A Change of Heart

Chapter 7

The next day I wake up earlier than usual. I want to talk to Arthur about how the date went. I drink a butt load of coffee and head over to his house.

He lives in a small apartment, but I can't say much considering the fact that my house is practically a cottage. I buzz his room, looking at the garden in front of the place.

He comes out in his navy pyjamas with a donut stuffed in his mouth. I can't help but laugh at how much he looks like a chipmunk.

"Soou, howv vwiv ivou," he muffles through the deconstructed donut. I start laughing even harder and he smiles.

"Dude, finish chewing before you start speaking," I say. He chews and then swallows the donut.

"Sorry, how did it go?" he asks.

"It went fine. She seemed to enjoy the date," I say.

"Great, you should get her a nice gift," Arthur suggests.

"I can't afford anything after that date," I answer.

"Ok, maybe you can write her poems or stuff," he says.

"Arthur, I can't write a poem for my life. If I make her one, she'll probably fire me for offending her," I say.

"Fine, I'll write the poems and give them to you. You'll pretend like you wrote it and give it to her, ok?" he explains. I nod.

Fortunately, Joanna doesn't know my handwriting. Everything we do is electronic. She only knows my signature. She won't know if I was the one who wrote the letters.

"Now, head to work before she makes you polish her shoes," he jokes. I laugh and get into my car.

At work, I can't focus whatsoever. All I can think about are the kisses and the date we had. They all play out like a horror movie, scenes clashing with each other. Thinking about being with Joanna horrifies me. I keep typing random letters on the screen to make it look like I'm working.

I'd try the stapler, but I don't want to crush any more of my bones. I try to keep my mind on the end goal, saving Maya. Maya also reminds me what a terrible person Joanna is.

I see one of the guards eyeing me sceptically. He can probably tell I'm not actually working. I delete all the random letters on my screen and start working.

I notice Anna walking around the cubicles, specifically looking at mine. She must've gotten really scared after the accident. It gives me a heavy feeling in my chest. I hate to be the reason she's upset. She's the only joy I have in this job.

My eyes start feeling heavy. I'm trying to fight it, but my eyelids want to close so bad. My coffee is finished, and I've already gotten my refill.

It's too late, my head lays on my table. In less than a second, one of the guards bangs my head on the table.

"You're not supposed to be sleeping! You know what happens if you're caught sleeping," she shouts. Two guys drag me to Joanna's office. I almost fall, but they shake me awake.

I sit on the low chair across from Joanna's desk. I'm hoping that God will give me the energy to stay awake for Joanna to give me my punishment.

"What did you do?" she asked.

"I fell asleep while working," I say. Excuses to Joanna are like excuses to teachers, useless. She sighs disappointedly.

"You can take a nap in my office for 30 minutes, not a second more," she says. My jaw drops, I feel like my eyes will fall out of their sockets from how wide they are.

"Are... are you sure?" I ask, hesitant to actually sleep. She nods and even sets a timer. I slowly lay my head on her table and sleep. 30 Minutes feels like a full 8 hours, until her alarm goes off. I wake up instantly.

"Thank you Ms. Clieves," I smile.

"It was a long date but understand this is the only time this will happen. And never tell anyone about this," Joanna says. I nod and wait for her to dismiss me.

"You can go," she says. I walk out of her office, feeling much less tired than before. I go back to work until it's time to leave.

As usual, like a herd of impalas running from a lion, we head out of the building. I drive home, seeing a letter from Arthur in my mail.

I see that it's a love letter, with a big heart on the back of the envelope. Arthur may be a businessman, but he's as immature as it gets. I put it in my briefcase for tomorrow. I go to bed instantly, making up for as much sleep as I can.

"What's this?" Joanna's secretary asks.

"An important letter for Joanna," I say. She eyes me sceptically, but doesn't say anything. I imagine Joanna's reaction when she sees my letter. She'll probably throw it in the trash, but maybe she'll read it. Anna walks into my cubicle.

"I need to re-bandage your finger," she whispers. I nod and wait for her to get the first aid kit. She takes off the bandage. Wincing as she sees my mangled finger. She puts a new bandage on my finger.

"Make sure to go to a proper doctor about that," she says. I want to laugh at what she just said. Is she joking? What time do I have to visit the doctor?

7pm, it's time to go. Everyone runs out of the door. Someone grabs my hand and yanks me back.

"Howard, before you go," I hear Anna say. I didn't know she was so strong.

"Ms. Clieves says you can go to the doctors and come at 8." I'm completely dumbfounded.

"H-how...?" I stutter.

"Well, after a lot of begging and persuasion, she agreed," Anna smiles. I pick her up and spin her around.

"You're the best!" I cheer. She smiles warmly at me. I walk out of the door, smiling widely.