Addicted 2 Moni

Hype, Hate, Heartbreak

Moni POV

<Currently 12:38pm>

Working with my man has been great so far. I love it. The office day seems pretty slow, so right now I'm studying up for my exams. I still haven't set a time to take them. I'm taking a practice test from a Nursing For Dummies book I got from Barnes & Noble.

I set my pencil down, feeling my brain being overloaded with too much knowledge. I turn my head, looking into the window that leads to Dewayne's office. He's on the phone and writing something down. He looks up toward me, giving me a wink before continuing his phone conversation. I smile, standing up to stretch my legs.

I'll go for a walk, see if they have anything good in the break room.

As I'm passing by the elevator, it dings and the doors slide open. A very stylish man walks out in a red collared shirt, dark grey slacks, and red shoes to match.

He gasps, stopping in his tracks and clutching his chest dramatically.

"Are you alright?" I ask, concerned. At this moment, I'm not fully confident enough to save anyone's life—especially not in these heels.

"Darling, your fit is... perfection," he snaps his fingers before taking my hand and twirling me around.

"Thank you," I laugh.

"You must be the woman everyone's been buzzing about! Let me just say—HONEY—you are gorgeous!"

"Oh really? I didn't realize I was a celebrity around here," I say with a playful grin. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

"Girl, YES!" he snaps again, full of animated energy.

"I don't think I got your name?"

"It's Daniel. But I prefer to be called Dan-yell," he says, dragging it out with flair.

"Okay Dan-yell. I'm Harmony," I say, matching his energy and extending my hand.

"Girl, I already know! We finna be best friends!" he beams.

I laugh. I love his energy. I've never really had a gay friend before, but I could already tell—he's gonna be a vibe.

"You work here?" I ask, realizing I haven't seen him before.

"Yeah, customer service upstairs. I usually come down here because y'all break room is better," he says with a smirk.

"Perfect timing. I'm heading there now," I say, inviting him along.

"PERIOD! 'Cause I need something. My last caller had me all the way fucked up. Said she couldn't make her lawyer payment because she gave her whole check to her baby daddy," Daniel rolls his neck.

"And what did you say?" I laugh.

"I said, 'Girl, you bout stupid as hell.'"

"No you didn't," I say as we enter the break room.

"The hell I didn't!"

I scan the breakroom. Two girls sit on the couch and immediately stop talking when they see us. One rolls her eyes and mutters something.

"What the hell is they problem?" I mumble to Daniel as we head toward the kitchen area.

"Jealousy. You're beautiful. And," he pauses, pulling a donut from the box.

"And?" I say, grabbing a chocolate donut.

"And... you're Mr. Ross's new flavor of the month," he teases.

"Excuse me?" I say through a mouthful of donut.

"No, sis. I didn't mean it like that. Just sayin', Mr. Ross got a rep. Big-time player."

"I know his past. We're actually in a committed relationship. I trust him."

I say it confidently, but it still nags at the back of my mind.

"Okay, girl! I'm glad he finally settled down with a real one. You got a good head on your shoulders."

"Thank you," I smile.

"But I'll say this—because of his rep, you will have bitches tryin' you. Don't let that break y'all. Workin' together and dating? That's a whole job on its own. Take it from me."

He says that last part more to himself than me.

"Daniel, I'm not worried about these bitches. Let 'em step. I got something for that," I say, glaring back at the couch girls.

We finish our donuts.

"We should hang out outside of work," he says, handing me a water bottle.

"I'd be down. You can meet my girl Aisha. Y'all would vibe perfectly."

"Bet! We'll do a girls night. I'll bring my homegirl too," he says, handing me his phone.

"Alright, girl. I'll hit you up. And remember—keep stuntin' on these hoes," Daniel says as we stand by the elevator.

"You know I will, boo," I snap.

I walk past the mailroom, then stop and backtrack. My Amazon package should've come in today.

Let me see if my baby got any mail too.

I walk in, eyeing the Mail In sign. A pretty white girl's in the back sorting mail.

"Excuse me. Do you have any mail for Harmony Taylor or Dewayne Ross?" I raise my voice over the loud copy machine.

She turns, eyes raking over me.

"Well hello. I finally get to meet Mr. Ross's new pet," she says with a fake-ass smile.

Did I say pretty? I take that all the way back.

I breathe deep, trying to stay professional.

"The relationship I have with Mr. Ross is none of your business. Now do you have any mail for me or him?"

I tap my nails on the copy machine.

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you. Don't think it's been sanitized properly since our last session together," she giggles, heading to the shelves.

My chest tightens instantly. That ache trickles down my spine, freezing me in place.

He couldn't have...

Tears sting my eyes, but I hold them back. I refuse to let her see me crack.

She places my package in my hands, followed by some letters.

I grab them and storm out. Her laugh chases me down the hallway.

By the time I reach my desk, I'm crying.

I throw the package down, grab my purse, and snatch up Dewayne's mail.

Fuck everything. I'm going back to his place, grabbing what I can, and going home.

I march into his office, tears and all.

He's scribbling something, but looks up when he hears me sniffling.

"Baby... BABY, what's wrong?" Dewayne stands.

"I got your mail!" I shout, throwing it at him. Most hit his chest, one bounces off his head.

"You fuckin' the mail bitch?! You fucked her, didn't you?! You know what—don't even tell me. I'm done!"

Hot tears roll down my face as I spin around.

"Baby, wait—" he calls.

I storm out, eyes locked on the elevator.

Not today. Not ever again.