Love in the line duty

Jeremy Truman sat at the corner table of Cuisine Royal, nervously tapping his fingers against the smooth wood. He had made a reservation a month ago at the best restaurant in town, which also happened to be Nicole’s favorite spot. Jeremy had saved for six months just to afford dinner here tonight. A ring box was tucked away in his jacket pocket. Tonight, after many of being together, he was going to ask his girlfriend Nicole Gilbert to marry him. Jeremy glanced at his watch for what felt like the hundredth time. She was late, more than an hour. He had tried calling her, but it went straight to voicemail. He felt a sense of unease settling in. Just then, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught his attention. Everyone in the restaurant seemed fixated on the news playing on the TV above the bar. Jeremy glanced up and froze. The news headline hit him like a punch to the gut: “CEO of Wellington Conglomerate, Damien Wellington, Engaged to His Lover, Nicole Gilbert." Jeremy’s heart dropped. For a moment, he thought he had read it wrong. “Nicole?” His Nicole? He blinked rapidly as the images on the screen changed to a video of Damien Wellington, his boss, on one knee, proposing to Nicole on the deck of a luxury yacht. There she was smiling, saying yes to Damien and kissing him. Jeremy’s whole world came crashing down. He sat frozen, unable to move as the woman he had loved for almost a decade accepted another man’s proposal. And not just any man, his boss, a man he had driven to business meetings, a man he had been loyal to for years. Without thinking, Jeremy stood up. His chair scraped loudly against the floor as he rushed out of the restaurant, his mind raced with the feeling of betrayal, anger, and confusion. He didn’t know where he was going at first, but then it clicked, he knew exactly where they would be. Damien had given Jeremy the day off, but as his driver and bodyguard, he still had access to Damien’s schedule. He knew the yacht would dock at Damien’s private lodge, it was a secluded estate just outside of town. Jeremy’s anger grew as he drove to the lodge. The guards at the gate didn’t stop him from going in; they knew him well. The house was silent, except for faint sounds coming from upstairs. As he approached the door to the room, he paused, his girlfriend and boss were in the middle of a very passionate lovemaking, he felt his heart broke into pieces. All through their relationship, Jeremy had never touched Nicole once, she claimed she was a virgin and wanted to remain so until her wedding night, he had been a gentleman and honored her wishes. His legs failed him as he fell to the ground. After their intense love making, he could hear Nicole and Damien talking, their voices clear through the slightly open door. “I think Jeremy must have seen the news by now,” Nicole said with a laugh. “He keeps calling me.” “Do you feel bad for leaving him?” Damien’s voice sounded smug. Nicole let out a short laugh. “Not really. Jeremy could never give me the life I want. You’re everything he could never be.” Jeremy clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His heart was breaking all over again. “But since he works for you, I'll be running into him all the time, that’s the only awkward part.” She paused. “If only there was a way to avoid that.” “Nicole, I’d sack him if he wasn’t the best driver and bodyguard I’ve ever had. He is loyal and dedicated to a fault. But don’t worry, I’ll pay him off to forget about you,” Damien said, leaning in for another kiss. Nicole pulled back slightly. “I’m sure there are plenty of other capable drivers out there. There’s nothing special about Jeremy. Just replace him. I don’t want to deal with seeing him again.” Damien chuckled. “Okay, okay, if it bothers you, I’ll fire him.” Nicole nodded in agreement. “Good. I don’t want him in my life anymore.” Jeremy couldn’t believe what he was hearing. All those years of love and sacrifice, and now she wanted him erased like he never mattered. “How much do you think I should give him as severance?” Damien asked thoughtfully. “I was thinking thirty million.” “Thirty million?!”Nicole scoffed. “That’s way too much! Trust me, Jeremy is simple-minded. What would he even do with that kind of money?” “But he took a loan using his mother’s property as collateral to send you to business school abroad, and I learnt the bank foreclosed on the property.” Damien reminded her. “And don’t forget, he introduced you to me and got you the job as my business development manager. He’s been loyal, and if not for your sake, I wouldn’t let go of such a man.” Nicole rolled her eyes. “All that’s true, but I know Jeremy more than you do, he doesn’t need that much. Just give him a million or two; he’ll be fine with it. Focus on our wedding, Damien. I want it to be perfect.” Jeremy felt like a fool, his mind raced with the realization that he had been used. The property was the last thing his mother had left him, and Jeremy had risked it all to give Nicole the education she dreamed of. He’d believed in her when she assured him that once she finished her studies, she’d land a good job, and together, they would buy back his mother’s home. Jeremy couldn’t hold back any longer. He burst into the room, startling both Nicole and Damien. “Jeremy!” Nicole gasped, her face pale. “How long have you been standing there?” “How could you do this to me, Nicole?” Jeremy’s voice trembled. “After everything I’ve done for you?” Nicole met his gaze, her eyes cold, distant. “Jeremy, I’m sorry, but I’ve outgrown you. You don’t have what it takes to keep up with me anymore.” Tears blurred Jeremy’s vision as he shook with rage. “You used me, Nicole. You lied to me! I loved you, gave you everything I had… but it was never enough, was it?” Nicole remained unfazed. “I’m not the same woman you use to know. I’m way above your league now, I can’t be seen dating a common driver.” Damien stepped forward, crossing his arms. “Jeremy, I understand you’re upset, but this doesn’t give you the right to barge in here. Don’t forget, you work for me.” Jeremy’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t care anymore. You were planning to fire me anyway, right?” Damien reached for his phone, probably to call security, but Jeremy didn’t care. “You could have any woman in the world, Damien. But you chose my girlfriend. How cruel can you be?” Damien sighed. “If you heard everything, then you know I intend to compensate you fairly.” “To hell with your money!” Jeremy spat. He gave them one last look, full of hurt and betrayal, before saying, “You two deserve each other. I hope you’re happy in your selfish little world.” The security guards arrived. Jeremy didn’t fight them; he pushed past them, walking out. His heart heavy, just in one day, he had lost everything, his job, his love, and his future.