Broken

NINETEEN

Leila's POV

I was scrambling the eggs when I saw Adam get into the kitchen ready for work.

"Good morning, Leila."

"Good morning, Adam. How was your night?"

"It was okay.", he replied while he took some orange juice and drank some that he'd poured into a cup.

Making my face look as nonchalant as possible, I turned to look at him.

"Can we talk, after breakfast?"

He drew his brows together while he kept his eyes on me. If he was expecting my face to portray my thoughts, he was wasting his time. I turned back to the stove and took the eggs off the plate.

"Okay."

Emilia was already sitting on the table and they exchanged greetings while I served breakfast. After our short meal, I went with Emilia to the bus that was waiting for her. On my way back to the house, I took deep breaths, trying to compose myself.

Being in one room with him shouldn't be that big a problem.

He was sitting on the couch, typing on his phone. When he saw me, he put his phone down and focused on me. I sat down on the opposite couch, trying to put a little distance between us.

"Ok, Leila. What did you want to tell me?"

I remained quiet for a little while. Finally, I mastered up my courage and said it.

"I quit."

His eyes widened a little before he composed himself.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm saying that I do not want to work here anymore."

After a short while of digesting the news, he ruffled his hair a little, and took a breath while he was not looking at me. His eyes became hard, showing that he was not pleased at all.

"Why? Is the pay too little?"

I quickly shook my head.

"No, it's not."

"Then what is it? I've been a good employer, Emilia is not even a nagger. Why do you want to leave?"

Luckily, while I slept in bed last night, I'd thought of this question popping up, so I had the perfect answer.

"I can't honestly be a nanny all my life. I know that I didn't go to university, but I also know that with my high grades, I can find a job that needs more than just cooking and cleaning."

He kept on looking at me, like he was looking for something; a lie, maybe. Ok, it had been a white lie, but I'd honestly thought of my life and how it would be in the future, and being a nanny was not in it. I looked back at him, so that he could see that I was quite serious about what I'd said.

"Seems like you've put much thought into this."

I nodded, not wanting to say anything at that time. His face had also become blank, almost indifferent to what was happening.

"When do you plan to leave then?"

"Today."

His brows rose a fraction.

"Today?! What? Does it have to be so quick?"

"Yes, it does. I need to at least start looking for the job as soon as possible."

"What about Emilia then? Who'll take care of her on such a short notice?"

I was prepared for all this when it would happen.

"I have a friend who was in need of a job, so I told her to come today. She's probably on her way."

"And how do I know that she's going to be good for the child?"

"Why would I endanger her with someone I didn't trust, Adam? I love Emilia. Don't worry. She is a professional, a whole lot more professional than me."

He looked lost for words when I said all that, but I didn't have a choice. I couldn't live in this house if all I was going to see was Jane and Adam going out on dates. What if she ended up moving in when they had become a couple, and I had to see that everyday? I had to leave, and let myself get into an environment where I could mend my heart in peace. I had to leave. I just had to!

"You really had thought this through. That explains why you were all quiet these past few days. You were plotting on how you were going to leave this place so unannounced."

He stood up unceremoniously, his expression showing anger and betrayal. I remained seated while he grabbed his suitcase and looked at me once more.

"Goodbye, Leila. Till we meet again."

Without another word, he strode out of the house and speed drove away. I brushed off a few tears that had dared to escape, took in a deep breath and called Vanessa, the girl who was going to take my place.

********

I knocked at Tori's door at 2 pm, because I knew that she'd be home today. She opened it and was shocked to see me with my bag.

"Love....."

The emotions began to build up then, making me shed a few tears by her doorstep. She immediately gave me a hug and let me in.

"I quit my job."

"I know. Take your bag to your room and we'll watch some sad movies together. And sing some sad songs too?"

I nodded my head and went to my room. After putting the bag on the bed, I went to the sitting room and watched TV with my girl. Each and every time we saw a happy couple on the screen, i'd boo at them and even throw pillows to the screen, munching on my snacks.

"I guess this is a bad time to tell you."

Turning from the screen, I looked at my friend who kept her attention on it.

"Tell me what?"

She gingerly raised her hand, and I saw a ring shine on her finger. I smiled then and hugged her.

"Why wouldn't you tell me that Gabe proposed? When did he??"

She shrugged.

"You have your issues going on, and I didn't want my engagement to make you feel worse."

I shook my head and smiled, sadly realizing that my sadness was rubbing off on her, making her sad too at a time she had to be happy. I held her hands and petted them.

Be happy for your friend. Forget boy drama for a little bit.

"Don't worry about that. It happens every once in a while in a person's life. Now...... let's focus on real matters."

She began to tell me all about it, how he'd taken her out on a picnic date and while she ate her cupcake, she came across the ring in her mouth. He then went down on one knee and proposed.

Oh, it must've been so magical. If only I'd been there to witness it all.

"We have to start planning your engagement party, then the wedding. I can't wait!"

********

Okay, I know that this is quite short, but I did it for a reason. I'm left with one chapter, or so I think, to finish this book. That one is going to be a long one😸. Ciao, and God bless y'all!!❤️🌼