In that picture, Tracy was smiling so sweetly, like I was the only thing that mattered in her entire world.
But now, that smile was being shown to someone else.
Maybe some things just couldn't stand the test of time. Maybe memories were stronger. Or maybe childhood bonds never really faded.
I closed my eyes and let the past and present twist together in my mind.
I knew I wouldn’t be sleeping that night.
The next morning, I arrived early at Kain Company, ready to hand in my resignation.
I was just a few steps from HR when I ran into Dominic Stephens, the manager.
“Mr. Clark! Emergency meeting. Ms. Kain wants all senior staff in the conference room right away!”
Before I could respond, he grabbed my arm and pulled me along.
The room was already packed when I entered.
Tracy stood at the front beside the projector. She looked sharp in a tailored business suit, hair pinned up neatly, not a trace of last night’s messiness in sight.
Her eyes flickered slightly when she saw me, but she quickly masked it.
Standing behind her was Harry, dressed to the nines, flashing a practiced, polished smile.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” Tracy began. “We’ve gathered you all here today to announce an important personnel change. After discussion with the board, we’ve decided to appoint Mr. Harry Williamson as the new Director of the Marketing Department. Effective immediately.”
The room instantly exploded, and every head turned to me—some with confusion, some with sympathy, others simply stunned.
“Ms. Kain, that’s not proper procedure,” Eddie Grant from finance stood up first. “Mr. Clark has led the marketing team to double its performance for three consecutive years. He’s earned that position—”
“This is the board’s decision,” Tracy cut him off, her voice sharp. “Besides, Harry holds a degree from a top international business school and has worked as an executive for global corporations. He brings an international perspective we need.”
Despite the chaos going on, I just sat silently in the corner, saying nothing.
“But Mr. Clark knows the domestic market like the back of his hand,” Matt Schuman from sales chimed in. “He was the one who closed the North America project last month single-handedly!”