Old Wounds

Esmeray

Eight years ago

"I heard something funny today." Sheila grins, crossing her legs. Her gaze swifts between her friends before landing on me, kneeling on the floor, few inches in front of her.

School closed hours ago, but we're in the gym. Most of the lights are turned off, making it darker and more suffocating.

"You're allergic almonds."

My blood runs cold, eyes meet hers slowly, horrified. The smile she has on, the smile on their faces, I already know what their thinking before they say.

I scoot closer to Sheila, shaking my head furiously, "Please, no, it's not…it's not tru—"

The kick comes so fast I don't even see it. It knocks out the air from my lungs, and I fall back, my head hitting the cold gym floor. Tears roll down my cheeks, the pain in my abdomen overwhelming but I ignore it and keep begging.

Sheila squats in front of me her face furious but there's a hint of amusement in her eyes. She stretches out her hand and one of her minions plops an almond on it. I scramble to my knees shaking my head, tears flow down my face uncontrollably, my hands rubbing against each ither as I beg. She watches me with a mock pout, no sign of care.

"Sheila please…I could…I could really die…please—"

"Then die." she says coldly as she tugs my hair backwards. I shut my mouth tightly and try to struggle but it's no use. They're five but I'm just one, and one never wins.

Their giggling fades as they step out of the gym into the hallway, leaving me clutching my chest and gasping for air.

Present

I would have died that day, if the security guard hadn't found me.

As I stare at her, all the things she did to me flood through my mind. I feel a bit of fear but the anger and hatred overwhelm that.

"What are you doing?"

Sheila smiles, in a disgustingly sweet manner. "Why the attitude? What's wrong with visiting an old friend." She gets up, smoothing the nonexistent wrinkles on her skirt and stalks up to me. I square my shoulders and hold her gaze refusing to back down.

"You and I know we were never friends."

"Really?" she tilts her head pretending to think, then grins leaning closer. "Oh right, you were scared of me."

"You're right. I was. Though looking back now," I let out a sigh and run a hand through my hair. "I wonder why."

Her confidence falters for a second and I savor the moment, allow a small cold smile to play on my lips, before continuing. "I mean look at you. You're like a wanna be version of me."

She stares at me wide eyed then laughs—low and full of disdain. "Wow. You've really grown, Esmeray." Her grin fades and her eyes darken as she steps even closer. "But don't get too comfortable. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you'll always be."

I nod, keeping my voice even despite the surge of anger threating to spill. My heart races but I won't give her the satisfaction of seeing it. "We'll see about that."

Her eyes narrows and she watches me clearly amused, then she shrugs, pacing casually around my office, inspecting things like it belongs to her. "You're right. We'll be seeing a lot more of each other."

I fold my arms across my chest, refusing to react. "What do you mean?"

 She comes to a halt and smiles. "I just got personally employed by Noah. Isn't he the sweetest?"

Time seems to stop as I process her words. Noah employed her? Even though he knows everything that happened, even though she's the main reason everything fell apart, even though he knows how much she hurt me, he employed her.

I clench my fists tightly, and mentally slap myself, for even feeling the tiniest bit of care for him. For letting his presence affect me. Over and over again, he chooses to betray me.

"And?" I keep my voice stable and expression neutral refusing to let her see the storm going inside me. "You're his secretary. So what?"

She steps closer, her eyes menacing. "So, Esmeray I'm back and going to be around," she leans in, holding my gaze. "And trust me, I'm here to take back what's mine, keeping Noah as a bonus of course."

I hold her stare, refusing to back down. "Whether you're his secretary, his wife or his latest mistake," I say, my voice low and cold, "none of that gives you the right to step into my office and play your little games."

I take a step closer, until we're inches apart. "So let me make this clear: I don't care what you think you're trying to do. Stay the hell out of my sight and out of my way."

Her smile falters. Her fingers twitch like she's itching to grab my hair like she used to. But I don't give her the satisfaction of even a flinch.

"You really have changed haven't you." She says, bitterly, her voice tight with frustration.

"Of course. That's why I feel so much pity for you, even after all these years you're still the same, little petty bully with a large insecurity. Its pathetic, really."

Her lips curl, but before she can speak, I turn my back on her and head towards my desk. "If that's all. Get out."

She scoffs loudly. "Fine. I'll get out of your hair." I hear her footsteps pause, and for a moment, I think she's going to lunge at me. "Oh right." she says, in a sing-song voice. "Your mother sends her love."

I freeze, few inches from my seat and turn to her. She smirks at my reaction. "Poor thing. She's really starting to lose it, isn't she? Kept talking about how her daughter is dead and you…you're just an imposter."

The words hit me like a sledgehammer and for a moment I forget how to breathe. "What…what did you just say?"

She grins wider. "You heard me. Maybe you should pay her a visit. I'm sure she'll love to see you." With that she walks out.

Immediately the door closes behind her, I rush my desk drawer and pull-out calming pills quickly swallow it as my mind rushes with questions.

How did Sheila know about my mum's sickness? When did she go visit her? And more importantly, why would mum even say something like that?