Chapter 6. Revealed

Charlie Knocked at the door reluctantly. Mrs Blunder had already informed him of his bosses bad mood. It was the only suitable thing to do. Just as she adored Mark, she also adored Charlie.

''Come in'', was Marks cold voice.He stared daggers into Charlie. Charlie had goosebumps just looking at his boss. There was all sorts off assumptions running through his head about last night when he asked Charlie to attend to her.

''Hey bro, you called?, Whatsup?'' Charlie asked nervously, eyeing out his bosses face. It was grim.

'' Did he do something wrong?, he could not think of anything. He always double checked his work'' ,Charlie thought,'' is it even work related??? Still I do not remember doing anything wrong.

We had the bro code, I would never divulge his life, to anyone, not even his own wife''

'' Charlie, did something happen between you and Jessica last night'', Mark held a questioning look, it was almost frightening if you did not know him.

"What sort of question was that?", Charlie wondered,"What a stupidly weird question his boss had asked"

''Tsk,Say whaaaat. Me and the ugly duckling , are u totally off your head??? Are you still drunk from last night. You are out of your mind", Charlie said, flaring his nostrils and sniffing the air like a dog.''Are you smoking weed? I have taste man.''

Mark looked at him amused. He did not expect such a response. Charlie sounded offended by the question he had asked. Charlie was indeed offended by such a question. How can Mark possibly think something like that of him.

''Well Charlie, I received a notice of resignation from that ugly duckling you refer to. You know she is one of our best employees. Her work is always flawlessly done. I can't afford to lose her. So what happened last night that made her send this email???''

Charlie pulled the chair across him and sat down hard. It almost sounded as if he jumped onto the chair. Mark turned the laptop screen towards him so that he could read the mail that he had received from Jessica.

Charlie read it silently. Something did indeed happen yesterday. He knew he should have called Mark last night and told him. Instead he drove home feeling sorry for her and making all sorts of stories in his head. Theories without facts like a journalist. Speculating in on her life. Judging her but not offering help.

Charlie drew in a deep breath,'' Mark , something did happen last night, but honestly bro, believe me it is not what you think. I would never have anything to do with her, she is not my type, and she is very much married. I do not know if it is really my place to tell you this.''

It wasn't his place and he knew it. It was just too personal. He knew it would be wrong.

''Charlie , dammit, if it is a personal problem we can help her solve it and move forward. Just spit out what you know? I do not have time to beat around the bush. ''

''Can we atleast call her to check how she is atleast, before we discuss last nights events. It would make me feel less guilty and maybe she might just tell you herself. You know I am not the gossiping type'', Charlie said while he picked up the phone on Marks table.

He pulled the diary from Mark's desk, searched for her number and dailed her number. He waited for it to ring.

After four rings , a groggy Jessica picked up her phone.

Charlie put her on loud speaker.

''Hello?''

Charlie coaxed Mark to speak,''Hello Jessica, it is Mark here. I just wanted to check how you are doing?''

''I am doing alright, not too bad, nothing I can't manage'', She spoke holding in the pain she felt,''did you receive my mail?''

''I did, but I am hoping I could make you reconsider. Tell me what is wrong? Is it more money that you need? We can do a review and give you an increase? what ever it could be , I am sure we can fix it!!!'' Mark spoke confidently, hoping she would reconsider.

He secretly crossed his fingers under the table.

Before she could answer, they heard a mans voice in the background.

''Who are you talking to Jessica? Your lover boy? the one from last night?''

****beep ,beep,beep*****

The call was disconnected.

Mark questioned with raised eyebrows,''Loverboy? Last night? Spill it , NOW''

Charlie had no choice. Mark already heard too much, and he did not want his boss to draw his own conclusion. And he knew his bosses imagination could grow quite wild.

Charlie cracked his kneck and stretched out his muscles before waking up and locking the door.

He closed the blinds and sat back down in his chair. He looked at Mark, dead in the eyes. He knew he had to speak the ugly truth about Jessica and her personal life. Something he did not want to do but he needed to, before his boss played judge and jury.

''Nothing, and I repeat nothing happened between that fugly duckling and me. You know I would never cheat on my wife, on a scale of 1 to 10 , my wife is smoking hot. I am not going to leave that fine peice of ass I have for myself for a clumsy bimbo like Jessica, If you want her, be my guest?!!!!!!!!", Charlie spoke , his voice dragged every word so it can be heard very clearly. He needed the words to sink in to his bosses head.

After he was done with his introduction speech, he narrated the events of last nigh as it happened. Every single detail and every event that had happened from the time he left with Jessica until he reached home. He even admitted to slapping Mr Brown and justified his actions.

It was too much to digest.

And....

Mark sat frozen in the spot.