4.
We both froze as we stared at the thick snot coating his expensive tuxedo.
I had never wished for the ground to open up and swallow me whole any more than I did right now.
Of course, sneezing was socially acceptable, but once you brought snot into the mix and on top of it being on someone that didn't mix well.
Seeing as we were near a table, I quickly bent and picked up the first napkin I could find off the table. I turned back to Mr. Morrenti, rambling numerous apologies under my breath, as I used the dabbed the napkin on his chest.
I was so embarrassed. At the end of the day, I knew I had a cold and that it wasn't my fault. There were none of the tell tale signs of a sneeze. It just happened, but I felt like I could just crawl into a hole and never come out.
The napkin was gently pulled out of my hands as I was trying to clean up his suit. I kept my gaze downwards, trying my best to avoid eye contact with him. He gently nudged my chin up with his index finger before using the napkin to wipe under my nose.
If I wasn't embarrassed before, I definitely was now. I had been so wrapped up in the destruction of his perfect suit that I didn't even realize I probably had the remnants of my sneeze on my face.
He gently swiped the napkin under my nose before tossing it back on the table I had taken it from. Our eyes briefly connected and the intensity in his almost made me gasp.
I was so fired. He was probably saving the little dignity I seemed to have left by withholding his anger and not firing me in front of everyone.
"We're leaving.", and with that, he turned around and walked confidently towards our table. He picked up my clutch and with a small nod towards the exit, I followed alongside him.
The drive back to my apartment was filled with silence so tense it was nearly suffocating.
He hasn't spoken a word and he's barely looked in my direction, if at all.
I wouldn't blame him for hating me. I practically embarrassed him in front of everyone and basically ruined his perfect suit.
While he spent the entire car ride furiously texting on his phone, I spent it willing my eyes to blink away the tears I felt building up.
In an effort to make up for the situation, I turned my head towards him with what I hoped was a decent attempt of a bright smile.
"I'm really sorry, sir. I'll have your suit dry cleaned personally.", I said.
It was as if I was not even in the car. He made no indication as to whether he heard me or not. I knew my offer wasn't going to erase what happened, but I was already embarrassed enough as it was and I couldn't take it back.
I felt myself deflate as I turned back to the window on my left. As seconds passed, I felt my vision becoming increasingly blurred accompanied by a slight pounding near my temples. Closing my eyes, I rested my head onto the cold glass of the window willing the car ride to end soon.
I didn't know whether Ophelia still had her job or not but at this rate, I just wanted to be in bed.
As the car slowed to a stop in front of my apartment complex, I inwardly gave myself a high five when I managed to cough and sniffle only a few times.
Mr. Morrenti's driver opened my door, signaling me to get out of the car.
I gathered my purse and was half way out of the seat, when I turned to look over my shoulder at the brooding man.
"I'm really sorry. See you on Monday?", I asked hesitantly.
I knew I was mainly inquiring as to whether Ophelia would still have a job which would require my presence on Monday.
His dark eyes glanced up at me from his phone.
They trailed my face slowly, almost analytically, as thick straight eyebrows pinched together.
The highlights of the streetlights contoured his jaw as it clenched.
Silently, he nodded. I offered a half smile as I faced forward and made my way completely out the car. I thanked his driver and made my way into the building.
The moment I stepped into my apartment, a wave of exhaustion pulled me under and I succumbed to it as soon as I fell on my bed.
I was abruptly woken up by my phone's ring tone.
I turned over, reaching out for it and was greeted with a picture of me smiling while holding a hot chocolate.
Before Ophelia left, we swapped phones seeing as she used her personal cell phone to get into contact with Mr. Morrentti.
I never used my phone for anything other than social media so I didn't mind.
I swiped to accept the call while noticing the ungodly hour she was calling me at.
Under normal circumstances, I would have been annoyed that she called me at 2 am, but she was basically 12 hours ahead of me so I didn't mind.
After all, I needed to tell her everything going on so she was aware when she came back.
Her face popped up on the screen and all I could say is that Bali suit her well. She had a small tan and a bright smile. Her curls were loose, being held by a bandana and her bright pink bikini top made her tan pop all the bit more.
"Charlie!!!!"
"Hey, Ophi. I miss you!"
My voice was groggy and deep from the sleep and the cold I was fighting.
"Are you sick?", she asked while coming closer to the screen as if that would help her see me better. A worried expression overtook her previous happy one as the brightness from my phone shed light onto my face. I was not a pretty sight right now.
"Yeah, just a little cold.", I rasped out as I tried to rub the sleepiness out of my eyes.
"Charlie, is everything okay? Is it too much? I can come home."
"No, no. Everything is fine. I just didn't prepare properly for the cold. How's Bali? You look amazing."
For the next ten minutes, she told me everything they had managed to see and do in the few couple days they had been there.
She was preparing lunch as she spoke. A man came into the kitchen, kissed her on the cheek, grabbed an apple and walked away.
