Reality Bites Me

Tow Time

"Darling, what happened?" Viola opened up her mouth to ask Ethan. I combated with my urge to comment on her inability to comprehend the situation around us.

"There seems to have been a power failure B." He said as he placed his black leather briefcase on the floor of the elevator, "Let me make a call."

"I doubt that you'll get any reception in here." I interrupted. Both their heads turned to look at me at the same time. Viola's expression was that of a killer right before the kill.

Where do my stupid decisions to comply with the sudden outburst of courage come from?

"Of course, I completely forgot about the poor network quality in here." Ethan said with a flushed smile.

The more I study Ethan and Viola together, I realize that they aren't a couple. My next thought was that maybe the reason the both of them spend so much time together was because Viola just won't let Ethan live his life without her- peacefully. But that wasn't it either. The both of them clearly seemed to have had some sort of history together due to which Ethan didn't despise her.

"So how did the talk with Mrs. Martinez go this morning?" Ethan asked.

"She explained everything really well." I said.

"Do you think that you'll be able to handle it from here or would you like me to give you a few more tips some other time?"

Do I sense a bit of avidity in his voice?

"Darling, I'm sure she's completely capable now." Viola said. My answer to my boss or to Mrs. Martinez would have been the same but it was Ethan we were talking about. I was yet to grasp the idea that a spectacular looking man like Ethan could be my boss.

"Yes, I'll be fine. If I have any questions I'll come straight to you." I said and then added, "Or I'll just go to Mrs. Martinez since she is the editor." I looked away from the both of them in embarrassment caused due to my poor choice of words. My reflection in the mirror that I was now facing gave me the impression that someone had applied a dark pink shade of lipstick to my cheeks.

I heard Ethan laugh from behind me, "It's alright, I'm sure I could help too."

"I really want to start working. I couldn't have picked a worse time to get into the elevator." I said as I sighed.

"You certainly got that right." Viola said with a smile that may have fooled Ethan but I was certain of what she was implying. To her I'm just the chicken bone in the nugget. If I wasn't here, the wretch would have smothered Ethan's face with lipstick stains.

"I agree. Where were you headed?" Ethan asked.

"I was going to go get my identity card."

"Ah! Once you get that you'll be thankful to this company. It has a lot of benefits including free access to the vending machine."

"A vending machine?"

"It isn't like any other vending machine, haven't you seen it? The mini pies are impeccable."

"I still don't get why I can't have an identity card of my own." Viola said as she diverted her growing anger towards Ethan.

"I told you B, it's not for the models or janitors...or for the...well...it's for the journalists and whoever is above them."

She's a model here? That explains so much!

"Oh so now you're comparing me to the janitors? I have contributed much more to this magazine!"

Oh boy! This is getting out of control.

"Calm down. You are at the same level with the journalists but it's different."