Yvonne didn’t want to bring up certain topics with Stella, knowing it would only upset her further. There were already enough problems to face, and there was no need to add more.
The training center was closing in a month, and Yvonne wasn’t sure what the future held for Stella. She knew that the extra salary Yvonne was offering wouldn’t even compare to what Weston could provide. After all, Stella was with him now, and financial concerns probably weren’t a big issue anymore. Still, Yvonne hoped that giving her this bonus might help boost her confidence. It was a small gesture, but she hoped it would be meaningful.
“Forget about it. I’ll pay you two times your salary this month,” Yvonne said.
Stella understood Yvonne’s kindness, but she couldn’t help feeling conflicted. She wished she were a stronger person—someone capable of repaying Yvonne for all her help. She hated feeling like a burden, but it seemed as if she couldn’t help it.
The other colleagues had started to arrive at the center. Yvonne had already explained the situation to them over the phone. They exchanged glances, but didn’t say much. There was still a month left before the center closed, but the air felt heavy, like a farewell was looming. Stella, uncomfortable with the mood, retreated to a corner, trying to distance herself from the somber atmosphere. She waited until the gathering was winding down, then made her way over to Yvonne.
Yvonne noticed her approach and asked, “Shall we talk?”
Stella nodded in agreement.
“I’ve given everyone a day off today,” Yvonne continued. “The finance department is calculating everyone’s salary. We’ll try to finish the teaching plans as much as we can before the end of the month. I’ll also talk to the parents about the closure.”
Stella wasn’t sure what to say. She hadn’t been working there for long, but she had grown attached to the center. She loved standing by the large windows, watching the traffic on the streets below. It helped her unwind after a long day.
Yvonne noticed her silence and spoke gently, “It’s okay. We’ll meet again.”
Just as Stella was about to respond, a low voice interrupted them.
“From now on, stay at home and focus on your studies. Don’t associate with the wrong people.”
Yvonne turned toward the voice, surprised to see Lucas standing there. She hadn’t noticed when he arrived. He walked toward her with a purposeful stride, his attention fixed on Yvonne.
Stella, instinctively standing up as soon as she saw Lucas, was ignored by him entirely. Lucas only had eyes for Yvonne.
“You said you’d be out for two hours,” Lucas said, his voice sharp. “It’s much later than that. What’s going on?”
Yvonne, now frustrated, responded, “I told you I could handle it myself. The center is closing, and I won’t get to see Ella much after this. Do you have to follow me around all the time?”
Lucas didn’t soften his tone. “If I stop watching over you, you’ll end up back in places like The Dog House again. Do you even have any awareness of what’s good for you?”
He reached out, pinching Yvonne’s face lightly in an almost reprimanding gesture. His voice grew colder as he added, “Don’t ever go back to that kind of place.”
Yvonne’s patience was wearing thin. “Why not? You go to those places too!” she snapped, her frustration boiling over. She’d been to The Dog House and, admittedly, didn’t feel great about it. But it seemed that Lucas had been there too. Why was she the one facing his wrath?
Despite the unfairness of the situation, Yvonne held her tongue. The center was closing, and she knew she wouldn’t get to see Ella much longer. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could tolerate this tension between them. Lucas’s double standards were getting harder to ignore.
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