Maya
Conrad pulls up just down from work. I am dreading going in here today. I don’t know if Meredith will bring up what Conrad said to her while defending me and use it to make my day hell. Not only that, but I am also worried that Bridget has spoken to her about my relationship with Conrad.
Conrad places his hand on my knee, “You could always quit. You shouldn’t be this stressed and worried going into work, angel.” He says softly.
“I will be fine. I have been dealing with it for some time.” I reply.
He sighs, “Okay. Remember, I won’t be home until about seven tonight. I have arranged for Joshua to pick you up.”
“I would be fine making my way back to your place. Callum hasn’t been around recently.” I reply.
“No, I know, but I am not taking that risk, Maya. Look what happened the last time we let our guard down.” He says.
“I guess. I just want to get back to normal and stop worrying about everything.” I whimper.
A part of me just wants to run away. I have done it before. The only thing keeping me around is Conrad. He is my reason for staying. If I hadn’t had him, I would have been gone the day Callum decided to reappear.
“I know, beautiful, but everything will be okay. I don’t know when, but it will be. I promise.” He smiles and squeezes my knee.
“I hope so. I should head inside. Please let me know if you hear anything from Bridget or your parents.”
“I will. I promise. I will see you later, okay?”
He reaches over and kisses me softly. I smile into his lips and place my hand on his cheek.
“Yes, see you later, handsome.”
“Call or text if you need anything.” He says and pecks my lips.
I nod, take a deep breath, and climb out of the car, rushing inside before I am late. I dread today so badly. Maybe it is time for me to find a new job. One where the boss isn’t an asshole, and I could be happy. I don’t know what to do. There is too much going on to make any decisions.
I don’t even make it to my desk before Meredith calls me to her office. Great! This is not how I wanted to start my day. I quickly set my things down and went to her office.
“Good morning, Meredith,” I say nervously.
She glances up from her desk and glares at me, “You embarrassed me on Saturday night.” She snaps.
“Why? What did I do?” I ask softly.
“It is your fault Conrad scolded me. Why is he sticking up for you? It is none of his damn business.” She snarls.
She does realise Conrad could get her fired, right?
“That was not my fault. I didn’t ask him to come over. I don’t know why he stuck up for me.”
“Everything is your fault!” she spits in pure anger.
I clench my fists at my sides and take a few deep breaths, trying to keep calm before I lose it and say something I can’t take back.
“I don’t understand. I have done nothing wrong. I worked hard on Saturday. I work hard every single day for you. I do everything you want and need.”
The words come from my lips before I can stop them. She is so horrible and ungrateful. I would understand if I was bad at my job, but I am not. I don’t think it matters to her either way; she doesn’t need an excuse to treat everyone like crap. I wish Conrad would get her fired. It would make my and everyone else’s lives much easier.
“Get out of my office. If you talk to me like that again, you will be fired. Get to work. I don’t want to see your face again today unless I really need to.” She yells.
I don’t respond with words. I shake my head and leave. Stupid bitch! I am so angry, but I need to stop because it isn’t doing me any good. I have enough stressors; I don’t need to make things any worse for myself.
I sit at my desk, take a few deep breaths and try to focus on my work for the day. I swear she better not try to keep me late today just out of spite.
****
I am waiting outside work for Joshua to come pick me up. He is on his way. I am so glad to be done. Meredith has made my day hell. I nearly quit about four times.
“Mia, or should I say Maya?”
The sound of a familiar noise stirs my anger again.
“Bridget, what do you want?” I sigh and turn to face her.
Why is she even here? How did she know when I would be finished?
“We need to talk.”
“I don’t have time. I am waiting for my lift.” I snap.
“Make time. It will only take a moment.” She replies.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, “What do you want to talk about?”
“Why have you and Conrad been lying to everyone?” she asks.
“None of your business. We have our reasons.”
It really is none of her damn business! I don’t know what makes her believe it is.
“You do realise when everyone finds out, he will dump you right? He will choose everything else over you when it comes to it.”
“You know what, Bridget, I really don’t give a damn about your opinion. I don’t want it and don’t care about it. Conrad and I are together, so grow up and deal with it.” I reply calmly because I don’t want to start arguing with her.
“You are not the type of person his family want him to marry. They will never approve. You should probably get out of it before you end up hurt.”
She says it softly, acting like she cares if I get hurt.
“I don’t really care if they approve or not. Conrad wants to be with me. We are happy together. You or anyone else aren’t going to get in the way of that. He doesn’t want you anymore; he has made that clear. Why can’t you back off? Do you know how disappointed Conrad is in you? He hates the person you have become. He said you used to be a good person, nice, and now, you are trying to ruin everything for us.” I say.
“I have not changed that much.” She protests.
“Conrad would disagree. Do want you want, Bridget. I don’t even care anymore. I am tired of it all. We have enough to deal with, things you have no idea about and will never understand, and we don’t need you to add to them. So back the fuck off.” I yell.
She seems taken aback by my outburst. I have a breaking point like everyone else. Bridget has picked the wrong day to get on at me. I don’t give her a chance to speak because I notice Joshua is here.
I shake my head at her and head over to the car, climbing in. I don’t know what she will do, but right now, I can’t think about it. If she wants to out us, she can go right ahead. I have enough battles going on, never mind fighting with her too.