~The Shy and The Stubborn~ (the santa clause)

Chapter 12: driving is scary

As her day went by, each and every scene from her dream seemed to replay in her mind, over and over again, as though her mind was taunting her, teasing her.  Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was their naked bodies entwined - the sultry kisses, the grabbing and groping, toying with each other - it was haunting her like an unwelcome specter.

When the lunch hour rolled around, Justice was naturally quick to book it out of the office, her intentions with heading outside and getting some air, away from Bernard.

He was a little stunned at her quick exit, staring dumbfounded at the door she had slammed only moments ago as he spaced out for a moment. Sure, she had been acting weird all day, but...this felt to be his final straw. He was actually looking forward to eating lunch with her that day, but it was obvious she wasn't interested. 

So, he decided to seek advice from the person who knew Justice best.

That was, of course, Maxine. 

He wasn't very hungry, having lost his appetite worrying about his assistant, so once he put his paperwork away, he headed straight for the writing department. None of them would be out, it was only Monday. He learned that from Justice. He approached that very corner of the factory, always noting how much more deserted it was the closer he got, before he made it to the writing department. 

He knocked on the door a few times, and then awaited a response. There was a little bit of chatter behind the door, but it was muffled, so Bernard couldn't tell what they were saying. Then, the door opened, revealing Tobi to be the one who decided to get up and answer. 

There was a slight look of surprise in Tobias's features when he realized who he had answered to, though naturally he always kept his composure and demeanor professional. 

"Oh, Bernard," Tobi addressed him. "What brings you by?"
"Is Max in? I'd like to speak with her if I can," Bernard explained, trying to keep his own demeanor firm. 

Tobi ducked his head back into the room. 

"Max! Bernard's here! He wants to talk to you!"

A few moments later, Max emerged from the dark room, squinting at the way the light hit her eyes as she rubbed them. Tobi headed back to his workspace, and Max shut the door behind herself, her arms crossed in a casual, relaxed way.

"What's up?" she asked, concise as usual. 
"It's Justice," Bernard began, his demeanor seemingly shifting slightly as he allowed a hint of vulnerability to be visible in the way he spoke. "She's been...acting really weird today. Like, really distant and jumpy. And I was just wondering if I did anything to hurt her in any way?"

Max heard alarm bells ring out. Naturally, her very shy, clumsy friend who was terrible at lying had ratted herself out, what did she expect?

"No, no! Uh...well, not directly," Max spluttered, Bernard furrowing his brows at her vague answer. 
"What do you mean 'not directly'?," Bernard pressed, frustrated with Max's ambiguity. 
"Look, I can't give you the details, Justice would rip my head off," Max disclosed to him. "But no, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just...a Justice thing."
"You're sure...?" Bernard asked, still not quite understanding what she was saying. 
"100%," she answered, giving him a little pat on the shoulder. "Just give her time, it's all you can do. And if she doesn't pull herself up, then I will."

Max retracted her hand, crossing her arms once again as she tilted her head slightly. 

"Anyways...why are you so worried about it? She's just another employee to you, is she not?" she asked, a tinge of sarcasm to her voice. 
"What? No, n-no, you're not all just some hivemind to me," Bernard told her, a little offended that she'd even insinuate something like that. "I was just kinda taken back by the way Justice was suddenly distant. I thought we'd built some sort of...I don't know, relationship. I didn't mean to become so close to her, but it happened. And now, radio silence?"
"Look, Boss," Max sighed, leaning against the door. "I hate to admit it, but...that girl, she thinks the world of you."