Priscilla

S2 ⭒ Episode Five

"So, have you got the guts?"
♩ DIWK • Arctic Monkeys.

ALL FOR YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL FEAR

"Fox." I greet unpleasantly, sitting down into a chair across from his desk, "I do hope I wasn't called to the principles office to be fired. Again."

"Pearl." He says in a warning tone, "It's not what I wanted—"

"Oh, don't even bother giving me the 'it's what best for you, it's what's best for the company,' speech. I've heard it far too many times, and if I have to hear it once more, I swear to God, I'll put my cigarette out in your fucking eye." I scoff, taking a drag and shaking my head as I look out of the window away from him. Dust wafts in the air of the light coming in from them.

"I wasn't going to," He grunts softly as he gets up from his chair and rounds to the front of his desk to lean against it, "I was going to apologize."

My eyes drift back to him, "Apologize for what? I think you made your feelings about me and my aid to this manor and it's occupants, perfectly clear. You fired me in front of everyone and didn't even give me the kind courtesy of a warning. You let Rick of all people, speak up and insinuate that I was terrible at my job."

"I talked to him. He was reprimanded. You know me better than to let things like that go."

"Please, a stern talking to isn't a reprimand. A reprimand would've been stapling his balls to the wall or better yet, firing him instead of me." I scoff.

"It wasn't my choice. Corporate asked Halen back, he was placed in as my number two in management. I fought it, Pearl." He shakes his head.

"For days, I fought it and they told me no. So, I had no choice. But, I did have a choice of when and it didn't occur to me in the moment that temporary replacement would effect you so much. That is why I'm apologizing. My head these days, it isn't there. I've been busy trying to get things done. With work, with Kira. There's a lot happening right now. So, I need you to stop fighting me and give me the benefit of the fucking doubt. Alright?"

After everything Fox has done for me, it's really hard for me to stay angry with him, which is how I know this situation is different; I'm still mad.

But, I think it has to do with more than that and I know I should think before saying something else irrational.

These days I'm doing a lot of talking and not a lot of thinking, it seems.

I tap my smoke against the rim of an ash tray close to me, "It effected me so much because—what's happening here? It isn't just a tweak here and there, Fox, it's every-fucking-thing. Day after day, there's something new to surprise me and..." I decide to be honest, "That's hard for me."

He nods and holds eye contact intently like he's really listening.

I stand up on my restless legs and wander the room.