Chapter 2

Ameira woke up early from her deep sleep that morning. She had to get ready to go to work. Even though she felt her head hurt because of the hangover, Ameira ignored it because she knew she would be late.

“You can do this, Ameira. You can’t be a foul shot by your boss because you have to get this month’s Employee of the Month. I have found out that there is a prize to be won by the one who wins the title.”

Ameira got motivated after her little pep talk, thinking that the prize obtained was an increase in her salary or maybe her promotion at work. Even though they broke up, she must show her ex-boyfriend she was better now. She grabbed the picture frame on her side table containing her picture with her ex-boyfriend together.

“Huh! You may be thinking that I will be miserable after our break up. That’s not going to happen! Just wait, Mateo, you’ll regret leaving me,” she said angrily and violently threw the picture frame into the trash bin. After that, she stood up and went straight to the bathroom to shower.

Ameira’s ex-boyfriend was a boss in a big company. She didn’t know what his position exactly was because the man didn’t like to talk about it. She felt her ex-boyfriend was ashamed to brag about his high work in a well-known company because he didn’t want her to feel she was just a consultant.

Her last news about Mateo was that he had been promoted at work, and his position in the company he was working for had increased, so she thought that might be why the man had broken up with her.

Ameira quickly hailed a cab.

“Take me to the Liberty Agency,” she told the driver.

She was just wearing a white long-sleeve, black skirt, and a black ribbon around the neck, matching a pair of black heels. It was Monday, that was why she was wearing that. Even though the small agency she worked for didn’t have a proper uniform, she still chose the right clothes. That was also why she was included in the Employee of the Month selection list.

After Ameira got into the cab, she took out her face powder, cheek tint, and lip tint that she would use to make herself more presentable at work.

Because she knew she would be late, she always did her makeup in the cab. She used to do that thing so that she could get a few more minutes to sleep.

After some minutes, she arrived at the Liberty Agency.

“Good morning,” she greeted the security guard and finally entered the building.

Ameira went straight to the elevator and waited for it to open.

While waiting, one of her seniors appeared at her side and greeted her, “Good morning, Ameira.”

‘Tsk. He’s here again!’ She secretly rolled her eyes at him. ‘His day can’t be complete if he doesn’t talk to me. My God! He’s getting on my nerves! And because he’s my senior, I must be respectful even though I’m not on his team.’

“Good morning,” she greeted back.

“I heard that you reached your quota yesterday,” Jake said while smiling from ear to ear.

‘Heard? Is he still using that alibi? For sure, he was stalking me because I know he liked me for so long now.’

“Ahh. Yes.”

The elevator door opened just in time, so Ameira got on it. But of course, she was with him; unfortunately, they were the only two inside.

“I’m just now congratulating you. If you want, I can treat you outside later,” Jake said, turning to face Ameira a little while smiling. “Let’s eat in a fancy restaurant that, for sure, you can’t afford to eat. It’s my treat, so don’t worry.”

‘Hooh! Be patient, Ameira; you don’t need to be nice to him once promoted. The price you can get may be a promotion; you will become a senior like him. So just wait.’

“Ah. No, thanks. I’m really busy, you know,” Ameira answered and smiled slightly.

“Oh, come on, Ameira. Are you still turning me down? I heard that you’re single now.”

‘God! How can he know that too? He’s definitely my stalker! Well, he’s handsome. But Jake is not my type. Except for being too high on himself, he’s also five years older than me. I’m not into older guys.’

“Yes. I’m single, but it doesn’t mean I’m ready to mingle.”

“Just one date, Ameira. You’ll surely be going to like me after that—” He couldn’t finish what he would say when the elevator door opened.

“Oh, the door is open. Bye, senior.” Ameira smiled when she got out. They were not on the same floor, so she knew he couldn’t follow her.

‘Fortunately, the door opened just in time. Jake will surely force me to have a date with him. Jake is always like that, even though he knows I have been in a relationship.’

‘Shit! I remembered Mateo again! When will I forget him!? It isn’t enjoyable. All of a sudden, he came to my mind, and last night, I even dreamed about him. Great! Just great! How can I move on like that?!’

Her blood immediately boiled when Ameira remembered how Mateo had broken up with her. It was so sudden that it didn’t come to her mind.

***

[Flashback]

“Have you eaten?” Ameira asked Mateo when he arrived at her apartment. She expected him to come today because he texted her that he would be here after work. He was still wearing his long white sleeves that folded up to his elbows and loosened his necktie.

Mateo didn’t answer her because he just went directly to the mini fridge to get bottled water and drink it.

“Would you like me to just order or cook for you?” Ameira asked, sat down on the tall chair, and leaned her elbow on the counter where his back was still turned.

Mateo still didn’t answer her.

‘What’s wrong with him?’ she couldn’t help but ask herself. ‘I’m not used to this. He usually kisses me when he comes to my apartment or suddenly sits next to me to cuddle me, but today, he didn’t even move closer.’

Ameira was about to speak again to ask him a question, but he already spoke, which made her stop. “I can’t have a relationship with you anymore,” Mateo said weakly while turning to face her. Even if he spoke softly, it was as if he shouted that to her and hurt every corner of her body.

“W-what?” After a few seconds of shock, that was all she could say to him. Their eyes met. Ameira couldn’t see any emotion on his face.

“Let’s break up. That’s the best thing we can do, Ameira.” Mateo just put the bottle on the counter and hurriedly left the apartment.

Ameira was left there wondering, confused, hurt, and in tears.