𝐼𝑛𝑘 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡

Chapter 9: Petty Comments and Parking Garages

I follow Heather through our floor introducing people as we go since that's the main thing she wanted. Honestly though, why do I have to be the one to introduce them. Your their boss maybe you should introduce yourself.

As I finish up introducing another worker, she decides to open her mouth.

"God why do you sound so,I don't know, done? I mean come on it's not like you were doing anything but eating. Besides you need to lose a few pounds so you should be thanking me for all this walking."

What.The.Fuck.

Is she being serious right now? Did she actually say that to my face?! This woman has too much audacity and someone needs to hack it up and burn it before SOMEONE gets hurt.

"Wow, thank you so much," I say in a sarcastic voice, "I think I look fine the way I am though."

Then she lets out this laugh. This evil villain ass laugh.

"Oh Please Veronica! Are your mirrors working right at home?! You know I can spare a few dollars to get you knew ones."

"My mirrors are working perfectly fine and I don't need you to buy me new ones so you can shove that fake sympathy right up your a-

"Ms.Duke, can I grab you for a second?"

"Of course...it's not like this one is worth my time with that attitude."

With that, she leaves with a piercing glare and I swiftly go to the bathroom to give myself a bit. I could feel tears of anger and insecurity building up in my ducts and I didn't want to bring those tears back to my office. Back to Jd.

I make sure no one is in there before breaking down. I lean against the black patterned wallpaper as tears storm down my face.

I haven't cried in awhile so as much as I hated this...it felt needed. It felt like I was pushing away a brick that was sitting heavy on my chest and heart.

My hair became stuck to my face but I didn't brush it aside. I just stood there in grey feeling silence as I set free some emotions from the cage inside me that needed to be let free.

-
About 10 minutes later I forced myself to stop. I didn't want people to get too suspicious on why I was in here. And if they ask, which okay you nosy asshole, then I'll tell them I'm having my period. That should shut them up.

I fix myself up till I look like the Veronica from before but, I spend extra time looking over myself. I wasn't fat....right? She's just insecure. Yeah, she's insecure. Now let's get back to the day.

Here goes nothing.

I step out of the bathroom and thank god no one was around it. I made my escape and made it back to my room to see a cute sight that I would probably soon interrupt.

There was Jd. Just sleeping on the couch. Such a simple normal thing but looking at it from the perspective of love really changes it. Anyways, sorry for what I'm about to do.

I close the door and like I was expecting he awakes due to the loud sound.

"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you."

"No no it's alright I-

His sentence gets cut as he lets out a yawn. I take a seat back at my chair and log onto my computer.

"Excuse me. Like I was saying, I'll be fine. I guess I was just getting bored waiting for y'a. Speaking of that, what did the walking Mt.Dew make you do?"

Don't get too mad or upset Veronica. You don't want to worry him too much.

"We just walked around the floor. I had to introduce her to employees cause apparently she can't do that herself."

"Sounds grueling."

"No, it was so fun like it was just a blast," I say in the flattest tone ever, "...just the best."

"Yeah I can hear the real enthusiasm in your voice."

I let out a small chuckle and I get to typing something up as we sit in a comfortable silence....well until...

"Hey, what were you gonna say to me before you left? Something like 'Jd I l-

"Oh yeah that. Never mind it. I was just gonna say I liked the way your hair looked today."

Good save on my part I think.

"It's the same way I always do it but thanks. It must just look extra good today then."

"Yeah I guess so."

And I also guess that my confidence to say that phrase will go away for awhile and my opportunity to tell him will be prolonged.

I wish that I could've told him earlier so I would know for sure if he felt the same. I mean I'm %100 percent sure in my head that he's going to say it back but thinking something is way off from the actual thing.

Better luck next time to me.

-
The night has arrived and me and Jd share a kiss before opening the door to my office to finally go home.

"Goodnight my darling, sweet dreams."

"Aw thank you. I hope your dreams a sweeter though."

Veronica..cringy.

He lets out a chuckle and a small smile.

"Thank you."

I give him a nod and blow him a kiss as we go our separate ways.

Once I make it to my car though I get a strange feeling. A feeling that I'm being watched. I feel like there are eyes of another burning a hole through my skull as I rummage through my bag to get my keys.

I look up from my bag and take a look around the parking garage from where I stand. There are a few cars scattered around,most from the other office building we share this garage with, and there is no one in sight. No shadows, no sounds, no shuffling of feet. Nothing.

Okay...last time I checked I'm not schizophrenic so what the hell....I can't be making this up.

I contemplate investigating but I've seen my fair share of horror movies and know that when a person acts dumb and decides to go searching, that's the end. Lights out for them.

So, I just get in my car and make sure to lock the doors quickly just in case.

I make my way down different levels of the concrete tower of parking spots. Occasionally I look out my windows to see if I spot anyone. But still there isn't a soul in sight.

I can't wait to get home. Let's just hope I can actually arrive there.