She continued speaking, as a small blush spread across her face.
My chest warmed at the sight. She deserved this and I was so happy for her.
"So, how's it going with Mr. Morrentti? Does he suspect anything?", she asked, pausing slightly to look at me.
"No. I don't think he does, but I'm not you. I feel like everything I do, I mess it up. Which reminds me how do you make his coffee?", I asked.
She explained to me her routine which was quite literally the same thing I did. I thought maybe she put a different amount of grains, but she puts 4 spoons like I do.
"Oh, also, I, I guess you really, sneezed on him tonight. Well, yesterday."
The spoon she was using to stir whatever she was making clattered to the ground. She bent down quickly to pick it up before taking a cloth and wiping the floor. She turned back towards the camera with wide disbelieving eyes.
"You what?!", she exclaimed loudly.
"He showed up here out of the blue. He needed me to go with him to an event. After dessert, he wiped off icing from my face. He asked me to dance. Then my nose basically threw up all over his tuxedo. He still wants you in on Monday so don't worry.", I ranted.
Grabbing the phone from the counter, she brought it closer to her face.
"Mr. Morrentti asked you to dance?", she asked. She looked away puzzled as if trying to make sense of the situation. "He wiped your face?"
"Yeah. By the way, you should have told me dancing was part of this gig because if I had known, I would have definitely said no.", I said as I laughed.
However, Ophelia didn't. She remained puzzled.
"Charlie, I've never been asked to dance by him. Hell, I've never even seen him dance at these events. He usually doesn't even stay for the entire meal."
"Oh, I-uh didn't know."
"And he wiped your face? What's all that about?"
"Oh, well I actually had frosting on my face. Plus, the snot. I was so busy trying to clean his suit, I didn't notice my nose was leaking."
"Charlie, he never acts like that.", she said with visible disbelief.
"I don't know. Maybe he was trying to save me the embarrassment? Or, maybe"
"Maybe he has a crush on you?", she teased lightly with a cheeky grin.
I was suddenly grateful that I hadn't turned the light on in my room. I could feel the heat spreading along my cheeks as my belly flipped at the thought of my sister's boss.
"Well, considering I'm supposed to be you, then perhaps he's had a crush on you this whole time."
The thought of that possibility disturbed me more than I liked to admit. It clearly had the opposite effect on Ophelia as a light laugh broke out of from her cheeky grin.
"I seriously doubt that. I can count on one hand how many times we've had a verbal conversation let alone physically touched. Anyways, just be careful."
"I'm trying but you know how I am..."
A soft sigh left her lips as she gave me tightlipped smile.
"I'm sure you're doing great. I really appreciate what you're doing for me."
"I know. You would do the same for me."
"Anyways, you should get back to bed and rest. I'll email Mr. Morrenti that I'm taking a sick day on Monday."
"Wait, why? I'm totally fine. It's just a little cold.", I said while wiping my nose with my sleeve.
"Charlie, you look like horseshit and I can't even fully see you. It's not up for debate so don't bother wasting your breath."
"Okay."
"If you don't feel well by Monday night, send him another email. I have to go. Text me if ever there's anything. I love you, Charlie."
"Love you too, Ophi."
I threw myself backwards onto my pillows from my upwards position. The brightness from my phone illuminated my screen as the notification sound of a text rung throughout the room.
Just closed up and was thinking about you...how you feeling?
It was from Kyle. He was always thoughtful and caring. He always made sure I was okay whether it was before, during, or after a shift. A tiny smile broke out on my face as I texted him back.
On a positive note, I'm not dead even if I may feel like it. How was your shift?
I watched as the chat bubbles appeared and then disappeared. After two minutes, they reappeared before disappearing. Without even realizing, my breathing deepened and my eyes fluttered shut.
The little sleep I had gotten did nothing to help my cold. I woke up in a sweat despite feeling cold. I was wearing a pair of leggings under my sweatpants as well as two long sleeves and a hoody. Even with 3 pairs of fluffy socks and a blanket, the cold seeped deep into my skin.
It was the last week of the semester. Although being sick sucked, at least it opened up some free time to study.
It was Sunday which meant I didn't need to go into the office.
Before Kyle had sent me home yesterday, he told me to not even bother coming in until I felt better.
So, I had an entire day to myself to cram.
As I copied the notes, I found my thoughts wandering instead of focusing on the words I was writing.
I willed myself to focus but memories of dark amber eyes distracted me.
I tried to put classical music on my laptop to help my concentration levels but all I could think about was the way his arms confidently wrapped around me and led me around the dance floor.
After writing two pages and retaining zero information, I felt my frustration level toward myself sky rocket. I was acting like a horny teenager. I needed to get my shit together. I pushed the chair back and made my way to the bathroom. A knock stopped me halfway.
I made my way to the door and opened it to find a muscled figure holding takeout bags in each hand.
Edited: 10/24