36 After-effects

Even though my mind conjured up an immensely satisfying image of slapping my resignation in Caleb's face and walking out of this wretched place with my head held high, the real world worked a lot differently.

For one, there was no slapping-my-resignation-in-the-face part when the said face was missing long before I had managed to type the letter.

Maybe it was my haze of anger that didn't let me see Caleb leave, or a hidden trap door within the cabin that I was unaware of, but by the time I returned, the cabin was empty except for a very defeated looking Leo hunched over on a chair.

He barely looked up from his staring spot near his shoes as I walked in, looking as lost and worn-out as I felt from within.

Which was just as well, I thought as I placed my envelope onto the desk. I didn't want another ruckus that was sure to ensue if Leo decided to talk me out of this.

For another, as much of a relief as it would've been to never set foot back here, I had to serve a month long notice period before walking out, or have the word, "abscond" get stamped onto my employee records permanently. And I was not having that.

"That transfer offer still stands, you know?" Leo spoke gruffly as I turned back towards the door to leave.

"I'll serve the notice period," I replied instead, without looking back.

"One month, and then I'll be gone."

For some reason, I felt guilt bubbling inside me even though I knew none of what had just happened was my fault.

Leo sighed, and I dared to turn back to look at him. His shoulders were still hunched and right then, he looked more defeated than ever.

"I'm sorry, Leo," I said in a near whisper voice, even though I wasn't exactly sure what I was apologizing for.

But Leo seemed to understand, for he looked up at me with a sad smile and nodded once. As I turned back to leave though, he spoke again.

"Take the rest of the day off, Ruth."

I turned back again, this time with a frown. It wasn't even 3pm on a friday, afterall.

"But its mid-day," I replied in confusion.

"I'm aware of that." He spoke without looking at me as he dropped his head back and stared up at the ceiling now.

"And its weekend. There's two days off after today."

"I know what a weekend is, honey."

"Then why would you-" I didn't get to finish my sentence as Leo finally looked at me. But this time, his look wasn't tender and brotherly. It wasn't even friendly. He looked at me like the owner of the company I worked for. And, he looked like a person who didn't like his decisions to be questioned.

"Because I can, Ms. Brooke. Because Caleb will come off his adrenaline high and ass-brained attitude soon enough, and I don't want another spectacle here. For whatever intents and purposes, we took this place over. And I'd be damned if I let Caleb, Tristan or anybody else taint my family's name. What might happen off the clock is another matter altogether."

He stood up as he talked, making full use of his height as he continued, "Go home, Ruth. Take the day off. Enjoy your birthday weekend."

Without another word or question, I turned to leave, still reeling from all the things Leo had just said, and the fact that he knew of, and remembered my birthday.

**

When I think about the word 'enjoy', it never comes with the same thought of having a house full of long lost relatives and their friends all under one roof while I slave off in kitchen, hustling to make sure every one of the thousand mouths are fed.

But that's exactly what happened after I reached home that afternoon. Unlike me, Shy was having a perfectly normal day at school so of course, she wasn't home. I was left to stew over my day - my whole week, my whole freaking life - alone.

Usually, I loved having the house to myself. Loved the peace and solitude. But today, not so much. So when my phone chimed with a message from my mother reminding me to be at her house by 6pm, I was only too happy to get myself some distraction.

3 hours later, I wasn't sure what to do to distract myself from this distraction.

"Happy birthday, Ruth my dear. You look so cute!" one of my mother's eldest sisters came in through the kitchen doors and hugged me.

Even though I've grown up here and spent nearly all my birthdays with them, getting hugged and patted on the head still made me feel like a 7 year old.

Not to mention, the word, 'cute' set my teeth on edge. But years of ingrained manners made me refrain from any comments as I hugged her back.

"In advance, you mean?" I reminded her as I pulled back and let her fuss over my hair and dress.

"Oh pish. Its less than 3 hours from now anyways."

It was, but try as I might, I felt very little joy on my birthday this year. I blamed it on being freshly out of job, but subconsciously I knew that wasn't the only reason.

Still, I exhaled, deciding on enjoying what little ways I could, but it seemed that was not on my cards today at all.

As if on cue, Ellen Cole entered the kitchen at that moment looking like she had a million dollar secret up her sleeves, killing whatever hope of joy was left within me.

"Ruth! My dear, are you okay?" She rushed in, hugging me like a concerned mother-hen. I had to hand it to her though, for a moment, she actually did look as concerned as she acted and even I was taken back by her sudden love for me.

"Sure, I am. Why won't I be, Ellen?" I asked into her shoulder as she kept hugging me. If anyone saw us now, they'd think she was consoling me.

Especially as she asked, "Are you sure, Ruthie? You can let it all out with me. We might have grown up, but I'm still the person you confide in, afterall."

She wasn't. Not even close. But right then didn't seem like the time to point it out, especially since I could barely breath, let alone talk.

"Oh, for God's sake Ellen? What's this about?"

Her concern was making me nervous. For a brief moment, I was actually alarmed that something bad has happened and she was actually worried.

But that was until she pulled back and I sensed a spark of excitement behind her facade.

"I was so worried how you have been coping, Ruth. If you wanna talk to someone, I'm here to listen, okay?"

I had a bad feeling about where this was going, but before I could nip the topic in its bud, my aunt spoke up.

"Would you tell us what happened, Ellen?"

All three of us were standing in the kitchen, but I could've sworn that every head outside turned towards us as they somehow sensed a scandal in the making.

"Oh you didn't tell them? Ruth just resigned from her job today!"