridge and the coffee.

I turn on him, as he stands awkwardly just within the door, flowers extended.

“What are you doing here Tom?” I snap, he’d been gone two days, what was he doing here.

“I come in peace, I feel bad about how I ended things, so have come back to mend things a little..” He says his eyes wide and earnest, but I’m not buying.

When I cross my arms over my chest and say nothing he continues.

“I’ve brought back the new linen’s and towels you bought, I didn’t realise Lauren took them.” Now I gape, Lauren was here in my apartment?!

“Excuse me?!” I near scream.

“And-And the kitchen utensils…we have our own..” He says, my temper only flaring more.

“Oh and your Drop dead jacket the leather one..” He says my eyes are bulging, are you f*****g kidding me?! She took my clothes too?

“The flowers were to say I’m sorry, but I also got you a bottle of whiskey!” He says, thrusting it at me from a bag, pouting I accept the bottle but wave away the flowers.

“Tom?” I say, he perks up at my acknowledgement, my tone bored.

“Yes?” He says innocently.

“I’m allergic to lilies…” After 6 years together, he still didn’t know this.

“But your mum? She always has lilies..” He says confused.

“That I was allergic too.. Hence no flowers on the second floor or common areas.” I say more forcefully.

He makes an 'Oh' shape with his mouth, and looks down as I turn away placing the bottle on the bench.

“Can we still be friends?” Tom has the idiocy to ask.

“No, I don’t think so.” I say, my temper still simmering, I would be doing a full catalogue of my stuff later, what else had that b***h taken.

I turn back to him, he stands awkwardly, looking at me.

“Will you be alright, have you found somewhere else to rent yet? Or asked for some extra shifts?” He says looking around.

“Not that it’s your business but I’ll be quitting the Café, I’ve managed to pay all the bills and got an extention on the rent for now.” I say, my chest filling with pride, despite what he thought of me, I was quite capable.

“Really? How?” He asks with raise eyebrows, as if just noticing he asks the obvious.

“Where’s the new couch?” I can’t help but gape, he is so shallow and rude.

“I sold it.” I said bluntly.

“How much you get for it?” He asks knowing I near paid $3000 for it.

“I got $2000 back and a job interview.” I say, he frowns.

“What job?” This is where the cave man in him comes out.

“Doesn’t matter, it’s not your concern anymore.” I say sternly, before continuing “I think it’s time for you to go, you don’t live here anymore and you are nothing to me anymore either.” I say sharply.

Yes I sounded like a b***h, but I’d loved this man whole heartedly, I’d moved away from my family, missed out on collage, so he could become a writer.

I no longer wanted to be suppressed by his ego and outlook on life; his path was too narrow for the two of us, unless I followed single file.

He turned, leaving he looked back sadly as I all but shoved him out, closing the door behind him and locking it.

I slid to the floor, letting out a shaky breath, I didn’t need him anymore, I’d be fine, I’d be great.. with time.

It was a little after 8pm, I sat on my bed, I had my laptop open, I’d been using my phones data to watch Netflix.

I was watching the woman in the movie withdraw money from the atm when I remembered what Mr Worth had said.

“1 Months pay was in my account..” I grabbed my phone, logging into my online banking, I waited whilst the loading circle swirled and then…I near passed out.

‘$6,000.00’ stared back at me, a description attached simply; 7am- Jack.

My heart thudded in my chest, $6,000 a month! What did this job entail exactly!

I’m sitting staring at my phone.. I’ve got over the initial shock.

“$350 x 8 = $2,800 minus $500, I owe $2,300.”

I decide to pay the whole lot, smiling as I transfer the funds to the landlord, Mr Smith.

A heavy weight sat on my chest as I shopped for furniture with the remainder, although the money was amazing, I was unsure of what sort of job I’d signed up for, especially if the last girl had lasted only a month.

I decided not to use anymore of the money until I had more information, though it felt good to be paid up to date with rent, I expect Mr Smith would feel good that I’d come through so soon for him.

With that I laid out my clothing for tomorrow and went to sleep, snuggling into the linen I’d had returned to me, all my own, not much but at least I had not debt, or so I thought.

Tom's POV

Wow.

My heart had stopped as Kate had exited the elevator, her precise make up, high pony tail, fine cut clothing, and her eyes green, sharp as broken glass, piercing through to my soul.

I hadn't realised it was her until she was upon me, she sauntered with confidence, a sour look upon her face as she beheld me, as if I were I bug she with to squash.

Even with an empty apartment and an emptier bank account, were had this version of her been hiding?

Fierce, Calculated and Cold.

She hated Lillies... I never knew.

I gave her bottle whiskey but she had no glasses nor ice to drink it, no fridge to cool it.

That was all on me.

I felt so small and disgusting as she looked over me, we couldn't even be friends, I suppose that was insulting to even ask after what I had done.

But I refused to pine after her, I had Lauren, I made me bed and I had to lay in it...

But did I want to?

Shaking my head, I skulked down the hallway away from Kate's door, to the elevator.