Chapter 24: •RESIGNATION
Chapter 24:?RESIGNATION
"I told you, Phoenix's husband will divorce her. I won the bet. Give me two hundred dollars!"
"Her husband asked for divorce! Imagine how shocked I was when I learned about the news!"
"Oh, poor naive girl!?I wasn't mistaken that Mr. CEO married her only?for his amusement."
The two Hotel Attendants, chatted in the hallway, unaware of the fact I was walking behind them. I heard their whole conversation. Each sharp word stabbed my already bleeding heart.
They haven't noticed my presence, even after I announced myself by the sound of my heels clicking against the tiled floor. They thought I was a random person passing by.
I held my chin high after walking ahead of them and pretended, I hadn't heard the words. It took me a great amount of self-control not to return and smack their smug faces as they eagerly talk about me. I wonder what was going on inside their narrow minds to be so happy to hear such upsetting news of the divorce.
"So it's true, her husband has a mistress! I guess it was the beautiful blonde woman I saw him with? I heard she was once a model...And now she's his secretary."
The words hurt like hell, especially hearing it from the mouth of one of my co-workers whom I thought was one of my friends. I turned my fist into a ball and gritted my jaw to suppress the anger bubbling inside me.
I left the scene as soon as possible before my patience snaps. My ears refused to hear another nonsense from hypocrites who know nothing but to pull someone down because they simply could not lift their selves.
My footsteps grew heavy as I neared the manager's office. Cowardice hit me hard when I pulled into a stop right in front of the door. Thoughts of turning back hit me but I set aside the tempting thoughts and gathered all the courage I could muster to knock on the door.
"Please come in." A voice called from inside. I pushed the door open.
Ma'am Lyn, the Hotel Manager sat on her swivel chair, her gaze was directed to the paper she held in her fingers. After I caught a glimpse of what she's reading I knew exactly what are those—Hotel applicant forms for the new hotel branch.
I opened my mouth to speak yet, no words came out of my mouth. I haven't even spoken yet the tears began to pool from my eyes already. I've been such a crybaby these days. I need to harden my emotions sometimes. Crying would do me no good....only more pain.
"Ma'am Lyn." My voice cracked upon calling her name, when she finally raised her head to me, I almost burst into tears but I pulled myself together before I broke down in front of her.
"Phoenix!" She called my name out. Surprise was written all over her face. My manager thought I was still on my indefinite leave. I guess she will suffer more surprises upon I broke the news of my resignation.
"Please sit down Phoenix." She offered. I willingly obliged. My weak legs will crumble any time soon if I continue to stand longer.
"Are you alright Phoenix? My god, you looked thinner. How was your mother doing?" Concern bloomed from her eyes. I swallowed the lump on my throat when she mentioned mom.?I guess the news of my divorce traveled faster compare to the news of mom's sudden death.
"She passed away, just last week. I'm off to pick her ashes on the hospital after this."
I did my best to conceal the pain but it was impossibly hard, tears gathered at the edge of my red-rimmed eyes.
"I'm sorry for your loss Phoenix. My deepest condolence."?Lyn whispered tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. She too was fighting the urge not to burst into tears.
The manager was one of the few employees of the Elite Hotel who had been genuinely fond and kind to me. The manager was around thirty but she never once treated me as if she was older and far more superior than me.
When the manager's gaze caught the envelope on my fingers, her shocked expression lifted to me. "I-I wish you aren't here for the reason I'm thinking."
I bit my lower lip upon I saw how defeated she became.?I know that telling her about my resignation was not easy but it never occurred to me that saying goodbye could be this hard.
I took a deep, long breath to summon enough courage to place the letter on the top of the table.
"I-I am s-sorry Ma'am Lyn but I need to do this." My lips trembled while my chest heaved from emotions I did my best to control.
For a short moment,?she said nothing. Her gaze just stared at my resignation letter but she made no move to pick it up and read the contents
"I know you're not doing good Phoenix. It was not easy to lose a husband and a mother at the same time." Lyn swallowed hard, pain glitter in her eyes. "B-but are you sure you wouldn't change your mind?"
"I made up my made Ma'am Lyn. I am leaving this place for good.?Ace owns this Hotel. I would not able to escape him If I continue to work here."
"I understand Phoenix, but would it change your mind if?I tell you I am going to be transferred to the new hotel site which means I choose you to replace me as the manager of Elite Hotel."
The unexpected promotion shocked me. If things were only a bit different and this hotel wasn't owned by Ace then I would stay.
"I'm sorry Ma'am Lyn. I wouldn't change?my mind." My reply was firm and final, no amount of words will change my mind.
The manager took my hands, the kind gesture helped ease the heavyweight off my chest.?"Please take care Phoenix." She mumbled.
"Thank you, Ma'am Lyn. You too, please take care."
"I wish you all the best in life. Wherever you will go, may God bless you."
I left the manager's office quickly before I could change my mind. Helpless tears tumbled down my cheeks.
I have no regrets about leaving the place, but leaving the people who have been part of my life was making me cry.
I dried the tears from my cheeks. At least I knew I made the right decision. I told my self as I walk away.