After a stressful week at work, I am on my way to Carson’s house. Carson is like a grandfather to me, that’s why I see him a lot. It’s probably why Mr. Crawford misunderstands our relationship. Speaking of Mr. Crawford, I found out that he and Alex used to be best buddies. They had a falling out a few years ago, and nobody knows what happened. All everyone knows is they hate each other, or rather Mr. Crawford hates Alex. Alex claims to have no problems with Mr. Crawford. I plan on still being friends with Alex even though Mr. Crawford hates him or would want to kill me if he found out. I arrive at Carson’s house and I walk to the back where the pool is. I came today to use his pool. “How are you doing today, dear?” Carson asks when I walk outside to the pool. I told him I was coming to use his pool today, so he’s here waiting for me. “I’m good, and you?” I say, dropping my bag on the table beside the beach chair. “I’m doing fine, dear, and how’s work?” “The same as always,” I say,
“You haven’t called me that since before I could reach the top of the fridge without jumping.” Mushroom was his nickname for me when I was younger. “I know. I was hoping it would remind you that I love you dearly.” “I never said you didn’t love me.” “I know you didn’t, but I felt I needed to remind you.” “Why?” “I need you to remember so you can forgive me for not listening to you.” “Do you believe me now that Adeline is not homeless? That she only came back to you because she doesn’t want to be alone?” “Yes, I do. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.” “It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize. How did you find out she’s lying?” “She sent her driver to pick up her things from the house.” “She has a driver. And she’s moved out,” I ask, shocked. “Yes, to both of your questions and this time. It’ll be the last time I ever believe her and take her back.” “Promise me that?” “I promise you, my dear niece, who loves me more than anyone in this world, that I will never believe Adeline
The following day, I go to work, trying to forget what happened with my boss. I tried making sense of everything and why he acted the way he did, but kept coming up blank. I couldn’t get any sleep last night because of him, and I hope I won’t have a lot to do today at work. I’m already feeling tired, and my day just started. I stop at Starbucks to get coffee on my way. I feel like drinking coffee not made by me. I join the line when I enter the coffee shop and wait for my turn. I use my phone to pass the time. “Eleanor,” a voice says from in front of me. I raise my head up, and a smile graces my lips when I see who it is. “Alex,” I say, smiling. I’m happy to see him. We’ve been talking a lot on the phone since the day I sent him a thank you message for the flowers. He is a really fun person to chat with. “How’re you doing?” “I’m good, and you?” “I’m good. I can’t believe you’re here. This is one place I never thought I’d run into you.” “Why’s that?” “Because you are a billion
Later in the day, around three in the afternoon, I receive a call from Evan. “Hello, Eleanor,” he says when I answer. “How are you doing, Evan?” “I was doing great until my cousin called, yelling and asking me why I was distracting you at work with flowers.” “He did what?” I ask, shocked. “You heard me right, Eleanor, and you know what made it funnier?” “No,” I say, wondering what horrible thing Mr. Crawford said. I can't believe he called Evan yelling. How do flowers at work make me distracted? “It’s especially funny because I don't recall sending you flowers today. So I don't understand why he’s accusing me.” “I’m so sorry, Evan. I didn’t think he would call you about the flowers. I lied and used your name.” “It's fine, Eleanor. If you don't mind me asking, who would send you flowers that would make you have to lie?” “Alex.” “Alex? Alexander Lewis?” “Yes, him.” “Now it makes sense why you told him they were from me.” Evan must also know about the fallout between Alex a
A few days have gone by since Mr. Crawford's kindness toward me. I thought things were going to change after that day, but who was I kidding? I knew nothing was going to change, but I was still hoping it would. I need to stop thinking about Mr. Crawford. I’m on a date with Alex, and he should be the one on my mind, not my boss. “You like the food?” Alex asks, smiling. He has a charming smile. “I do. This place is beautiful,” I say, admiring the classy restaurant. We’re having dinner on a rooftop. He picked me up half an hour ago. I’m wearing a black plunge midi dress with a sweetheart neckline and a side split. “I’m happy you like it. Tell me more about yourself,” he sounds genuinely interested to know more about me. I give him a brief history, and he does the same. He tells me about how he and Mr. Crawford grew up together. They were best friends for more than ten years. He didn't tell me what caused them to stop being friends. It made me more curious to find out what caused the
It’s been a few hours since he yelled at me in his office and I haven’t seen or spoken to Mr. Crawford since. I’m more than grateful for the reprieve. I’m getting ready to go out and have lunch with Evan. He called earlier and said he’d be in the area, so he wanted to meet up. I’m getting up from my desk when I knock a file off accidentally. I bend down to pick it up, and someone speaks to me. “Where’re you going?” Vivienne asks. She must’ve seen my handbag on the table. I always keep my purse under my desk during working hours. I also hardly go out to lunch, opting instead to eat here at the office. We have a cafeteria, and the food isn’t bad. “I have a lunch date,” I say, lifting my head from under the table. Mr. Crawford is standing in front of my office and the glare he sends me makes me want to pee my pants. What did I say wrong now? “Who’s the unlucky man?” Vivienne asks. “It’s not that type of lunch date. We’re just friends going to lunch,” I hope Mr. Crawford believes me
Mr. Jason and I had a nice ride which was surprising to me. I don't know why he didn't let Evan take me on the ride instead, but at least he did not say or do anything annoying to me. I heard him mutter something to himself while we were riding, but his words didn't make any sense as always. He said,"I can't have another man close to you like that."If I didn't know better, I would say he sounds like a jealous boyfriend who wants no guy around his girlfriend.We are back in the stables. Mr. Jason is placing his horse, a black mustang, back in her place for the night. We are about to walk out of the stables when I hear voices outside. They belong to Amber and Evan, and it seems they are arguing about something. Not wanting to ruin the moment, I decide to stay back inside the stables and wait for them to finish discussing while listening to what they are saying."It was a mistake. You should forget about it," Amber says"I can't, and I kn
Amber and I are at the mall shopping. I know Mr. Jason would disapprove of the places I bought my clothes from today. As much as I like the store, he sent me too. I can’t go there to buy my everyday clothes.After shopping for a few hours, Amber and I head to the food court to find something to eat.“You seemed distracted while we were shopping. What is on your mind?” Amber says while eating her food. We ordered our food a few minutes ago and are seated eating.“I was thinking of Mr. Jason while we were shopping. That’s why I was distracted. His new weird behavior these days is making me go crazy. I can’t stop wondering what is causing him to behave the way he does these days.”“How is he behaving?”I tell Amber all the weird things Mr. Jason has been doing or saying to me these past few weeks.“Everything you just told me proves my point from last time. Your boss likes you.”