Chapter ten

"I didn't request for a leave of absence." I say, confused by everything.

"I know. Am the one that requested it for.i know you needed it." His words trail off as a shock to me.

Why would he request a leave of absence for me? What does he mean by I needed it.

"I don't think am getting you." I say, not hiding the fact that am surprised by his action.

Felipe! Of all people, requesting for a leave of absence on my behalf__and I wasn't being fired.

Letting out a soft sigh, Felipe walks over to my side talking a seat at the edge of the table.

"You know, When I hand you most of the company's projects, it's not cause I dislike you and want to kill you with too much work load __ I love your hardwork , your determination; that's why I always trust you with different projects." His voice trails off; he obviously meant each word he said.

Honestly, I'd be lying if I say I didn't misunderstand him. All this while I knew the man hated my guts.

"If that was the case, then how come you still found reasons to be dissatisfied with my work." I ask.

I get it, he probably liked the way I handled my work__ that's alright __ but then why his rude temperate towards me.

And not just once but almost all the time.

"That I did not to make life difficult for you__trust me, you'd rather have a mean boss and not a bad relationship with your colleagues.  I knew if I was all good to you, they'd obviously find reasons to make your life hell; I didn't want to make it seem like I favoured you most over them."

"But that still doesn't explain the Three weeks leave." I speak bring up the issue of the leave of absence.

"I already told you, I love your work and for you to continue doing it perfectly, you need to be in the right state of mind __ which you aren't." His words come as a shock to me. I couldn't help it, my eyes widening in surprise and confusion.

"Wha_ what do you mean? Am not in the right state of mind."

I don't get it, one moment he's appreciating my work and the next deeming me mentally unstable.

"Relax! I hope you think am trying to send you to a mental hospital__ it's just that I have a feeling things ain't good between you and your husband."

Oh my, did Hector make it public.

I wouldn't be surprised if news got out about our fight, after all, Hector is a big figure in the business world.

He owned the largest shipping company in Spain and of last year, he was ranked the fifth richest man in the country __ he now had the media at his tail, wanting to find out everything about him.

"That_ you know, how." Even I didn't know what to say.

"Don't worry, it's not something the world knows of , I just pieced the clues together. He was here yesterday looking for you after which your friend showed up and you weren't picking up your calls and then you show up today dawning heavy make up__ I figured your trying to hide your dark circles." He says and I feel myself tongue tied.

If he could figure it out, won't the others too.

"Incase your wondering how I came to the conclusion __ I've been through four marriages and that makes it four divorces." His expression changing to a sad one but he quickly brushes it off.

So that's why he's always early.

"Thanks Felipe." I am indeed surprised by this side of him.__"but I think the three weeks quite a lot and resolving things with Hector won't take that long."

"Well, I happen to have heard that your friend, she getting married to Spain's top neurosurgeon, you obviously need time to get ready for that. Just take the time off and have fun." He says standing up from the table.

"Alright." I say finally giving in. Three weeks, I was going to make them count.

Looking back at my days, I swear to God am starting to regret the things I said about Felipe.

"Fear , looking for closure and the excuse of love. Most people use these to justify their reasons for staying in completely dead and undeserving relationships." Felipe says looking at me with a serious expression on his face.__"whatsoever you decide, make sure it's something you'll wake up to with a smile." He adds on walking out of my office.

I sit in my office still contemplating on his words. I needed to be weary of the decision I make. Whether to stay with Hector or end things.

One thing was for sure, Isla's wedding was no longer on pause, these three weeks __ I was definitely going to use it to relax my mind. Spend the most of it wisely and happily and for that to happen; all thoughts of Hector had to be sidelined.

I have to go find Isla, I had to make things right with her and then have her wedding plans on the table.

Picking up my bag, I step out of the office and motion towards the elevator.

I was going to meet up with Isla.

Outside the office building, I hail a taxi and direct him to Isla's company.

Isla formerly worked as a fashion designer at the Vitale fashions but stopped months ago. She'd finally opened her own fashion brand and it's doing extremely well.

Taking my phone out of the hand bag, I dial Isla's number but she doesn't pick up.

Was she really that pissed that she'd not pick up my calls.

Giving up, I dial Rodrigo's and the same thing __ he wasn't picking up.

Now here I was in a taxi going to a destination I wasn't sure I'd find the person am looking for.

I really can't tell whether she's at the office, Rodrigo's place or her own.

Still lost in my thoughts, the ringing tone of my phone snaps me out of my reverie.

I pick it up almost immediately after seeing the caller id.

"Goodness Rodrigo, why weren't you picking up. What if I heard something important to pass on."

"It wasn't intentional, I was just out of the office and I left my phone behind __ and as for what you have to say, I know it's not something utterly important. You're obviously calling cause Isla's probably ignoring your calls __ I heard from her that you both fought." He says, as if wanting me to fill him in with the gist.

"So she's intentionally avoiding my calls__ anyway, next time you pick up, there's a reason your doctorate uniforms usually have pockets, carry your phone with you. Now imagine I was calling to tell you, probably maybe something happened to Isla."

"That can't happen. God knows I haven't made her my wife, there's no way he could let anything happen to her."

"Alright then, Mr romantic. Please tell me where she is. Am on the way to her office, did she leave home."

" No, I left her home and with the way she looked, I don't think she had plans of going out today. She definitely has to be home."

"Alright, thanks." I say before hanging up.

Giving the Uber driver the address, we change our route and head over to Rodrigo's villa.

Reaching at the address, I pay the Uber guy and he drives off. I walk towards the door and ring the doorbell on reaching.

After, what seemed like two minutes, the door was opened and Isla stood Infront of me__ still dressed in her pyjamas.

"You just woke up." I ask on seeing her.

"Nope, I woke up a while ago and was just in bed going through my Instagram." She says.

"So you were ignoring my calls." I say whilst stepping inside.

"At least in good faith. I didn't want us to argue __ so I improvised and thought it better not to pick up."

"That's a fancy excuse for not picking up your so called besties calls." I say.

"Am sorry, Elena." She says whilst wrapping her arms around me pulling me into an embrace.

"You know, I wasn't even calling to continue our argument. I wanted to tell you that I got a three weeks leave and your weddings on." I say and she pulls away from the hug.

"And you just said you don't want us arguing." She says clearly not pleased with what I just said.

"Exactly. Look Isla. I know you think a wedding isn't something I want to see or attend right now __ but as long as it yours, I have no problem with it; besides am not going to cry over Hector for forever." I say convincing her to get on with her wedding plans.

There was absolutely no reason for her to postpone it, moreso not over Hector Aguilar Lopez.

"Am not sure I can be okay with it. Your my friend, how am I supposed to be happy when you clearly ain't."

"Now you're the one being stubborn." I say throwing all weight on the couch. " am happy, genuinely, am happy that you get to be happy and for Hector__ I don't see reason why I should be holding onto that, he's clearly chosen what he wants and it's not with me ."

"Are you sure, you want us to do this." She says her expression still a worried one.

"Yes. I already called Tara , Marietta and Jelena. They're on their way and you get to choose what we do first as they land."

"We're going to the night club." She says, and I smile knowing she's finally let her guard down.

Hope this chapter was lovely. Don't forget to vote and comment ♥️ Hazelernice.