His and Her Circumstances

Chapter 8 - No shame

Chapter 8 - No shame

“Honey, what are you saying? You are even crying in the hospital because you are so worried about our child. Right? Right? Please tell them what you saw. It was even your idea that Director Stevens and Ms. Lynx are having a relationship and the same because of theft as well.”

Silence filled the room as we listened to the conversation between the two.

“No. I don’t know what you are talking about. Mr. Mendez, please investigate this properly. I never made those accusations when we visited you last Monday. Marianne is the one doing all the talking and explanation.”

“Liar…liar…”

The people are currently being divided into three groups. The first one is those who believe that Lucas has nothing to do with the whole thing. The second group sees Marianne as the victim and starts cursing Lucas.

I am part of the third group that only wants to end this stupid drama and start all of my backlogs.

I shifted my eyes towards Anthony’s direction and caught him looking at me as well. Looks like he is also a member of the third party and is thinking of nothing but ending whatever is in front of him.

I raised my brow and signaled him to do something and Anthony just sighed to admit that he would do what I wanted.

“Since the situation has already turned into a mess and the purpose has been served, then I will close this meeting now. All of the accusations against Ms. Lynx are proven wrong and the corresponding punishment for the accuser will be relayed in due time. You may now go back to your corresponding work area. Meeting adjourned.”

I immediately stood up after Anthony’s last word. We are now on our own, and whatever punishment that will be given to them has nothing to do with me. My only advice to them is to just accept and live a brand new good life.

“Ms. Lynx. Congratulations!”

The trio who said that they were looking forward to seeing me pack my things are now standing right in front of me. I can't believe that they are greeting me with congratulations as if I had won a beauty contest. There is so much enthusiasm on their faces that I want to puke right this very instant.

“We know that you are innocent the whole time. We can’t believe the audacity of those two to frame you for something so unimaginable. Such stupid people!”

“Yeah, right! To think that they are accusing you of theft even if all you think about is the wellness of your subordinates. If it was me, then I'd surely sue them right after this meeting.”

This is what I’m talking about. People change and I don’t even have to count the passing days to witness those changes. Standing right in front of me are three living proofs that humans are nothing but pesky organisms.

We are at the top of the food chain because we can adapt faster than anything else.

“Yes, thank you. I am so sorry, but I still have a lot of work to do. Please excuse me.”

I don’t have to waste my precious time with these not-so-precious people. It is much better to finish my work and enjoy a good wine after the shift than to entertain their bickering.

I walked straight to my designated room and started my pending work as if nothing happened. I don’t have time to cry or indulge in any act of self-pity. Life will continue whatever happens and something like this needs to be forgotten as soon as possible.

My day ends like normal and the people go back to greeting me as I walk down to the parking lot. See?! People forget so easily. The uneasy atmosphere is now gone together with the two idiots who have too much time on their hands.

* * *

I was only a few steps away from my car when someone blocked my way and hastily reached out for my hands.

This man again. Seriously?! What is his problem?

“Vic, honey, let’s talk.”

“We are over, Lucas. Don’t you ever dare call me honey again. Move away or I’ll scream for help right in this spot.”

“No! I am a fool to listen to that woman. Her child is not even mine. I swear it. She is f*****g different men, left and right. Please, Vic, give me another chance. Let me explain.”

I feel like the foolish party for being with this man for a long time. I can’t believe that I imagined myself spending the rest of my life with an i***t like this. This could be God’s way of saving me from irrevocable suffering in the future.

“Listen here, Lucas. I don’t care who Marianne’s child is or whatever is happening between the two of you. We are over and that is final.”

“You said that you loved me. All I am asking is a chance to explain myself.”

“Loved. It was past tense. Goodbye.”

I slipped away from the tall man blocking my way and hurried to my car. I truly loved him back then, but he is the only one to be blamed for ruining that love. I will not ever regret this choice that I chose.

“Listen to me or I will ruin you forever.”

I was about to close the door of my car when Nil furiously grabbed it and shouted in my face. His eyes are no longer those of a loving man but an animal waiting to devour his prey. I swallowed whatever liquid was in my mouth.

I am scared. This is no longer a breakup issue or a simple taunting of a stupid man. This beast standing right beside me is ready to cause big trouble any time soon.

“You are a smart woman, Victoria. Better use this opportunity to save yourself than to fix the problem later. I’m not going down alone, I tell you. All I want is a single favor and I won’t take no for an answer.”

This man passed the stage of being a fool and could now be considered insane. I was wrong to say that he belongs to the entertainment industry since he could be the king of all mentally-ill patients.

“What the hell is it?”

He smirked at me, thinking that he had the upper hand now. Lucas pulled his phone out of his pocket and showed something that made my face grow hotter and my blood pressure rise. The scene playing in front of me is one of our lovemaking. I can’t believe him and his pompous ass.

“How dare you?! You know I could sue you for this. What you are doing is clearly s****l harassment.”

“How could you sue me? What will be your evidence? You know, I could easily say that you are only pointing your finger at me and you are the real culprit if this video got uploaded online. This f*****g company wants me out of their paycheck and so I am not afraid to lose anything now, unlike you. Oh, baby. I’m sure you will receive lots of indecent proposals after they watch how you move your hips. It was sure easy being a woman. ”

“What do you want?”

