Chapter Seven: Don't Believe What The Internet Says About People.
Alexandria's POV
My hands flew to my flaming cheeks the moment I closed the door against Mr. Norman. I could not believe what had transpired between us. It felt annoying that his peck on my lips affected me as much as it had.
Just last week, I was almost creeped out by his attempt to seductively tease me because of his monotone voice.
His monotone sexy voice.
And he showed both facial and vocal emotions? For the first time in a long while! That was one heck of a miracle.
I smiled as I remembered how worried and annoyed I had been when the clock was six o'clock and he had not shown up. I had to wear a shirt and bra at home for an extra hour. I was also annoyed at myself for caring about him showing up or not.
And when he showed up, I couldn't stop the nervousness that flowed into my blood stream, or the several thoughts that ran through my mind.
How uncomfortable was he going to be since my house was most likely trash compared to his. His office was even more sophisticated than my living room— which by the way, I had spent a lot of money on just in case I had important guests just so they could be very comfortable.
I ran to my room and grabbed my phone. Layla was on speed dial and thankfully she answered on the first ring. I was dying of excitement. "There's a lot to talk about," I squealed not giving her a chance to even utter a word.
"Ooh," she grinned. "You know what, I'm coming over to hear this!"
"Come on! I can't wait that long! Plus I don't want you to leave your ana all by herself."
"Her caretaker just came over," she said with enthusiasm. "I really need to get out of here before she makes me cook her another soup."
"Enjoy it while it lasts, some of us wish for grandparents to pester us," I smiled. "So today..."
"Shut up!" She groaned. "Knowest thou not that gossip is sweeter in the mouth of man when it is discussed in physical presence? Gossipians chapter eleven, verse four."
I let out a snicker. "May the Lord forgive you."
Once she hung up, I paced about the house restlessly. Checking the clock every now and then. Layla was taking too long. My mind raced back and forth. Did he only find my physical appearance appealing or was there something deeper than that? I decided to shrug off the thought. After all, I couldn't care less.
Right?
I was grateful for the knock on my door. Layla stepped in before I opened the door— she knew the passcode to my house. "Bitch I'm here!" She exclaimed engulfing me into one of her life sucking hugs.
"Hey," I mumbled against her shoulder. "I've missed you so much!"
"Me too," she said pulling back. "So... Where do we start?"
"How's your grandma?" I asked.
"Did I come here to talk about my grandma?" She asked. I shook my head. "I thought so," she said.
"Did you guys fuck or something?" She inquired with a teasing smile.
"Jeez!" I cried out. "How dirty-minded are you!"
"You're that kinky," she shrugged. "So?"
"So he asked me to dinner on Friday," I told her.
"Lemme guess," she said biting her bed lip. "You stood him up?"
"It wasn't intentional," I defended. "I was in the elevator already. I didn't hear him say the time and venue."
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes. "What next?"
"Um, he came over for a movie... And we kissed."
Layla's scream had my eardrums ringing for the next minute. I almost went deaf. "It was more like a peck on the lip," I clarified.
"So you like him?"
"No! I find him very sexually appealing that's all."
"Sure," she muttered. "That's exactly why you're telling me about something as insignificant as a peck."
"Dammit Lay, I just wanna do the right thing. He's my boss and should be nothing more. This whole thing was a mistake."
"Right?"
"So, do you think I should act like nothing happened or?"
"Act like nothing happened in case he happens to be like your old boss," she advised. "If he asks you about it, remind him that he initiated the whole thing."
"Okay," I said. "Although, I doubt be will. He's just tryna get into my pants."
"In a respectful way. Don't go all Alexandria on him," she said with a light laugh. "And I know you want him in your pants."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I questioned with a frown.
"It is what it means," she chuckled. "So how did his lips feel like?"
"It was only a three second thing!" I exclaimed.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
When I got to work the next day, I discovered my fingerprint was already added to his door. I wondered how that had been possible without my presence but I shrugged it off.
The office was as dark as night so I tried feeling the nearby walls for a light switch. Finding none, I slapped my hands twice like k had seen on movies but still, there were not lights. I snapped my fingers, but things remained the same.
Frustrated, I turned around and bumped into a solid wall, or rather— human.
"Good morning," Mr. Norman greeted, steadying me. The lights came on immediately after, momentarily blinding me. I wondered how he did that. I would have asked, bur another question found its way to the tip of my tongue."How early do you come to the office?"
"I have something to do, _ he said then walked away from me. He placed his suitcase on his table as gently as he could before asking; "Do you need anything? You can start your work."
He was acting like his old self. His voice was back to the automated sound, his face showed indifference— barren of emotions. His movements were also rigid and precise.
I scoffed and walked to his toilet do start my days job. I dodn't have much to do since I already washed the walls yesterday.
"Wash the walls today," his voice said from behind me.
Think of the devil!
"Are you serious?" I scoffed. "Yesterday you said..."
"Well I changed my mind," he declared. "You'll be washing it everyday."
"You're not a man of your word like they say," I muttered to myself then started to scrub the walls.
"Excuse me?"
"I was talking to myself," I said go him. "But if you are that curious, I find it stupid to listen to what people say on the internet."
"That's... Wise," he said in a low tone. "Why though?"
"Because the internet says you are a man of your words when clearly you're not."
"What?" He almost sputtered. "Are you insulting you your boss?"
"I was merely stating a fact," I retorted. "Fire me if you want."
"Why are you bitchy this morning?" He asked. "Are you on your period or something?
"Excuse me?" I said dropping the scrubbing brush. "For your information I am not. Except you need proof of that."
"Why would I need proo—"
"You should fuck off and let me do my job in peace," I told him angrily. "What's wrong with human beings that have penises? Because a woman is annoyed they suddenly conclude that they are on their period. Or they act so nice one time and next thing they're acting like assholes."
"Let me give you a word of advice Mr. Norman," I said getting closer. "If you want to get in—"
"Be calm," he said holding my shaking shoulders.
My face turned red in embarrassment. "Leave me alone."
"Okay," he said, dropping his hands by his sides. "Why do you like acting like you're the boss though?"
I glared at him and picked up the scrubbing brush once more. I felt extremely pathetic and foolish. I was at his mercy yet I was acting so irrationally. I sighed in dismay and went on with my job.
"Fine," he said. "I'll leave you alone. Do your job well and we won't have to cross paths again."
He turned his back to me and slowly walked out of the bathroom. I had the sudden urge to tell him to wait so I could apologize and perhaps talk about yesterday in a civil manner but I decided against it. It was best everything remained strictly professional as from now.
He came back to the toilet a minute later. "If it makes you happy, wash the walls only three times a week."
Despite all the annoyance in my body against him, I wanted to hug him badly.
Yes, that's how much I hate anything that's resembles a chore.
When I was done, I left the office without muttering a word to him. He didn't even seem to notice my presence as the door opened and slammed shut.