Kitten

Chapter Seven

Just like I thought would happen, I wasn't able to pay my rent on time. I scrambled to find anything that I could sell or any unknown money lying around. I caved and brought myself to do something that I hated. Calling my parents for money. Of course they didn't mind, but I promised to pay them back as soon as I can.

"Brandy...it's okay to ask for money. You're young. It's okay." My mother had told me. That's her way of saying that she was right, that I should have stayed home and worked at my dad's law firm.

"Thanks mom. I'll pay you back every cent. I promise."

While Mr.Lockwood and majority of the staff went to the fashion show or took time off, I clocked in more hours hoping to see a change on my next paycheque. Then when I'm not working overtime, I managed to get a job at a 24hr drug store. It's not too bad...so far.

"Brandy! This Is Crazy!" Poppy shrieks.

I laughed. "It sounds like you are really enjoying yourself." I tell her.

I almost couldn't hear Poppy over the loud music in the background. Just a lot of voices and Poppy attempting to have a conversation with me while laughing with the people around her. For the most part, I was too happy for her to really care. I know that she's calling me out of the kindness of her heart.

"Well I can't wait for you to come home and you can more about it-"

Before I could finish my sentence the line had cut out and Poppy just disappeared. And it was like this for the rest week until the fashion show was over. Missed calls or calls that only seemed to be Poppy trying to scream over the music.

I kept my promise to her though. I made sure that I would watch the show as soon as I chance. She looked happy to be walking down the runway. She's in her element and it shows.

The week had flew by quicker than I thought. Before I knew it, I was back in the office just trying to keep my eyes opened. Mr.Lockwood had me stuck at my desk just doing the work he was too lazy to do himself. I remember him saying something about how he works too hard to do his own work. I guess as his assistant it's pretty much my job to whatever he doesn't want to do himself.

The evening drew closer and I still had a giant pile of untouched documents to go through. I would have had more done if I wasn't forced to listen to every word of Poppy's runway walk.

"Ms. Diamond. I want those done and on my desk by the morning." Mr. Lockwood had told me just walking into my office.

"Oh, right. But Mr.Lockwood." I say standing up. He looks over his shoulder. "...I-I won't be-be able to...I can't..." I was lost for words. How do I tell my boss that I can't finish my job because I have another job?

He lifts up his hand indicating for me to stop talking.

He raises his eyebrow. "Jesus Mandy. I can't listen to you speak this broken english." He scoffs."Get it done! And this time I want everything emailed to you by midnight."

My jaw dropped slightly. "Midnight?" I mumbled to myself. "Mr.Lockwood....I-I have a-another....priority. I-I can't miss it."

Mr.Lockwood just looks at me up and down. He scoffs then turns his back to me. "I don't care what you have do. This is your main priority."

Mr.Lockwood just slams the door behind him. I sat back into my chair shaking. Tears just uncontrollably streamed down my face.

Why is this happening to me?

My chest started to feel tight and air seemed to get thicker. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Is this want a panic attack is? Unable to function? Can't breath? Can't think?

I tried to put myself together, but I couldn't. I didn't realize what was happening until I was pressed against someones chest as their arms wrapped tightly around me.

"No!" I said struggling to push myself away. As much as I didn't want to push myself away, I kept trying to do so. "Just let me....go!" I exclaimed.

"Brandy. It's alright. Just calm down." They said.

"NO!"

"Hey! Look At Me!" He says grabbing my face to look at him. "You're alright. Just calm down."

I slowly started to feel myself start to relax. I looked around my office. Marcus stood in front of me looking at me intently. I almost forgot that I wasn't the only one left still at the office.

"Brandy-"

"-no. Um, please..." I say taking a step back. "just. No. I'm-I'm fine."

He laughs shortly. "Brandy. We're friends remember. Just tell me what's going on and I'll help you." Marcus tells me grabbing onto my hand. He looks down at me with a smile. "I'm here for you."

I do have to admit that having Marcus here with me isn't all bad. I didn't feel so alone anymore. I nod my head slightly. Marcus winks at me. Still holding my onto my hand, he gently sits me back into my chair. He then walks over to the door and closes it.

"There. It's just you and I now."

I sat back into my chair staring at the ground. How could I explain to someone, who looks like they don't even lift their own finger, that I freaking out because I seconds away from losing the roof over my head, my boss is an asshole, and I don't anything to fall back on.

Instead I shook my head. "I'm okay. Please just let me be alone." I cleared my throat. "I have a day's work to complete in the next few hours." I tell him.

My hand shook as I straightened up my desk. Running my hand through my hair, I went back to previous document I was working on. Instead of leaving, Marcus takes a majority of the folders off my desk.

"Do what you can and I'll take care of the rest." Marcus tells me.

I snapped my head up. "I-I...no. I got it."

"Brandy I just witnessed you have a major meltdown. This is clearly too much work for you. Besides I have no problem helping out a friend." He tells me.

Friends. Right. I forgot that's what we are.

"Are you sure?" I asked standing up. "You don't have too. I-I can manage."

"Just finish what you got there and go home, get some rest."

I smiled nodding my head. "Oh. Thank you. That-that means a lot."