Page 384 of Valentino

“I need to get out of New York, Gabriel.”

“New York is your home.”

“New York is your home. I’ve been here for eight years and I ….” I shrug, not wanting to elaborate on my loneliness. “I haven’t met anyone and it’s time for me to pull up my big girl panties and move on.”

He pauses for a moment as if processing my words.

“You’re leaving me?” he whispers.

“I have to.”

His eyes search mine.

“I’m sorry.”

His jaw clenches and then without another word he marches back into his office and slams the door, it echoes as the walls shake.

Hot tears burn my eyes.

You were supposed to beg me to stay.

It’s 6 p.m. and everyone has cleared out for the day, Gabriel hasn’t left his office all day, not even for lunch.

I’ve been hoping to have a quick word on his way out, but there’s still no sign of him.

The office is deathly silent, and I quietly knock on his door.

“Yes,” he calls.

I open it and peep in, “I’m going to head off soon.”

He doesn’t look up from his computer, “Okay.”

I wait for him to look up at me…… he doesn’t.

“Close the door on your way out,” he replies flatly as he picks up a pen and starts signing some documents.

Great, now the tantrum is over, he’s going to give me the silent treatment. “Are you not talking to me?” I ask.

“I have nothing to say.” He keeps writing.

“Gabriel….”

He lets out an over-exaggerated sigh as he glances up, “What is it?”

“I don’t want this to end badly.”

“It’s already ended. You can finish now. No need to come back and work this week, I’ve signed the last of your leave documents. You are free to go.”

I get a lump in my throat as I stare at him… that’s it?

He really doesn’t care.

He keeps his head down as he writes, seemingly totally unaffected.

I will not cry in front of this selfish bastard, it’s all about him…. it’s always been about him.

I quietly close his office door and walk to my desk, I take my bag from the drawer and with one long last look around the office, I feel my heart break.