PROMISE

THIRTY-THREE: More Secrets

AMANDA

GETTING TOO COMFORTABLE wasn't part of the plan. The last thing I wanted was to make it seem like I took whatever she wanted to tell me likely.

"Did I do something wrong Samantha?" I wanted to smack myself for asking that. It made me seem like I was more nervous than I actually was.

But other than that I tried not to scowl as I said her name. Although she herself had told me to call her by her name, it still felt weird as hell. But who was I to question her.

Samantha sat primly behind her desk like it was a throne handed to her by her loyal subjects. Her mere presence carried around the nicely decorated office. I respected Samantha and that had nothing to do with her being my boss. There was just something admirable about her. You had to be really important for your aura to have the quality of poise that preceded even your authority.

But as she sat across from me with her grim expression, her unblinking eyes searching my soul for answers I didn't know I had, I began to wonder if this was the moment the mask was finally shed to reveal some ugly truths.  Her aura was usually soothing and calming but at the moment it was anything but soothing. You had to be a maniac to be assuaged by the stare.

I tried not to fidget as she bore deeper into me with her unwavering gaze. I didn't like it one bit. I wasn't exactly a full on confident diva that drowned in the self knowledge of the perfection of herself. But even the little bit I had seeped right through my shaky fingers.

Yes. My fingers were shaking. Sigh.

I was just a breath away from breaking from the searing heat of her stare when she shifted, placing both her palms on her impeccable and unsullied desk. She probably thought it would make me feel more at ease but that most certainly did the exact opposite. Tell me why I imagined a sword swishing through the air to decapitate me at her behest.

She cleared her throat straightening her pose. It seemed she had got whatever she had wanted from the most excruciating scrutiny I had ever endured.

"I'm sure you must be wondering why I called you here."

No.

You can take your lovely time.

I rather enjoy feeling like deer in a lion's den.

But I simply nodded instead.

"I hope the question I will ask you won't offend you and will be met with an honest answer."

Woman, I like you enough but stop acting like we're in a movie here.

No plot needs to be thickened.

Damn!

I just wanted her to go ahead and ask instead of driving me crazy with whatever mind games they taught her in whichever private school she went to. I wasn't into that.

"I will try my best to answer truthfully. Go ahead Samantha. You can ask me anything."

At this point I would have promised her anything. I much preferred to be in the emergency room dealing with vomit or whatever, than to be deep fried by her eyeballs. She was as cool as a cucumber in an eerie way it was like a horror movie. I wanted out.