~Chapter 15~
"I'd suggest that you read it this time. Without skimming and especially Clause 8 (6)."
These words kept on echoing in my head in a continuous loop and all I wanted to do was just curl in my bed. The second I'd reached my apartment last night, I crawled my way into my emails. Not taking Ms. Maxwell's advice to read through the whole thing, I just went for the "especially Clause 8 (6)" strong suggestion.
When I'd read it, it felt like my whole circulation was cut off if that's even possible.
I couldn't remember the exact "law" words of that entire context but I did get the gist of what it meant. In fact, it spoke volumes.
The simple version of what it said was that - do not be intimate with your boss. It was like a punch in my gut and I didn't have the energy to go to my office but I didn't want to seem like an even bigger fool either.
I sat down on my chair with a heavy heart and expected a chirpy 'good morning' from Chelsea but it didn't come. I turned toward her cubicle to find it empty. I just sighed and powered on my computer to write down the script for the radio. Somehow my brain had managed to conjure up a fantastic idea while it was under intense stress yesterday.
As my fingers quickly typed away on the computer, one thought continuously struck me. How did Ms. Maxwell even find out? How'd she come to know about it before that silhouette day? And if she'd known this the whole time then why approach me now?
What bugged me more than that was that my mind not only sought out for those answers but was also screaming one word in particular. Envelope, envelope, envelope. It was chanting this word incessantly but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it exactly meant.
"Hey, Jones!" I glanced up to see Samantha giving me a confused look. "Ms. Maxwell wants to see you?" It came out more as a question than a statement. I could tell that she was surprised since I was asked to meet our boss twice in a row.
"Oh, okay." I nodded my head and smacked my lips after she vanished off in some direction.
Do I even wanna see her? No. No, I don't. But do I have a choice? No. No, I don't.
I stood outside Ms. Maxwell's office for one whole minute, in hopes of composing myself. When I knew that it was useless anyway, I finally knocked on her door. "Come in," I heard.
As I walked in, I saw her spectacled eyes writing down something at an inhumane speed. For some reason, I was sure that if I went closer to look at it, it would look gibberish to me. Not anything more or less than a doctor's handwriting. It was just an assumption about her handwriting though.
Ms. Maxwell put down her pen and gave me her full attention. "Please sit down, Ms. Jones."
I sat down in front of her and observed her silently. One thing I've come to learn about this old yet smart woman was that she has everything under control even when at times, it might not be the case. Her face is always stoic and stern but she never barks or frowns on someone until necessary. Which scared me the most because right now, I was her object. And I couldn't tell how she'd talk to me.
"I am hoping that you read the manual and all our policies," she spoke tightly.
I swallowed a big lump in my throat and nodded weakly. "Yes, Ms. Maxwell."
"Good. So, I hope that you know the position I'm in as well. Most of this company's policies, norms, rules and regulations are formulated beforehand. Sometimes, even the Registrar has a hand behind it. I am simply doing my job," she explained and sighed. For the first time in my two months of working here, I saw that she was weary. About everything and I was one of the problems topped on her plate full of delicacies.
"I get it. I get it…" I said, not meeting her eyes. We're both in the position of protecting our jobs. But in my case, I also had a job of protecting my feelings. What am I to do? Just toss those wistful feelings away like a yarn ball?!
"It was my place to warn you not just as your boss but as a mentor as well. There's no such thing as warning in these instances. I am taking a risk to save you but next time, I wouldn't be so lenient. And like I always say, I hate to repeat myself. You know, I'd lose my job too if someone knows that I didn't fire you yet for your… intimacy with Mr. Williams but I know your potential like nobody else does. I know that you deserve this job as much as everyone else in this institution does. Next time, I won't be able to foreshadow you."
Her words almost made me tear up but I pushed them back. I forced them back. I should have felt consoled by her earnest words but it only brought the worst repercussions. She just warned me in a modest way and I couldn't be more grateful to her. "Thank you and I am sorry, Ms. Maxwell. I didn't mean to put you on the pedestal."
