Chapter 2 Breaking Through

I had never dealt with heartbreak; I didn't know how it felt and hadn't dreamed of learning how. For most of my life in high school and college, I had been the one to break off any relationship I had been in, so I was not experienced in the messy process. I called in sick at work. My boss let it slide because I hardly had a sick day. I mopped about dealing with the pain and distress of hangovers. I remained in my pajamas; I didn't even go out to the gym; I just consumed all my leftovers and ordered more takeout. Everything in the house reminded me of Nick, and I wouldn't say I liked it. I had to cut off my phone because he wouldn't stop calling when I picked up the phone the first time; his voice had poured in through the phone. "Ellie? Could you, by chance, help me with the rest of the stuff I couldn't get? I will need them," he said with seriousness in his tone. I gasped  "I will burn every single one of them," I shouted back, feeling like a mad woman; I had never shouted this much or felt so much rage and anger about anything.  I had cut off the phone and cried a little bit harder. It was a lousy reflex to let his actions affect me this much; I was a strong, independent woman and wouldn't let a fresh, out-of-college boy get to me this way.  My mother called, and she had been a great help. I decided I was going to work the next day. I finally took a shower and went grocery shopping. Every sidewalk and stop were reminders of him. I drove ahead carrying around a broken heart. ********** I got to work the next day and wondered why I had even called in sick. The camaraderie of the team and the good vibes were good for my spirit, and I felt more at home there than I did at my apartment now. "Ellie! You made it," my manager, Jeffery Stone, called out as I clutched my briefcase to my side, the clear in his tone.  He was a portly man in his mid-thirties with oddly greying hair and a broad smile, which he never failed to use for me. He had asked me out countless times over the years, and I kindly refused all of those times; I didn't see him that way. "I realized I couldn't stay away," I responded, my heart aching again. "Well that’s good for you. We had a takeover and I think we will meet our new boss today." He announced, and I was taken aback. "A takeover? That's insane," I said, and he shrugged his shoulders.  We went to the meeting room, and the rest of the team called out to me as I walked in; I responded duly but not wholeheartedly. Who knew heartbreak could exhaust you not just emotionally but also physically? "I don’t see the ‘new boss’" I air quoted. Jeffery laughed. "Excited are we?" He said "You could say that." A great hush enveloped the room, and all eyes went to the door. I followed their eyes until they landed on the object of interest.  A woman had walked in; she had the aura of Agatha Trunchbull, and I was intimidated; she went to the center of the table, and I wondered if she was the new boss. She shook me out of the thought. "Good day to you, too. Mr Finn would be here soon," she said, sounding like her voice. Murmurs went around the room at her announcement. "he would appreciate silence!" She said again, her voice resounding through the room. Immediate quiet was restored, and we waited; the door opened, and this time around, another surprise hit us. In contrast to Agatha Trunchbull, an Angel walked in. He looked like a demonic Angel, something from heaven. I let out a literal sigh, and so did the rest of the room. If I guessed right, he was around his late thirties, maybe early forties, but he looked perfect; no strand of hair was lost in his full black hair. When he raised his head and his eyes came into sight, I was even more shocked; his eyes were like smoke, cold and mystic. I'd have painted him if I were an artist because he was a masterpiece. "Stop drooling, you fools, and recognize your new boss," Agatha Trunchbull said, breaking us out of our thoughts.  Jeffery moved forward and made to shake him; he didn't say a word. He just took a seat at the head of the conference table. He shook Jeffery and looked at his side to where Miss Trunchbull stood. "Lesley, begin with the orientation." his voice was even more incredible than his appearance; it was calm but loud and clear, and I was mesmerized by his perfection. I watched his movement, but he remained glued to the chair, staring at the paperwork before him; undeniably, I was captivated. I've always been curious, and his mysterious aura has attracted me. "All of you I received have been working here for years now, some explicit others not so, that would not matter because you all are under probation for the time being." She said, her voice jolting me out of my observations. So her name was Lesley, it didn't suit her. Agatha sounded more appropriate. "We would release those who are not to our taste, and others would try as much as possible to be efficient to our taste otherwise the same fate would be met. Mr Finn would not be here permanently but I would be, sadly for you all the systems you’re used to would be changed , and we would train the efficient ones." "Why is that?" I heard myself shout, and every head snapped to face me. Well, every head except the boss's own.