SOPHIE'S POV

As we walked alongside each other to work, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Venessa. She was more than just a colleague; she was my rock, my confidante. I still remembered the first day we met. It was during the Regan Marketing Agency Recruitment interview two years ago. It was her smile that made me feel at ease amidst the nervousness of facing an interview panel. Out of the thirty applicants, we were among the lucky fifteen selected, and I felt fortunate to be on the same team as her.

Her outgoing outspoken personality complemented my introverted nature; we made a great team. I remembered the time our company had to carry out a job haunt campaign in one of the colleges in town, which happened to be my alma mater and I was tasked with making the arrangements. My stomach churned at the thought of visiting Wilcox College, a place that held the worst memory for me. But Venessa, being a team player, took up the project without hesitation.

"You don't have to worry, we're a team. I'll get it done. Just make the office arrangements," she had offered.

From that day on, I made a promise to myself to take care of the office work, while Venessa handled meetings with clients and sealing deals. It was a partnership that worked seamlessly, and I was able to hide behind my desk, using Venessa as my umbrella.

As we strolled down the road, I glanced at her prominent, confident figure. Her stride made me feel safe and protected. I knew I could always count on her, and that feeling was priceless.

"Hey, Venessa, thanks for everything," I confessed.

Venessa turned to me, her eyes sparkled with warmth. "Anytime, Sophie. We're friends, remember?"

I smiled. A sense of comfort wash over me. Yes, we are friends and I was grateful for it.

As we approached the bus stop, Venessa turned to me and said, "You know, Sophie, I've been thinking......." But the sound of an oncoming vehicle interrupted her voice "shall we?" She offered Instead.

And with that, we boarded the bus, ready to take on the day and whatever challenges came our way.

As we walked into the office, a sensed a chaos filled the atmosphere. People scurried about. Their faces tense with urgency. My heart raced, wondering what was amiss.

Mia's words only added to my anxiety. "Great!, timing is everything. Mr. Rowland wants to see both of you."

My mind raced with questions. What had I done wrong? I replayed my tasks from the past few days, but nothing seemed out of order."Any idea why he's calling?" I asked unable to hold my curiosity. Mia gave the look that suggests something was amiss. I could hear my heart pound. Why was I scared?

Venessa's expression was unreadable. I suspected she was hiding something from me.

But with courage both of us took a stride into Mr. Rowland's office, "Have you informed her?" he asked. His strict demeanor made my heart skip a beat. Informed me about what? My eyes darted to Venessa, but her expression was inscrutable.

He grabbed a memo on his table, handed it over to me. The memo in my hand felt like a ticking time bomb. Auditing? Layoffs? My heart raced as I scanned the page. Mr. Rowland's words only added to my panic. "You have no achievement under your name.....but I want to give you an opportunity" He concluded. The weight of his words crushed me.

Upon hearing that, Venessa stormed out of his office. What was going on? I wondered. I rushed after her, my breath rising. "Nessa, what's going on? I'm a little bit confused." I said

Her response was laced with anger. "Remember our promise. I'll always be the one to meet up with the clients while you do the office works. That's been the way it is. Don't forget that."

My mind raced with thoughts, I'm sure I have not broke our promise yet. "Calm down, Nessa. You know I have no interest in meeting clients." But Venessa's anger was unyielding.

As I returned to Mr. Rowland's office, my heart felt heavy with shame. "Well, sir, for the past two years, you haven't assigned me any task except office works, so..."

Mr. Rowland's response was a slap in the face. "Then see it as me saving your life."

The ledger in his hand was a cold reminder of my failures. No achievements, no contracts. I felt like a failure, a marketer without a purpose.

Mr. Rowland's words were a lifeline, a chance to redeem myself. But at what cost? Accepting that would be breaking my promise to Venessa, and I feared our friendship might never be the same.

As I emerged from Mr. Rowland's office, I felt like a defeated soldier. My shoulders slumped in surrender. Venessa's anger was palpable, and I knew I had to make things right. I approached her and Mia, my heart heavy with regret.

"Can we talk, Nessa?" I mumbled

Venessa's eyes narrowed, her expression unforgiving.

"Did you reject it or accept?" she demanded.

I took a deep breath, trying to explain. "Actually, I had no other choice. He said—" But Venessa cut me off, her words piercing my heart.

"Don't bother explaining. You broke our promise."

A stinging sensation beclouded my eyes as tears began to form.

"It's not like that. I'm also lost here," My cracked voice whispered.

Mia stood there watching, her attempt to comfort me felt hollow.

"I'm sure she will understand you," Mia said, before returning to her seat.

I stood there like a lost puppy drained in the rain. As if on cue, my phone vibrated, a lifeline in my moment of despair. It was Laura, my old friend.

Her text was a beacon of hope. "Hey, I'm in town. Free for lunch?"

I needed a escape, a chance to clear my head. I replied to Laura, my fingers trembling. "Yes, I'm free. Where are you?"

As I waited for Laura's response, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this lunch would be the distraction I needed to forget my troubles.

I took a deep breath, wiped away my tears, and headed out of the office, leaving my heartache behind.