Broken Pieces

CHAPTER TWO

"Last night was really fun," I blushed with embarrassment as I recalled just how

we'd had. "But I have to leave. I hope you move on from your ex and realize what a blessing you are to any guy lucky enough to have you."

His words brought tears to my eyes, a mix of emotions whelming up in me.

"Thank you for bringing out a part of me I didn't know I had."

Lucas was attractive, but his handwriting was the complete opposite of that.

I set the note aside, the weight of regret settling over me. How could I have been so reckless and stupid?

Reaching for my phone, I realized that I was way late for work. Panic gripped me as I scrolled through a boatload of missed calls and messages, from Jude, Sarah and some people from work. I prayed silently as I prepared to face the consequences of my actions.

Creeping towards the entrance of my desk, shame dragged at every step. I knew I was late, dreadfully late, but I had hoped to slip in unnoticed, to avoid any

scolding that awaited me.

But fate had other plans. Before I could even reach the comfort of my desk, my boss's voice cut through the air like a knife, sharp and unforgiving. "Kristen!" he

barked, his voice thick with barely contained anger

I winced, fear gripping me as I turned to face him, glancing at the clock, it read 1:45 pm. I was supposed to have been here at 9 am sharp.

With a heavy sigh, my boss hauled words at me, piercing through my already shattered pride like the daggers that killed Caesar. He scolded me for my

irresponsibility, for my lack of dedication, for my complete disregard for the rules that governed the workplace. I was mute, words failed me.

And then, he muttered in a subtle voice, as though he was scared of being heard.

"I've had enough of you, Kristen, You're dismissed".

It felt like I had been punched in the gut, over and over again when he offered me a sack letter and my last paycheck, ignoring all my pleas for leniency.

Dejection was an understatement for how I was feeling, I gathered my belongings and walked out of the office, feeling like a failure. Fighting back tears that were

on the edge of falling from my eyes.

With trembling fingers, I reached for my phone, knowing well, that there was only one person I could turn to in a moment like this. I dialled Sarah's number,

Praying silently that she would be there for me, that she would offer me the shoulder and listening ear, I so desperately needed now.

"Hey, Sarah," I said, my voice trembling as I heard her on the other end. "Are you home? I... I really need to talk.". She replied “yes, any problem?, hearing how shaky and troubled i sounded. I told her i was coming over to talk and she immediately agreed knowing i wasn't my usual self.

I collapsed on the bed in Sarah's room, letting it absorb my weight, and filled her in on the events of the night before and the chaotic situation at work. All the tears

I'd been holding in were now rolling down my cheeks.

"I don't understand, Sarah," I sobbed, the words coming out in a choked whisper.

"Why does everything always seem to go wrong for me? What kind of ill luck do I have? My parents got divorced when I was only in middle school. I haven't heard from Dad since then. Mom can't stop hoeing around in the name of trying to find a good man to settle down with. My sister and I don't talk as much since she got married and moved to London with her hubby."

"I had Jude. He wasn't the best boyfriend, but at least he was there. I know I deserved better than him. I knew he wasn't completely honest with me, but I was

scared of being alone again. When I walked in on him with another girl, I just couldn't..." I buried my face in my palms.

"Now, I've lost my job, and my rent is due in a month, and all of this happened just because I decided to let loose and have fun for the first time in a long time.

The universe hates me."

Sarah's voice was soft and comforting, a calming balm to my soul. "Hey, Kris, it's okay," she murmured, her words wrapping around me like a hug. "Sometimes life

just gets a little messy, you know? It doesn't mean you're failing at anything."

"But why does it feel like I am?" I cried, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "I can't seem to get anything right, Sarah. Not my career, not my relationships... I'm

just so tired of feeling like s**t. Why can't I have a normal life like every other person?"

Sarah fell quiet for a moment, but when she finally spoke, the weight of her words hung heavy in the air. "Kris, listen," she said gently, "You are not a failure.

You're a strong, resilient woman who's been through a lot more than most people could ever imagine. And it has only made you stronger."

"You know the law of the number of misfortunes?”

“What’s that?” I shot her a curious look.

"We all have a set amount of happiness and misfortunes assigned to us. Your life

has been filled with misfortunes up till now, so it means only happiness awaits you.” Her lips formed into a smile. “The night you spent with that Lucas guy is not

something to have regrets about. Maybe it was a one-time thing, but you were genuinely happy in those moments. You shouldn't regret that."

Her words hit deep, and I smiled, thinking about the night I had, despite the tears still streaming down my face. “The s*x was good though.”

“You slut,” Sarah teased.

He wasn't only good looking, He was nice looking down there, and Boy, he knew how to make me scream. I blushed, recalling the night we had. “Too bad it's only

going to be a one time thing.”

We could go report him as missing though, and have the police find him. She mused.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her words, grateful for the distraction from the mess, that is my life

"Thank you, Sarah," I whispered, relief washing over me. "Thank you for being

here."

——

I must have dozed off during my conversation with Sarah, as I woke up to her loud and cheerful screams disrupting the peace and quiet atmosphere of the

room.

I sat up in bed, rubbing away the sleep from my eyes as I tried to process what was happening.

"Kris! Kris! Wake up, girl! I've got mad news!" she exclaimed, bouncing in excitement.

"What's going on, Sarah?" I asked, my voice still groggy from sleep.

Grinning from ear to ear, Sarah shouted, "I found you the perfect job, in Texas!

And get this – my sister, Amy, is the hiring manager! You're literally gonna get it!"

The mere mention of Texas made my heart race. I wasn't sure how to feel. It was a long way from home, but the thought of starting fresh in a new place was

exciting, But where would I stay even if I could go.

As if reading my mind, Sarah continued "You could stay with my sister till you get yourself a new place." The company is Davis Enterprises "It's one of the top

companies in America and beyond. Landing a job there would change everything

for you, Kris."

Listening to Sarah brief me on the details, my mind raced with thoughts. A new

job, a new city, and the chance to prove myself in one of the Top 5 company in

America. – it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

With determination , I nodded at Sarah. "Let's do it," "I'm ready for this s**t!”