Dumped Wife is a Billionaire Heiress

Chapter 2

NATHALIE

Nathalie walked along the busy street of the City. Billboards are everywhere, but the big advertisement screen on the side of the central mall is the center of the attraction, and he's there, Jeron Forster, being featured as the entrepreneur of the year. He just made a huge success, sealing the deal with the top tech company of the country. He looks perfect on that suit with his smile that she hasn't seen for a quit while now. She can't remember when did the coldness started, she was just focused on pleasing him, and trying to resolve what was wrong with her to make him happy, but he never became happy.

But on that big screen that screams his success, happiness is evident on his eyes. She sniffed and continued walking, she won't get anywhere if she keep looking back. It's been two weeks since their break-up and she never once heard from him again. He completely dumped her just like that.

She's stuck between blaming herself for messing up and loathing him for not keeping his vows and promises. But she needs to get going, even if life's getting really hard on her.

Natungo siya sa gallery na dati niyang hawak. It's the gallery that helped her rise to the top likewise she did for the company. Ito ang sumisimbolo sa estado ng malaking architectural firm sa bansa ngayon. The gallery was formerly entrusted to her where they showcase their new innovative interior design. High-profile individuals are visiting there from time to time because they made the design exclusive in-person only. Tanda pa niya noong siya pa ang humahawak ng gallery, mga prestihiyosong tao mula sa iba't-ibang bansa ang nagtutungo rito para lang makita ang mga bago niyang concepts.

She fixed herself and made sure her portfolio is complete and polished, enough for it to impress the director. Napansin niyang nag-iba na ang guard kaya hindi siya kilala at kinapkapan pa siya. After that, she went to the receptionist and asked for the director but the receptionist seems to recognize her, and she thought that she will become nice to her but she is surprisingly impolite.

"Hindi ba ikaw ang ex-wife ni Mr.Forster?" Tanong nito ng may matalas na tono.

Napakurap siya sa titig ng babae sa harapan niya.

Ex-wife. The news did spread so fast.

She swallowed and cleared her throat. She suddenly felt like her self-steem instantly left her. She became anxious on the people around her.

"Ah, yes." It was almost a whisper.

The receptionist' look was full of judgement and distaste. It made her feel so low once more.

"Hindi ako sigurado kung may free time pa ngayon ang Director. Iwan mo nalang ang number mo tapos tawagan ka sa ibang araw." Sabi nito at naglapag ng colorpad at ballpen.

It baffled her.

"Miss, I don't want to sound boastful but I once ran this gallery, and it was me who rose this up to its pinnacle of fame." Pagkumbinsi niya.

Nangunot ang noo ng receptionist.

"Once. Not anymore." Matapang na sagot nito.

She chuckled with disbelief.

She wants to fire her if she was still the director here, but she can't make a scene, not now that it seems news has made its way to everyone that she was dumped by Jeron Forster.

"Fine. Instead of leaving my number which I know for sure that you will never contact me again, just give me the current director's number." She said with a bit of authoritative tone and the receptionist just nodded but with a smug face.

Naglapag ito ng calling card, and she was about to leave when she read that it was not the director's number, but its secretary. Muli niyang tiningnan ang receptionist.

"I said, the director's number." Sabi niya at nangunot rin ang noo ng babae.

"That's all that I can give you, Ma'am. Hindi ka na VIP. It's a strict rules in here. I will be violating our rules if I just confide with your requests. To us, you're no longer important, not being an architect, not being the wife of Mr. Forster. I am just doing my work." Pagsalaysay nito ng may matinis na boses.

She looked around and saw the guards already eyeing them as if she's making a scene. This is embarrasing and outrageous!

She was about to leave but the elevator from the lobby rang and someone she knew with two people from behind following him came out. Her eyes lit up. That's her former protoge! For sure, he will help!

Mabilis siyang lumapit at humarang sa harpan nito.

"Hey Charles!" Pagkaway niya.

His eyes are no longer the same frantic eyes he used to look at her back when he was still under her command. It's now cold, sharp, and screams of authority with the striking black suit he's wearing. But gladly, it sparked with the emotion of seeing someone he hasn't seen for a long time when their eyes met,

"Ms. Nat- Nathalie Forster? Is that you?" Sambit nito na siyang mabilis niyang tinanguan.

