Chapter 273: Quitting

Slumping into the sofa, the ladies looked at each other and started laughing as they reminisced on the act they put up at the local market.

''Did you see her face? She looked like she had just seen a ghost'' Jenny laughed and clapped her hands.

''Thank you, for having my back'' Chloe said and looked at them.

''Will you be okay, with quitting the job? I know I said you should quit it but I also know how much you love your job'' Brenda asked her.

''I really do love my job, but, I should have stopped myself before things turned out this way. I've saved a lot of money over time, I can survive on that and still be able to send my parents some allowance for some time until I get a job''

''Don't worry too much. We are all here for you. we will pitch something in together and help'' Kristine patted her thigh.

''That woman, do you think she will really try to ruin Chloe's reputation?'' Jenny asked.

''Did you see her face? She is the type that gets scared easily. She wouldn't want to mess with us after that stern warning. What Chloe needs to do now is to deliver her resignation letter on Monday and then she will be out of their lives. But, you have to be stern about it. If you dare come back and tell us your boss begged you, I will kill you myself''

'Don't worry. I am determined to leave that place. I have worked there for the past 7 years, it's about time I start thinking about myself. I was also thinking of going back to school to get a Masters' degree. It worked out well. I can start preparing for my entrance exams after I do the registration next month''

''I am so proud of you, Chloe. Your ability to bounce back is worth noting'' Jenny said.

''Because I have the three of you, I don't find it difficult to do the right thing''

''Yes, we are always here for you'' Brenda assured her.

…..

Early Monday morning, Chloe went to the office and started doing her work. If she was going to resign, it didn't mean she shouldn't do her work right. she wanted to finish everything the right way.

So when it was almost 10:00AM and her boss Arnold Clover entered the office and saw her busy working, he was quite surprised.

''Chloe?'' he called after getting into his office and seeing the neatly arranged work files on his table. he knew some of them weren't due until two months.

''Sir'' Chloe stood before him. She had her head lowered. She didn't want to look at him and be swayed by her feelings for him. Her boss was young and handsome and he took care of her at work well, but it was precisely because of those things that made her fall in love with him. If she intended to break the chain, she had to be firm about it. She couldn't disappoint herself or her friends who support her in everything.

''I saw that you've worked on all the documents?''

''Yes, sir. There is something I have to give you'' she said and placed the letter.

''What is this?'' Arnold looked at the resignation letter and frowned, 'why are you suddenly resigning?''

''I intend to go back to school and I have to start preparing for my entrance exams'' Chloe said. They had agreed that she would use the exams as the reason for her sudden resignation. It was a laudable excuse.

''Why don't I believe you? Chloe, when you are lying to me, you always have your head lowered. Your entry exam is just an excuse. Tell me the real reason'' he placed the letter aside and looked at her, ''or else I am not going to accept it''

''That is the truth. I have no other reason for suddenly quitting. I have been here for over 7 years, I now want to think about myself and do the things that I want to do, spend time with the people that are important to me''

''I see'' Arnold sighed, 'actually, I knew a day like this would come. That night, the person I kissed wasn't my fiancée, right? That person was you'' he said looking up to meet Chloe's gaze. ''I lied about not knowing the truth because I didn't want you to waver because of someone like me. I can never give you the happiness that you deserve. If you feel that leaving this job will help you to get yourself in order, I can't stop you. You are a valuable asset in this company and I came this far because I had you. I wouldn't want to see your life get ruined because of me''

''Thank you for understanding. I will continue to work until the end of the month; then, I will leave''

''Sure, that will be fine by me''

Arnold leaned against the chair and watched Chloe leave. He felt a mixture of emotions at that moment. He had started working with her for so long and had become complacent over time. That night, he was frustrating from following his father's orders that he got drunk and came to the office. He had found Chloe still working and after she made a cup of tea for him to sober up, he had impulsively kissed her.

Even though he was the one who kissed, he found out she responded and that was when he had a hunch that she might actually like him, but he couldn't bring himself to confessing to her because he had an arranged fiancée who was always stalking him and a father who would ruin Chloe if he knew about their feelings.

He didn't want to bring her any trouble. Her leaving was probably the best for the both of them, so he didn't want to stop her. He couldn't stop her. He could only blame himself for not having the courage to go for what he wanted.

...…

Chloe sat on her desk, and sighed. She still couldn't believe her job of over 7 years was finally coming to an end. She was going to close that chapter of her life and begin a new one. She was scared of the road ahead, but she was also confident that she would be able to go through the new beginning well, because she had the people that mattered and cared about her were with her.

As long as she was determined, there was nothing she couldn't achieve.

...

Kristine ran out of the restaurant after clocking out. She saw Ronald waiting for her at the car park and happily ran over and almost tripped and he held her.

''Be careful, Miss'' Ronald said and laughed.

''I missed you'' she said and heaved a breath.

''I missed you too'' Ronald pulled her into a hug.

''When did you get back?'' she asked as they got into the car. He had told her he was going to the capital to perform a risky surgery on someone. He had been gone for almost three days.

''I just got back and I came to see you''

''You must be tired. Have you eaten?''

''No, I haven't''

''Then, let's stay back. in a little while, everyone will leave, I will make you something quick to eat''

''Really?''

''Yes, what would you like to eat?''

''How about we go for groceries and then go over to my place and make the meal together?'' he suggested and she blushed.

''Didn't you say you were staying with Robyn?''

''Yes, but he moved out today, so I have the villa to myself. You don't have to worry about anything''

''Okay, let's do that then'' Kristine agreed and Ronald smiled before driving away.

''Whoa, those are the good times'' Jenny said looking at them as their car drove away. Her phone rang and she removed it and saw the incoming call from Kody and smiled.

''Hey, Kody. I just got off from work. Your new, office? Okay, I will wait for you; hurry up'' she hung up and smiled. Kody had just called her to ask her to go with him to see his new studio that he had just gotten.

….

Ronald and Kristine were picking a few groceries when Ronald's phone rang. ''Let me answer this first. it's from Robyn''

''Go ahead'' Kristine said and turned to look at a few groceries when she heard Ronald's conversation with Robyn.

''Housewarming party? Right now?'' Ronald asked and Kristine turned to look at him. ''I will tell Kris and see if she would like to go'' he hung up and looked at Kristine. ''Robyn wants to throw a housewarming party. He wants you to convince Brenda to be there''

''A housewarming party doesn't seem bad at all, but, what is with him and Brenda?''

''It seems he likes your friend''

''Whoa, then, I should help him out'' Kristine said mischievously.

''I didn't know you were such a naughty girl?''

''Well, sometimes. I will send a text to the girls in our group chat. Is there anything we need to buy for him?''

''A few drinks will do''

''On it, let's go''

''You seem more excited about the housewarming party''

''I get to eat and drink for free'' she winked at him and walked away.