Life in a year

Stanley stood by the beach. He watched the water move back and forth. It was night but the moon shone so bright. The wind was high as the tree danced nonstop.

It was Christmas eve. He could hear the bells ring from a distance as the wind blew.

He was just there, all to himself. Anyone who saw him would think he was crazy because he just stood there, looking aimlessly at the ocean.

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He was in deep thought and reflection. A year ago, Stanley had a wonderful family, a job and a house. Now he has nothing. It was baffling how one could lose all that in just a year, but Stanley did.

Stanley had a wife and two daughters. They loved him so much. Every night, his kids would wait for him to return home, and they gave him a hero's welcome. His wife, Karen was the sweetest. She supported Stanley in everything.

Stanley worked at an oil firm. He was earning a salary decent enough for him to provide for his family and live comfortably.

At some point, Stanley changed. He felt like his children were always disturbing him. Every time his little daughters would come to him to play, he would send them away, telling them he was not in the mood.

He also began to resent his wife, Karen. He felt like she was always complaining about everything. In truth, she complained about his behaviour.

Stanley started a secret affair with a colleague at work, Stella. Relationships between colleagues weren't allowed in the company. Stanley knew, but he went on with it anyway. It was a risk he was willing to take. Stella became his happy place. Most times, he would go to her place after work. They were together a lot of the time, while his unsuspecting wife was left to deal with his consistent absence. The kids missed him a lot.

Stanley also began to slack at work. It continuously got so bad that his poor performance became noticeable at work.

One night, while Stanley and his colleague, Stella went out on a romantic date, another coworker saw them. He took photos of Stanley and Stella together.

The next day, Stanley got to work. Everyone was looking at him, and there were whispers by the side. He wondered why everyone was acting strange that morning. His boss, Maxwell called him into his office.

"Stanley, there's something we have to sort out" Maxwell said.
Stanley was now more concerned at this point.

"It has come to our attention that you have broken one of the major rules of this company" Mr Maxwell said.

"I'm lost sir. Please, what rule did I break?" Stanley asked out of curiosity. His palms were already sweaty.

"Stanley, are you in a romantic relationship with a colleague in this company? " Maxwell asked bluntly.

Stanley was thrown off balance. He paused for a second.

"Erm...n..n..no sir" Stanley replied.

"You're even lying" Maxwell said as he gave a cheeky smile.

"We have pictorial evidence that you and Stella are in a romantic relationship" Maxwell said as he brought out photos.

Those were photos of Stanley and Stella at the restaurant being all romantic. They had been caught red-handed.
Stanley, realising that he had been caught, began to beg.

"I'm really sorry. I don't know what came over me. I promise it won't happen again" Stanley appealed.
Mr Maxwell kept a neutral face, as if he wasn't moved by what Stanley was saying.

"I'm sorry Stanley, but you have been relieved of your duties in the company. So has Stella. You can gather your things and exit the building now" Maxwell said.

Stanley couldn't believe it. He just lost his job. He stood there, trying to assimilate what had just happened.

Security came in to see him out of the building.
When Stanley got home, he met his wife, Karen crying.

"What is the matter?" he asked.

Karen looked at him with disgust.

"How could you cheat on me, Stanley. After everything we've been through. I've been faithful to you. Despite how you have been treating me, I stuck by your side. Now, you pay me back by cheating on me? You are so wicked" Karen said out of pain as she cried.
Someone had sent her the photos of him and Stella too.

"I'm really sorry. I made a mistake and I just lost my job over this mistake too. Please forgive me" Stanley pleaded.

"You deserve whatever you get at this point. I'm taking my kids and I'm leaving. You've failed as a father and husband" Karen said.

Karen left the house with the kids. Stanley was now alone.

This brings us to the moment at the beginning. He stood there looking at the ocean. The water movement seemed to be the only thing that could calm him. He had lost everything.
He didn't know where his life would go next, but he was ready to make amends