JENNIFER WILTON'S POV:
My co-worker's alarm rang. I looked at my wrist and confirmed with my watch if my assumption was correct and it was. My shift was done and I could finally head home. This day seemed longer than usual. I don't know if it had something to do with the solar system, or it was because I had something significant to do later today as it was my and Steve's first anniversary.
"I'm going to head out first," I said as I waved to Veronica, grabbed my phone, and headed out. I went through a door that had the word STAFF ONLY boldly written on top and took a right turn after briefly walking in. I walked into a room full of lockers on both sides and went straight down till I got to the one with my name Jennifer Wilton written. I took off my crimson red skirt and blouse and changed my outfit quickly.
I walked to the elevator and my breath went low as I arrived at it seconds late. I turned to the next one and what I saw made me curse my fate.
"Mr Steele, Good evening," I said and faked a smile. Anything worse than being in a space with Mr Steele, is being in a space with him alone.
" Good evening to you too, Jenny
"And I must say you look beautiful." He replied and gave me a grin that made my stomach turn. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get in," he added.
"I think I'll just take the next one," I murmured and turned to leave, but for some reason, my legs just walked right into the elevator. I guess my body was also aware of the haste I was in.
"You left earlier than usual today. What's the occasion?" He asked.
"I have something important to attend to elsewhere, Sir," I replied.
"I've told you, when we are not in the presence of others, Damian is just fine."
"Well, if I remember correctly, what you said was when we are not at work, and I think we are pretty much still at work."
"You're right, Jenny. But you can address me as Damian since I don't plan on talking to you as a co-worker right now."
"Firstly, Mr. STEELE, it's Jennifer, not Jenny, and goodbye sir. I've got somewhere else to be."
I got out of the elevator and walked without looking back. I didn't want to lock eyes with that dude before he ruined my day.
I clocked my ID and made my way to the exit. Getting out, I turned back and was amazed for the one thousandth time. I mean everything about the building was amazing. It was a 50th-floor skyscraper and had the logo "MKS HOTELS" built high and bright just beside it. I don't know if being honoured is a stretch but a part of me was always proud of working as a concierge here.
A taxi stopped right at my front and I got in. "Preston J block."
"Ok, ma'am." The driver replied and began driving.
The taxi came to a stop and I got down.
I had always believed I wasn't the type of woman who made a fool of herself over a man. But here I was — standing in front of Steve's apartment with a gift in my left hand reminiscing about so many wonderful moments while my cheeks were burning hot red.
I made my way into the building and took the stairs to Steve's apartment.
*Its just a visit,* i reminded myself. *A year together, he'll be happy to see you.*
I took out my key and opened the door but the sounds I heard from the living room made my hands tremble. If I weren't standing, I would have thought I was hallucinating.
My breath was shuddering, but I gasped for air and leaned in closer.
"You son of a b!tch!" I yelled and Steve, who was lost in the moment, seemed to have woken up to reality. I hit him with my left hand, throwing the bag in his face while its contents fell and were all over the place.
"You bastard, how dare you?" I threw my handbag on the chair beside me and slapped him hard. My left hand then pushed him to the ground, revealing the side-piece with whom he was with.
I froze, my breath locking painfully within my chest as my eyes registered what I was seeing. Steve, my boyfriend of a year, tangled in bed with—
A man.
For a moment, no one spoke. Not Steve, not the stranger, not even me, who had felt something inside go still and hollow.
I was dumbfounded, I stood there like a statue for a bit before my mouth forced a small laugh. Don't get me wrong, I didn't find the situation funny, I don't even know why I laughed. I guess my body found this shock too sudden and probably didn't know how to respond to it. I looked at Steve who hadn't gotten up yet. He had his right hand on his head, shielding his eyes from my gaze. I took a second look at his side and shook my head very visibly.
"Jen—" Steve stammered, scrambling for a sheet on the couch. "This… this isn't—"
I didn't wait for the lie. My hand grabbed my bag while I left whatever was left in the package on the nearest table.
"You don't owe me an explanation," I said quietly. "You made your choice."
I walked out before the tears could win.
The hallway felt colder than usual. My steps were uneven but I forced myself to keep moving—down the stairs, out of the building into the open air where reality could finally hit me.
