The HR meeting

The HR meeting was short.

Veronica sat beside me the entire time in a simple black top and jeans, looking calm and professional even though I knew she was nervous. She didn’t say much — just introduced herself when asked and stayed quiet while they went through their process.

They showed me the clip. They asked questions about my conduct and whether I understood how the video reflected on the company. I answered honestly where I could. There wasn’t much point lying.

When it was over, Sarah gave me the news I’d already expected.

“We’ve made the decision to terminate your employment, effective immediately. You’ll receive your final pay and any accrued leave entitlements. We’ll send the formal paperwork through today.”

I nodded. I didn’t argue. I didn’t beg. I just stood up, shook her hand, and walked out with Veronica beside me.

The second we got into her car, the weight of it hit me.

I sat in the passenger seat staring out the window while she drove us home. My hands were clenched in my lap. I felt numb and furious and strangely relieved all at once.

Veronica didn’t try to fill the silence with empty comfort. She just reached over and rested her hand on my thigh, squeezing gently every so often.

When we pulled up outside the house, she turned the engine off but didn’t get out right away.

“You okay?” she asked quietly.

I let out a rough laugh that didn’t sound like me.

“No,” I said. “But I will be.”

She turned in her seat to look at me properly. Then she leaned across the centre console, took my face in both hands, and kissed me. It started slow and careful, but it didn’t stay that way for long.

We ended up in the backseat.

It wasn’t gentle. It was messy and urgent and a little **** — her straddling me in the cramped space, the hoodie she’d been wearing all day pushed up, my hands gripping her hips hard enough to leave marks. She rode me like she was trying to burn the whole morning out of both of us, forehead pressed to mine, breathing my name against my mouth every time she sank down.

When it was over, she stayed in my lap, arms wrapped around my neck, both of us breathing hard.

“We’ll figure it out,” she whispered against my skin. “You and me. We’ll figure it out.”

I didn’t answer. I just held her tighter.