Chereads / Subordinates With Benefits. / Chapter 8 - Setting Boundaries.

Chapter 8 - Setting Boundaries.

As I walked up the steps to get on Ms. Sparks' floor I took as many deep breaths as I could to calm my nerves. I didn't want to walk through her door with panic written all over my face. She would no doubt tell me to act more professionally while we were talking. Honestly, I'm just praying that I don't get fired. Julie is counting on me to pay her the two hundred dollars a week I promised so she could get her mother over her from Aisa. She wouldn't tell me which part and since I don't know any other language besides Japanese when I go to visit my friends for the comic cons held over in Tokyo and Kyoto when she speaks her native tongue I'm at a loss. I tried to sneak Google Translate into one of the private discussions she had with herself once but I felt guilty for invading her privacy so I didn't even continue. Since then I have begun to appreciate the mystery she brought into my life. When I approached Kim's desk I silenced my thoughts and tried to stay on topic from this moment forward.

"Hi, I'm here to see Ms. Sparks." I could tell Kim was confused but I wasn't sure about what.

"Why are you waiting here?" She asked, "Just go on in hun. You're the only one she wants to see cutie."

"Um, okay," I was so lost and confused about why Kim would talk like towards me. Did Ms. Sparks not inform her that I was her latest failure of platonic friends with benefits? Or would I be more of a subordinate with benefits? I wasn't even sure if Ms. Sparks had considered me a friend. I didn't have time to keep thinking about it because I needed to find out what Ms. Sparks wanted to talk to me about. After knocking on the door Ms. Sparks told me to come in so I opened her door and walked through. Ms. Sparks was standing in front of her desk with her back towards me and as always her fashion style said I'm the one in charge so test the waters before you make a fool of yourself. I stayed in the doorway and introduced my presence.

"You wanted to speak with me, Ms. Sparks?"

"Ah, Lucy!" Ms Sparks said turning her head to face me sounding excited almost as if she didn't know if I wasn't going to be here or not. Motioning to the chairs Ms. Sparks said, "I'm glad you came. Come in, close the door, and take a seat."

"Yes, Ma'am." I closed her door and walked to the chair that was furthest from her which was saying something since the chairs were close to her desk and nearly touching each other's armrest. Ms. Sparks fully turned around and leaned back on her desk where she was partially sitting on the edge. Folding up the tablet she was looking at when I came into her office she placed one hand over the other as she laid the tablet on her thighs, not breaking the eye contact she had with me until I broke that connection when I looked down to the floor.

"Something wrong, Lucy?" she asked kicking up her professional voice.

"Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?"

"I'm not sure," I said noting how unsure I had just become. Her presence was so large that I felt the weight pushing down on me and I couldn't feel confident or sure of anything. I've become so terrified that I was in trouble that I felt my stuttering problem start even before my next words came out. "Is… there some… something I did wrong?"

"What? No, I want to see you."

"Real… really?"

"Yeah, when we met at the elevator on your floor you seemed to have something bothering you. I thought it might've had something to do with what you saw in the elevator between Rebecca and me but when I checked with Jayson and MC Breezy on their progress they informed me that they're still waiting on your projects to finish theirs."

"Oh. I'm just having some difficulty finding a way to bring their instrumentals to the top level as I did before."

"Would you like some help?"

"No, that's ok. It's on the tip of my brain so I'll get through it shortly."

"Ok, if you're sure."

"I am. Was that the only thing you needed?"

"Why? Are you in a hurry to leave?"

When I didn't respond she stood up with shock in her eyes. "Oh, I didn't know you wanted to leave so badly."

"It's not like that." I started looking to my left. "It's just a bit awkward to be here alone with you after everything."

"Is that so?" she asked and I could've sworn she sounded like she was getting emotional. When I turned to look at her I was confused to see an emotion I didn't expect to see someone like her would have. She looked like she was hurting from hearing words telling her that her actions made being in her presence awkward. Did she think everything we were doing or things I had planned for us to do meant nothing to me? "Are we going to be able to be professional?"

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"I brought you here to discuss your productivity and you're talking about your personal life."

