A Change of Heart

Chapter 5

The next day I drive to work, thinking of a plan to make the first move without getting in trouble.

"I can't go to her office unless she sends me there. She only leaves the office if someone does something, and I'm not staying for 2 hours. So, how can I get to her?" I say. I get an idea.

While working on my laptop, I call a guard over to get me a cup of coffee. A few minutes later, he comes back with one of Joanna's mugs. I take a quick sip and then drop it on the ground. It shatters in two, leaving me smiling.

Joanna comes out a few minutes later, walking over to my cubicle. Her cheeks are burning, probably thinking about our latest make-out.

"What did I say about my mugs yesterday?" she asks.

"I don't get paid?" I say.

"I'll see you here tonight," she says. One point for me.

It's 7pm, everyone rushes out. Me and Bradely are alone. I walk over to him, and we get the cleaning supplies.

"Glad I'm not doing this alone again," Bradely says. Joanna walks out of her office.

"Bradely, you'll start out here. Howard, you start in my office and move to the bathrooms," Joanna says. We nod and walk to our stations.

Joanna leaves at 9, giving me time to attempt the stupid. I mop her white, marble floors.

"Joanna... when you asked me to kiss you... why was that?" I ask, turning to face her.

"I was confused about my feelings. So, I asked you to do it again, but I didn't know you'd..." she her voice traces off. I look away, trying to not think about that.

I walk over to her window, wiping them. I make quick glances at her as I think of what to say.

"Why are you staring at me Howard?" she asks. I'm surprised she could tell.

"I'm just astounded by your beauty," I say. I want to punch myself in the face for that.

"I don't need compliments on my looks. Success is the real accomplishment," Joanna says.

"I know, but you are really pretty," I comment. She doesn't even look at me. I continue wiping the windows.

"You look presentable. If you didn't, I wouldn't have asked you to go to that party with me," Joanna says.

"Thank you," I smile. It's so awkward, I don't know what else to say.

"You have good taste in design," I say.

"Why are you complimenting me so much?" she asks, looking at me suspiciously.

"Well... I want to ask you out. But..."

"You're scared of me, I know that. Everyone is," she says.

"Well... will you?" I ask. Only silence. I start wiping slower, afraid of the outcome to my bold attempt.

"Are you paying for a nice place?" she asks. My face brightens up, step one completed.

"Yes," I answer with my best fake smile. She nods and continues working. I finish cleaning her office and go to the bathrooms.

Employees aren't allowed to use the bathroom, it's only for the guards so it's mostly clean. I mop the floor and wipe the mirrors, done. After doing all the bathrooms, Bradely and I go to the other floors of the building. We finish at midnight, everyone's gone. We lock the doors and leave.

"Woo, that building's never felt bigger than now," I say.

"I know, imagine doing it by yourself," Bradely says, we start laughing and keep chatting till we leave. I blast some music to keep me awake so that I don't hurt anybody on the road. I just want to snuggle in bed at this point. Forget about my problems.

After I park in the garage, I text Arthur that I've set up a date with her. I can tell he's ecstatic without even being there. I change out of my clothes and drift off to sleep instantly. My alarm goes off, destroying what was practically a nap. I smash the button and motivate myself to get up. I get dressed and head to work.

On the way, I drive by to the grocery shop to talk to Arthur. Just to properly discuss the plan.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have work?" he asks.

"I do, but I want to talk about our plan," I say, looking at the few people in the shop.

"Be quick, I can't keep customers waiting," he says.

"So, I'm going on a date with Joanna. Where should I take her?" I ask.

"Go somewhere classy. Like a dinner, then to that light up fountain show that's starting. Just be romantic, sweep her right off her too high heels," he says.

"Thanks man," I say, I check the time and head to work. That date is going to be one of the longest nights of my life. Almost as bad as that dinner party. I think of how Maya might be doing, wherever Joanna put her.

"This is for you Maya," I say.