“Now we’re talking. Talk to Anthony and tell him that I’m a victim as well and Marianne planned everything on her own. Tell him to give me my job back and let us get back together. You understand?”

“I’ll do it next week, on Monday morning. I think Anthony is already out of the office and everything is still a mess, so it is not good to just suddenly start another commotion. Be sure to delete that video right after I’m done with what you want.”

“Of course. Bye, honey. I’ll see you next week.”

Lucas walked away whistling after being satisfied with my answer. I swear I will rip all of his hair if someone gives me a chance to do it. He is beyond salvation and being kicked out of the company is not even enough to be called punishment for him.

I tightly closed the waiting door of my car and took a breath.

Dear Lucas, I am not the same i***t woman that you dated before. I’m a fast learner and the lesson you taught me is deeply carved in my head.

My phone rang after a few seconds and a soothing man’s voice made me smile victoriously.

“It was well recorded. We got him, Victoria. See you on Monday.”

Too bad, Lucas. I’ll be taking all of your remaining hope and happiness next week.

* * *

My always quiet weekend is now completely chaotic because of the reports that I have to file, but I am more than obliged to do it since it only means that Lucas will be forever out of my life.

It was never my intention to make it this big, but since he is asking for it then I don’t have any other choice but to send out my former love with this kind of farewell. The smile that I once had was no longer engraved on my face after realizing that the time I wasted with him could be used for other more meaningful things.

Falling in love and falling out must be one of life’s lessons that I can’t master no matter what.

Well, all beings have their own kinds of imperfections. Mine is just so foolish that I can’t berate those who will laugh at me after learning my absurd relationship track record.

It was Monday again before I knew it and Lucas was haughtily waiting for me in the office. Marianne’s table is already clean, so it only means that she left the same day we held the trial or during the weekend when there were no employees in the building.

Whatever it is doesn’t really matter to me now. I will give her kudos at the very least for being a good human in the end, unlike this buffoon acting like a leech.

“You sure took your good time, Victoria. My fingers almost slipped when I was toggling the buttons of this social media site.”

“Stop wasting my time. Let’s go now. Anthony is already in his office.”

Lucas tried to catch my waving hand but I immediately hid it inside the deep pocket of my coat. He could start his own drama, but I will no longer be a part of it. It’s so easy to guess the plan that is playing in his mind and all I can say is that it was totally disgusting.

“Man, I have a lot of pending work, so we had better hurry now.”

This could be the last time that I will agree with him. We walked as fast as we could to the H.R. department. The intrigued faces of other employees were burning holes through me as I walked down the aisle with Lucas.

I wouldn’t be shocked if Lucas had already disseminated the false information that we are back together and we are here to prove his innocence.

Knock. Knock.

“Mr. Mendez. This is Lucas. Victoria and I have something to tell you. Could you please give us some of your time?”

“Come in.”

Anthony’s brushed-up hair and the lingering smell of menthol calmed my nerves. He looks amazing while sitting in front of his table with no hint of dust.

“Mr. Smith. I believe that you are no longer part of the company, so could you please let me know what you are doing here?”

Straight as always. If this man is a boxer, then his finishing move will surely be a straight punch.

“We are here to clear a misunderstanding. All of the false claims that were brought last week were Marianne’s ideas. That woman instigated everything and I’m also a victim here. Victoria, my fiancee, will prove that to you.”

Anthony looked up at me as if saying that he no longer wanted to be bothered with such nonsense.

“Ms. Lynx. Is it true?”

My eyes sparkled as I looked back at Anthony and shifted my sight to Lucas. I am trying my best to keep myself from laughing since our plan will be ruined.

“No. I am almost certain that it was Lucas who started everything and Marianne was just another victim.”

“Honey. You are just confused. I know you are still mad, but don’t do this to me. You know how much I love you. I was just blinded by jealousy when Marianne told me that you are in a relationship with Director Stevens.”

Lucas grabbed my arm and he gripped it tightly to send his warning that things would not end well for me.

“That’s all that I want to say. Well, if you’ll excuse me, Anthony, I have to go back to work.”

I walked straight out of the room and Lucas followed after. His handsome face is full of malice, but he still manages to hide it every time someone crosses our way. My dear sure is the epitome of airiness and vain.

I reached my designated room and Lucas did not even hesitate to enter it without asking for my permission.

“What the hell, Victoria? Are you not even aware of what will happen to you after this? I thought that I had already made myself clear.”

“I don’t care. Just do as you wish.”

“Do you think that I will be coward enough to change my mind?”

Lucas grabbed his phone and uploaded the video online. He showed it to me while flashing his annoying smirk.

“You will regret your action soon, Victoria. Blame yourself for not believing my words.”

I did not talk back to him and instead grabbed the telephone lying down on my table and dialed the number waiting for me all this morning.

“He is done.”

Bang.

The poor door opened wide, showing police officers and guards waiting for Lucas to commit a sin. I already have the audio recording of his threat but the act of actually doing it will send him to jail without any doubt.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid Lucas. You already forgot that you are still using the phone given by the company and it was still connected to our server. The video won’t be uploaded unless our I.T. department approves it. I’ve been looking forward to this moment since last week. Aren’t you happy that I gave you that much thought and attention?”

“You f*****g b***h!”

“Goodbye. Let’s not see each other again.”