Chapter 5
375words
I sat up in bed—Blake was gone. I stood, wincing at my sore hips, and hobbled to the window.
A fleet of Rolls-Royces gleamed in the morning sun.
Finally! FINALLY! Payday had arrived!
Suddenly my body didn't hurt anymore—I felt like I could run a marathon in stilettos.
I didn't even grab shoes before flying downstairs.
Blake had transformed—fitted black suit, gold-rimmed glasses, and a diamond-encrusted Rolex that probably cost more than my annual salary.
A crowd of neighbors had gathered at the entrance, gawking.
Several men in black suits approached Blake, bowing like he was royalty.
Finally. They've finally come.
I was so excited I nearly screamed, but I composed myself, putting on my best frightened-girlfriend face:
"Who are you people? Where are you taking my boyfriend?"
A man in an impeccable suit detached my hand from Blake's arm.
"Miss Swift, please control yourself. This is the young master of the Hayes family, heir to the Hayes Group. To thank you for caring for Mr. Hayes this past year, here's a check. Fill in any amount—a small token from the Hayes Group."
This was the same voice from those late-night conversations with Blake.
My lips trembled on cue, tears streaming down my face.
I looked like a heartbroken heroine in a romance movie.
I clutched Blake's arm like it was a lifeline.
"Blake, are you... leaving me?"
Going full drama queen, I sobbed hysterically while mentally doing backflips of joy.
Blake just stood there, frowning like I was causing a scene—which I absolutely was.
After a moment, he shook off my hand, barely moving his lips: "Let's end this cleanly."
Perfect, perfect, perfect. "End this cleanly," my ass.
Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for this moment?
I crumpled to the floor, sobbing like a jilted lover in a telenovela.
The assistant stuffed the blank check into my hand and escorted Blake away.
The entourage arrived like a circus and departed like one too.
Once their cars disappeared around the corner, I bounced up from the ground.
Not even caring about the dirt on my knees, I wiped away my Oscar-worthy tears.
Clutching my golden ticket, I practically danced back upstairs.
