Chapter Fourteen
She closed the door behind her and sat down where her father indicated. His jaws were clenched and his hands formed into tight fists. It was clear that he was extremely angry. In fact, Julianna had never seen him this furious ever in her twenty years of life.
"Do you have any idea what happened?" He asked, trembling with anger.
She shook her head. What could have happened? "What were you doing at Vincent's apartment? Don't you know he's your sister's fiancé?" He asked her furiously.
Julianna's face fell. How did he find out? "We just ate pizza dad," she said in a small voice.
"Tell that to those ladies of his mom's club who saw you two together. What was the name? Yes, Inner Circle," he yelled.
Her mom sat staring at both of them, her face white with fear and apprehension.
"They reported both of you to Vincent's mom and she became the laughing stock tonight at the club. She's the God damn president of the club. Do you realize what this means?" He said trembling with anger.
Julianna sat frozen like a statue. "She came here straight and blasted both of us. She has demanded the invested amount that they had invested in our company back within a week. She has threatened that if you continue this behind everyone's back, she would destroy my business and make me go bankrupt. Their company would malign ours and we would never get any investor. She would throw me out on the streets to beg," he said, his body trembling with humiliation.
Julianna's eyes widened with shock and her mouth hung open. She had no idea it would lead to this. "Their company belongs to Vincent's mom and her dad. Leroy Martin only looks after it, puts in all the hard work. He doesn't have any say in it," said her dad as she simply stared at him.
"So, I beg you with folded hands, please leave Vincent alone. Let him be happy with your sister. That's what his parents want. Don't force me to commit suicide," he pleaded, folding his hands in front of her and going down on his knees. A sob escaped her.
With tears streaming down her face, she picked her dad from the floor. Her heart was breaking. She decided then and there that she would go far away from Vincent's as well as Sienna's life. She couldn't see them together. She would stay alone all her life.
"I swear that I will never ever have anything to do with Vincent or Sienna. Don't worry dad. I give you my word that no harm will come upon your company because of me," she promised.
Rushing out of the study she ran upstairs. She couldn't stay in this house anymore. She didn't have anything left here. No one wanted her. Her feelings didn't really matter.
She packed her stuff in three suitcases. She called her college friend Sarah Howard who lived nearby in a rented apartment. Her family lived in San Antonio. Sarah invited her to spend the night with her.
Carrying her suitcases, she went downstairs. Sienna stopped all work and stared at her and the luggage. Her dad was sitting at the table. He looked up at her with surprise. Her mom gasped and got up from her seat. Julianna didn't even cast a glance towards them. Her face was drenched with tears streaming down her face.
She opened the main door, took her suitcases out and closed it. She loaded the luggage onto her car just as the door opened and all three of them came out.
"Where are you going so late at night?" Asked her mom.
"Why do you care? I'm going forever
Don't worry I won't do anything that you don't want me to do behind your back," she said, climbing into the car and driving away to Sarah's house.
Sarah's apartment was a small two bedroom cosy place. She welcomed Julianna with open arms. She consoled her and gave her a room to stay.
"You can stay as long as you want Julie, " she said.
"Thanks Sarah. I'll share the rent," she offered.
"That would be great," Sarah agreed.
They both went to bed as it was late in the night. Julianna decided that she would leave Vincent's mom's company. She would have to search for a job elsewhere. She would return the car as she couldn't pay the price anymore. She had her education cost to bear.
The next morning she went to college. She had to know how much fees she had to pay. After her classes, she went to the administrative office to enquire.
"The fees have been paid in full Miss McCoy," informed the lady handling the enquiries.
"Oh, thank you, " she said, leaving to go to Sarah's apartment. She changed into her work clothes and left for work. She would give her resignation today and return the car also.
She trudged to her cubicle and sat down. She typed her resignation. She completed her day's work. Arthur Nelson came for an update. He again asked her out and she politely declined.
By evening she emailed her resignation letter. Within ten minutes as she was packing up, Rosemary Davis came hurrying down to her cubicle.
"Miss McCoy, you've been summoned urgently to the office. Sir wishes to talk to you right now," she said, with an agitated look.
Julianna didn't wish to face Vincent. But she had no choice. She reluctantly followed her to Vincent's office. Closing the door behind her, she turned around to see Vincent striding towards her with an angry frown.
She cast her eyes downwards. "What were you thinking when you sent me your resignation?" He yelled.
Julianna's face paled. A stray tear fell from her cheek. She looked up at him and his heart skipped a beat. "What happened Anna?" He whispered, as he came closer to her.
She backed away from him. He looked at her with confusion."What's wrong Anna?" He asked again.
Julianna told him everything that happened yesterday night. "My dad begged me with folded hands, going down on his knees to leave you to lead a happy life with Sienna. That's what your parents want. Dad threatened to commit suicide if I didn't listen to him. I left home. No one cares for my feelings. I'm living with a friend. Forget me Vincent," she said, turning around to leave.
"Why are you resigning from work?" He asked, with a tortured face.
"It's your mom's company. I'm leaving before she throws me out. Also here are the keys to the car. I can't pay for it anymore," she said, placing the keys in his hands.
"Anna, please keep it. I'll pay for it. Please don't disappear from my life completely. I'll die if I don't see you," he pleaded.
"I can't Vincent. You need to be with your fiancée. Please forget me," she said.
"I can't. I love you God dammit," he said coming closer to her again.
Julianna backed off. "No Vincent. If you don't listen to me I will marry a random guy and be out of your way forever," she threatened with tears in her eyes.
"Noo, please promise me you won't do such a thing? Please wait for me Anna. I beg you. I will do something once I finish my studies. I will leave this company, take up a job and we'll get married, " he promised.
"But we will never meet or keep in touch. I'm freeing you Vincent. Try and be happy with Sienna," she said as a sob escaped from her mouth. She opened the door and went out of the building forever.
She walked to the bus stop and went to her apartment, dejectedly.
