Office Desires

15. A Smile

Tammy's gaze darted between Lou and Debbie, and her suspicion was palpable. She narrowed her eyes, trying to piece together what had just transpired in that storage room.

Lou felt a surge of anxiety as she met Tammy's gaze. The unspoken tension hung heavy in the air, and she knew that Tammy had questions. It was clear that their encounter in the storage room had not gone unnoticed, and Lou could only wonder what Tammy might be thinking.

"Lou, what was that ?"

Lou tried to maintain her composure, her mind racing to find an explanation that wouldn't reveal the true nature of her relationship with Debbie. "Nothing."

Tammy's eyes bore into Lou's, searching for answers. "So you weren't with Debbie in the storage room?"

Lou sighed, choosing her words carefully. "No... I mean, yes, but we just talked."

"Yeah, right. Just to clear things up, you have a lipstick mark on your neck."

Lou's heart sank as she realized that her attempt at discretion had been in vain. She instinctively touched her neck, confirming Tammy's observation. "I... It's not what it looks like."

Tammy crossed her arms. "Debbie fucks you, doesn't she ?"

"What ?"

"I knew she had a soft spot for you...but I wasn't sure you two were actually doing it."

"It's not what you think."

"See, Debbie has a habit of sleeping with editors, so don't really hope for something; you're just another pretty girl in her office."

"I'm not you Tammy"

"Oh, really? Well, let me guess, she acted all flirty with you, and then when you slept with her, she said it was a mistake, but then two months later, she came back and begged you to fuck her."

"I..."

"She's a bitch, Lou. Stay away from her; she's maybe pretty and hot as hell, but she's really not worth it."

Lou's frustration grew. She didn't want to engage in this hurtful conversation, especially in the middle of an art gallery event.

Ignoring Tammy's comments, she replied, "Look, Tammy, This isn't the time or place for this discussion."

With that, Lou walked away, leaving Tammy behind in the gallery, her bitter words hanging in the air.

****

Lou walked into the office on Monday morning, and a sense of unease gnawed at her. She had not received any texts or messages from Debbie all weekend, and the silence was starting to weigh on her.

As she settled into her desk, Lou's gaze drifted to Debbie's office. The door was closed, and she couldn't see if Debbie was inside.

Throughout the morning, Lou found it difficult to concentrate on her work. She kept checking her phone, hoping for a message from Debbie, but there was nothing.

The uncertainty and silence were beginning to take a toll on her.

An hour later, Amita arrived in Lou's office.

"Lou, I just got a message from Debbie. She said she wants to see you in her office."

Lou's heart sank, and a sense of unease settled in the pit of her stomach. She knew this meeting was crucial, and her emotions were a whirlwind of anticipation and anxiety.

Swallowing hard, she replied, "Thanks for letting me know, Amita. I'll go see her right away."

Amita gave Lou a reassuring pat on the shoulder before she left the office.