First Love

Chapter Nine

     When I reached my desk, I suddenly had a strong pain in my stomach. I sat down for a little while and tried to ignore it, but it got worse. I knew that I was due for my period any day, so I took some pain medicine from my purse and waited for the pain to subside, but it soon became unbearable. I grabbed my purse and ran to the restroom and dried my face with a damp paper towel. I didn't think that I could stay at work feeling like this for much longer.

I walked towards Mrs. Patman's office and knock on the door. I hear her voice on the other side of the door telling me I can come inside.

"Mrs. Patman, could I take a leave of absence tomorrow? I would like a personal day, please," I grimaced. I held my lower abdomen and winced in pain.

"Sure, Miss Jones, are you feeling ok? It's not a problem. I'll see you Monday. You could leave early today if you like," she offered.

She was so nice! I think she could sense my pain.

"I took some pills for now, but thank you. I think I will head home," I grimaced again. I walked back to my desk and held my head in my hands. I heard Melanie come up behind me and ask if I was ok.

"I'm fine, just my period. Sometimes it's too painful to bear. It just started, so I figured I ask for a day off, tomorrow. I probably leave a little early, but I need to text James," I explained.

"I'll leave you to it, then. Feel better, Samantha. I'll miss you tomorrow. But, Monday morning, I want all the juicy details of your fun weekend," she winked.

"Thank you," I tried to smile.

I picked up my phone to text James that I was going to leave the office early because I wasn't feeling well. Before I could gather up my things, he called me.

"Don't leave yet," he said. "I'll be right there."

He descended from the elevator a few minutes later and held my purse for me. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I'm ok, just woman's thing. I took some pills, but I am just feeling uneasy. That's why I'm leaving early'," I explained.

"I'll take you home. Come on, let's go," he said softly.

"You're real bossy, but thank you. I don't feel like playfully arguing right now anyway," I replied. I waved goodbye to Melanie and let James lead me to the elevator.

"You know I like to be with you. Why did you think you were going to leave without me?" he asked pointedly.

"I think I will go grab a coffee while you pick up the car from the garage," I said.

"The car should already be up front and you sit in the car while I grab us a coffee," he redirected.

He was being very bossy, but I didn't feel well enough to retort. I could see that he was worried about me. I liked that about him. He was handsome and caring. He held the car door open for me and jogged over to Starbucks to get us a coffee.

When he returned a few minutes later, he handed me the coffee and a warm cheese Danish that he had also bought. I thanked him and then watched as he pulled into traffic to take me home.

"I wanted to make sure you had food in your stomach with the medicine. You just had a salad earlier, so you needed a little something extra," he explained.

"Thank you, my handsome prince. What am I going to do without you? Are you worried about me? I like you more than a friend, James, but I think you already know that," I smiled.

I took a sip from the steaming coffee and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you for your soothing comments, you really touch my heart every time. I like taking care of you, so please let me," he remarked.