Someone banged on the door outside Cave's office.
"Come in." He dropped his pen, and faced the door.
The secretary stepped in. She was clutching her clipboard.
The door silently closed behind her.
"Hello, sir."
"Oh, what's going on, Caroline?" He cleared the seat in front of him. "Anything new?"
She calmly took a seat. "There has been a new project."
She flipped over her clipboard, and handed it to him.
"Test Shaft 12 is almost done."
"Oh, great." His grin broke into a smile, "Alright. It's all done."
"What? What is it? There's some project still required to be done."
"Not for you."
"I, uh, had to… um."
The usually talkative CEO had lost his pace.
"What is it? Tell me. I can get it done, in no time."
"They sent me this…" He shakily handed her a note, "They want you to go…"
"Where?" She took the note, and started to read it.
"I'm sorry, Caroline…"
She covered her mouth, and tears began to roll down her eyes. For a few moments, Cave looked at her, as his beloved secretary learn the truth. He knew he could do nothing about it.
"As much as I had much of a—"
"Can we?" She started to choke on her tears, "I can… I can…"
"I'm sorry. Really. That's what they told me."
"I'll be a better—"
She can't talk anymore. She and the man behind the desk both know they could not save it.
She had always been positive, even at its worse times. She never dared to leave him, even a slight sidestep would create a new layer of longing for him. All the years, as she's thinking right now, is all down the drain. There's nothing she can think of to cheer herself up now.
"I… I… actually…"
"No need. Just go. You knew how to. We'd both be free. I loved to my future grave all those years you gave me. You work the hardest. You know the most on how this company works. You knew my best, and you've served me well."
"I'll work for free." Her last ditch effort came streaming out of her mouth. All she wanted to is to stay with her boss. Is that too much to ask? Has she missed deadlines? Had anyone disliked her and now pressured Cave to do it? Or was it Cave himself?
"Listen. You are the best person, let alone employee, that I have ever met. The thing is, it's my fault. I weren't…"
"What is it?" She started to swallow her tears.
"Anyway. Just go! I don't need you!" As he became more angry, she cried harder.
"You can have your freedom! Take it! I just want you gone! Out of my office!"
"No…"
He pointed to the door. "Over there!" He stood up.
"Door's right there! Can't you see? You can go now!"
"Please don't…"
"I'll have them pack your stuff for you," He hastily replied, "You can leave now, Miss Caroline!"
"You may go now…" His voice faltered.
"Just leave…"
She broke down. Not only her feelings, but herself too. She dropped to her knees, hands cupping her own face. In shame. In regret. She completely had given up any remaining embers to relight the relationship with him. She knew that it's over.
"Why…" She asked. "Tell me, I could make myself even—"
At this point, even I can't catch what she's saying anymore. Her voice were drowned by her sobbing, panting, and everything in between. She felt like her life has no more meaning now.
"C'mere."
Cave embraced her. She held on for dear life. She will not let him go.
"Clean up." She nodded, and took the tissue. Her face was soon dry from her tears.
"I'm so sorry."
"You don't have to apologize. I have to."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I actually want to tell you about this. You listening?"
"Yes."
"It's about…"