When Shirley discovered her husband, Brody, having an affair with a different woman at work, everything in her life fell apart. Shirley was distraught and penniless after he threatened to divorce her and take everything. But all of a sudden, a new person entered her life and changed everything.
Shirley watched in dismay as her husband Brody flirted sexily with his assistant Lila in their joint office. Her hands trembled and she dropped the things she was carrying, but they didn’t appear to notice her.
“What is this, Brody?” With a voice that cut through the calm of the office, Shirley demanded.
With a wave of dismissal, Brody said, “What’s the issue, Shirley? We are just talking about work.
“This is a discussion about work.” Shirley’s voice was laced with skepticism. “With your hands in an inappropriate place? before everyone else?
Brody said, “Don’t make a scene,” but Shirley wouldn’t budge.
“We need to talk. By yourself. Now!” she urged.
Brody became more distant. You cannot order me about. I’m taking the house and filing for divorce today.
“My house is not yours to steal. It was my parents’ property. You are not entitled to it.
Brody gave a menacing smile. “Have you forgotten that you’ve spent seven years married to an attorney? Observe me. Lila will move in with me, and we will claim every space as our own.
Shirley, overcome with astonishment and grief, found it difficult to reply while Brody inserted his wedding band into the cake she had brought to share in the celebration.
He mockingly said, “Maybe you can pawn this for a dog house,” and he and Lila left.
Amid pitying whispers, Shirley was left stunned. Later, by herself in a small hotel room, she sobbed as she thought about her failing romance.
How could the man she had sworn she would be with forever become so unfamiliar? Was her self-loathing a result of something? Had she taken Brody to Lila in her car?
Overwhelmed by emotion, she smacked a pillow in an attempt to release some of her rage when she was startled by a tap at her door. She was taken aback to find a stranger when she had expected hotel workers.
“I believed I heard a call for assistance,” the man paused.
“You misheard. “Please leave until you can stop my husband from divorcing me and taking my home,” she shot out, her tone harsh.
Her harshness temporarily surprised the man. After giving her a thorough examination, he said, “I can’t assist with that. But I see now why he is divorcing you. Then he turned and walked away.
Shirley, full of rage, followed him into his room, not letting his remark pass unanswered. She barged through his door and yelled, “What did you just say to me?”
The man tried to explain himself, saying, “I was worried about the noise.”
“I understand what you meant exactly!” In response, Shirley said. “You have no right to judge me, even though I may not look perfect.”
With a hint of remorse, the guy nodded and said, “You’re right. You’re not worthy of it.
His acknowledgement stunned Shirley and made her feel as though the battle had left her, but before she could say anything more, he forcefully closed the door and silenced her.
Hold on! She kicked the door, injuring her foot, and cried, “I wasn’t done talking!”
Shirley was still limping when she got to work the following morning and dreaded seeing Mr. Williams, her new employer.
She murmured, “Great, just what I need when I’m already a mess,” as she took a seat.
From behind her came the familiar voice saying, “Your new boss is already here.” Shirley turned and was startled to see her new employer, Mr. Williams, the guy from the motel!
She attempted to apologize for last night, but Mr. Williams interrupted her out of flustered frustration.
“Your actions were not appropriate. “I demand more from my staff members,” he said firmly. “I now require the case file for Richardson v. Richardson.” He insisted, walking briskly into his office. “Immediately.”
Shirley was embarrassed as she picked up the needed file from a jumbled pile of files, unintentionally causing others to fall to the ground and drawing Mr. Williams’s disapproving gaze once more.
What’s causing the delay? He walked up and said, “I asked for the case file, not for you to scatter it all over.”
Shirley said, “I have it here,” her blushes blazing with embarrassment as she passed the file across.
Mr. Williams accepted the paperwork and looked about at the disorganized space. He said dryly, “Looks like tidiness isn’t your strong suit,” and left Shirley to tidy up the mess.
She was even more humiliated when Brody and Lila laughed as they walked by while she was cleaning. Shirley made the decision that she had had enough of the mockery and disdain from males.
She hurried into Mr. Williams’s office and said, “I’m no longer your secretary.” I give up.
Mr. Williams remained unmoved and declined to take her resignation. “Shirley, get back to work on the Richardson case.”
Not at all. I’m heading out. Please sign my resignation, Shirley urged, her voice resolute.
Mr. Williams crumpled her resignation letter and threw it out the window, saying, “I won’t sign this.”
