ELARA POV
My gaze was fixed on the contract document sitting right in front of me. Six years of Marcus's persistent efforts to get this position, to get this contract, to be able to move to the next level of Axiom Biotech.
But it was handed over to me. I looked up at the board members, their hands crossed, a smirk plastered on their faces. Confidence oozed out of their stares alone. I could tell they were so sure I would not reject it. They could already predict that I could not say no to this.
I also worked so hard to get here, tried every possible way to just get assigned as a surgeon in Axiom Biotech, the biggest company in New York City.
A place where everyone wants to work, wanting to become a scientist under this company. I don't think they have a rival who could ever beat them at their game.
I had dreamt of this day ever since I graduated from university, and now it was staring right at me.
I picked up the pen, was about to sign, but I thought about it. What would happen to my relationship with Marcus?
How would I bring it to him? How would I explain to him that I signed a contract he wanted so badly? It was not like I had no idea about it.
I was very much aware of his struggles. I even assisted him, writing essays, promoting his interviews, trying to prove he was the perfect one, not knowing their gaze was fixed on me. All I thought was that I could at least get an assistant position in their company.
One of the board members cleared her throat as she sat up even more fiercely. "You are taking too long. There is no time to waste. In situations like this, every second is precious. Let us know your plan. Do you still want this contract or not? Because I see no reason why you would contemplate," she muttered, so gently yet so rudely.
I dropped the pen gently, standing up as I adjusted my white coat. "If I am given a chance to think about it," I said as she raised her hands up in the air.
"No, we don't do that here in Axiom Biotech. We don't give chances for procrastination. You want this, you take it. We struggled before we picked you. You are trying to disappoint us at this point," she said as I bowed my head in respect.
"I am sorry," I said, my head still low, "but I have to reject your offer. It does not belong to me. I think it will make more sense if Marcus got this position. He is from the A9 unit, one of your best surgeons. He has struggled and done interviews to be in that position. All I ask is that you give him one more chance," I said to them, raising my head back up as the male board member laughed, clapping his hands.
"Wow. Love," he simply stated as the three of them all chuckled gently.
I knew I would look foolish, but Marcus had gone through a lot, and for no reason would I ever take away his only limelight out of greediness.
"It's not just about love; it's about giving it to the right person," I said as Raya stood up, slamming her hands on the table.
"You are a fool to believe a man is more important than your future, than your priorities. You are one of the best surgeons; you just don't know it because all your life and focus is on a man."
"You won't be given a second chance. I won't let it happen. We gave you something people are dying for, a million-dollar contract, and you are rejecting it. You will regret this," she said, closing up the letter, picking up the pen, and storming off, leaving me with the two men as they looked at me with pity.
"She always sticks to her word. You have not less than 24 hours to make a decision. Come back, and we might give you back that position," they both said and left me alone.
I picked up my phone immediately, dialing Marcus's number at least to find out his whereabouts. It rang multiple times, yet no response.
I knew he would be at home, maybe sleeping away his sorrows, knowing today was going to be the final interview and his name was not even part of the top ten.
Even my name was not there, but for some weird reason, they called me in for an interview.
I picked up my bag, stormed out, rushed to grab a cab, and went straight to Marcus's apartment. I tried his number one more time before using the spare key to open the door and stepping in.
What I saw broke me. My bag fell to the ground, making a loud thud as they both jerked up from each other. I looked at Marcus, half-naked on the sofa, and a lady who seemed familiar yet I had no idea who she was. I then saw the white coat on the table, and I could already tell she was one of his coworkers from unit A9.
I scoffed, not because I was surprised or because I expected this, but because my world came crumbling at that moment.
"Marcus, you with another woman?" I stuttered, trying to find the right words that would keep me from seeming weak.
"And so what? You've caught us. Fine," he said, the bitterness pouring out.
"This was the only way I could pour out the bitterness."
"You think I did not know you were called in for a private interview?" he said as he picked up his shirt, and she quickly picked up her coat, racing up the stairs like she owned the house.
I looked at him angrily, slowly making my way toward him. "How could you? How could you do this?"
"Because you saw my name in the interview," I yelled, trying to hold in the excruciating pain and the tears I was fighting back.
"No. I did it because I always wanted to. I'm tired of you. All you ever want is to concentrate on your stupid career. You are not ready to give me what I want. You're not ready to live your life for me and leave the job to me."
"I will be the one to take care of you. You just have to sit down and be my wife. But yet you refused. You always pushed me away whenever I had sexual urges. I had to find another way," he said as I laughed.
"That's the excuse you men always give. Sexual urges that you can't hold back. Fine. Take it to hell, because this relationship is over. Six years of our lives have come to an end now."
I said, picking up my bag from the ground, but before I could make a move, he held on to my hand.
Just when I felt this ounce of hope in me, thinking he was going to apologize and ask for a second chance, he laughed.
"So what were you called in for? Were you fired? Because I see no usefulness in you being there. And if you step out of that door, ending the six years we had together, you will lose everything you worked hard for."
"You are very much aware that you would have had no position in Axiom Biotech without my connections," he said as I laughed, flinging his hand away from me.
"Well, watch and see, because I am about to take everything you ever dreamed of. Here I was being so foolish, rejecting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you betrayed me. Watch me become more successful than you ever imagined."