"You see, that's where your problem lies, Ms. Jones. I am saving you for the betterment of this department and there's no personal reason. But you? You involve emotions. I am not saying that it's wrong but what's wrong is you putting them where you're not supposed to. You've gotta be tough when it comes to earning dollar bills. Detach your vulnerability and feelings. Think with your head, not your heart. That's what I've been doing for years and here I am. You might hate hearing this but you'd be giving the same advice in the future. So, don't thank and apologize. Just work," she told me with no regrets.
I felt so much better after hearing that. She was trying to knock some sense into me in her own weird way. People might call her shark but she's a shark full of honorable dignity. My veneration for her doubled because whatever her reason may be, she tried to understand how important this job is to me. "Right."
She nodded and went back to writing down something quickly which meant that this conversation was over and I needed to leave. But I just sat on my seat nervously and played a thumb fight with both my hands. "You need something, Ms. Jones?" She asked me without looking up.
I noticed that her handwriting indeed was unreadable. It was like the lines of heartbeats. "Yes. Um, so I wrote the script for the radio," I told her. The reason I said that was because I needed to lessen her burden.
She stopped in the middle of her writing the whole spelling and looked at me with a newfound, keen interest. "Oh, yeah. Now you're talking."
"Yeah, I mean I'd gotten this really good idea but I just need to wrap up the end. Then I can later hand it over to Sebestian, if that's okay?" I asserted with an excited smile. Ms. Maxwell was right. The only thing that doesn't confuse me nor would leave me is my love for making the content.
Ms. Maxwell nodded, biting her lip thoughtfully. "That's better. God only knows how much he needs to breathe."
I found myself agreeing with her. "Okay. I'll hand it over to him once I am done tweaking some stuff." I suppressed a smile.
I was given a second chance and I wouldn't ruin it again. It took me years to get a position to work here and I wouldn't let even a sliver of a chance to destroy it. I could avoid this catastrophe at every cost. However, there was an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach as I left her office.
It took me about an hour to complete as well as to edit the script and I was quite proud of the outcome. But before I could approach Sebestian to hand it over to him, he left outside the department. It was no secret that he smoked a lot when everyone had their hands on his neck.
I sighed in frustration because it was the second time I didn't join my friends for lunch. I was about to rest my head on my desk to take a few minutes' nap but I saw Chelsea coming toward me from the corner of my eye. A wave of disappointment washed over me when I saw her empty hands.
"No food?" I pouted sadly after she sat down beside me.
"I am sorry, babe but almost everything was finished by the time we were leaving the cafeteria. The only thing they have in stock right now is kale salad which I know you don't like," she told me apologetically.
I groaned, rubbing my face. "I am starving," I whined and I could already feel my eyes drooping. I hadn't been able to sleep well because my thoughts weren't so pleasant last night. That one simple Clause wrecked my entire existence and snatched my sleep too.
"Hey, don't fret. There's a small deli just round the corner. Take a break, feed your tummy and feel refreshed. I can tag along if you want," Chelsea said with a stimulating smile.
My face brightened up within seconds and I swiveled my chair in her direction. "That's a good idea! A deli, of course! My stomach just rumbled in appreciation." I laughed.
Grinning, she raised a brow. "Yeah, I totally heard that." She winked and we both went into a fit of giggles. "All right then, let's go."
"No." I stopped her and she looked at me in puzzlement. "No, you stay here. I know you've got designs to create and a buttload of pressure on your shoulders right now so yeah. I'll be fine, besides I'll be back in no time because takeout is the best option." She was ready to protest but I gave her my best stern look and she relented with a sigh.
"Fine," she mumbled.
The moment I was outside the ZAE Inc. building, I started humming some unfamiliar or maybe even a made up tune while my heeled boots clad feet hit the pavement. Tightening my jacket around me, I rubbed my hands together instinctively. It was mid October and I love this month because the atmosphere is just how I prefer. Along with it, Halloween and Thanksgiving are just a bonus.
