we keep this love in a photograph

Chapter 13

Jennie was at the office before the sun was even up on Thursday, typing away at her computer as streaks of pink gave a rosy tint to the lavender sky behind her, the view wasted on Jennie, who didn't even turn around to appreciate it. There were dark circles under her eyes from two sleepless nights, not entirely concealed by makeup, and she was slumped with exhaustion, already disgruntled at the fact that her day had barely started.

She was on her second coffee already and the air outside was muggy as it seeped in through the open balcony door. The following week held a board meeting and Jennie was working overtime - more so than usual - to get everything prepared for it, her days completely filled up with meetings with different department heads to go through their strategies and figures with a fine-toothed comb.

When her phone buzzed on her desk, she cast it a cursory glance and then picked it up to hide in her drawer, not in the mood for distractions, but paused at the name on the screen. She'd anticipated a dinner proposal from some overseas business associates in a different timezone, but Rosie was up early for work and Jennie slowly exhaled. As busy as she was, she knew she was going to be in a foul mood all day, and Jennie allowed herself the small indulgence of hearing Rosie's voice as she read the text.

[Rosie]: hi! busy tonight? have a good day xx

Dialling her number, Jennie pressed the phone to her ear and closed her eyes as she slumped in her chair. Her eyes were heavy and her shoulders ached from the tension of the permanent hunch behind her desk, and she rubbed at a kink in her neck as she listened to the ringing.

"Hi! You were already awake, right?" Rosie anxiously greeted her.

"Unfortunately," Jennie grumbled, "I'm already at the office."

"Already? Geez, it's not even seven o'clock; how long have you been there?"

"Since five. There's a big project meeting next week that I need to prep for. Which means ... a full day."

Reaching for her coffee and taking a sip, Jennie listened to Rosie's disappointed reply.

"Damn. Alice told me this morning that Cirque du Soleil is in town and wanted to know if we wanted to go with her and Ashley tonight. I'll tell them you can't make it, but maybe we can go next week after your meeting is over."

Sitting up straight in her chair, Jennie set her cup down as she frowned. "No, no, tonight is fine."

"You're going to be exhausted! It's fine, they won't mind."

"I can guarantee you that if I'm not at the circus tonight, I will be at the office. Probably until after midnight."

"You need to sleep more."

Ignoring the chastisement, Jennie considered for a moment, wondering how early she could leave without hindering her productivity. "What time is the show?"

"There's one at four forty-five, another at six-fifteen, and then eight-thirty."

"How about we meet there at six? I'll send my driver to come and pick you all up."

"Six. Perfect."

"Send me through the address and the ticket site."

"It's okay! We can buy them when we're there."

"My treat."

With a snort of laughter, Rosie pointedly replied, "it's always your treat."

"Rosie, I can promise you, me buying tickets to the circus is not a big deal."

Hesitating, Rosie sighed, "okay, but next time-"