CHAPTER 16 : Heartache Over Heartache

“That was tiring.” Luna said, slumping on her office chair.
“Oh, you’re back. How’s that case going?”
“Bad. Really bad.”
“Really?”
“I might not win this case.”
“That bad?”
“Yes, that bad.”
They were still talking about the cases that they handled that day when the CEO’s secretary went up to them and cut their conservation.
“Uhm, excuse me.”
“Uhhh. Yes? Is there anything we can help you with?”
“Mr. Livingstone wants to see you both.”
“Now?”
“I’m afraid, yes.”
“I guess we should go before we call it a day.”
“I guess we should.” Alicia agreed.
After relaying the CEO’s message, the secretary went back to her office, leaving Luna and Alicia alone again. They stayed a bit, trying to finish the conversation they had before heading to the CEO’s office.
“Ah, yes. Luna and Alicia.”
“Is there any problem, Sir?”
“Well, I don’t want to sugarcoat things. I want to be completely honest to my employees.”
“What happened, Sir?”
“I’m sorry to give this news to you, but our firm is in a difficult situation right now. The success of this new big firm in town, some of our partners withdrew their partnership and ended the contract with us, leaving us in this budgetary impasse.”
They couldn’t process the news that had been laid upon them, that they both fell silent. Luna and Alicia just looked at each other, fearing to lose their jobs, and then looked at their boss with a questioning look. In which their boss answered, “I know what you both are thinking and the answer is yes. We need to lay off some employees to aid the problems. I know we should’ve let everyone know sooner so that they can prepare, it’s our fault that we hid this for a while from all of you and I am sorry for that.”
Alicia, the bold and blunt lady that she was, asked the inevitable, “So, are we going to keep our jobs or we’re one of those people who get laid off?”
“The board had been discussing this for about two weeks and we’ve finally come up to a decision. I’m sorry, but the company opted to keep the veterans and old employees. I commend you both with your hard work and the honor that you brought to the company by winning cases, but I’m afraid I have to let you both go.”
Luna and Alicia tried to keep a straight face and remained professional, despite the heartbreaking news.
“It’s okay, Sir. I’m sure we’ll land a job soon, I’m sorry for your loss.” Alicia said, fuming inside. With that, they both left the CEO’s office and decided to go home.
“Why don’t we go shopping?”
“Really, Alicia?”
“You know, just to clear our head or something. Come on.” Alicia said while grabbing Luna’s hand, dragging her into the boutique by their side.
“I guess you’re right and I don’t have that much choice because you’re basically dragging me right now.”
“Look.” Alicia said, showing the cute dress she saw.
“That would look good on you.”
“It’s perfect for a vacation at a resort. Hmmm. Maldives, maybe.”
Alicia and Luna stayed for quite a while, looking from one rack to the other – using one hand to scan the clothes, while the other was holding the outfits that they’ve picked. After paying, they went out with a big smile on their face.
“That was fun.” Luna beamed.
“Let’s buy some food for take out and go home?”
“Sure. Where?”
“Right now, I want some comfort food. I want pizza, fries, lasagna, and ice cream.”
“Sounds scrumptious. I’m drooling already.”
“When it comes to food, you never say no.” Alicia joked.
“I mean…food is life, you know.” Luna replied, and they both laughed at the same time afterwards as they started walking towards the food court. Unlike to the time that they spent inside the boutique, they left the restaurant right away after receiving their orders.
As soon as they arrived at their apartment, they charily put the papers bags that they were carrying on their living area and started preparing for dinner. Alicia went ahead to the kitchen as she was in charge with the food, while Luna stayed at the living area. She was tasked to arrange and prepare the living room, and pick the movies or series that they will binge watch—Luna chose to watch Friends as she thought that they both needed a good laugh.
They were in episode 10 when Luna suddenly asked, “What’s the plan now?”
“I don’t really know. I am so down at the moment.” Alicia replied, pausing the show.
“I know we will be able to find a new firm soon, I mean we’ve proved ourselves in our field. Won a lot of cases.”
“Or we can just apply to the rival firm for revenge.” Alicia joked to ease and comfort themselves.
“Why we don’t we try?”
“Really though. I think we also have been pushing ourselves to the limit for our work since before, maybe we should take this time to have a little break before applying.”
“We’ve saved enough from our salary to pay for this apartment even for a year and we would still have enough money to have a vacation. Maybe we should move, too.”
“Find a new apartment?”
“Yeah—or maybe find a condo. I mean, Luna, I’ve observed you these past few days. I know you’re not okay even if you don’t tell me. I didn’t want to pry either, but I’m guessing that something happened between you and Clell the night of your birthday.”
“What do you mean? I am fine.”
“You’ve been spacing out a lot lately and not that enthusiastic.”
Luna fell silent after that. She didn’t know what to respond or say to Alicia. Alicia was her best friend, but she was still not ready to open up the wounds—as it still felt fresh to her—and tell her about what happened.
“Come on. Let’s have a vacation somewhere. Let’s go to Maldives.” Alicia suggested, grabbing the cute dress she bought earlier. “I mean I don’t want to put this to waste.”
“I think I’ll just stay here.”
“Are you sure? I’ll book a ticket now.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
“I’ll book one for you just in case you change your mind.”
“No! Don’t book me a ticket. I’m okay.”
Alicia was just a spontaneous girl. She’ll just blurt out a decision and go with it in a whirlwind. Hence, after their dinner and that conversation with Luna, she’s now in her room packing her things for her trip. Luna went after her to have more chit-chat.
“Are you really going?”
“Yes, come on. You need a break, too. We’ve been so stressed out lately.”
“I’m going to miss you. We always go on trips together.”
“I know, I hope I can change your mind. Please.” Alicia pouted.
“I’ll think about it after a few days. How long are you staying there?”
“Three weeks, maybe? My mental health needs this. I need this for my sanity. We all deserve to pamper and spoil ourselves sometimes.”
“When’s your flight again?”
“Tomorrow.”
With that, Luna hugged Alicia and told her, “Take care over there. Make sure to have fun.”, and just bid good night before she left Alicia’s room and went into her room.