On the other hand what was familiar was this clearly handsome, smooth voice. "Valerie!" Skye's voice to be more precise. My legs stopped almost immediately just like my heart did. But soon, I gained back my momentum as my steps increased with my heart thumping wildly.
Ignore him, ignore him, ignore him, ignore him. Ignore him, damnit!
I knew that it was an absolutely selfish move but Ms. Maxwell left me with a warning. A warning that could clearly cost her her job and I wouldn't let my overpowering feelings for Skye overrule me in any way. I couldn't let him confuse me in any way. "Valerie!"
I kept on walking ahead, not daring to look back and quickly pushed open the door to the deli without thinking twice. Why is he calling me again? And the million dollar question is why is he out of his company gates chasing me?!
I looked around me with a slightly crazed look when my eyes fell on an elderly woman behind the counter. She smiled when she saw me entering the deli and approaching her. "Hello," she greeted in her croaky voice. "Wh-"
"I would like to have some of your um…" I trailed off, cutting her off and glancing at the board above. My heart was pumping with my breathing still labored but I was managing to calm down. "Yeah, pastrami sandwich. Takeout please." I clicked my fingers and she nodded her head. I didn't mean to be rude but I was in a hurry and had someone to ignore.
I looked over my shoulder, expecting Skye to barge in at any moment. My fears indeed came true because he did come in with not a very pleased look.
Biting my lip, I turned my head to avoid his gaze but my traitorous hair just gave it away. It's never too easy to blend in with the crowd because of my dark curls.
"Valerie." It was a whisper and I felt his hand on my shoulder.
Just that simple gesture and I could have melted if I weren't so scared. Yes, I was scared. Scared of everything. Scared that I might lose my job. Scared of hurting Skye in the process of trying to save my job. Scared of anyone spotting Skye and I together and leaving Ms. Maxwell with no choice. And most of all, scared to develop my already developed feelings toward him. The worst thing was that it would lead to me losing my job in all the cases and I didn't want that. What I also didn't want was to ignore my evident liking toward Skye.
Liking someone can get so scary and tiring without even trying.
"Miss?" The croaky tone snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked over to see the elderly woman holding out my takeout while glancing between Skye and I.
I took the bag from her hands and paid her, all the while ignoring Skye. Stomping my way out of the deli, I prayed to God that he would get the signal and leave me be. But he just didn't see any highlighted signs or he didn't care enough to pay them any attention.
"Will you please stop?!" He finally exclaimed, getting a firm hold of my arm from behind.
I finally turned to him with a glare. "What is it, Skye? Clearly we can talk about it later. Maybe at the office?" I gritted, pointing around me. I didn't like the open because it screamed danger. Danger at its most vulnerable. Especially after what Ms. Maxwell told me, I could feel her lurking in the shadows, watching our exchange with narrowed eyes.
"You're ignoring me." He scowled and for the first time, I noticed the restless look on his face. I felt really bad but I shook my head to get rid of the temptation to hold him in my arms.
I scoffed because I couldn't answer him to jeopardize Ms. Maxwell's position.
"Why?" He raked his hands through his hair and all I wanted to do at that moment was to forget about all the ultimatum and complications put forward. I didn't like that I was stressing him out by acting so distant all of a sudden.
"I-I… I am hungry!" I said the first thing that came to my mind and showed him my takeout bag.
He looked amused but only for a second which was then replaced by a dubious stare. "Sure." He rolled his eyes.
I took a deep breath in, trying to take my body's reaction a notch down. I always felt good and ignited around him and in that split second, a harsh blow of realization struck me. Ignoring him for saving my job was just a useless piece of cover up. I was in reality just trying to protect myself actually. All because I was beyond confused. I don't know if I should let my feelings for him take over or tame them.
At that moment, that particular moment, the wise words of Ms. Maxwell didn't make sense to me and flew out the window of my brain. "This is because of Ms. Maxwell, isn't it? She told you… right?"
I gasped quietly and gave him a wide eyed look. "Yo-you know? But… how? H-how did you know?" I had to resist the urge to pull out my hair.
