Electra Chapter 7 #3
I confidently sashayed through the front door.
As expected, Annette was sitting there. She had the phone to her ear, which prevented her from speaking.
The way her eyes widened, I knew this reprieve was at an end.
I gave her a fake smile and breezed past her.
I felt her gaze on me the entire way until I not only passed Swerve’s closed door, but stepped inside of mine.
I debated knocking on his door, but chose to wait.
He was likely on an important call or in a meeting.
I got myself seated and forced my brain to concentrate on work.
Lunch had taken almost two hours, including drive time.
I was salaried, which meant my hours could be flexible.
But I would ensure I worked my full eight hours today before leaving for the night.
I wasn’t one to skate around my responsibilities.
After a couple of false starts, I settled into my work. I kept an ear open for when Swerve’s door opened so I could get my apology out of the way. However, when Annette came to my door and knocked hours later, making me aware it was five o’clock, I got a surprise.
“I’m heading out. I thought I’d let you know.
It’s been a stressful day. Everyone is acting weird.
You stay locked up in your office all morning, then leave despite Swerve calling you back.
Then he left and came back later to say he wouldn’t be staying, but someone would be keeping an eye on the place from outside.
You come back and stay holed up in here. What did I miss this morning?”
I heard the eagerness in her tone. She was trying to get me to appease her curiosity or gossip. “There was a disagreement before you got here. Didn’t you ask Swerve to tell you?” I asked, barely keeping the snideness out of my voice.
I noted a flash of annoyance on her face before she schooled it into her usual “feel sorry for me” expression.
“I asked, but he was agitated. He went after you, but mustn’t have been able to catch up or find you. He even left Dozer behind. He was gone for about an hour, then returned, got Dozer, and told me he was going home to work and that there was someone on guard duty.”
“He came after me?” I asked, slightly surprised at the news.
“He did. You know, that’s not exactly good for him, Electra. Swerve is a great person, and not speaking to him and ignoring him when he speaks to you will get you fired. He’s your boss,” she warned me.
Her expression showed concern, but I knew it was fake. Underneath her words was a hidden glee. She wanted me to be fired. Annette didn’t want me around Swerve or Dozer.
“He’s your boss, Annette. I was hired to be his peer, to co-manage this place.
Which means you work for both of us, now that I think about it.
I don’t have to do what he says, but I choose to.
I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to discuss things with him.
However, I’ll take care of it. You here to tell me goodnight? ” I prodded.
“I am. Are you leaving, too, or would you like me to lock the door and set the alarm behind me? I have no clue if Swerve arranged for someone to guard the place after I was safely home. He’s considerate, and I love that he was so anxious that I was safe.” Her smile was condescending.
“I’ll see you out and lock up. As for a guard, no worries. I’m capable of ensuring my safety.”
My jab didn’t go over her head. I liked that I made her mouth tighten, even if only for a moment. My developing dislike of her inched higher. At the main door, she paused to glance back at me.
“I’ll see you on Monday?” she posed it as a question.
“Yes, you will. Have a good weekend.”
“You, too,” she mumbled, then hurried over the mostly bare lot.
I hadn’t paid attention when I returned from lunch.
I should’ve, so I would’ve realized Swerve wasn’t here.
As I closed the door, locked it, and set the alarm, unease began to settle in my stomach.
I hated waiting to apologize until Monday.
That was two-plus days away. Perhaps I should address it sooner.
That was the thought that kept rattling around in my head as I finished working.
It was after seven o’clock when I gave up and decided to head out.
I wasn’t accomplishing what I hoped. My mind kept drifting to Swerve, wondering how mad he was and whether waiting was the best idea.
After going through the lock-up process a second time, I walked to my car.
I scanned the surrounding area to ensure no one was lurking nearby who shouldn’t be.
Additionally, I wanted to check if a guard was still present. I didn’t see anyone.
Getting into my car, my shoulders slumped.
Exhaustion hit me. It was all I could do to start the car and drive to my house.
When I arrived, I stripped off my clothes and put on cool, comfortable ones.
I went to the kitchen to see if there was anything there to stimulate my appetite for dinner.
I knew I should eat, but I wasn’t feeling it.
Shutting the refrigerator door, I took my glass of wine and went to the living room.
The silence closed in around me. I stared into space and let the past surface, taking me back to a place I shouldn’t revisit, but I knew it had been triggered by seeing Rhodes and our talk today.