"Are you sure you want to resign this quickly? I mean, you just got promoted yesterday and you barely got to experience what it's like to be in your higher rank. Plus, your salary will increase thirteen percent higher from your normal salary before. And you know, we could really use someone like you in the company. It'd be such a waste to let go of a hardworking employee like you." My boss said for the third time today.
I'm currently in his office while the release papers that I need to sign are in front of me. When I entered his office a while ago, I just dropped the bombshell that I'll be resigning.
His reaction when I said that was undescribable to say the least. It was a mixture of different emotions showing in his face all at once. And now, he's trying to persuade me and saying the same things over and over again hoping to make me think about my decision twice. But I'm sure my decision has already been made.
"Yes sir, I'm sorry but my decision has been made. And it's final." I said sternly, hoping he'll finally stop talking the same things over and over again.
He let out a distressed sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. After pinching the bridge of his nose a fair number of times, he went back to his usual position that you'll see him do every normal day. He intertwined his fingers and placed them on top of his desk and his back slouched against his black swivel chair.
"There's nothing I can do to change your mind now, can I? If you don't mind me asking, why are you resigning all of a sudden?" He asked with his brows furrowed, making it look intimidating but I tried my best to not let my stern composure waver.
"Personal issues, or relationship issues to be specific. I'm having a bit of trouble." I partly lied.
It's not just 'a bit of trouble' its a whole lot of trouble. A whole lot of trouble that it almost broke me into pieces yesterday.
"Really? Is it that serious that you need to resign?" He asked again and to be frank, it's getting quite annoying. Why does he have to ask questions like this? Why can't he just let me sign the papers in front of me? It'll save me some time to pack my things at home and to prepare for my flight.
"Yes, it's quite serious to say the least. And I'm terribly sorry if I just dropped my sudden announcement unexpectedly. Now, if you don't mind sir I'd like to sign the papers." I said while I eyed the papers that he's covering with his intertwined hands.
"Of course." He finally said and lifted his hands off and passed the papers to me and gave me a pen to sign with.
I gave a short smile and placed my signatures on the blank lines to officially state that I'll be going away from this company, and not to mention, from this city.
After signing the papers with my signatures I passed them to him and I saw that it pained him to see my signatures to indicated that I'm leaving his company.
"Well, it was nice working with you Ms. Swift." He said while looking at the papers to make sure I signed all of the blank spaces that needs to be signed. Before I could stand up from my seat, he handed me a white envelope which I'm guessing is my last paycheck and I took that as a cue to leave his office.
I stood up from the black leather seat and placed it back to its original place before I even came in here.
"It was a pleasure working with you Mr. Williams." I replied and I honestly couldn't thank god enough that this is over.
I went to the glass tinted door of his office and grabbed the handle and before I knew it, I was out of his office and I headed towards the elevator to grab my things from my personal office. And I inserted the white envelope inside the pocket of my coat.
Once I was inside the elevator and pressed the floor my office was located on, my train of thoughts and the things I have to do occupied my mind while the elevator was going down to its floor.
At least that was done. It's one less problem to solve for me, and now I have to call my mom back home and tell them that I'll be moving. Just to give them a heads up and to let them know what I'm going to do.
Speaking of moving, when I told the girls yesterday about the sudden idea that just sparked in my head they were all shocked and stunned on what I said.
And honestly, I couldn't blame them. I'd be pretty shock too if one of my friends just suddenly blurted out that she'll be moving. At first, they thought I was just joking and kidding around with them. But when I told them I was serious, they immediately pleaded me not to go and said I shouldn't stick with my idea.
They kept saying that everything I need is here, here in this city. But I didn't need this city to remind me all of the memories that gave me nothing but heartbreaks and pain.
And I didn't need to see him, I might sound exaggerated but I just can't stand seeing him. I can't look at him knowing what we had, had already been broken into pieces. It just pains me. It pains me to be with him in the same city. But they soon understood and respected my decision about me moving and leaving, and I honestly couldn't ask more for better friends than them.
Everything is already settled. I called one of my colleagues and her name is Selena, and she happens to live in New York. Selena and I were close in college and when we parted ways, we kept in contact. I'll text or call her every so often and vice versa. And when I asked her if I could stay in her flat for the meantime until I find an apartment that I could stay in, she insisted that I should just stay with her. And I couldn't thank her more. So I don't have a problem for the place I'll live in for now. All I have to worry about is finding a suitable job. But I'll worry about that when I get there.
I didn't even notice that I already landed on my designated floor, the elevator doors almost closed but before it could fully shut I blocked it with the tip of my flats. The doors slowly opened again and I got out.
I went towards to my office as quickly as I can, trying not to attract any attention as I don't want anyone to bombard me with questions. And I just really want to get this day over with and pack my things.
Once I got to my office, there's really nothing much to pack. Maybe just a few papers and files, but I won't be using them anyways. Karlie said I could just leave my extra things at her apartment and when I hesitated at first, she said she'll look them as a reminder of me.