"Why do you think I ignored you the whole last week? I did what she asked of me but it was near impossible. And how could I, considering you have saved my ass time after time that night in the club and when I got heavily drunk? I just…" He sighed, sounding almost helpless. That might explain Ms. Maxwell's silhouette.
"Yeah but…" I stopped when I didn't have any explanation for that. "Look, I gotta go, Mr. Williams."
I couldn't tell what brought the hurt on his face. Whether it was me leaving him or me addressing him formally, I was clueless. Either way, it's me and my fault. My heart squeezed in pain but I took the hard decision and walked past him.
The moment I took two steps, I stopped short. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Couldn't bring myself to just walk out on anybody and especially not Skye.
Clenching my teeth in annoyance, I turned back. I cleared my throat before my eyes fell on his soft and enchanting ones.
"I am… I am sorry," I told him softly, trying to avoid his gaze because of how heartbroken yet beautiful he looked at that moment. "I didn't mean to, you know, sound rude or anything. It just kinda happened at the spur of the moment. It's not like me… to do such an atrocious thing. But… but I am paranoid and I am sorry... again," I explained my point of view to him vaguely.
I walked toward him again and he initiated as well by taking a step closer to me. He tucked a loose curl behind my ear gingerly and the butterflies in my stomach were back. It was as if every feeling was on a high alert and the moment he would touch, the fireworks would go off. "Worrying is the last thing I'd want you to do, Valerie," he whispered. We were so close to each other and I gulped in anticipation.
"And yet I do the exact opposite thing. Worry too much." I smiled teasingly and he chuckled.
Our proximity just made my insides feel really mushy and happy. My mind chanted for me to close the space between us and kiss him already. And there's that thought again, baby.
"Why did you come all the way from your office to… here?" I asked him the burning question.
"Actually… this is usually my lunch time and I always come down here to this deli. Their meat is delectable," he answered with a huge grin and smacked his lips.
I laughed because of how adorable he looked. "What? Not ordering around your secretary or something?"
He shrugged. "Not really. I mean, I try to find reasons to get out as much as I can. It isn't cool to be cooped up in that building. Hurts my non-existent ADHD side."
I laughed again and he beamed with a twinkle in his gorgeous eyes. "Okay." I nodded after calming down.
"Yeah. And, uh, when I saw you, my first instinct was to call you but… you know?" His cheeks turned the lightest shade of red and I cooed internally.
I blushed in embarrassment too.
"And I know this might be weird but we could be professional friends."
"Professional friends," I repeated in a whisper to myself as if testing it and thinking how cute it sounded.
Before I could reply to him, my phone pinged. It was a message from Shivaay. 'Hey, VVJ. Sorry to be a boring news bearer but Sebby guy wants everyone in his office. Some kinda meeting or whatever. Come quick.'
I wanted to groan in disappointment because leaving Skye's company didn't sound appealing at all. Ironic, isn't it? Since I had almost run away from him.
"Um… I gotta go and this time for real." I chuckled nervously. "Duty calls." I waved my phone and put it in my pocket.
"Yeah, of course." He scratched the back of his neck boyishly and it was the second time that I felt like hugging him.
I don't know what got into me but it seemed like I was definitely not thinking. I kissed him on the cheek and pulled away after a second or two. He looked like he was in disbelief with his mouth agape, eyes wide and face red. I probably looked the same but it felt good. "Until next time… professional friend?" It came out more as a question than a statement.
Not able to trust myself anymore, I headed toward the ZAE Inc. with electric sparks all over my body and I had to challenge myself to not look back. I tenderly touched my lips and a smile grew up on my face. His skin was soft and clean shaven, just how I like it.
I knew that I should have taken Ms. Maxwell's warning into serious consideration but I didn't regret it. Not at all. Plus, what she didn't see couldn't harm me.
Why do I feel like I just discovered something so foreign yet so familiar in ways? I feel so extremely drunk except for the extra strong alcohol. In fact, there's not even one perfect alcohol involved.
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God, I have so much planned and I'm like literally shaking with excitement lmaooo
Please do vote, comment and share maybe if you adore Skye? ????