~Leo~

I stared at the picture of her profile after she hung up. The room suddenly felt cold and heavy, I could feel my chest being crushed. Felicia never threatened to end our relationship like this before. Minor inconveniences always appeared as hurdles between us. But we were so strong with each other that we overcame all of them.

What's changed then? Why couldn't we let go of this? Her words cut deeper than a knife. I was speechless after she put our relationship on the edge.

But what else could I do myself? I'm an employer, and I know my employees need my help. What's wrong with helping someone in need? Felicia always encouraged me to help the ones in need. Wasn't she being a hypocrite?

Maya must be my top priority - she's my best employee and her wellbeing affects my company and the decisions made. The company always came first, no matter what choice was laid in front. Sitting on the hospital bed for the visitors, I sighed and opened my phone.

"What's this?" There were a ton of unopened messages. I admit that I don't keep track of my messages. Let alone see my Company's group chat because Maya handles everything for me. When I opened them, I was met with a wave of shocking pictures taken of me without my consent. Maya took selfies with me and pictures of me while she was in the hospital. Each was tagged with a misinterpreting tagline.

-Boss pours his heart out to take care of his employees. Everyone's in good hands and we know it, teehee!‐

-Oh god, i can't wait to get back to work. But i might be limping for a while~-

In one particular picture, I was standing right above her and the angle at which it was taken suggested that I was close to her lips.

"Fucking hell..." i was definitely annoyed at Maya. I wasn't sure if she was doing it on purpose. Things spiralled out of control way too quickly. But at the same time, Felicia should be the last person doubting me over this small misunderstanding.

So what if I cancelled the event last minute? I had a duty to take care of my best employee! She can't hold that against me, dangle that blame in my face for our ruined relationship. Felicia ought to understand what it feels like to be in my place.

What was done was done and I reasoned myself to have no further regrets. A knock on the door pulled me out of my invading plethora of thoughts.

"Hey, how is she doing?" My best friend Neil Bonham walked in, I raised an eyebrow.

"How'd you know where to find me?"

"I'm your cabinet member, Leo. I'm in the group chat too." Neil's voice was calm but I could sense some upset attached to it. Neil and I share a special brotherly bond - he knows me the best of all. At times in need like this, he always spawns at the right time to console me. Hence, I opened up.

"I cancelled the party for Maya and my girlfriend is pissed. She organized it especially for me. She had full confidence since last year that I'd win again, but man I ruined it for her." I explained myself and hoped he would understand.

"Buddy, you did what you had to. You shouldn't worry about being misunderstood." Neil assured.

"But Felicia thinks I'm not prioritizing her anymore. She thinks im throwing her to the side while im not. I have my own responsibilities, Neil."

"And you're carrying them out perfectly, Leo. You're a great leader. And if your girlfriend - who needs to trust you the most - isn't giving you any peace, maybe it's better to do the right thing."

"The right thing?" I folded my arms over my chest, sighing as I looked across at Maya.

"Look, we all know what's best for the company. And it's not Felicia right now. It's Maya. She's our top priority. Her wellbeing is." Neil spoke the exact words that were in my mind.

"You stole the words from my mouth."

"That's 'cause I've known you for long enough. Felicia just came into your life four years ago. Can't you see the path that's shining better for you?"

"I don't know which one is shining better for me, Neil. Maya or Felicia?" I asked because I was genuinely stuck at the junction.

"If Felicia is pushing you to make a CHOICE, then it isn't what you think true love is. You shouldn't be in that situation because of Felicia, because only one path can be taken at a time."

"I understand now..." I mumbled slowly. "I get it. Felicia was wrong to make me choose. What happened has happened. I'll try talking to her. I just know she'll make it hard for me because she just wouldn't listen." The thought of wanting to confront Felicia made my hand run down my face.

"You got this buddy." Neil stood up, summoning me to the terrace of the hospital. We shared the whiskey out of paper cups and laughed the entire night. Reminiscing our friendship and hurdles together.

It was around midnight when I drove myself back home. I was slightly tipsy but mostly conscious.

"Felicia? Felicia! We need to talk, baby. Come to me!" I loudly announced down the stairs. When I got no response, I forced myself upstairs and checked her room. My heart sank and I never felt so sober so quick. Felicia's room was cleared out, all her belongings gone.

I realized what she'd done to me over a slight misunderstanding and broke down on her sweet smelling bed.