When I got to my table, papers were already arranged and folders were neatly stacked. I guess those are some files that I need to work on, like any normal day. I didn't mind the papers, instead I collected the things I needed to collect. My personal stuff, for example.
Once I got everything collected and done, I checked one last time, to make sure everything I have is with me. When I finally decided that it's done, before I exited my office I looked at my desk one last time. There were just papers and folders, it was like I wasn't even there in the first place. It was like someone decided to put papers on a vacant desk that nobody wants to work on.
And also, I asked Mr. Williams if he could keep this thing as quiet as possible, to keep it nonchalant. I wouldn't want people asking him where I am and what happened to me, its better if they wouldn't have any idea. And I prefer to keep it that way.
I finally exited the office with a few personal belongings in my hands and I went straight ahead to the elevator.
When I got inside, I pressed the ground floor and the elevator doors closed within in a blink of an eye. I decided that I'll just walk home to our apartment. It's only a couple of blocks away and it wouldn't hurt if I take one last stroll in the streets before I leave.
The elevator landed on the ground floor and the doors opened and I exited the elevator in a jiff.
I was about to exit this building for good, when I heard someone called my name.
"Ms. Swift!" A feminine voice called and I know that voice too well.
I turned around to if my guess was right, and it sure was. Sarah, the receptionist, called from her desk. Her jet black hair was styled as usual. It's tied in a bun, without a single hair misplaced. And her pink lipstick a bit smudged as the day goes ahead.
I gave her a small smile and walked towards her desk that has some crumpled paper scattered around and some folders misplaced. I figured that it'd be rude if I just walked away from her like that so I went towards her to see why she called.
"Yes?" I replied when I was close enough from her desk.
"Why do you have your stuff? Where are you going?" She asked and I saw her eyed my stuff that I grasp from my other hand.
I wanted to say it's none for your business and you wouldn't like to know, but Sarah has been nothing but kind to me or to everyone. And since this will be my last conversation with her, it wouldn't hurt if I gave her one last reply.
"Just clearing out some stuff." I lied and gave her a slight shrug. She bought the lie I gave her and I soon walked away from her desk and exited the building and off to the streets of Colorado.
The soles of my flats stepped on the dried and orange leaves that partly covered the streets. The autumn leaves keep falling down from the trees as if it's not enough to cover the whole street and with the wind blowing them off as if they were dust.
I walked down the street, my personal stuff are clutched in my hand while my free hand was inserted in the pocket of my coat in where I kept the white envelope, just to make sure it's still there. I wouldn't want to waste my final paycheck now, would I?
While walking down the street, I tried to keep my head up this time than usual. In like any other normal day, I'd usually keep my head low while passing by the boutiques and cafes.
But this time, since it's going to be my last stroll in this street for a while I thought I should look and observe at the shops I pass by everyday, that I don't even normally care about.
It's like what you imagine in every other cliche movie, the scenery is quite exquisite to say the least.
The boutiques are lit up with their own lights to keep their shop attractive and bright, and the cafes are spreading out pastries that smells absolutely delicious that makes your mouth water with every breath you take and their heavily scented coffees scatter around with the wind taking it with them as they travel along. While the trees are in the shade of orange and red and the autumn leaves are falling down like pieces into place.
The scenery flashing before my eyes is like what you'd see in a movie, and honestly I questioned myself why I never bothered to look and soak in the place when I live and pass by this every single day.
To be frank, I'd love to walk around with this type of atmosphere. I'd like to wake up everyday with this kind of scenery, everything could've been perfect. Until someone completely ruined this place for me. And somehow, I can't look at this place the same way again. Even with its perfect scene, the memories, stories and the pain behind this significant place will be forever etch in my mind.
Time seems to pass by as I walked down the street until I reached my apartment.
It's a shame that I wouldn't be able to walk around in this type of atmosphere again, but I looked at the bright side and thought that maybe New York will be better. A much better atmosphere and a better scenery than this. And maybe, I could make better memories than the ones I'll be leaving behind here in Colorado.
I entered inside our apartment, and anyone can easily distinguish that the air and atmosphere in the lobby is much warmer than the breeze outside.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Swift." Nick, the guard, greeted me with his usual joyous mood and tone while he's standing in his podium just right beside the entrance.
"Afternoon, Nick. Karlie hasn't come home yet, has she?"
"I'm afraid not." He replied and I gave him a nod in return.
I walked away from Nick to leave him with his job, I wouldn't want to interfere with his own business.
I went to the elevator and hopped in. I pressed the button of the floor where my apartment is located and the elevator doors closed and started lifting me up. I noticed that it's a lot warmer inside the elevator, it's either the air-conditioning is broken again or they might've turned it off.
I didn't bother to pay any more attention to the elevator that's currently lifting me up to my floor, as my thoughts drifted away into what I'll be doing next.
