Claire

I stood transfixed on the spot. Eyes wide, mouth agape in shock. The exhilarating feeling of total satisfaction derived from intense orgasms Ben gave me this morning all disappeared like smoke on a windy day, as if I imagined it. In fact, I was still on the high when I stepped into the office. Gazing down at my hand clutching the envelope that Mr. Harley handed to me, my hand shook in apprehension. 

For a heart beat, I went silent. “Your services are no longer needed. Best of luck, Miss Anderson.” He declared, waving me off. As I turned, walking to the entrance, Agatha, my colleague, stopped me. “I’m so sorry, you’re affected by the retrenchment exercise. Actually, it’s ongoing. Have you read your letter? You need to do that  first. You might have something to pick up from the Accounting department.” I was grateful for the information but still couldn’t utter a word,  instead I nodded my appreciation. I opened the envelope and read.

CISCO Group headquarters,

SW 3, Silverscape.

Termination of Employment

Dear Miss Claire Anderson,

This letter is to formally notify you that your employment with  this Company  has been terminated.

The decision  was  made based on company restructuring. 

However, you will receive your final paycheck, including payment of any outstanding wages and any accrued unused leave, in accordance with company policy and applicable labor laws. You’re advised to pick up all  payments  from the Accounting department.

Kindly return all company property in your possession (such as ID cards, equipment, laptops, keys, documents) on or before your last working day.

We appreciate the efforts you put into every assignment  during your time with us and wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely, Hawke Felt

Head of HR Department  

for Chairman/ CEO

Then, I realized how right Agatha was so I walked briskly to Accounting where I handed in my ID card and three official passes, then I picked up another envelope containing a check of  USD 7,300. When I saw it, my mood lifted a bit. My bank was next door where I promptly deposited the check. If I were honest, the dismissal didn’t come as a surprise. I’ve wanted to change jobs from the beginning of the year. I never expected to be laid off, especially today that I was in such high spirits. I had promised Ben I would bring home a bottle of our favourite wine  to put us in the perfect

Mood for a repeat of what we had that morning. As soon as I got the bottle, the route Ab bus took me to Hero square where council apartment builds were located.

Getting off the bus, I made my way home, a block away from the bustop. I walked up the stairs, heading straight for my apartment, when I heard my landlord hollering.

“Jeffrey, if you cannot pay your rent anymore, get out!” he roared, and I took it as my cue to go back down the stairs.

Backpedaling isn’t a crime, is it? Well, I did what I had to do to survive. Besides, I wasn’t owing rent, but that man could come up with one thing or the other as soon as he saw me. So I decided to use the elevator, aware that there was the risk of it malfunctioning.

The beep of the elevator jolted me back to reality. I was already sleeping as I leaned against the mirror. My jet black hair was a mess from the heat of the summer. I adjusted the blazer, which was draped on my arm, and held the plastic bag containing my lasagna and the bottle of Merlot. It had been a long day with passive-aggressive coworkers, a dismissal letter, and to make the day worse, the strap of my sandal  busted again.

I stepped out of the elevator into the corridor, heading for my apartment. That was my home, my sanctuary. 

Tired from the day’s troubles, I got to my apartment door, finally ready to rest my tired bones and sleep. The door was slightly ajar. Alarm bells went off in my head. As soon as I stepped inside, my legs froze midstep. The plastic bag I held in my hand hit the floor with a thud as my fingers lost their grip. The bottle inside rolled out. Eyes wide like saucers, mouth agape in utter shock, I took in the state of my living room. It had been emptied. The beige sofa I bought with my first paycheck was gone. The framed artwork I found at a fair in Buldersville was gone. The TV, the stand beneath it, the Persian rug, the books and scented candles, even the god-damned floor lamp, were all gone.

I hesitated by the door, not able to move, or comprehend what just happened, not sure it was my apartment, I took two steps back out of the room onto the corridor. Glancing up to check the number above the door frame, 45. It’s my room. I took some steps back to check again. Not believing nor trusting that what I saw was real. It was my apartment alright. My heart thumped in my chest as confusion clouded my eyes. What happened here? Was I even breathing? I must be dreaming. My eyes swept across the room several times. Was this some type of prank or a sick joke?

The outline of dust particles framed the places where furniture were once sitting.

“Ben,” I called.

“Ben, what the hell is going on?”

There was no response. My chest tightened,  my feet stood rooted to the spot, for several moments. Then they moved me toward the kitchen. The coffee machine was gone. Also were the mugs, the plate racks which we had put together. There was no trace of anything. It was all raided and abandoned. 

I saw red as a sharp shriek escaped my mouth. Pain, hurt, aggression and anger were contained in that one sound as panic and confusion surged inside me.

I ran out of the kitchen into the bedroom. My heart is still thudding in my chest.

I discovered all I had was a bed frame and no mattress or pillows. His clothes were gone. Every drawer was left open and emptied. I’m surprised he even left the drawers or even the wardrobe.

I still had my things, my clothes, shoes and bags that I bought at the flea market. I glanced around. Perhaps I could find a clue as to what exactly happened here. I didn’t find anything.

I totally needed to call Ben. With trembling fingers, I pulled out my phone from the bag and dialed his number. The call went straight to voicemail.

I called again like I didn’t hear the female voice telling me, “Please leave a message on the beep.” 

I was placed on voicemail yet again. I searched the other room hoping to find out it was just a prank. But the further I walked, the more  it wasn’t. Were we robbed? But all clues pointed at the negative. Ben did this? It couldn’t be, but wasn’t it unusual for his phone to be unreachable? 

I saw him this morning. I was in bed with him and we made passionate love today. Therefore, there was no reasonable excuse for Ben to do this. 

One thing was clear though, if it was true that he did this, then he  must have planned this in advance. 

I should have sensed something was off when he ate me this morning to wake me up. He never did except when he was drunk. And he only permitted me to use my hands on him instead of my mouth, then went ahead and gave me the best fuck of my life. 

We were at it for hours, not aware it was his parting gift. 

Suddenly, everything became as clear as day. Ben had gone, leaving me alone and stranded.

I moved into the bathroom and checked the small crawl space I usually keep my savings, only to find it empty. But there was a note in its place.

Dear Claire,

You have no business being with someone as magnificent as me. I’m tired of you, of your mediocre lifestyle and I think it’s time for us to go our separate ways. Take heart. I know you’ll find someone who’ll wipe away your tears. Love, Ben.