Love, curves and heartbreak Chapter 63

The world always seems to move at its own pace, and one day seems exactly the same as the previous one. However, when you make an important decision, it seems that everything speeds up, just like when you go on vacation and feel like you're experiencing so much at the same time, making your days feel different.

But the reality is that time doesn't change: each day still consists of the same twenty-four hours. It's you who changes, your perception. We are always changing.

I had a few weeks left, and Suzy was preparing a farewell for me, helping me with all the arrangements, and getting ready to move in herself. Parting with her was not going to be easy, but we could always travel to see each other, and maintaining our friendship from a distance was still possible.

With Tommy, I kept in touch, calling each other, and exchanging photos and memes. Anything is possible when you want to stay connected to the people you love. An I need them in my life.

However, a few weeks later Tommy told me that he was coming to town, which coincided with my little farewell party organized by Suzy. I already knew the reason, as Lily had informed me. Shortly after their wedding, Lily had discovered she was pregnant.

The Fairfaxes were ecstatic, and despite being very busy with this significant change in her life, she had written to me a couple of times to share the news. It was truly wonderful news, and I was genuinely happy for her.

Tommy came because they were going to organize a baby shower, and he convinced me to attend, saying it was a good opportunity to bid farewell to the Fairfaxes. I assumed that Ethan would not be there; he must be in Europe, perhaps planning to return for the baby's birth. I still haven't decided what to do.

Additionally, I was apprehensive about going, but at the same time... the Fairfaxes had been so kind to me that I felt it was important to say goodbye, let them know that we wouldn't be seeing each other for a long time, and thank them for everything. Perhaps it was the best opportunity for closure that I would have.

The countdown to my departure began, and it felt like a long time had passed when, after numerous calls, online searches, ticket purchases, and various other arrangements, I had everything quite organized.

And here I was in the office, the one I had avoided visiting so much, the one I hated coming to simply because Kate was there with all her animosity toward me. But I had to do it, I had to take an important step, one that was very difficult for me—more than you know.

It hadn't been an easy job, nor had it brought extreme happiness, but it had taught me and helped me gain self-confidence. During the last few months, I had become somewhat of a workaholic, traveling, meeting with clients, and doing my best, mostly to distract my mind. But this was now the day that marked an end.

"Are you leaving?" Clark asks me, clearly surprised. I nod. "No... I can't believe it. I thought you were going to build a career here and move to a better position in a few years," he says with a shocked expression.

"I want to start a new life, a fresh start. I'm leaving town; I've been accepted into a more advanced design course than the one you signed me up for. It has always been my dream. Someone once told me that it's never too late," I confess, sharing the details of my decision.

"I must say, on one hand, I am happy for you. It must have been a difficult decision, but I see your determination and honesty, Priscilla. You have everything it takes to succeed. It's true that you didn't have formal studies, but you have the attitude, and many times you've demonstrated that you also have the knowledge. On the other hand, it makes me very sad. I feel like we didn't support you enough... I didn't support you enough. Mr. Fairfax left great recommendations for you, and many clients rely on you. No doubt, it will be hard to tell them about your departure. You're not going to make it easy for us, I must say... but changes happen, I suppose," he says.

I think he doesn't look very happy, but there's nothing to do. It's my decision.

"I will work two more weeks and prepare Nancy. She is excellent at what she does. If she has support, help, consideration, and someone patient enough to explain the details, everything will be fine," I tell him.

And so it was. Nancy was the one who was most affected by my departure. She thanked me a thousand times for everything I taught her, and above all, for my support and friendship. I didn't know it had made such an impact on her, but I was happy about that.

In that first week, there was a lot of work, and everything began to fall apart, especially Kate's poor work, which began to be noticed more because I dedicated myself almost exclusively to Nancy. It's not that I carried everything, nor was I the only one who worked, but apparently, many relied on me, especially Clark and Kate.

"What are we going to do without you? It seems like everything is in chaos," my boss whispered, stunned on a particularly stressful day.

I was still working, but feeling that this was less and less my responsibility. Suddenly, I realized all the energy I had put into this job, the overtime, the sleepless nights thinking, the days when I forgot to eat, so much effort... and now I don't know if it was well paid or if it was worth it. I learned a lot, but everything has a cost.

In my last days, I was with Nancy trying to help her, but also recommending that she put a line between her private life and work. That time did not pass, and she realized the same thing that happened to me.

I gave too much of my life, and now I leave it as if nothing. There is a life outside, a wonderful world, with friends, family, dreams, more important things. One afternoon, as I was leaving, I ran into Clark, and he asked to speak to me privately.

"You know, Priscilla... I've realized that I didn't really appreciate you. I mean, I always knew you did a superb job. I must admit that part of the reason I gave you opportunities in the best projects was because Mr. Fairfax recommended you. Ethan insisted that you had to be involved in those projects; it was his condition to bring his best clients," he tells me, and I am shocked by that confession.

“What…”

I can´t believe it.

"I had no doubt that those important clients could have gone to another company, but Ethan convinced them to come here. He subtly placed that condition on me: you had to lead them. I honestly thought it was because you had known each other since you were kids. He mentioned that your families were long-time friends and that... he wanted to help you. He never confessed it to me, but it was obvious that he was very focused on your career," he says very seriously, and I sit there, in front of his desk, surprised, not knowing what to say.

"I... I never... I didn't know."

"I must say that I had my doubts, but your work was highly appreciated. And Ethan did everything to support you. He has been a wonderful partner. Sometimes I wondered why he came to work with us; I'm sure other companies would have been more attractive" he says calmly.

That's actually really weird. Clark is right, Ethan is such a good businessman. What is he doing here? All this time? Is because his family?

"Also, the fact that he has done everything to help me realize that you were an exemplary worker. And I'm sorry I found out so late. I shouldn't have underestimated you; I should have been able to see your potential, even without you having a degree or formal studies. Beyond that, how you seem to carry this design department on your shoulders, with a lot of strength and determination,"

I'm still in shock. I never thought that someone would notice everything I did, all the energy I put into my work. For once, it feels good to be recognized. It feels very good. I didn't know what to think of Ethan, but it was obvious... he had given me that push. He had always helped me.

"I would do everything for you to stay, but I understand and admire your decision. That's why I wanted to give you this," he says, and hands me a piece of paper with some company addresses.

"There is a list of companies I have contacts with in Seattle. I sent them a recommendation of your work and told them that they would be very lucky to have you. I don't know if they have any vacancies, but it's a start," I'm really touched, and I want to hug him, but I hold back. He´s not a hugger. So I just thank him, deeply. As I'm about to walk out the door of his office, he asks me one last question.

"Since you are one of our design specialists, any recommendations for the future?"

"That you hire and keep people who really work. Nancy is good; she deserves a chance, but she needs a supportive team," he gives me a sad smile, shaking his head.

"I know what you mean. There are certainly people who talk more than work. Noted. Thanks for everything, Priscilla, and good luck."