Two weeks flew by fairly quickly.
Natalie didn't see much of Joel. She honestly didn't see much of anyone. It seemed like she was secluded from the world. But that was how Joel liked it. He made it look like she never existed, safe for the confines of his quiet home.
It's been two weeks since her meeting with Greg. It would be a lie if she said her mind never once digressed to his soft inviting smile or sarcastic tone. She'd be lying if she said she hasn't been clutching the contact card and staring into space, ignoring the light racing in her heart.
Nothing stops her from calling him. Right now. Right here. Besides, she is alone. She still had roughly 45 minutes to burn before her next shift starts. She stares at her iPhone 8+, It is the closest thing she had to humanity (whenever Joel went to work) and she was so happy when Joel hadn't deprived her of this glory.
She adjusts herself on the bouncy cushion, her loose ponytail bouncing freely as she leans over the table to grab her phone. Her eyebrows furrow as she opens the messaging app. After inputting the number, she begins to type...
*"Hey|
Nah! Too boring!
Iys Supergirl! ;)|
Iy|s Supergirl ;)
It's|Supergirl;)"*
Nat reads it all over again after correcting the mistakes. She cringes at the pathetic jumble of words called a text.
Too stupid! Really? Supergirl? Even Marcy could do better than that!
Her top lip pulls in between her teeth and she chews on it...vigorously. She takes in a deep breath. One look at her, you'd think she was waiting for America got Talent to call back after she fell on her butt during the audition. It was a lost cause.
This is what she did before she climbed on her bicycle and zoomed off. Her lips look like a raccoon had French-kissed her and her eyes look sore from gazing at her phone screen for a long time.
"Good afternoon Mr. O'Connor."
"Oh, Hi Nat! How are you feeling now?" Dante drops the files he is reading when Nat walks into his office.
Natalie smiles a close-lipped one. "Better," she mutters before shuffling to collect her name tag that was on top of his desk. She nods at him again before exiting.
Thankfully, Jenna is present today. She, Corrine, and Monika were hunched over at the counter, all speaking in hushed tones.
"...I swear I saw him leave LowiSe four days ago." Jenna chirps. Monika snorts before she nudges Corrine who was clipping off her nails.
"Wait... How'd you know that?" Monika queries with a look. Jenna shrugs with an embarrassed smile.
"Corrie? Do you believe this?"
Corrine's head shoots up, she isn't paying attention. She blows her nails before she turns to Monika.
"Believe what?"
Monika rolls her eyes. She'd said this once that one day Corrine might marry her fingernails. After her life, for Corrine, it was her nails.
"Troy came looking for you two minutes ago, since you were so engrossed in your nails, he decided to go." Monika shrugs, a smirk playing on her lips. She secretly winks at Jenna who nods in understanding.
"Oh, I think I saw him holding a bouquet!" Corrine's eyes widen, her jaw drop. "It was purple lilies," Monika adds.
"Definitely!" Jenna nods and Natalie was trying so hard to stifle her laughter.
Corrine shoots up from her stool, her eyes glazing with love. If she was an animation, she would have hearts instead of eyes "Oh my God! You're kidding!!!!!"
Her fingers flail like she was trying to fan herself.
"Yes, I'm kidding." Monika deadpans. All hell broke loose. Jenna's laughter bursts out before Natalie's. This attempt makes the trio notice Natalie, who had doubled over in laughter.
"Meanie!" Corrine pouts at a smug Monika, who lets out a loud laugh before shooting a smile at Natalie.
Her shift ended early. She arrives home twenty minutes later with a wide grin on her face. At work, she'd almost called Greg. It was the adrenaline rush from the smiles and laughter that gave her a boost of confidence. If Jenna had not walked into the restroom, Natalie would have been a stuttering mess on the phone.
The house is quiet. Joel's lunch is still in the microwave, it would have indicated that he wasn't home yet, but he is. The front door was unlocked and Joel's socks laid flimsily on the couch.
Maybe he's ill? Natalie's mind couldn't help thinking. She gets to their bedroom and is about to open the door when she hears it. Moans. High-pitched moans.