Office Desires

12. Plan

Amita had known Debbie for a couple of years, and she was no stranger to the occasional bad mood. However, what she witnessed in the office that week was on a whole different level.

It was as if a dark cloud had settled over Debbie's usually composed demeanor, casting a shadow over her every action.

For starters, Debbie's usually meticulous desk was in disarray. Papers were scattered haphazardly, and her neatly organized files looked like they had been tossed aside carelessly.

Debbie's interactions with colleagues were another telltale sign of her foul mood. She had always been known for her professionalism and courtesy, but that week, those qualities seemed to have vanished. She was snapping at coworkers over minor issues, and anyone who crossed her path risked feeling her wrath. During meetings, Debbie's irritation was palpable.

She would sit with her arms crossed tightly, her jaw clenched, and her gaze fixed firmly on the table. Even when others were speaking, it was clear that her mind was elsewhere, likely stewing over whatever had put her in such a foul mood.

One of the most telling signs of Debbie's anger was her habitual pen-clicking. When she was agitated, she would absentmindedly tap her pen against her desk, creating a rhythmic and incessant noise that grated on everyone's nerves. This week, that habit had intensified, and the constant clicking filled the office like a relentless metronome, setting a weird atmosphere.

The brunette's usual grace and poise were nowhere to be found. She walked with a briskness that bordered on aggressiveness, and her movements were sharp and abrupt. It was as if she were in a perpetual rush, unable to slow down and take a breath.

Amita couldn't help but wonder if Lou had something to do with Debbie's current state of mind. The abrupt change in Debbie's mood and behavior coincided with their recent disagreements, and she couldn't dismiss the possibility that their strained professional relationship had spilled over into their personal lives.

But yet this week, Lou appeared to be her usual self. She was engaged in her work, interacting amiably with colleagues, and even taking the time to share a friendly conversation or a quick joke with others. It was as if the tension between her and Debbie hadn't affected her at all.

This contrast only deepened Amita's curiosity.

If Lou seemed unfazed by the situation, it made her wonder even more about the root cause of Debbie's turmoil. She knew that Debbie and Lou had been close, both personally and professionally, and it was clear that something had shifted between them. Lou and Debbie seemed to be avoiding each other. They rarely exchanged words, and when they did, it was only work-related...

A sudden realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. It all made sense now, and the puzzle pieces fell into place with remarkable clarity.

Monday... Monday morning, Debbie was okay, but then in the afternoon, she was in a total different mood....

Monday was the day Lou had come to work with her girlfriend, and it seemed like Debbie's mood had taken a nosedive ever since.

It wasn't hard to connect the dots now—Debbie's irritability was directly tied to Lou's new romantic relationship...

Was Debbie Ocean jealous?

****

A week ago:

Lou and Daphne sat in a cozy corner of their favorite café, their cups of coffee growing cold as they engaged in a hushed conversation.

"You know things have been... complicated between me and Debbie since London."

Daphne nodded. "Yeah..."