She smiled. "Yes, how are you, Charles? It's nice to see you again, sorry to bother, but can you please lend me a hand? I want to go and see the current director to show him my portfolio, if by any chance you could help me, I would appreciate it greatly, for old time's sake?" She smiled with peruasion.

Charles just stared at her portfolio for a while.

"Let me see it." Sabi nito at inilahad ang kamay na kanina ay nakapamulsa. Kaagad niyang inilahad ito at nabuhay ang pag-asa niya at nawala ang pangamba niya kanina.

Charles went through the pages but it was quick and his face screams disinterest. Isinara na ito ni Charles at ibinalik sakaniya. Her smile faded when she saw Charle's uncovinced eyes.

"They're good." Sabi nito pero mukhang hindi interesado.

They're good? No! They're more than good! Or maybe her skills has gone a little blunt since she has left drawing for a long time, but she still know what she's doing.

"Yeah? Can you help me now to see the director?" She sounded so awkward. She can't be too hopeful now that Charles has seen them but he didn't batted an eye of interest in her drawing.

"I'm the current Director. Your works are good, but they no longer befits the gallery. Sorry Nath- Oh I just remember, you're no longer a Forster. I'm sorry for mispeaking earlier. If there's nothing else anymore, I will go ahead now, I still have a meeting. Nice to see you again, Nathalie."

Charles left with the two people following him. She was speechless, and was left like a little worm crawling in a place she no longer belongs to. She wanted to cry of humiliation but she chose to leave with no emotion, not letting the receptionist girl to eye her with pity in her eyes.

Once again, she sat on the floor of her apartment, feeling so hopeless and lost. Only the light from the lamp of her bedside bring things a little clear on her eyes, just perfect for her now uncertain future.

Nangilid ang luha sa mata niya. What did she do so wrong to end up like this? Last time she was in the top of her field, then found by a rising business tycoon, married him, then became his reputable wife, and now? She lost everything just because he doesn't want her anymore.

She cried, finally realizing the hard hit of her life now in rock bottom, with no one to rely on, and nothing to rely on. She messed up so bad she no longer has the will to live. She's being despised by people for some reason just because Jeron Forster left her. Now she can't just go back to the life she had before he met her because he's now a famous billionaire and people will want to please him, of course they wouldn't be kind to his dumped ex-wife. She was literally dumped, so bad, she could not stand up anymore for herself, and Jeron? He doesn't really care, if he really cares, he may have protected some of her reputation but he didn't.

With balled fist, she hit her thigh and started harming herself while crying endlessly. Shame on her, shame on her ex-husband for letting her end up like this.

She continued to hit herself while crying helplessly when a knock on the door made her back to her senses. She didn't bother to wipe her tears. Para siyang walang buhay na naglakad at lumapit sa pintuan at hindi niya ito binuksan.

"Leave me alone! Ayaw ko ngang sumama sainyo! Hindi ako ang nawawalang apo ng boss niyo!" Puno ng prustrasyong sigaw niya.

She's so scared of making another decision. It scares her to think of falling on despair again. One time, she rose on top, then she was used and was dumped like a useless woman with no value at all.

She won't let anyone use her again, dahil bakit ngayon? Bakit ngayon lang sila nagpakita? Hindi ba't maraming pera ang pinaghihinalaang lolo niya? Bakit hindi siya nagawang hanapin noon? They just left her to live without a proper family, wondeing how did she ever got born being left as someone with no identity at all, and now they want to come and get her?

No way.

They've been pestering but she won't budge. she's not interested at all. If they are sincere, why did her allegedly grandfather send someone else instead of trying to see for himself the grandaughter he claimed to be lost? They're no real at all.

Tumalikod na siya sa pintuan nang wala na siyang narinig na ingay o katok. She doesn't care at all, she no longer care where life will lead her.

"Apo,"

She froze when she heard a faint old man's voice.

"Will you let your grandfather see you? Please?"

She turned her head to the door again with eyes widened.

No way...