Ten years ago
Ash sat in her car for a second, she couldn't believe how lucky she was. She has been with the man she loves for two years now and she suddenly felt butterflies just thinking about how amazing these past two years have been. She got out her car and went to the trunk to grab the gift she got for him. She went to a local artist to get a picture of Bruce and his parents painted. In the picture he looked so happy, his parents were smiling at each other and Bruce was smiling up at them. Ash was so proud of her gift that she couldn't wait any longer to give it to Bruce. She grabbed her gift, closed the trunk of her car and headed for the door. She was slightly nervous, she was worried Bruce might not like the picture. Ash knocked on the door and waited for most likely Alfred to answer. She played with her necklace with her free hand as she waited. She could hear footsteps on the other side and Alfred opened the door. Ash loved this man like a father, he was always so kind to her.
"Aw, Ms. Ash, what a lovely surprise to see you here. Does Bruce know you're here?" Ash realized she never called Bruce to let him know she was coming by.
"No, he doesn't. I'm sorry I just wanted to drop this off. He probably forgot our anniversary, I know he's busy but you don't mind if I give this to him? Then I'll be on my way." He hesitated for a moment before he nodded and she walked into the house. She's walked into this house thousands of times before but this time, something felt off to her, like something wasn't right. She tried to shake the feeling as she walked to Bruce's office. As she got closer to his office she could hear a grunt and then a moan. She immediately froze and her heart stopped for a second. She had to make herself walk a little further. She opened his office door as quietly as possible and she saw her worst nightmare came true. There was a beautiful girl on top of the man she loved. She closed the door as quietly as she opened it. She felt like someone shattered her heart. Ash decided to leave the picture outside the door. She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from her bag and wrote a note which she decided to leave with Alfred. As she walked toward the front door she saw Alfred and his head was down. She knew he knew, but he didn't know how to tell her.
"I'm so sorry, Ms. Ash I-I didn't know how to tell you." He looked truly sorry, with sympathy and remorse in his eyes. Ash only gave him a sad smile, she couldn't trust her own voice at that point. She handed him the note and then gave him a hug with a quick kiss on the cheek before she walked outside and left, not even thinking about turning back.
....................
Alfred waited for Bruce and this new girl to be finished, he was highly disappointed in him. He also very disappointed in himself, he should've found a way to tell Ms. Ash before she saw for herself. She was the closest thing he had to a daughter and he felt that he let her down. As he heard the door close and a car start he knew that the girl that was with Bruce had left.
"Alfred, who left the painting outside my door? It's amazing, I love the picture, it's one of my favorites of my family." Alfred stood up and gave him the letter and walked away without looking at him. Bruce was standing there a little confused. He open up the letter and saw it was Ash's handwriting.
My dearest Bruce,
Today makes two of the most happiest years that we have been together. Everyday I wake up blessed to have the most amazing man. Today wouldn't be any different but it was because today I saw another woman on top of you. Today would mark the day my heart was shattered. I don't blame you. I'm not angry, I'm just hurt. Hurt that you wouldn't tell me you weren't happy. So happy 2 year anniversary, I'm no longer going to be in your life, also here's my two week notice, I no longer think it's appropriate for me to work for you.
Yours truly,
Ash Cruz
He didn't know Ash was stopping by, he knew he was forgetting something. Part of him felt broken and lost, she was truly amazing and one of kind; she kept him on his toes but the other part of him was okay and almost glad she caught him because of what he does and who he is, he didn't want to put her in danger anymore.
