CHAPTER FOUR – A GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Scarlett wiped her tears fiercely, the bathroom stall a refuge from the chaos in her heart. Back at her desk, she stared at the computer screen, the words meaningless blurs. Every sound seemed amplified – the typing, the talking, all punctuated by laughter from Henry's office. The office door swung open and Henry walked out, hand-in-hand with Raquel. Her smile shone brighter than the diamonds around her neck. Scarlett's breath caught in her throat. They stopped right by Scarlett's desk, bodies close. "Scarlett!" Raquel's voice dripped with sweetness. "Henry was telling me about this amazing restaurant you recommended. Caviar, isn't that right, darling?" Henry chuckled, his eyes lingering on Scarlett a beat too long. "Indeed," he said smoothly. "But a bit out of your price range, wouldn't you say?" Scarlett clenched her jaw, forcing a smile. "I can manage," she mumbled, her voice tight. Raquel's smile widened. "Oh, how sweet! Maybe Henry could take you there someday, as a reward?" The words hung heavy. Everyone knew the rumor about Henry taking Scarlett to expensive places, a rumor she'd always denied. Now, Raquel twisted it, turning it into a cheap favor. Scarlett flushed. She wanted to scream, to deny it all, but the words wouldn't come. Her throat felt raw. "Meeting, darling?" Raquel said, batting her eyelashes at Henry. "Clients waiting?" Henry glanced at Scarlett, a smirk playing on his lips. He whispered something in Raquel's ear, making her laugh. Then, arm-in-arm, they walked away, leaving Scarlett exposed. Later, a delivery arrived for Scarlett. A bouquet of lilies, her favorite, sat on her desk. A flicker of hope sparked within her. But the card crushed it. "For my beautiful secretary," it read, with a single red rose drawn beside it. Signed "H." Her stomach churned. The lilies were a reminder of their secret, the red rose a cruel mockery. He was flaunting their past, turning it into a game for Raquel. Tears welled up again. With trembling hands, she grabbed the bouquet and marched to the break room. There, surrounded by the silence, she threw them in the trash. Standing amidst the discarded flowers, anger surged through her. She wouldn't let them break her. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders. She might be hurting, but they wouldn't see it. She would walk out of Terracotta Enterprises on her own terms. The clock finally struck five, a sweet release after what felt like an eternity. Scarlett gathered her things, her heart a tightly wound ball of anger and hurt. Hailing a cab, she made the familiar journey back to the penthouse, each turn of the wheel a reminder of shattered dreams. Reaching the building, she spotted Clara waiting by the entrance, a comforting smile on her face. Relief washed over Scarlett as she rushed into her friend's embrace. "Hey," Clara greeted softly. "How was your day?" Scarlett drew in a shaky breath. "It was awful," she confessed, her voice cracking. "Henry and this new woman, Raquel, they were flaunting their relationship right in front of everyone. It was humiliating." Clara's smile vanished, replaced by a frown. "That jerk! Did he say anything about you leaving early?" "No," Scarlett shook her head. "He barely even looked at me. He just kept making these snide remarks about my 'price range.'" Clara's jaw clenched. "The nerve! You know, maybe it's time to consider a new job. This one clearly isn't worth the stress." Scarlett considered this for a moment. The thought of working under Henry, constantly being reminded of his betrayal, was unbearable. "You know what," she said, a spark of defiance igniting within her. "I think you might be right. I'm already looking at some other options." Clara beamed. "That's the spirit! Now come on, let's get you out of this place." They entered the penthouse, the once luxurious space now feeling cold and sterile. Together, they started packing. "Take all your clothes, of course," Clara instructed, folding a blouse. "And don't forget your favorite books and toiletries." Scarlett chuckled. "You know it's just moving a few blocks down, right? Not like I'm emigrating." "Details, details!" Clara winked. "Think of it as a fresh start, a new chapter in your life." As they packed, they reminisced about past memories in the penthouse, the laughter and joy slowly replacing the earlier sorrow. Scarlett picked up a framed photo of her and Clara from a beach trip they'd taken the previous year. "Remember this?" she asked, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "How could I forget?" Clara laughed, taking the photo. "You looked like a mermaid coming out of the ocean." They continued packing, their conversation filled with lighthearted banter and inside jokes. By the time they finished, several boxes were stacked by the door, and a sense of accomplishment filled the air. "There you go," Clara said, clapping her hands. "All packed up and ready to go. My tiny apartment awaits!" Scarlett looked around the empty space, a bittersweet feeling settling in her stomach. "Goodbye, penthouse," she whispered, a silent farewell to the life she'd known. "Don't worry," Clara said, squeezing her shoulder. "There are bigger and better things to come. Besides, you'll always have a place to crash at my place, no matter what." Scarlett returned the squeeze, a grateful smile spreading across her face. Stepping out of the penthouse for the last time, she closed the door behind her with a click. Leaving the past behind, she walked towards a new beginning, with a box full of memories and a friend by her side. The tiny apartment buzzed with activity as Clara and Scarlett unpacked the boxes. Clothes were folded and hung in the cramped closet, while books found a new home on a makeshift bookshelf Clara had put together the night before. "This scarf is adorable!" Clara exclaimed, holding up a brightly colored piece of silk. "Remember that time you wore it on that date with... what was his name again?" Scarlett wrinkled her nose, trying to recall. "Ugh, don't remind me. Brian, the one with the terrible jokes." Clara chuckled, tossing the scarf onto the growing pile of clothes. "Well, at least the scarf has good taste." As they unpacked, the conversation drifted towards Scarlett's job search. "Have you heard back from any of those places you applied to?" Clara asked, carefully placing a framed photo of Scarlett's family on the nightstand. Scarlett shook her head, unpacking a box of office supplies. "Not yet. But there were a couple of promising leads. Maybe something will turn up soon." Suddenly, a mischievous glint appeared in Clara's eyes. "Speaking of needing a distraction," she announced, "how about we forget about job hunting for a bit and do something fun tonight?" Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "Fun? Like what?" "There's this new club downtown that just opened," Clara explained excitedly. "Live music, great cocktails… and who knows, maybe even some cute guys to help you forget all about Mr. Wrong." Scarlett hesitated. The idea of going out and socializing wasn't exactly appealing at the moment. Yet, she also knew she couldn't wallow in self-pity forever. "I don't know, Clara," she said cautiously. "I'm not really in the mood for clubbing." "Come on, Scarlett," Clara coaxed, taking her hand. "A night out with your best friend is exactly what you need. Trust me, dancing and good music always work wonders." Scarlett considered it for a moment. Maybe Clara was right. Maybe a night away from her worries, surrounded by music and laughter, was just what she needed to start feeling like herself again. "Alright, you win," she finally conceded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Let's go clubbing." Clara whooped with delight, throwing her arms around Scarlett in a hug. "That's the spirit! Now, let's get you ready to paint the town red… well, maybe pink, considering the outfit you have in that box." The unpacking continued, but with a lighter mood. The prospect of a fun night out with her best friend, a chance to forget her troubles and maybe even dance the night away, filled Scarlett with a flicker of hope.