~Felicia~

FEW HOURS EARLIER...

The lump sat deep in my throat which wouldn't go away. I put the last photo frame in the storage box and stared at the emptiness of the wall. The nails lasted longer than these photos, I thought to myself. It's okay, it's alright. I'm worth more than this humiliation. Once I get back home, I can feel loved and belong again.

My tears turned into hard crystals that rolled down my chin as I stared at the empty closet. Half of them were his gifts, top labelled fashion brands filled my walk-in closet and I had a new outfit for every day of the year.

I thought I'd make more memories here, bear his kids and watch them create havoc in this little room, this mansion. But my dreams were crushed too soon.

"Get ahold of yourself, Felicia. You're stronger than this." I spoke to myself in loneliness.

I was hallways across the country on a train when my phone buzzed with the ringtone; I sleepily clicked the green button and didn't even see the contact.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Felicia. Please think this over. You're leaving him at his worst state and walking out of his life when he did so much for you." My eyebrows furrowed.

"I'm walking out of his life, Neil? How ironic. I thought he did that before I could. So I'm going my own way too." I reasoned with assertion.

"Just because he couldn't attend the party, you're punishing him for a lifetime."

"JUST a party?" I emphasized, "Do you even realize how embarrassed I was consoling my own colleagues of HIS absence? Meanwhile, he was grooming his PA in the hospital for her fake injury." I hissed in anger.

"If you're taking his side and pushing me under the bus, forget about contacting me ever again. Goodnight." Saying, I hung up and switched my phone off. I dreamed of a perfect life with Leo Herring. I didn't even love him for his money or looks. I fell in love with his kind, generous and sweet personality.

"To hell with them!" I grunted under my breath and went back to sleep uncomfortably.

I reached back to my hometown, walking into the crappy old apartment I grew up in. My parents died seven years ago in a car crash. As I looked at the empty walls, sadness wallowed my heart and I broke down. Finally. The catharsis felt liberating and I didn't feel numbness in my heart any longer. I started unpacking after a nice shower and resolved to clean the apartment. It would be a nice distraction against thinking about Leo and our past life. Which I'm over with.

After everything was done, I was setting up my cheap ramen from a cup and cheese strings when my phone vibrated again. I anticipated Maya or Neil trying to change my mind about Leo again. I rolled my eyes and saw the name displayed, my eyes widened at the surprise.

It was Leo himself.

-I need to see you, Felicia. Baby, please don't punish me like this...-

I stared at the screen with my heart on my sleeves. Did he really think persuading me like a maniac would fix things between us?

My hands were trembling. As much as I didn't want to admit, I still cared for Leo.

-Not after you ditched me and disregarded my feelings like that. Goodbye.-

I tried to end the conversation desperately. But soon after, he was dialling me. I didn't want to pick it up, letting the rings go off about three times. I stared at the red button hard on the fourth ring and my finger betrayed me by sliding the green one.

"Felicia, hey. Where are you? Send me your location, I'm coming to get you."

"I'm far out of your reach. Now you know how it feels like to stay apart, to be ignored."

"Felicia...please. Your punishments are unreasonable. I know that I hurt you. But I assure you it's not because of Maya. I'm her boss, I ought to help her out. Just like all my employees, im responsible for her wellbeing too!"

I laughed at his explanation.

"Leo, she's always injured herself in convenient times. Like your birthday and other events that should bring us together. Don't you find it petty and planned?"

"Oh come on! You're being delusional! Accidents happen all the time, alright! You know that pretty well. I saved you countless times too." He exclaimed as I scoffed in disbelief.

"Countless times!? Stop talking to me!" I growled out.

"That's a bit childish of you. I don't expect you to understand my stance but you're taking this too far. Send me your location or I'll pull strings and get you myself." I scoffed again. This man's head was too high in the clouds!

"Did you just call me childish? I hid my disdain with your friendship with Maya and didn't utter a single word against your past with her. And now you rub it on my face that I'm childish. Well played, boss!"

"Stop it, Felicia. It's getting annoying. I'm stumped with work and consoling you should be the last thing on my list. I do care about you. There's no other reason I cried when I saw your empty room and am calling you right now." He said and I felt my lower lip wobble.

"Don't contact me ever again. We're over." I repeated the words from yesterday and did the same. Cut the call and went on about my day.

