Chapter 3 Maria's seed of possibility

Victoria's pov

The view through my half reopened window brings in a wafted cool breeze filled with the faint scent of spring. I barely slept the previous night I had slept off in my car, my mind reminisced about the event that occurred over again. I silently hummed a silent musical through my lips, I was in my sanctuary away from the chaos.

"Victoria, are you okay?" My assistant Zara peeped into my office with a clear consigned expression written all over her face.

I forced a quick smile,though it looked fake on my lips.

"I'm okay, Zara. I'm just having a lot on my mind"

She hesitated as I tried pushing her head out of my office carefully before sitting back at my desk, glancing straight at the clock on the wall It was just 10.am, but I felt like the day slowed down its pace.

A knock at the door broke through my trance.

"Come in" I called out, trying my best to mask the tiredness in my voice.

Maria Alvarez, my bestie, walked in with her demeanour as lovely as ever. I was so shocked to see her as I tried my best not to bother her through my growing chaotic life.

She walked in with a small paper bag, which smelled of my favourite pastries. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, It looked like she ran down here with her eyes lit up with concern.

"Hey you..," she drags the speech, murmuring softly ,placing the bag on the desk.

"I got a call from your assistant stating you weren't looking yourself,and guess what? I was around the corner, so I decided to pop in."

I managed a weak smile, Maria has always been my closest pal and best friend through my ups and downs. If anyone could light me up back to my old self, it would be her.

"Thanks for showing up for me, Maria," I whispered. " I didn't want you getting bothered about me."

"Don't be ridiculous, Vicky,"she says, pulling a chair close to me.

"Listen,darling, we are best pals, and what do best Pals do? They stick together. so I'm here now. So, spill it, what's the issue?"

I sighed, leaning back into my chair as the sad words about the incident spilt out of me, from Alexander's hints till he was caught red-handed and how he tried insisting I was the cause. Maria listened so devotedly to the story, her expression shifting from disbelief to anger as the details dropped, leaving no words unturned.

Tsk..tskk

Maria clicked her tongue with desperation. I could sense the anger boiling within her.

"That bastard" she uttered, slamming her hands into my desk. "And Tessa? I warned you, didn't I ? I told you she was trouble, a snake, but no. She definitely crossed the line this time."

"Maria, it's not just them." I said, my voice giving way to the tears I had held in for a long time.

"It's also my fault,I caused it ,I could not be a good wife, I ignored the signs, I..."

I was about to say my next blame when I got cut off by Maria.

"Would you stop blaming yourself," Maria says, leaning forward.

"This was never your fault, those two bastards made their choices, you deserve so much better and don't you go around blaming yourself"

"No, don't cry, my darling, they are not worth it"

Her words struck me as it brought me back to my confident self, I felt a glimpse of validation from her as she carefully wiped off the tears in my eyes.

"I don't know what to do, Maria," I said, admitting my weakness. "I called in my lawyer to send the divorce papers to him this morning, I still feel stuck in this nightmare, like there is no Redemption for me"

A glowy smile elapsed on her cheek as she tipped her chin thoughtfully drooling away.

"You need a reset Vicky", she said jokingly

"A reset?" I asked, confused at her filtered statement.

"Yes Vicky A fresh start,why don't you get out of London for a while,let's put some distance between you and all this awful nightmare of toxicity, let's reconnect you back to your bossy young self"

I was about to protest against it,but Maria held up her finger against my lips.

"Don't argue with me Vicky, you've been through hell and now it's time for you to heal,and I am not sure you would find that healing here in London as every nook and cranny has a blueprint of Alex"

Her words planted a seed of possibility. In my head, I had always been the type to soldier on my feelings and kept things moving. I guess she was right.

"Where would I even go?" I asked hesitantly

Maria's face lit up with a grin . "How about Germany, whereas we could both plan a getaway for the weekend, it would be the best experience ever"

"Germany?" I frowned at the idea but still took it into consideration.

"Okay, I'll go to Germany" I said, tugging my lips

Maria leapt for joy as she applauded me repeatedly.

"That's my girl!!, this is probably one of your best decisions you've made"

I laughed, feeling free of the burden tied down in my chest.

Maria and I chatted about our travel plans, and for the first time in four years, I felt happy one more time,like I had something to look forward to.