I've already planned this yesterday. I'll pack my things once I get home, and prepare for my flight that'll be boarding tomorrow, early in the morning.
I just booked this flight last night and since I want to get out of this city as soon as I can, I took the earliest flight from Colorado to New York. And that earliest flight happens to be tomorrow morning at five.
The elevator halted to a stop and opened, I exited the elevator and once I got out it closed within a second.
While walking through hallway to my apartment door, I grabbed my own key to unlock the door. Before going to work, Karlie informed me that she'll be having extra hours in her office so she said that she'll be coming home a little later than her usual time. But she assured me that she'll be there once I'm about to leave for my flight.
And that means I'll have the apartment for myself for the next couple of hours, and I thought it wouldn't be bad if I had some alone time.
I reached the apartment door and took the key out of my pocket and unlocked the door. I went inside and closed the door, making sure I lock it while I changed my flats into my home slippers to make myself more comfortable.
Once I was sure I locked the door, I placed the stuff I had brought with me on the coffee table near the beige colored couch. When I finally settled my things, I went straight into my room to start packing.
I saw the luggage that I took out earlier before I left for work on my white ruffled sheets. I went to my closet and opened it to see my neatly folded clothes stacked and aligned accordingly. I took all of them, carefully taking them out as I don't want to mess them up.
I placed them on my bed and opened my luggage to stuff them inside. The clothes I mostly have are blouses and shorts, I also have some dresses but Karlie forced me to buy them since she told me that I look 'good' in them. Maybe I wore them once or twice, but that was it.
I started putting and placing my clothes I have inside the luggage, I even saw some shirts that doesn't belong to me. They were his shirts. I remember those times where he'd stay in my apartment and he'll leave his shirts with me. But those were the days, and now they're just simply memories.
Of course I didn't pack his shirts with me, the reason why I'm moving to New York in the first place is to forget him. So placed his shirts aside, I don't really know what to do with them. Maybe I should just throw them in the trash and whoever gets it, I guess you can call lucky.
After about an hour or so, I'm finally done packing my things. I zipped up the luggage and sighed. This is it, just a few more hours to go and I'm off to New York to start new memories and to restart my life.
As I was about to lie down on the soft white duvet, I suddenly remembered I have to call my parents and brother that I'm moving.
I silently groaned, I really wanted to just sink into those soft white sheets after from a tiring day but instead I stood up and went to the living area where my phone is placed on the couch.
I sat down at the edge of the couch and reached for my phone. I dialled my mom's number, knowing mom she's most likely to answer her phone quickly.
The phone started ringing and on the third ring she picked up. I placed my phone on my ear to hear a bit of shuffling from the other line, she must be at bed doing her usual habits like reading her favorite novel over and over again.
'Hello?' My mom answered her voice a bit raspy.
"Hey, mom." I replied and I could feel a small smile forming on my lips, despite how tired I feel. It's been a while since I've seen them, about four months or so. And they're back at Nashville at our old town house.
'Taylor! How're you?' My mom's country accent not failing to show in her sentence and her tone lightened up and even from the phone I could tell she was smiling like me.
"Honestly, not well." I admitted and sighed. And to be frank, everything's not well at the moment.
'Oh, I've heard about you and Calvin.' She replied and her tone was slightly lacked of her joyousness and liveliness.
"You have?" I asked, I remembered that I haven't told them anything about my recent break up with Calvin, let alone about me moving to New York.
'I heard it from Karlie. She called.'
Of course, why am I even surprised? Karlie basically tells my parents, including Austin, everything I do. From the things I eat, where I go and the things I do. She acts as if she's my personal nanny, and my parents treats her like a daughter as well. What can I say? They're pretty close.
"And I'm guessing you know about me moving to New York?"
'Yep, honey I know you want to get away from the city because of Calvin, but why New York? Why can't you come back here in Nashville?' She asked her tone almost pleading me not to move to New York, but like what I've said earlier my decision is already final.
"Mom, I'd love to go back there but even at Nashville it brings me back memories of him. I just need to get away from things and places that reminds me of him, plus New York sounds fun, doesn't it?" I said, my tone trying to cheer her mood up.
I heard her sigh from the other line and I could tell she was distressed about my decision.
'Alright, if that's what you want. Stay safe, and remember to call every once and a while. Oka—?' Her train of reminders was cut short when I heard a knock on the door.
It couldn't be Karlie, she doesn't come back after another hour or two and if it's Karlie she'd use her own key to unlock the door.
But I wouldn't exactly find if I just sit here now, would I?
"Sorry mom, someone's knocking on the door and I have to get it. I'll call you back as soon as I can, alright?" I asked and I heard another couple of knocks on the door.
'Alright, stay safe. Love ya.'
"Love you too." I replied back and ended the call.
I stood up from the couch and slipped on my slippers and went towards the door.
Without bothering to take a look at the peephole, I opened the door to find him standing at the doorway.
Speaking of the devil..