Shirley sat at his desk, stressed and frustrated, and attempted to draft another resignation letter before breaking down. She wailed, “I can’t take it anymore.” “Why do men like you believe that you are in charge of my life?”
Mr. Williams grew softer as he paid attention. He sat next to her and said, “I’m not refusing to accept your resignation because I want to bully you.”
She met his gaze and begged, “Just let me go.” “I’m unable to—”
Mr. Williams pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped Shirley’s tears as she halted.
Mr. Williams told Shirley, “I can’t let you go because I like you,” and she was surprised by his candor.
“Mr. Williams, you don’t even know me,” she shot back, perplexed by his emotions.
Nathan. Give me a call, Nathan. In an attempt to get closer to you, he said, “And even though I might not know you completely, I admire your spirit and strength.”
Shirley felt conflicted and began to question Nathan’s motives because of Brody’s previous manipulations. Was this only a pretext for further suffering?
Shirley hurried out of Nathan’s office, needing time to reflect.
When she got to work the next day, Nathan was waiting for her with two coffees and offered her one with a grin that seemed to cheer her up.
Shirley took to the restroom as a result of Brody and Lila’s extravagant show of emotion, which overshadowed Nathan’s gesture.
Nathan asked another secretary, who clarified that Brody was Shirley’s spouse, since he was confused.
The secretary revealed, “He’s flaunting their affair right in front of his wife.”
Startled, Nathan wanted to confront Brody but held back, honoring his values.
Shirley later brought the Richardson case papers back to Nathan’s office. Nathan requested her to remain for a bit to assist arrange the case arguments as she put them down.
Shirley was unsure about what he required, so she paused before agreeing.
Nathan grinned. “I’m attempting to present our case in a stronger way. I believed you might provide me new insight.
Shirley and Nathan’s initial animosity subsided as they worked closely on the case, and their mutual respect and understanding grew. As their conversations went well, Shirley learned how much Nathan loved jazz.
“You enjoy jazz music?” Intrigued, she asked.
Yes, you do not know a great deal about me. “Jazz is just the beginning,” said Nathan with a smile.
As their relationship became stronger, Shirley noticed that she was drawn to Nathan more and more, but she was still wary because of her recent breakup.
Nathan went to her hotel room one evening because he needed assistance with a critical part of their case. He looked deeply into her eyes and said, “I need your help to express my feelings in the opening statement more effectively.”
Shirley was a little let down since she thought she was just going to be Nathan’s tool for achieving his professional objectives. Still, she accepted to assist, masking her pain.
A chance contact during their collaboration resulted in an unanticipated intimate encounter.
“Chocolate,” he said, feeling the warmth of his touch spread throughout her as he noticed a speck on her lip.
“I take it you’re here for the speech?” Shirley inquired, attempting to stay focused.
No, Shirley. Nathan said in an emotional voice, “I’m here for you. “In spite of everything, I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Shirley’s barriers came down as Nathan expressed his true emotions. They were ready to hug when there was a knock.
“Brydon, what do you want?” Shirley found her drunken husband at the door and made a demand.
Kindly, Shirley. He stumbled and awkwardly reached for her, saying, “I just…I need comfort.” “Baby, I’ve missed you terribly. I was sacked by Williams.
She pushed him away and shouted, “Don’t. Touch. Me.” Shirley vowed to file charges of harassment, but Brody continued.
She ran outdoors and saw Nathan get into his car as the snow covered her. She knocked on Nathan’s window, pleading, “Can we just go back inside and talk?” “Please?”
“No.” Nathan gave a headshake. “This is too good to be true, you and me,” I should have realized.
Shirley lost all patience with herself. “How could you fall for his foolish lie that I begged him to return? If you don’t stand up for me, how can I possibly fight for you? Say anything, please!
After a little period of silence, Nathan moved out to confront her. “I wish we had met seven years ago so I could have shielded you from everything bad you had to go through on your own.”
Shirley gasped for air when Nathan walked up and caressed her face tenderly, giving her a shudder.
He gazed into her eyes and whispered, “I want to make you happy.”
“You do already,” Shirley answered.
A passionate and new beginning was sealed with their kiss.
“And I’ll sue Brody.” Nathan vowed, “He won’t get away with what he’s done to you.”
After Brody’s injuries, Shirley felt for the first time that things may be better in her life. She was aware that Nathan was her real love.
How do you feel about this narrative? Give it to your pals. It might motivate them and make their day better.