Chapter 25
Laurel pov
Two months have passed since I got a tutor for Eric and now his Korean is much better at least than before. He has been really trying to do well both in academics and his Korean study so he won't delay me.
I kept on thinking about that when Mr Morgan entered my office.
"Good evening sir," I said.
"How are you Laurel?"
"Fine," I replied.
He sat then he said, "Looking back I can say Fairing Oil and Gas can't be this good if it wasn't for you. You made everything possible. You literally stood in places where others wanted to run away. I still remember the day there was a leakage, and you took the fall saying you didn't instruct your team members well."
"Thank you Laurel, for making this company this good. I am sure you are going to do well in your new company. You worked hard so do not let anything make you feel like you don't deserve what you have."
"Thank you sir," I said.
" I guess uncle already told you", i said.
" Of course he did, he even thought i was the one holding you back" he replied.
Then as he stood up he said, "Are you going to stay till this project is finished or…?"
"Yes sir, it will be completed in two weeks sir."
"Okay."
Then he stood and I tried to escort him out. He turned and said, "If there is a day that you will need my help do not even for a second hesitate to ask for it." I nodded once.
He has always been more like a father figure than a boss. Then he walked out.
I need to figure out a way to tell Jason and Madison. They also need to know, I said as I walked back to my seat.
I got an email from Jason saying he has paid the workers on the field. Then I replied, let us have dinner together tonight in the group chat.
'Weird, but I got to spend a night out with our boss. An opportunity once in a lifetime, i won't dare to miss it", Madison said.
Jason replied with, "I know you are treating us because we are doing well".
"So naive, and stupid", I said as I looked at the notification from their message.
Night came and I walked out heading straight to the normal joint where they usually partied.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
"You guys ordered without me," I said as I sat stunned.
"You never told us not to order until you get here," Madison said.
I allowed them to at least eat. They needed strength for whatever I needed to say. I know they will change, especially Jason after hearing it. I just want to see them in their usual self one more time even if it is for the last time.
"Laurel you wouldn't believe what happened in the field today," Jason said as he opened the beer in his hand.
"What happened?" I said.
"Can you believe that Charles sent someone as a spy just to see if there was anything we weren't reporting back? Like anything he could use against us," Jason said.
Madison said as her mouth was full of food, "I really hate that guy. Like he really disgust me. No wonder his wife asked for divorce after four months of been married together."
"Why is he so jealous of a young woman's success," Jason said.
before I could answer Madison spoke again.
"That is not the only reason. The main reason is because that motherfucker is a racist. He always acts like that because Laurel is black."
I smiled just from looking at them talking about me like I was not even there.
Then I said, "The main reason I asked us to eat is because we just did our last project together and it calls for celebration."
Madison smirked. "Last what?" she asked.
Jason looked confused.
Then I said, "I have a company in South Korea and I need to go back to take care of things there, so I will be resigning in the next two weeks."
"What are you saying?" Madison asked, almost laughing.
I am saying that I won't be able to continue this journey of Fairing Oil and Gas with you guys anymore. Then I took my drink and finished it in one gulp.
Jason stood up immediately.
"I knew something was fishy when you said you wanted to take us out for dinner," he said then walked out.
I wanted to call him but I knew that he wasn't going too far considering he didn't carry his things along, and I knew he might give me the feeling that he could change my mind.
"Laurel," Madison said, "I am hurt, but still happy for you. You could have at least told us before, at least we would have had an idea."
"That is why I am telling you now," I said looking into her eyes, but all I could see was tears welling up.
Madison has always been the tough one. I hardly saw her with tears in her eyes.
The last time I saw her crying was when she thought she was gonna lose her job because Charles lied saying he asked to close the pipes which he didn't and it leads to leakages.
"You could have at least told us, give us a hint. Who works with someone for years and then two weeks before resignation just tells people like this?" she said.
"Then you both would be cautious about how you behave and start trying to make me stay longer," I said. "The truth is no matter what you say or do I can't abandon my own company and my people."
"What about us?" she asked.
I paused.
"I wanted to leave you both at least in a good hands. Make sure no one would put blame on you both without you been able to defending yourselves."
Jason walked back in.
"Will I ever see you again?" His eyes were red like he had been crying.
Something twitched in me.
I am relocating Jason, not dying.
Then he moved closer.
"I have not said this before but this decision you are making, I hate it."
I smirked.
"You both are older than me, must you act like kids?"
"Say the person who has been our boss for six years," Jason said hugging me tightly.
Then Madison joined.
"Let this not be our last meeting, Laurel. You need to come back."
I nodded, trying to hide the fact that I felt something I couldn't describe.
As we were about to leave, I bent down to Madison's window.
"Is your boyfriend around?" I asked.
Jason replied, "Yes."
I looked at Madison.
"Could you drop him off there," I said.
Madison nodded.
But Jason replied, "Why?"
"Because you are going to need him when everything settles in again."
I watched as the car moved forward.
Then I walked back to my own car.
The night air felt heavier than usual.
I could feel my heart racing like it had finally experienced something it could never experience again.
And somehow it hurt in a way I couldn't understand.
For the first time in a long time, I did not feel like the one holding everything together.
I felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind.
And I didn't know if I was strong for doing it… or just tired.