Of Course, It's You

Chapter 38

Hannah

            The first few days back in the office felt rushed. Everyone seemed to be scrambling around everywhere, as if they couldn't get to where they were going fast enough. Hannah could feel eyes on her, but she did her best to ignore them. She even went as far as not paying attention to the home screen of her internet browser, afraid to see the headlines. She hadn't heard much from Carmen aside from when she landed and made it home safe.

            She told herself that Carmen was insanely busy with work and adjusting to her new interim replacement role. And, until she was made the new permanent head of the company, things might not slow down for her. She knew there were legal battles looming around the corner for Carmen's family, and as much as she wanted to be the shoulder Carmen could lean on, she also didn't want to burden her with messages. She was sure to be receiving plenty of them from a lot of people.

            By Wednesday, Hannah couldn't take anymore of the not-so-sly glances she was getting from work. She walked up to the reception desk, and when she made eye contact with Jules, she tilted her head to the copy room. Jules shut the door behind them quietly.

            "Everything okay?" Jules asked in a tone that was far too sincere. Hannah hated it.

            "I... I'm tired of everybody walking on eggshells around me." She said while she paced back and forth.

            "Honey, it's because of the articles. You know that."

            Hannah spun on her. "Of course, I know that." She rubbed her temples. "I'm sorry. I'm not upset with you. I'm upset with the situation, and the situation that it has put everybody in when they look at me."

            "It's just because.... Well, the cat is out of the bag on you two."

            "What do you mean?"

"The article that Pathway published about the two of you. It was really sweet. I don't think anybody thought that if you were to be with someone, that it would be her. And God, everyone here thought she was some she-devil, so they never in a million years would have suspected her of falling for, well, anyone." Jules told her as she sat on a box.

"She's not some... 'she-devil'." Hannah countered.

"No, I know that. But, when everyone learned she was coming down here for the merger, her reputation preceded her and they based their assumptions on that."

"How do I get them to stop treating me like I'm some road-side casualty?" Hannah asked.

"I don't really know how to help you on that one. I think they all want to make sure you're doing okay but are too afraid to ask." Jules looked down as she stretched and pointed her foot. "I would just keep going about your day and focus on work. If it wasn't for the article, they would never have known in the first place, right? Honestly, everyone should mind their own business and focus on work. Especially with the scandal around Mr. Mills."

She was right. God, Hannah knew she was right, but it didn't help the sinking feeling in her stomach. "What a mess," she said with a sigh.

"How is she by the way?" Jules asked while she redid the bun her hair was in.

"I don't really know."

Jules scoffed. "Wait. Seriously? I would have thought you two would be texting nonstop."

"I haven't figured out what to text her since she got home."

Jules just eyed her. "You ask how she's doing. Plain and simple."