CHAPTER 27

The next morning, Nina walked into the building of Johnson Associates. As she made her way to her desk, colleagues greeted her with smiles and congratulations. They believed Nina was the best fit for the head of department position, and without any iota of doubt, she was going to be nominated.

“Nina, we’re all rooting for you!” Mark, one of her co-workers from the publicity department,. “You’ve got this in the bag!”

“You’re the best candidate, Nina,” added Sarah, another colleague. “Your hard work and dedication are unmatched. Julie doesn’t even come close.”

The words of encouragement from her colleagues felt like a double-edged sword. On one hand, they boosted her confidence, but on the other, they reminded her of the bitter decision she had to make. She forced a smile and thanked everyone, but inside, her heart was breaking.

As she walked to her desk, she noticed Julie standing in the corner, glaring at her with barely concealed rage. Julie’s face was a mask of fury, with her eyes cold and hard. It was clear that no one had congratulated her, and the weight of her own inadequacy only fueled her anger.

Nina sat down with her mind racing. The memory of their conversation the previous night replayed in her head. Julie’s threats were real, and Nina knew she couldn’t afford to take any chances. She had worked tirelessly for eight years to reach this point, but one misstep could destroy everything she had built. The promotion was supposed to be her moment of triumph, but now it felt like a trap.

As the morning wore on, Nina’s colleagues continued to express their support, and each kind word was like a knife twisting in her heart.

By mid-morning, Nina couldn’t take it any longer. She stood up, took a deep breath, and walked to the Human Resources department. The corridor seemed longer than usual, and every step felt heavy with dread. When she reached the HR office, she knocked on the door and entered.

The HR manager, Mr. Thompson, looked up from his desk and smiled. “Good morning, Nina. How can I help you?”

Nina took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Good morning, Mr. Thompson. I have something important to discuss.”

Mr. Thompson gestured for her to sit down. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

Nina sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “I’ve decided to withdraw my name from the nomination for Head of the Publicity Department.”

Mr. Thompson’s smile faded, replaced by a look of surprise. “Are you sure, Nina? You’re the top candidate. Everyone is expecting you to get the promotion.”

Nina nodded, fighting to keep her voice steady. “I’m sure. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I believe this is the best decision for me at this time.”

Mr. Thompson studied her for a moment, his brow furrowed. “Is everything alright? This seems very sudden.”

Nina forced a smile. “Everything is fine. I just think it’s not the right time for me to take on this responsibility. I’m confident that Julie will do a great job.”

Mr. Thompson sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Alright, Nina. If you’re certain about this, I’ll respect your decision. But I want you to know that you’ve always been an invaluable asset to this company, and we appreciate all your hard work.”

“Thank you, Mr. Thompson,” Nina said softly. “I appreciate that.”

As she left the HR office, Nina felt a strange mix of relief and sorrow. She had done what she needed to do, but the cost was high. She walked back to her desk, trying to ignore the curious glances and whispered conversations around her.

As the day drew to a close at Johnson Associates, the announcement everyone had been waiting for was made. Julie was officially declared the new head of the publicity department. A ripple of confusion swept through the office, as most people had expected Nina to take the position. Nevertheless, they offered their congratulations to Julie, albeit with a hint of reluctance.

Julie basked in the attention, her earlier fury replaced with smug satisfaction. She accepted the congratulations with an air of triumph, her eyes darting towards Nina’s empty desk. She couldn’t wait to rub it in further, to make Nina feel the full weight of her defeat.

Meanwhile, Nina was already on her way home. The weight of the day bore heavily on her shoulders as she walked. The decision to step down had been heart-wrenching, but she knew it was necessary. The thought of her secret being exposed was too much to bear, and the potential fallout was too dangerous to risk.

When she finally arrived home, she was greeted by Ralph's hopeful and enthusiastic welcome. Ralph had been eagerly awaiting her return, excited to hear the news he was sure would change their lives for the better. As she stepped through the door, he enveloped her in a warm embrace.

“Nina! Welcome home! Tell me, how did it go?” Ralph’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Nina forced a smile, but it quickly faltered. The reality of the day had taken its toll, and she found it hard to maintain the facade. Ralph noticed immediately. His smile faded as he took in her expression with concern.

“What happened, Nina? You didn’t get the position, did you?” Ralph asked gently, leading her to the couch.

Nina shook her head, avoiding his gaze. “No, I didn’t. Julie was made Head of Department.”

Ralph’s brow furrowed in confusion. “But why? You were the obvious choice. Everyone knew it.”

Nina struggled to find the right words, the lies she had told throughout the day echoing in her mind. She couldn’t bring herself to reveal the real reason for her decision, not yet. She took a deep breath, trying to muster a convincing explanation.

“I... I decided to step down,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ralph’s eyes widened in shock. “You stepped down? But why would you do that?”

Nina hesitated, then said, “I thought about it and realized it wasn’t the right time for me. Julie needed it more than I did. I’m okay with my current role.”

Ralph studied her face, searching for the truth behind her words. Nina's explanation didn't make any sense to him. This was a moment they had been waiting for; however, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

“Nina, you’ve worked so hard for this. I’m so proud of you, regardless of what happened. You’re amazing, and you deserve all the success in the world.”

Nina felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She buried her face in Ralph’s chest, letting his warmth and reassurance wash over her. She wished she could open up to Ralph and be free, but of course, that was a very impossible feat for her!

“Thank you, Ralph,” she whispered. “I just... I just need some time to process everything.”

Ralph nodded, kissing the top of her head. “Take all the time you need. I’m here for you, always.”