Fated (cont'd)

“I’m calling from the firm. There’s been an emergency, and I was hoping to speak to him directly," I said.

“Don’t you have his business line or something? How did you get this number?”

I knew I had messed up, but before I could respond, I heard him talking in the background.

“It’s okay, honey; I got this now, thank you.”

I heard him say to her. I knew I was screwed from then on.

“Why are you calling my house? He said with an irritated tone. “Do you want to get fired?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

He hung up before I could speak any further. I had never been so humiliated before.

I found the way he treated me to be unfair, and I couldn’t shake off my feelings for him.

Why couldn’t I accept that he would never love me like I wanted?

Maybe it was time to open my heart up to somebody else.

Back at the office, it’d become way too difficult to focus on the tasks for the day. The earlier awkward call went on to disco at the back of my mind, and I felt so sick to my stomach.

“Maybe you should go home early; I don’t think you’re cut out for it today.”

Turning to my shoulder, I spotted Caroline standing there, but I couldn’t tell how long.

“Look at you! You look so wasted on love; it’s pathetic. Come on now, go home, have a nice warm bath, and eat something sweet.”

She was such a sweetheart who knew exactly how to make me smile. Perhaps she was right—I did look pathetic, and we both knew who was responsible…

Now back at home, the whole place felt emptier than it had ever been. Was it feeling the void in my heart too? Was my state of mind starting to impact my little abode? My comfort zone? I knew better than to allow it.

I hung my coat on the rack and dropped my handbag carelessly on the sofa. Just as I was about to throw myself on the sofa, I heard the doorbell ring. 

I wasn’t expecting anyone, so it surprised me that someone was there at all…

“Uhm, hi, what are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Glad you asked. What the heck were you thinking of calling my home? You could’ve caused me a great deal of trouble, woman!”

It was Semaj, my domineering boss. He was so furious I could tell from the look on his face.

“Listen, I’m sorry, okay? I don’t know what I was thinking; I just didn’t think your wife would pick up.”

"Well, you’re damn right she did; it’s our home for Christ’s sake.”

“And I understand that now, okay? I’m sorry, but you need to calm down and stop raising your voice; the neighbors could hear you.”

“I don’t care about the neighbors…”

“Well, you most certainly should! You must! It’s my home, so you better watch it.”

He shot a look of surprise at me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disrespect you. It’s just that I need you to keep your voice down. Besides, it’s been a week since your trip, and I missed you. I hadn’t heard from you, and you didn’t even bother to call or check on me. What was I supposed to do?”

“Resa, I’ve told you a million times—I am not your boyfriend. Now I know I made you some promises, but I can’t fulfill those promises anytime soon, and you must understand that. I can’t be affectionate toward you; I can’t treat you any differently at work either. Please understand.”

“I understand. You’ve made it clear a million times, and I get it. I’m not complaining. Once again, I apologize for buzzing your private line; it won’t happen again.”

He studied my countenance for any signs of deceit before continuing.

“Listen, we can keep doing what we do and still treat each other professionally.”

“I can see how that works perfectly fine for you," I smirked.

“Hey! I thought you were on board with this the last time we spoke.” 

“Of course, I remember it very clearly.”

He drew closer to me, placing a hand on my left cheek.

“I want you, Resa… but just not like this.”