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After several months in that situation, the discovery that one of my flatmates was hoarding rubbish in their bedroom was what snapped me to my senses. I knew I had to leave. I worked, saved for a rental deposit, then moved into my own apartment so I would never have to deal with flatmates again.
But here I was, on the precipice of being dragged back to square one. No job. No money. Massive student loan debt from the degree I never finished hanging like a weight around my neck.
To think, just a few months ago, my primary concern was getting a boyfriend. How times had changed.
I huffed out a long sigh, slouching as I ruminated. Various scenarios played out in my head until the sound of the door opening yanked me from my funk. None other than Neil Kingston stepped out of the building.
Oh great. Just the person I wanted to see.
I didn’t want to look at him, but it was too late. His presence was magnetic. He wore a sharp, tailored suit, and the shirt underneath hugged his slim yet muscular frame. His expression was terse as usual, his forehead creased, and his lips set in a slight scowl.
We made eye contact.
I straightened up and tried to compose myself, hoping he hadn’t noticed my vulnerable state. I expected him to walk right past me, go on his way, but when he stopped beside the door, I realised he wasn’t going anywhere. He was outside taking a breather, just like I was.
He watched me, wearing that same inscrutable expression as the first time we met. It looked like he was working up to say something, but I didn’t let him. I couldn’t stand it. He was the root cause of my anxiety. I had to leave. “Excuse me,” I said.
Our bodies brushed as I passed him to go through the door. The brush must have lasted a split second, but it felt as though it dragged on for a minute. The texture of his suit lingered on me like an imprint. I was relieved when I made it to safety on the other side of the door.
Back at my desk, Brooke apologised yet again. “Hey, sorry about before. I should think before I speak next time.”
I shook my head. “You’re not the first person who’s said something like that to me. I’m used to it.”
“It shouldn’t have to be that way. People shouldn’t assume anything.”
“It’s human nature to make assumptions.”
“But still… I’m sorry.”
“Anyway, forget about it. All the stress has made me emotional. I’ll feel better once everything’s sorted.” I plastered a weary smile on my face.
Brooke returned the smile.
I dived into my work, editing a document. It kept me occupied until an anguished whimper broke out beside me.
Chapter Five
Isnapped my head towards Brooke. “What’s wrong?”
She didn’t say anything, but her bottom lip trembled.
The office buzzed with murmurs to full-on exclamations, and I quickly caught on to what was happening.
The restructure results had been announced.
I frantically opened my email inbox, scanning the list of messages for any sign of the announcement. Nothing stood out.
“Come on, come on,” I muttered as I mashed the refresh button.
Finally, a new message appeared at the top of the list. My heart pounded as I read the subject line: “Outcome of Proposed Restructure.”
My hand quivered on the mouse as I opened the email. I read it through scrunched eyes like I was watching a scary scene in a horror movie. The message contained a vague preamble and an instruction to open the PDF attachment.
My nerves ratcheted up a level when the PDF loaded—a document in the company’s official letterhead with “PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL” printed across the top.
My heart hammered a drumbeat in my ears as I read the letter.
Dear Amelia Cross,
