exes
833 Words
After a long day, the office finally started to empty.
The hum of computers faded, chairs scraped lightly across the floor, and the city outside began to glitter with evening lights.
I slumped into my chair and exhaled.
Almost… freedom.
Then: Ring, ring.
I groaned. My work phone vibrated against my palm.
I answered, trying to sound professional.
“Hello?”
“There’s a private document i need you to pick it up from the front desk,” came the clipped voice.
Beep beep.
“Huh?” I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose.
I snorted.
Of course..
After twelve hours, now they needed one more thing.Still, I grabbed my bag and marched toward the elevator, muttering under my breath.
“For God’s sake… work is over already!”
The lobby was almost empty. Only a few security guards and the front desk clerk remained.
I hurried over, not paying attention… until I collided with someone.
“Oh!” I exclaimed, stepping back.
“Whoa, careful,” said a familiar voice.
I looked up—and froze.
My boyfriend, standing there with that perfect mix of concern and amusement on his face.
“Gladys?” he called out "where have you been ?.
I opened my mouth to explain, but then another voice chimed in.
“And ignoring your friends like this? Typical.”
I turned to see my best friend leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, smirking at me.
I didn't react instead bent down and picked up the document from the floor.
Seeing my cold attitude they both exchanged glances.
"Gladys i am talking to you " james called.
what?
where have you been, you didn't come home nor Answer my calls.
I wanted to puke on his face "the disgust i felt from his pretend game was too much.
where have you been and what are you doing here". james asked again.
I wanted to scream instead, I just looked at him… really looked at him.
At the same lips that had whispered lies at the same eyes that had watched me break.
“You were worried?” I asked quietly and then " I work here now so.
He exhaled, relief flashing across his face.
“Of course I was, Gladys. You just disappeared and since when do you work here and why didn't you tell me about this.
“And you didn’t think to check your birthday party first?” I cut in not answering the question about my job.
Silence.
The smirk on my best friend’s face faded slightly.
James froze.
Good.
“Or did you forget?” I continued, my voice calm but sharp. “You and her… in the room.
I wanted to let them pretend a little longer but they couldn't sit still could they.
My best friend straightened, her arms dropping slowly from where they had been crossed.
“Gladys, it’s not what you think—” she started.
I held up a hand.
“Don’t,” I said.
Gladys your are overreacting" my best friend velled in a low voice.
My eyes flickered between them, the disgust rising again, stronger this time.
“You both must think I’m stupid.”James ran a hand through his hair, frustration creeping into his expression.
A laugh escaped me this time.
Dry. Empty.
“Overreacting?” I repeated.
“I walked in on my boyfriend and my best friend together… and I’m overreacting?”
A few employees nearby had started to glance our way.
Good.
Let them see.
Let him feel it.
“Lower your voice,” James muttered, stepping closer.
“This isn’t the place ' james tries to caught me off
“Oh now you care about dignity?” I shot back.
His jaw tightened ,“Gladys, just listen
“No,” I snapped, my patience finally breaking. “You listen.”The hallway went quiet.
“I left because I have self-respect,” I continued, my voice steady now. “Something neither of you seem to understand.”
My best friend scoffed lightly, though there was a hint of unease in her eyes.
“You’re being dramatic.”
I turned to her slowly.
“Am I?”
She hesitated.
That was all the answer I needed.
I stepped back, creating distance between us.
“Stay away from me,” I said, my voice dropping. “Both of you.”
James reached out, grabbing my wrist.
“Gladys—”
Before he could finish—
A cold, commanding voice cut through the air.
“Let her go.”
The grip on my wrist loosened instantly.
We all turned.
And there he was.
Mr. Jordan.
Standing at the end of the hallway, his presence alone silencing everything.
His gaze was locked on James—sharp, dangerous.
The kind that didn’t ask twice.
James frowned slightly.
“And who are you supposed to—”
“I said,” Mr. Jordan interrupted, his voice calm but deadly, “let her go.”
- Writer