"Oh really?" I asked in shock. I was getting more upset the more she spoke.

"Yes. I understand things were confusing at first but now things seem to be as they were meant to be. Now you should be able to do things as you have been since you've had some time away from everything to get a level head."

I took in a deep breath and stood up from my chair. "You're right, Ms. Sparks. Everything has become clear since then and I'm prepared to get back to my usual working progress. If that's all I must ask you to excuse me for the day."

"Um yeah, sure. Is it the end of your day already?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Ok, good work then."

"Thank you. I'll see everyone tomorrow." Turning around I headed to walk out of Ms. Sparks' office when she stopped me just before reaching the door knob.

"Lucy, can I ask you one last question?"

"Sure, Ms. Sparks. I don't mind." I turn and head back to stand beside the chairs I was just at.

"Are you doing anything after you leave here?"

"I don't understand why you would ask that after requesting me to stay professional but no. No, I'm just going home and finish my projects that I'm behind on."

"Oh, well then can I take you out somewhere tonight?"

"Um, I'm not sure if that's a good idea. If you want us to keep things professionally between us from now on then that's a horrible idea."

"Why's that?"

"Well for one, You and Rebecca seem to be an item and I'm not interested in being another tally," I informed her. "I wanted to give my new self to you because I thought you and I were on the same page. You literally called me yours that day before we headed to Mr. Kenneth's office. But it would seem I was the only one wantong to be serious while you just wanted to mess around. I'm not shaming you but I'm also telling you I am not into polyamorous relationships due to being selfish and I refuse to give my heart to someone that's not willing to make me their one and only."

"Tha's a bit old fashioned ain't it?"

"Well like I said I won't shame you for your lifestyle but since you can't understand my decision that's one more reason why it wouldn't be a good idea to see each other outside this building on purpose. Now if you would excuse me I'd like to get home as soon as possible."

"Lucy wait. There's one last thing I'd like to discuss with you."

"Sure I still got some time." I siad after checking my watch under my wriste. "What would you like to discuss now?"

"There's this event held by the company and it's held every year. Usually it's held to either boost moral or it's to celebrate a well done in the charchs. It so happens that it's the ladder this time and I wanted to personally let you know and hand you this invitation personally."

"Am I required to go?" I asked hoping that my attendance isn't mandatory.

"You aren't required to be there no, but since you did help the artists that are being honored there I thought you might want to show your support."

Jayda was moving a bit awkwardly as she stood there waiting for me to respond. I thought about letting feel the level of uncomfortability I had to go through see her with Rebecca all over her but I decided I wanted to get home as soon as possible.

"Do you have the invite with you or is it electronic?"

"It's in my desk. Here let me get it out for you." She rummaged through her drawers and found one of the invitations and handed it to me.

It was a black envelope with golden letters engraved that said "Invitation" on it in cursive. I took the envelope and inspected the card inside and it matched the theme of elegant black and gold. The letterings through our were also cursive to add to the image that this event is something that's going to be a very distinguished celebration. Flipping the card over it was blank except for the 3-D engraving of the pattern of leaves and spirals. The feel of this thick black card in my hands made everything I owned seem so much more cheaper that I wasn't sure what to wear at this extravagant soiree.

"I'll consider the invitation but I might not go. This "party" or "celebration" seems too expensive for me to be there comfortably. I will let you know." I tucked the card back in the envelope and looked back up at Jayda. "Would that be all, Ms. Sparks?"

"Woukd you stop referring to me like some underling? I'm your CEO not your overlord."

"You may be a bit layed back, but I was raised to show respect to those that deserve it and since you own this company that I work at in your request to keep things professional between us I will have to say that I am southern guilted into referring to you as Ms. Sparks. Please understand that it's a force of habit but one that draws the very like you wish to place between us."

In complete shock Jayda had completely fell silent. When it got too awkward to stand there any longer I just turned on my heels and walked to the door. "Since everything seems to be said for now I'll be heading home now. Thank you Ms. Sparks, have a wonderful rest of your day." I called back as I left and closed the door to her office behind me.