I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

Selene and Harvey knew, Grandma Sterling knew, even Azure knew-there was no more Meredith in this world. Harvey felt suffocated by the news. The old lady didn’t tell Terrence, so he certainly didn’t dare to either.

Selene touched the tombstone, not expecting their next meeting to be with a cold, lifeless stone. The last time they met was in the prison visiting room; she thought they could reunite properly once Meredith was released. Meredith had been one of her benefactors who helped her restart her life.

Thinking of this, Selene’s eyes became moist. All her best friends had left her: Meredith, Hya… “Did Meredith leave any last words?” Selene asked. “Did she say anything?” Spencer replied, “Only Audrey knows. When Meredith passed away, Audrey was the only one by her side.”

Seeing the tombstone confirmed Meredith’s death for Selene; there was no need for Spencer to lie. Everything matched what Selene had expected. Spencer saw that the two wanted to pay their respects and walked away.

Harvey looked at the tombstone and lamented, “It’s hard to believe Meredith is buried here. To give everyone hope, she chose to die far from home.” As long as there was no body or death notice, people could hold onto a sliver of hope. This was Meredith thinking of Terrence and those who cared for and loved her until her last breath.

Harvey’s voice choked with emotion. He felt too distressed to keep looking at the tombstone and turned his head away to calm down.

…

Grandma Sterling went home to rest. She felt so upset that she couldn’t even eat lunch and lay down on her bed. Audrey stayed home to take care of her, bringing a bowl of dumplings into the room. “Grandma, you should eat something.”

Grandma Sterling clutched her chest and shook her head weakly, “I can’t eat.” Audrey sat by the bed, unsure how to console her.

Thinking about Meredith made Grandma Sterling feel worse. She couldn’t help but say, “So young, such a pity! Meredith… I feel like she’s still here.” It’s hard for people to accept the death of someone so close and familiar.

“She will always be in our hearts,” Audrey comforted. “Grandma, please eat a little.” Grandma Sterling couldn’t refuse anymore and forced herself to take a few bites.

Just then, Audrey’s phone rang. She stepped out of the room to answer it. A friend of Pete’s called urgently, “Audrey, something happened! I just heard that Fatty’s people beat up Pete. They cornered him and said they’d make him pay dearly. I can’t reach Pete on his phone.”

Fatty was a nickname; his real name was Lee Jefferson. Audrey was shocked, “What’s going on? Isn’t Lee friends with Pete? They went to high school together; why are they fighting?”

“It’s because of Marie. Fatty likes Marie too. He and Pete fell out over her and are now enemies.”

“Where is Pete?” Audrey asked anxiously.

“Pete went hiking with Marie. I’m heading there now.”

“Alright, I’ll go too and try to contact Pete.” Audrey hurriedly hung up and told Grandma Sterling, “Grandma, I need to go out for a bit. Call me if you need anything.”

Grandma Sterling replied, “Okay, go ahead; don’t worry about me.”

Audrey rushed out, and shortly after she left, Spencer returned with Selene and Harvey.

Selene wanted to find Audrey to see if there were any messages or last words from Meredith before she died.

Hearing the commotion, Grandma Sterling came out of her room and was surprised to see Selene and Harvey: “Why are you two here?”

Harvey said, “Grandma, we came because of Meredith too. We just came back from the cemetery; we’ve seen Meredith.”

“You know too?” Grandma Sterling was taken aback.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Selene and Harvey nodded.

Grandma Sterling sighed, “Poor Meredith.”

Not seeing Audrey around, Spencer asked, “Where’s Audrey?”

“She had something to do and went out,” Grandma Sterling replied before asking Harvey again, “You didn’t tell Terry about this, did you?”