Chapter 1
My first day started like a dream. My teammates were great, and my manager was so nice. She even gave me one of those "welcome aboard" gift cards.
During a quick break, I washed my hands and came back to my desk. I pulled a few tissues from the box on the counter to dry them.
Suddenly, my manager shot up from her chair.
She pointed a trembling finger at me, her voice sharp and shrill. "How could you do something like that? What on earth are you thinking?"
I was stunned. It had to be a joke, right? I instinctively looked toward the senior who referred me for the job.
But she stood up with a look of pure disgust.
"Get out," she said, loud enough for the whole office to hear. "People like you aren't welcome here."
*****
A huge force pushed me right out of the company doors.
My knees hit the rough concrete, scraping the skin raw.
Warm blood ran down my leg.
Everyone from the company was crowded at the door, pointing at me like I was a monster.
I felt every word they said, pricking into my ears like tiny daggers.
I sat on the curb, my mind totally blank.
I couldn't figure it out. I just wiped my hands. Why did I have to get fired?
Just an hour ago, my manager was all smiles, stuffing gift cards into my hand.
"Keep it up," she said. "You're one of us in the department now."
Colleagues gathered around, rushing to introduce themselves.
"I'm Isabelle Mitchell, come find me if you need anything."
"I'm Bryson Robinson, call me if your computer has problems."
My senior warmly put an arm around my shoulders, saying she'd take me to the best restaurant nearby after work.
One second we were happily discussing dinner plans.
The next second, she was pointing at my face, yelling at me to get out.
I pulled out my phone, fingers shaking as I called Sawyer.
The call just connected and my tears burst out.
"Sawyer, I got fired." I was choking up and couldn't even finish a sentence.
"Why? What right do they have to fire you?"
Sawyer's voice on the other end was both shocked and heartbroken.
"I don't know, I really don't."
"Don't cry, baby, don't cry." Sawyer's voice was incredibly gentle. "They're definitely jealous, seeing you get a project right away.
"Wait for me at the door, I'm taking off work now to pick you up."
After hanging up, I hugged my knees, burying my face deep.
Since we were little, Sawyer has always been like this.
No matter what happened to me, he'd always be the first on my side.
Our families had been close for generations, and we'd played together since we were in diapers.
Both parents had long thought we'd get married right after graduation.
Sawyer was the person who loved me most in this world.
Not long after, a familiar black car stopped in front of me.
Sawyer rushed out of the car and pulled me into a tight hug.
"It's okay now, baby, I'm here."
He saw the blood on my knee, and his eyes instantly turned cold.
"Screw this lousy company. You deserve better."
He gently wiped my tears.
"I'll find you a better one, a hundred times better than this place."
He helped me into the car, carefully avoiding my injury.
"Let's go home, I'll make your favorite food to calm you down."
His voice was full of affection.
When we got to his place, he opened the door and immediately got my pink slippers from the cabinet.
"Go wash your face first. Relax. Don't dwell on what's bothering you."
He handed me a clean towel.
I walked into the bathroom, splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm down.
The me in the mirror had red, swollen eyes, looking completely miserable.
After washing my face, my hands were covered with water drops.
I shook my hands and saw the tissue box nearby.
Without thinking, I pulled out two pieces and wiped my hands dry.