~Leo~

I smiled at the jovial and rich environment. Neil's birthday brought everyone close under one roof, and I kept thinking about Felicia. As though my wishes were answered, i caught sight of Felicia standing alone, looking all pretty in her yellow dress. Her stance was suggesting she didn't want to be there. When someone came by to talk, she answered them in small phrases or just a nod. It didnt matter and i was just glad i could see her again.

Even after she moved cities to work online, she came by to engage socially. I didn't think she'd come, but there she was, always doing the right thing and putting others' happiness before her own.

"Leo! Boss!" Maya's voice brought me back to reality. I was stuck in my trance with Felicia. Her gaze followed where I was looking then Maya looked back at me with a polite smile.

"Could you wheel me to the water section, please? I've been calling you."

"S-Sorry. I was distracted." I said and went over to help Maya. She was to be in a wheelchair for approximately a month. I briefly caught Felicia looking my way as I sipped on water. I so desperately wanted to talk to her, but Maya's needs came first. We could talk later.

"What's on your mind, boss? Where are you looking?" Maya suddenly asked. I shook my head and said, "Nowhere. Where do you wanna go next?"

Honestly, it is kinda exhausting to keep wheeling a patient around in your party. But these are part of my duties as their boss. I wanna be able to help them as they are obliged to do the same for me. It kinda sucks.

We were now at the dinner table when I pushed Maya closer to the table and sat down. I was cutting steak for her as she said she felt too weak and tired.

Suddenly, Maya leaned on my shoulder and whispered, "I don't know what I'd do without your help, boss. Thank you for being the best."

"You told me you wanted to enjoy the party. I'm just being a good person." I said and fed a bite sized piece to her. Out of nowhere, the birthday boy stood behind me and suggested,

"Why don't you feed Felicia too? She's been avoiding interaction for a long time. Give her some company, dude. She would appreciate your company." I raised an eyebrow. Suddenly, I felt indifferent and the pain from last night washed over me.

"She'll be fine over there. She was never into social interactions." I said briefly.

"Are you sure, mate? He looks so uncomfortable." Neil argued. I put the knife and fork down and stared up at him.

"If you're that concerned, why don't you go give her company? It's your party she came to. Besides, she's fine with whatever she's doing. She also knows I'm here for Maya because she's injured. It's not a big deal like she's posing it to be." I seethed and turned away.

"I sense animosity from your girlfriend. I swear I'm not trying to get between you two, Leo." Maya got the wrong idea as I was quick to defeat her worries and concerns.

"Felicia is fine. She understands that you need my help." I assured and glanced at Felicia, who now looked irritated. She quickly looked away when she realized I was staring at her.

"I can't stress enough how good of a boss you are, Leo." I pursed my lips into a thin line and pushed the plate to Maya. I shrugged the praise off, I had doubts infiltrating my mind.

The catering reeled us in to sit around the big table as I was pulled to sit beside my PA, Maya. My eyes were searching for Felicia and she was sitting in a dimly lit corner with unknown folks.

My gaze locked with Felicia and her eyes were screaming that she was uncomfortable. But when she noticed me, her look turned into one of annoyance and she huffed before looking away. That made my heart bump with a pang. Why was I feeling guilty for nothing I did?

I was quick to brush it off. It wasn't my fault anyway. But I couldn't help but think about her odd behavior. She was never this incongruous with me. So angry and so hurt, it was as if she wanted to make me feel something for her.

Suddenly, I caught her getting up and excusing herself. Where is she going?

"Maya I'll be right back." Saying, I made my escape and caught Felicia right on time.

"Where are you going? We need to talk." I held her arm and stated assertively. She shook my hand off, her eyes scaring me.

"No, we don't. I'm going back home."

"Your home is with me, Felicia. We built that together."

"That's just a house with walls now, Leo. I— what's the point in explaining?" She shook me off again and tried walking away.

"Hey guys! Is everything alright?" Neil came up behind me and assessed the tension in the air.

"Happy birthday and Goodnight, Neil." Saying, Felicia took her leave and I couldn't do anything about it. Something was holding me back.

"She doesn't look okay to me, Leo. Did you do something?"

"Except for helping my employee, I didn't do anything against her wish. She'll be fine. Let's go back." Urging us back in, I pulled my phone out and texted Felicia,

-Let's talk after. But lemme know when you reached home. I'm concerned-

When I hit the button to send, I scowled to see the single grey tick. Her profile picture wasn't visible to me either. My mood was ruined when I realized she'd blocked my number.