I paused as soon as I was a few meters from his building. My chest tightened. A tear fell.
One year.
A whole year.
Thrown away like spare change.
I didn't want to go home. Didn't want to sit in silence.
I took out my phone and called Katy, one of my best friends. Her line doesn't go through, so I assume she must be busy with work. I called Alex, and I'm not even kidding, I could bet my granny that she was in the club. She picks and tells me which club she is at.
It was about 7:30 pm already and since I needed something to clear my head, I decided to join her there even though I'm not really a fan of clubs.
I could hear the shock in Alex's voice when I asked for the address of the club. She has been pestering me for years now to accompany her clubbing, once assuring me that I would fall in love with it but my answer has always been the two-letter word. I mean, I was one of those ladies who would rather spend time watching movies than clubbing and doing yoga than going to parties. I hated excessive social events. Till now, I'm still wondering how Alexandra and I are good friends if we are almost the exact opposite of one another. Katherine was a mix of both of us. She was both a reserved and a party girl.
I got to Alex some minutes later and immediately rushed into her arms. I felt like I could finally pour out all the pain and anger I felt inside me as soon as I landed in her embrace.
"What's wrong Jen?"
"Are there problems at work?" She asked, but I kept silent. I needed to stay in her arms a bit longer.
I opened her mouth, but all I could manage was a broken laugh. "Happy anniversary to me, I guess."
"What do you mean?... What did Steve do? Did he cheat?" She sensed my silence and concluded she had guessed correctly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry darling." She added and hugged me tighter.
"Forget him," Alex said firmly. "He was never good enough anyway."
I drew away from her arms softly and we looked for a place to settle. After calming myself for a bit. I told her everything.
Alex laughed a bit and tried to apologize. I mean, anyone who knew Steve would laugh at the thought of him being gay. He was one of the most manly guys I had ever met. He went to the gym every weekend, was sooo good at making love, and looked absolutely normal.
"Believe me, I perfectly understand you." I brushed in. I signaled to the bartender and requested vodka.
"What are you doing Jen? You know you can't hold your liquor."
"I will tonight. After all, you've always wanted me to go clubbing with you." I grabbed a bottle and poured some into the glass.
"I know that, Jen, but not in this state you are in."
"What are you talking about? I'm perfectly fine, don't worry about me. Now are you going to drink with me or not?" I replied and brought my glass cup close to hers.
"Cheers to dirty cheating sons of bitches."
"May they rot in hell," Alex added, and we hit our glasses.
I took another glass and Alex did the same. We were on our third glass when I hinted that we should get up.
She pulled me to the disco hub and began to dance with me. I wasn't a good dancer, so I got tired after a few minutes and headed back to the bar, leaving Alex to dance.
The club was too bright, too loud, too full of people pretending their hearts weren't breaking.
I checked my watch and noticed it was getting late. Although I didn't have work tomorrow, I just didn't get the vibe of this place as Alex always said. I doubted she would hear me and I didn't want to disturb her, so I just left her a text that I was headed home.
I had my eyes on my phone while walking to the entrance trying to book a ride when I bumped into a frame.
Then it turned.
"Hey pretty girl," the voice slurred. "You lost?"
I blinked hard. "No, I'm… I'm fine."
He stepped closer, breath thick with alcohol. "Let me take you somewhere better.
My instincts flared too late.
A hand closed around my wrist—firm, wrong, frightening.
"Stop," I said, trying to pull away. "Let me—"
"I said relax."
My heart pounded. Panic crawled up my spine.
Then someone else stepped in.
A tall figure, dark clothes, expression unreadable—but his voice was calm. Too calm.
"She said no."
The man holding me stiffened. "Back off."
"Let her go," the newcomer repeated. No threat, but somehow more dangerous than shouting.
The stranger dropped my wrist. "She's drunk. Someone needs to take care of her."
"I will." His voice, wasn't calm anymore.
The drunk man hesitated, then backed off.
I turned toward the man who'd intervened, trying to focus on his face.
Even though I had blurry vision. My eyes widened, I was sure I had seen him somewhere.
"Are you alright?" He asked softly before walking closer to me.
Something in his tone made me feel seen in an almost unfair way. Or maybe it wasn't the tone. After everything that had happened today, I think I needed someone to ask that. Even if it was a stranger.