It had been a week since April had told me she was my childhood bestie and today I was moving out. I had bought a condo in the high rise where I had established my new company. We rented two floors for offices and the very top floor was four condos. I rented all four of them for senior management. I took one for myself. For now the other three were empty. As I dragged a suitcase into the fully furnished home my phone rang. It was Axel.
"Tiffany, how could you sabotage us like this?" His accusatory tone gave me an instant headache.
"What are you talking about Axel I've had nothing to do with the company for weeks."
"Not only did you poached hundreds of employees, but contracts you put together are falling apart. We are losing market shares in dozens of industries. Subsidiaries are looking to sever connections and competitors are swarming. Some of our contracts are being canceled despite there insane cancelation clauses. Other companies we've worked with for years are refusing to work with us and some of my biggest supporters are folding. So I'll ask again why did you sabotage me like this?" He was screaming frantically now. I could hear a chuckle on his end of the line, soft and playful. I was sure it was April. Call waiting rang and I witched over to hear what April had to say.
"That was me. Tiffy is way to nice for this kind of work. She would of just went on and started a new company, but Tiffy built this company. Why should you get it. So arrogant. Some sad old men told you how great power was so you coveted power. They tell you power means having women fawning all over you so you get a mistress. You even had the nerve to make Tiffy train me. Moving me in to her house and you thought that proved you had power. Tiffy was more brutal then I thought she'd be though so you should tell her thanks. If your company survived another year those contracts would of landed you in jail, but the extortion clauses will never trigger so I doubt you'll get in to much trouble, but you are definitely done in the financial sector. Not just you, but thanks to all our time together I compiled a list and have ruined everyone who corrupted you and ruined Tiffy's happiness. I was so jealous of you, but I really did cheer for you once Axel. You made her so happy. Turns out you're just a man, like all the others. He passed out. Can I come by tomorrow Tiffy?" April asked me with an almost pleading tone. I was stunned by her convention so at first I simply nodded before remembering we were on the phone.
"Yeah Apes sounds good."
With that I hung up on both calls. I was busy between the moving and settling things at the office. We hadn't even opened our doors but I already had a dozen contracts that needed approval. Mostly deals that the execs had brought with them. I was signing something when I heard April's bubbly voice coming from outside, "I knew my Tiffy would improve with out that leach. This building is awesome."
Hearing that I smiled and went to open the door, "Apes glad you came. So are you going to tell me everything now?"
"Sure, but you have to promise that even if you don't approve we can be friends again. I've missed you so much Tiffy. Not giving you a big old hug and tell you who I was when I was introduced was the hardest thing I've ever done."
She waited in silence staring at me and then it hit me. She really wasn't going to say anything until she was sure our friendship was safe, "Yeah Apes you'll always be my bestie."
She smiled, "Great. So, first confession, my mom dragged me away, but I never lost track of you. When we lost touch in high school it was because you started dating and I had trouble processing so I told you my mom was taking me to Paris, but I just changed phone numbers. Mom wondered why we stopped talking, but she figured if I didn't want to talk about it then no need to push. I gotta to say you've got shit taste in men. That first scum bag you dated that ricked you into giving him your virginity and then dumped you at the party where he did it. He bought my start up. I built it just to attract his offer. He's bankrupt and under investigation. I didn't approach you in college because I couldn't speak to your second boyfriend. Axel made me so jealous and you were so happy so I just kept an eye on you. Turned out to be a good thing if he knew how much I cared about you I could have never got myself on his radar as a mistress. Which I decided to do as soon as I heard he was looking for one. When I heard his buddies and convinced him he hadn't been successful until he had at least one mistress and an heir I decided ruining him wouldn't be good enough so I tested his contacts everyone who fell for my charms got bad contracts and everybody who was stoic and stayed on topic got the deal killed. If the contracts had run their course there were carefully worded clauses that would legally constitute as extortion as soon as one of the companies paid I was going to send your ex to jail. The last confession, I love you. Always have. You don't have to love me back, but I'll always protect you Tiffy."
Her eyes were tearing up as she glared at me hopefully. I swallowed hard and without giving it much thought I responded, "Apes you want to work for me? We can figure the rest out tomorrow."
"What would my job be?"
"What job would make you say yes?"
"Wifey, or dauntless protector."
"How about head of personal security detail and we go on a date."
"Sure, but you know you don't need to give me a job. Last, last confession I'm kind of rich. I have a successful business Ironically doing basically what I did for you. I solve people problems and deal out justice when the law can't or willn't."
"That's awesome Apes, but I still feel safer knowing you're watching over me."
The date became dating. Then engaged and finally the wedding was here. The priest asked if anyone object and Axel appeared, "I object. I was tricked into signing those divorce papers and I want my wife back."
Of all the insanity. To accuse me of tricking him when he had gleefully said he could replace me easily. He had been thrilled to move, but now with no company and no women he found he needed me back. Anyone witnessing this could tell he missed his lifestyle not me.
Before anyone could respond Axel's voice boomed over the PA system, Who's fighting I can replace you with a dozen other women."
"That doesn't sound like you were tricked sounds like you knew exactly what you were doing."
"Yeah baby that stupid shrew walked away for a measly fifty grand. You can take her place you're twice as smart and three times as hot so what to our say be mine."
"Do you still insist you were tricked?"
Axel left, his whole body shaking with anger at how he had been utterly defeated by this radiant woman. I realized, not for the first time mind you, my girl was amazing.
After the wedding we expanded my company and hers. Certain companies who knew about our history introduce strict ethical contracts for all companies and people they worked with to avoid the fall out of April's vengeance. I had to admit I was a little jealous to learn that she didn't just do this for me. She fought for everyone to get a fair shake. However my pride far weighed my jealousy. I never doubted her love for me and I hoped that was a fell for her she never doubted mine for her.