You can do this Annie. You can totally tell Jake you are going to marry him. Don't mind that creepy lady staring at you. Why is that lady staring at me? I say to myself.
Excuse me please, why are you staring at me I say to the middle aged lady standing in front of me.
Staring at you she repeats incredulously. I have been standing here waiting for my order which you took about ten minutes ago and you accuse me of staring at you she says with a screech.
What... I start to say only to realize that I am at work. I mean how could I have forgotten that I was at work. Here I am standing in my work clothes holding a coffee cup and staring into space like a moron.
I am sorry ma. I just got lost I apologise sheepishly.
I am sorry she mimicks me but this time in a high-pitched voice that I know sounds nothing like mine.
I ignore her and turn around to prepare her order. I mean I know I kept her waiting but she doesn't have to be such a bitch or does she. Thinking about it now she has every right to be a bitch but that doesn't mean I have to like her bitchiness.
Here is your order ma I say to the lady while handing her order over to her.
She just glares at me, pays and then walks out of the cafe.
I stare at the door through which she left for a while wishing I could also go that way. Shaking myself out of my thoughts I look around the cafe and see that there are hardly any customers left.
I notice my co-worker Jane on a call and walk over to her.
Hey Jane I say to her
Hold on for a minute she says to the person on the other side of the call. Yes Bells, how may I help you she asks.
Well I just wanna ask if you could cover for me for about half an hour. I need to go somewhere I ask her in a pleading tone.
Sure sure she says to me and continues her discussion on the phone.
Thanks I say to her. I grab my jacket and head out of the cafe.
Standing in front of Jake's company I am assaulted by a sense of deja vu. The last time I was here I ended up storming out in anger. The building looks even bigger now than it did the last time. Squaring my shoulders, I walk into the building. I take the elevators to the executive floor which is also the highest floor. Stepping out of the elevator I walk up to the reception.
Hello I say to the receptionist aware that this is a different receptionist from the bitchy one that was here the last time. Maybe this one will be nice.
What do you want she asks me with no trace of warmth in her voice. Nope not nice at all, I think to myself. I am aware of the look she is giving me and I know it's because I never changed out of my uniform.
Pulling my jacket tighter around me, I say I would like to see Jake.
Of course you would honey she says while staring at me in disdain.
Oh come on. Do all the receptionist go to some school where they teach them bitchiness?
Look just tell him that Annie is here to see him ok? That should not be too difficult for you I say in a hard voice.
Looking doubtful she picks up the phone and calls Jake's office.
Hello sir. There is someone here to see you she says into the phone.
I can hardly hear what he says from the other side but I know it's not going to favor me from the smug look she gives me.
Alright sir. I would escort her out she says smugly and goes to drop the phone.
Snatching the phone out of her hands I say Jake it's Annie urgently. There is silence from the other side of the phone.
Hey give me that the receptionist says while snatching the phone out of my hands. Suddenly Jake's door opens and he is standing there. I mean I know I saw him three days ago but it seems he has grown more handsome since then.
Annie come in he says.
Throwing a triumphant look to the receptionist over my shoulder I follow Jake into his office.
Standing in his office it looks almost the same way as it was the last time. Which sounds ridiculous I know but I guess I just expected everything to be different.
Have a seat he says while walking around the table to sit on his chair.
Do you need anything he asks me.
I would like some water I answer.
Pressing the intercom he says something into it and a few minutes later, there is a knock on the door.
Come in he says and his receptionist comes in with a glass of water. She drops the water on the table and walks out but not before giving me a murderous look.
Picking up the glass I look at the water doubtfully.
Come on drink up. It's not poisoned he says in a voice laced with humor.
You wouldn't know that now, would you I say with a scowl but proceed to drink the water.
Feel better? He asks me after I am done drinking the water.
Yes I reply him.
You seem to always have a dramatic entrance whenever you come to my office he says with a smile.
It's not my fault that all your receptionists are bitches. By the way what happened with Nadine I ask in a fake sweet voice.
He says nothing for a while. He just stares at me. Why are you here Annie he finally says in a soft voice.
I am caught off guard so I look down at my fingers for a while. Looking back up I face him directly and say I have decided to marry you
That's great he says with a trace of relief. What kind of wedding do you...he starts but I cut him off.
I have some conditions I say.
Oh really. Well then let's hear them.
Staring resolutely at anywhere but him I say I want the marriage to be respectful. That means I don't want any other women in your life for the time we are married. I need you to treat me with respect. A tiny voice in my head says you want his love but I shut it up.
You actually thought I would cheat on you while we were married? He says incredulously.
Facing him I see that he is actually shocked. I didn't know I just wanted to..I begin but he cuts me off.
It's fine. You were just looking out for yourself. I may be many things but I am not a cheat or liar.
You once lied to me I blurt out. Immediately the words are out I feel stupid.
I never lied to you he says calmly.
I am suddenly angry. Who does he think he is to sit there and lie to my face. Yes you did. You never told me who you were when we first met I retort.
I see the comprehension dawn on him but all he says is you never asked.
I am about to retort when I realize he is right. I never asked.
Well it's all in the past now I say sulkily.
He just laughs and for a while we just sit in a comfortable silence.
I got an appointment for you with a doctor on Tuesday he says breaking the silence.
Making quick calculation I realize that that's in three days.
Wow that is fast I comment. Thank you.
It's no problem be answers me.
I should go I say while looking at my watch.
Let me walk you out he says while standing up from his chair and walking round the desk.
I stand up and allow him to lead me out.
I realize that it is so much fun walking through the reception with the boss especially when the boss has his hands on your back.
The elevator ride is awkward and I am thankful when we finally walk out of the building.
Let me get you a cab he says while hailing one down. The cab stops in front of us. I say goodbye to Jake and I get in. I tell him the address of my shop and lean back into the seat. Taking cabs is a luxury for me and I might as well enjoy it.
We are here the cabbie says
How much is your fare I ask him while opening my purse.
Nothing he says with a grin. That gentleman paid for it. Goodbye. With that he zooms off.
I stand on the sidewalk staring after the cab for a while before I walk into the cafe.