Subtle Endearment

11. A Warm Reminder

Ian

Where am I? I prop myself up against the bed frame and take in the scene before me. The room is clean like when I first checked in but something is off. "Why do I feel so groggy." I walk into the bathroom surprised to see all my belongings now missing. A paper sits on the tv stand in front of me and I pick it up reading the contents. As I read, the events of last night suddenly come pouring in.

Mr. Dewan,
I'm sorry for my actions last night. You were clearly drunk and I failed to so the right thing when I should have. This will not happen again and if it's okay with you from here on out I'd like to make myself scarce for the benefit of us both.

- Kira

"No, this can't be happening. It was supposed to be a dream," I say running my hands through my hair in frustration. I went too far this time. Why couldn't I hold out longer? She's never going to speak to me again. Still, she seemed pleased when I ran my hands along her soft skin. It looks like I'm not going to be able to do that anymore.

After stopping room service to open my door I collect my belongings and prepare myself in a black suit. Everyone is already waiting in the lobby when I arrive. "We're thirty minutes behind schedule but we should make it on time since we don't board for another two and a half hours," Violet says. "Here is a copy of the contract. I sent the rest back to the office through email," She says handing me the document.

"The cars are waiting outside," she says rubbing her head. She must have a hangover from last night. I'd say something but I have no room to talk seeing how my own drinking lead me astray. "Okay," I respond tucking the document into a folder in my bag. "Also, Kira and I switched seats for the plane ride. You bothered her again didn't you?" She asks bluntly. I don't even have the strength to respond to her.

I glare at her as she questions me, if it weren't for her competence she'd already be fired. That and she seems to be pretty close to Kira. Not close enough though, she doesn't know the reason she switched seats.

"What does this have to do with work?" I ask. "Nothing, Mr. Dewan... actually I'm going to go use the restroom before we head out," she says leaving. As she walks away I spot Kira sitting on a couch talking with several of the other employees. As I walk closer to her I see that she's staring out into space as people talk around her.

"Good morning everyone, we had a successful day confirming the contract yesterday and today we're heading back. As usual you don't need to show up tomorrow for work but if you do it'll be rewarded as overtime. The cars are waiting outside, I probably won't see you all after the plane ride since I have another meeting to run to but I appreciate your efforts yesterday," I say applauding the group.

They follow suit clasping their hands in applause as I finish my speech. Kira must be in a daze, she doesn't look at me directly as I congratulate them and is low to applaud. If only I could see into her mind, by the sound of the note she left me it probably wouldn't be the best timing to address things. I close my eyes, tired from my hangover and the complexity of the situation I put myself in.

"Mr. Dewan, we're leaving now," Tim, the assistant of public affairs reminds me. "Yes, I know I was just collecting myself," I say walking past him to my personal limbo.

I sleep the entire plane ride back. Everyone scurries to their homes as soon as we arrive. I don't even get the chance to talk to Kira before she leaves. As much as I want to catch up, I can't right now seeing how I was summoned again after the meeting.