Layla's POV
My eyes were tired, so was my body and mind. The office light burned harsh against me as I pushed Julian's office door open.
I had stayed back to help Julian with the last batch of reports. He insisted he couldn't do them alone.
I was already rehearsing my teasing lines to use on him for making me work myself out.
My steps died in my tracks as I saw them.
Julian's lips was locked to a woman. The files I carried fell out of my hands as I sighted him bent over the mahogany desk.
The woman was first to break the kiss, she gave a sharp smirk as she brushed the glossy curls over her shoulder then she said, "your ex Mrs is here."
The face clicked instantly. I knew I've seen that face. Who hasn't?
It was Chloe Carter, the managing director's daughter. The one woman whose major duty was floating through the building like it's hers.
Julian's hand didn't leave her body for one moment, it stayed lingering around her waist and he barely spared me one complete look that was not gleaming with Arrogance.
My lips parted but words failed me. Instead, laughter slipped out. A short bitter and broken laughter. Hot tears rolled down freely but I couldn't stop laughing still.
Then Julian voice finally came out but a bit of curt and irritation. "What are you still doing standing here?"
"What I'm doing here?" My voice cracked but I managed.
I wiped my tears "What I'm doing here is what I've done in the past five years, keeping late nights, burning my weekdays and weekends, helping you climb and all of it for what? So you could throw it ... throw it all away for her...?
I could tell Chloe was enjoying the scene by the way her head tilted. "Come off it miss Wood. Julian here is only helping you cut off some over-work. He's with me now for an upgrade."
My knees went weak but I forced a straight posture and turned to Julian. "What upgrade Julian?" I burned myself out so you could shine and you let your mistress stand here to talk about upgrade? This is my reward?"
Julian still kept an unreadable expression.
I stumbled forward so my fury could be seen closely. "You're clinging to her because of her father. It's clear. Because you're a coward who can't climb on his own.
Julian didn't give me an answer, instead he pressed another kiss on Chloe who was now smiling wildly.
Then she reached across the desk and picked up a manila envelope. He flicked her wrist as she tossed it at me. The paper first spilled against my chest before sliding down into my hands.
"What the hell is this?" I barked
"Divorce papers." Replied Julian, after a long silence.
My eyes darted across the signature at the bottom immediately. Julian had already signed.
I whispered beneath my breath , "you ... you signed this already? You didn't even have the decency to inform me first, or give them to me yourself?"
Julian's words cut out like a sharp blade . "Why do you think you deserve such honours?"
"You pathetic coward!" I staggered back as my voice echoed across the office halls. "Five years and you couldn't even look me in the eye when you felt to end it."
"Stop embarrassing yourself and leave."
Chloe chuckled.
I cried so loud that anyone left in the office at the hour could hear me, but no one came. Then I pressed the papers back into the envelope.
I swore as I whispered "you'll regret this."
They both laughed as if the very idea was ridiculous.
And like that, my marriage was over.
My world came collapsing.
***
Julian didn't attempt hiding it at all, he flaunted Chloe like a trophy he just acquired.
Every day Chloe managed to make quite a presence in the firm, her high-pitched laughter echoed down the hallways through every corner I walked in and everytime I caught glimpse of them together something broke in me.
Julian became all that he had never been with me, a perfect gentleman who couldn't get his hands off his woman. It looked deliberate like he was trying to burry the knife deeper in my chest.
One afternoon I had carried a stack of files passing through Julian's office when Chloe's giggles stopped me.
"Julian, stop" She teased.
"Let's get home first, not here or everyone would hear us"
I didn't intend to listen but my body betrayed me. Julian would never allow a peck in the office and here is he playing out a full 50 shades of Grey.
I tried forcing my legs to move before anyone could see me falter, but they saw me anyway.
Whispers began to grow in the office.
"Poor thing" one receptionist by the corner murmured.
"Poor? Please, " the other scoffed. "A man as good looking as Julian deserves better."
Everyday it only got worst.
"That's her. The latest ex Mrs."
My ears burned out but I managed to keep my head high.
Home didn't feel any better than the office. If anything, it was worse. Everyday I return to an empty house my insanity tendencies increased one bit.
I'd toss my keys on the table and collapse onto the couch staring at the walls that once held laughter, arguments and stolen kisses now starring back at me with cruel emptiness.
Most times I'd ask out loud, "Julian, why?"
Then I'd answer myself pretendinging he was there. "You were way good." I'd murmur in mockery of his voice "You forgot you were supposed to be just a wife. Perhaps you shouldn't have been everything."
Many nights I'd crawl into bed burying my face in the pillows. Sleep was hard to come. For five years sleeping alone was what I never experienced, now the emptiness caved in on me.
I remember telling Naomi playfully over wine , "Julian may not be the best man in New York, but he is faithful at least and he comes home every night."
How naive I had been.
On a dusky Sunday, a knock rattled my door.
It was the first I heard in a while so I blinked in surprise because I wasn't expecting anyone.
I pulled my cardigan tighter and opened the door cautiously and saw a neatly placed bouquet on my doorstep.
My heart stopped and I glanced up and down but saw no one.
I crouched, I brushed my fingers through the delicate petals but I found no name or card. Just flowers.